How do you play yours?

[something daft already!!]

I used to generally choose normal or medium difficulty when starting a game, but recently due to my age and lowering ability, I now choose easy mode or similar.

What mode do you play games on and has this changed? Do you play through and then play again on a higher level? I did with the original Doom, but I was a mere child of early twenties then.

 

[marinersfan]

Easy on most games.
I play to enjoy myself not getting frustrated.

 

[Subzero85]

usually normal or standard mode, but if you get the chance to change difficulty , i would have no problem lowering the difficulty if i am having trouble with a particular section or enemy

 

[Drangueos]

Depends of the type of the game, but usually on Hard.

 

[Dark Light]

Depends on how hard the game is, but I turn it down if it starts getting unfun, but I normally play on the hardest or the second hardest. Not counting challenge difficulties. I created my own difficulties for Half-Life and Half-Life 2 because those games are so easy, also make up rules for other games, didn't use any health pickup in F.E.A.R. 2 since that game is ridiculously easy.

 

[Dravic]

I generally start on the normal difficulty, if that's too easy I up the difficulty level if possible. I never turn difficulty down though, like a challenge.

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

Normal. Unless there is a difficulty that is between normal and hard, then I go for that one.

 

[iron_monkey]

Depends on the game but usually on the hardest or 2nd hardest. If it just makes the enemies bullet sponges its no fun then.

 

[something daft already!!]

For me this only happened recently. I started Crimson Desert on Normal and got about 100 hours in and changed to easy. Been playing on easy for all games since. Seems more enjoyable to me.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

Normal/Medium unless it’s game type I’m very familiar with, then I’ll try Hard difficulty.

 

[adidan]

First run Normal so I can comfortably take in the story.

On subsequent runs max it out unless it's some stupid thing (like doing Dead Space just using a toothpick or whatever)

 

[GBRusty]

Straight to easy...also another reason that online play is out of bounds for me as everyone else is better than me

 

[nutsnut]

Normally on hard, then 2nd play through on extreme if available.

 

[mark43]

Depends on the game, but usually hard (though not crazy hard if that's an option). I tend to go for hard just because I don't want to fly through the game too easily and want to make sure I have a reasonable challenge, though I do need to start taking it down a notch if I do find it too difficult and frustrating. Its pretty rare I find time to replay a game, I guess if that was something I did often then I might start on normal and then increase it for the next playthrough.

 

[arc@css]

It depends on the game, though rarely below 'normal' or medium difficulty.
As someone else said, I don't often play games for the difficulty, but rather for a balance of all aspects.

For some older games I know like the back of my hand, e.g., Quake, I often play on the highest difficulty.

Regardless, if unsure, trying something on a medium level of difficulty means I can't really go wrong.

 

[ne0]

I used to nearly always play on Hard but it's different these days being late 40s with all the usual responsibilities. I have less time to play and I like to complete games so I generally go with default difficulty, only bumping it to hard if I need more of a challenge. I'm definitely a more casual player these days. I'll also drop it to Easy mode if I really have to. Don't have the time nor patience for stupid difficulty spikes anymore.

 

[Jim99]

I wouldn't mind trying hard if it made the AI a bit smarter or less prone to charging.

But when it turns the enemies into bullet sponges, or just increases the chances of me getting wiped out without warning and set back 10 minutes to a checkpoint or restart... nah, I'll take easy every time.

 

[Rroff]

Depends on the game - generally I use the hard or nightmare level but some games where the harder difficulties basically just reduces your damage and increases enemy HP and that generally doesn't make for an interesting challenge so I just use the normal or hard level. I'll back difficultly off a bit if it is a really complex RPG type game where I just can't be bothered to learn all the mechanics as too often you end up with constant stun locks, etc. unless you've nailed all the counters, etc.

 

[Craig R]

Mostly on story/easy these days as I'm usually playing on gamepad and my aiming sucks.

 

[Makhaira]

Usually normal.

One game that changed massively for me at higher difficulties (for the better) was Mass Effect 2. Combat became a whole lot more tactical and rewarding rather than just steaming through all the adds.