[quote name='chosen1s']I was about to agree completely with Camoor, but then your post seemed more reasonable to respond to. I can say that I stay away from Gaiden because of its reputation as "one of the hardest games ever". I've read it so many times from so many sources I feel safe assuming it to be true. Considering that there are other games that are not classified as "hargest game ever" and still frustrate me to no end, why even bother with one that has been acknowledged over and over as more frustrating than even those? You're probably one of the first people I have ever heard say it wasn't that difficult.
Somewhat on-topic, I understand why people like difficulty as well. Once you get really good at a game you want an equivalent challenge. My solution to this would be to release a game like Ninja Gaiden with a reasonable amount of difficulty and let the general population go through the learning curve. Follow it with a sequel that is more difficult WITHOUT CHANGING THE CONTROLS/PHYSICS of the game and as the series moves forward, so does the challenge (and AI, etc).
I realize this already happens as a natural evolution of games, but a lot of times when sequels come out there are dozens of "improvements" in the play controls - which pulls the rug right out from under anyone who has invested a significant amount of time into mastering the previous game (See Smash Brothers, Mario Kart franchise, Street Fighter franchise, Mortal Kombat, etc). If you're a master at the last installmenet, you should be able to step in as a master at the new installment - at least if someone were going to try my theory out. While Mario Kart DD was a GREAT game, I would have been much happier if they had dramatically updated the graphics from MK 64, added new tracks, added new competitors, even thrown in the much-more-frustrating AI; basically added everything they did, but left the controls that I spent years mastering the same. I suck at FPS but I could see this being the case with Halo, etc already.[/QUOTE]
the whole thing with Ninja Gaiden (and most fighting/puzzle games, as well games like Halo and Counterstrike) is that it actually takes an active learning process to get good at the game. most games don't have this, but that's what I personally look for when it comes to having fun with a title. I don't mean to sound "more hardcore than thou" but if you're getting constantly frustrated by a game that is very playable and beatable, it's because you're just mindlessly button mashing or stuck at one skill level and not looking for ways to improve, or just expecting the AI to fall down and die when you look at it. (by "you", I mean people in general, not you in specific chosen
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also, why would they release a game with only an easy option and wait to add more difficulty options in a sequel? that would come off as both completely lazy and would make the game about as appealing as a disney title. and if you were a master at one game, what incentive would you have to play the sequel if your skills will allow you to plow through it? being able to beat the game without thinking is the very definition of boredom. those ideas make no sense to me (or I misunderstood you.) I think you should have some grasp of the controls and style, but everything else should be reworked to make it a new experience.
on topic: still getting the 360 version.