Tomb Raider Forums - TOMB RAIDER General Discussion Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikky (Post 5957901)

What does everyone think of having difficulty options? Like, Easy, Normal and Hard?

In the trilogy, to be completely honest, I could not tell the difference between the three; they all seemed like Easy to me. I would prefer if there were no options at all and CD put everything into consideration and at the same time make a challenging game. But if they were to put difficulty options, I would like there to be noticeable and distinguishable differences in the game's difficulty as opposed to just the enemies having a bigger health gauge and Lara being a teeny bit weaker.

So, I came up with system that might work, if CD are bothered to do it, which they won't be, but it's nice to dream. ^_^

Easy Mode: Lara is stronger and enemies are weaker, but noticeably so compared to other modes. Same for the other modes - noticeable differences is the key. The QTEs take hardly any effort and time to complete. "Puzzles" (I use quotations because apparently puzzles won't be traditional and involve the environment and all that) are easier to do compared to the other modes, as in they will be modified and less challenging - for the casual gamer who just wants to enjoy the game and get on with it. Even if the puzzles involve the level itself and everything around it, modifying something in a room or two can be done. Just look at GoL with the single and 2 player mode - single player puzzles were modified to fit just one player. I know it's not eaxctly the same thing, but it shows that, if CD are bothered, it can be done.
The Survival Instinct is an option.

Normal Mode: For a casual gamer who wants a challenge. This mode would kinda be like the "norm"; what you'd expect from a normal mode in game. Lara is weaker than Easy but stronger than Hard, the enemies will be average; they're challenging but not too challenging to defeat, the QTEs will be more challenging than easy, but not too hard etc. You get the idea.
But they'd really need to get the puzzles right on this - make them challenging but not so that the player will get frustrated. But getting stuck once or twice is okay because SI will also be an option.

Hard Mode: The ultimate mode for the hard-core gamer. Lara's is weaker and takes more damage from hits, enemies will be harder and take longer to defeat. QTEs are challenging and take effort. Since this mode would really be for the ultimate TR fan and hard core gamer, the puzzles will be really hard and take a lot of thinking and time. If you can't go hard, then go home. And Survival Instinct won't be an option. :D

So, that's my idea. But like I said, I would prefer it if there weren't difficulty options, but if there were, this is how it should be. :D

I prefer they did have an option TBH, and the way you described how the difficulty should effect the game mechanics is very relevant IMO. i can see the Xbox 360/PS3 having achievements/trophies for completing the story on hard mode as well, not that i care because i game mostly on my pc than my Xbox.

i don't want tomb raider turning into gta or assassins creed (both dont have any difficulty settings) although both games are great they get pretty boring if you want to redo the story. Having an option is better than having non imo, it doesn't really harm the experience. i love a challange, imagine ammo being scarce, food harder to find, the need to find water more often etc. it works for me.

One of the worst difficulty options of any campaign in a game was COD. OMG you got shot out of nowhere and in two bullets you were dead. your first reaction is frustration then your like WTF killed me or where did he come from? i agree a game should be 'Hard' but to an extent where you dont have to repeat a certian sequence atleast 10 times to pass through, the chances are your already fed up. have you guys notices in some games you could stream through the story on hard difficulty but at a certain area of the campaign it took you hours just to continue. COD is a perfect example of that.