Current Events > When playing a new game which difficulty mode do you generally choose

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Nightmare

Normal unless there's an obvious 'this is what the devs wanted' option, like Heroic on Halo

Normal. Its the best approximation for the intended experience that won't leave me second guessing about whether I'm doing domething wrong if enemies get spongey or one shotting me.

Very Hard/Rough

Oh so were in a video game difficulty arc on here now?

If it allows changing it mid-game I'll usually start on Hard (but not usually any "super hard" type setting). Otherwise, Normal. Often in the former case I don't actually end up changing it, but knowing I won't have to restart if it's too hard gives me more confidence to pick it.

Very hard

IceCreamOnStero posted...

Normal. Its the best approximation for the intended experience that won't leave me second guessing about whether I'm doing domething wrong if enemies get spongey or one shotting me.

This. If there's NG+ and/or reason for multiple playthroughs, I tend to go for the easiest and work my way up after the first normal run.

Normal. As I get older, the less I care about earning gamer cred for beating a game on "ULTRA HARD GIGA DEATHCORE DIFFICULTY". I play games to relax. I do need some challenge to stay engaged tho so if Normal is too easy, I'll play on Hard.

Usually the highest.

If the mode is to unreasonably hard though I'll likely just drop the game enitrely. GoW ragnarok being one such game.

I had to tone down the difficulty due how poorly balanced it was. I still beat it but but didn't have the will to do anymore on top of other issues I had with the game.

Depends on the type of game. RPGs and strategy games I usually go normal so I dont have to sweat looking up builds and guides and can just enjoy the game casually.

FPS and action games I usually will go for the hardest if its realistic mode (dying fast but killing fast, less HUD info/assist etc) but will do 2nd hardest if the hardest is just bullet sponge mode.

Depends on the game. If it's turned-based, and thus doesn't require any dexterity, I'll usually go straight to hard mode (especially if it's a game from a series I'm already familiar with). Otherwise, normal.

Usually normal or the equivalent. Occasionally, depending on the genre or how familiar I am with the series I'll go one difficulty higher. Never go more than that at least not with a new game.

In this situation, Hard.

Above the middle for sure, but not the hardest if there is more.

If Im good at the genre, whatever the game is balanced at +1

else, normal

I leave it on the default setting unless it turns out to be too easy or it's a game that rewards higher difficult with better tier items and more loot.

Easy mode

Hard.

In modern gaming I find typically normal is way way too easy and I find hard is what normal used to be.

I'm not some showoff or try hard but when a game is so piss easy there is virtually no threat of dying it takes away my enjoyment as there is no sense of accomplishing anything. I might as well be playing a visual novel. Plus I find often the mechanics of the game aren't really utilized unless there is some type of challenge. It doesn't have to be a great challenge but there needs to be some type of resistance.

Normal, then play on harder difficulties if I replay the game.

usually the hardest. locking hard modes out of a first run is a horrible decision too many games make

If I'm playing the game for a story and/or the gameplay isn't enjoyable, ultimate weakling easy mode.

Otherwise hard.

The hardest available, as long as it doesn't limit the content (Ex: Trails into Reverie's hardest difficulty doesn't let you carry over bonuses from having a CS4 save file afaik).

Locking difficulties behind completion of the game is a pet peeve of mine.

Whatever the second hardest is