Are you the kind of gamer who craves demanding titles that puts your skills to the ultimate test, by placing your games at the most excruciating difficulty level? Someone who spends every waking hour meticulously deciphering the correct solution to outwit your opponent? Well not me. I’m the kind of person that can become so enthralled with a title that it literally dictates my daily activities, you know, the type of gamer who has played Skyrim for almost 10 hours straight, struggles bleary-eyed to come to terms with the notion of sleep and when I eventually do fall asleep, I experience vivid dreams of Dragons attempting to incinerate me, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m inclined to make my journey more of a hinderance for myself.

 You shouldnt be ridiculed and branded a coward for wanting to ease up, relax, and put the game on a more simplified setting just so you can play, enjoy and unwind.  Sure if things are becoming unsatisfying due to ease and speed at which your dispatching enemies, then by all means, amplify things. There are titles such as Red Dead Redemption that has the perfect balance in terms of difficulty, allowing you the freedom to roam the wide open plains, with the security of knowing that any confrontations you don’t overcome at the first, second or even third attempt, wont dampen your spirits or detract from the overall fulfilling experience. Sure there is the ever-present danger of Cougars stealthily sneaking up on you before savaging you and your horse, but this is more a case of being aware of your surroundings, rather than a frustrating predicament.

Sometimes its good not to be challenged, perhaps you just want to gain some composure by reveling in a game you know you can finish without frantically waving your fists in a fit of overbearing frustration, crippling your PS3 controller by furiously and ignorantly launching it directly at your TV, leaving you sobbing in anguish at the total frugality of the situation and the fact that you are now forced to purchase a new controller and TV. And the reason for this venomous outburst? Because that armoured, shotgun brandishing goon has mercilessly savaged me yet again in Uncharted 3! (sorry, I’ve gone a little off subject). My point is that it’s perfectly acceptable to attempt the completion of a game at increased levels of difficulty, wherever it’s for pride, the feeling of achievement or a deep sense of satisfaction that compels you to do so, it’s an unparalleled feeling I know, especially when you have crafted so much dedication into achieving the goal. But is the true measure of a gamer how quickly and how difficult the process was? Perhaps, but don’t make the mistake of sacrificing enjoyment for pride. A lesson I’ve learnt.

Although the incident stated above is not a reference to myself, honest.

Do you prefer games you can complete without difficulty? Or is a more challenging setting your preference? Let me know what you think, cheers.