I keep seeing these “close thread” requests, especially in threads where subjective opinions and discussions are inevitable. Is that really so scary that even ignoring the thread is not enough?
Anyway, to answer the OP’s question, I believe fighting games are “harder” than most other genres because they reward and encourage technical skills up to a level that, at first, seems to exceed human limitations. With other games, you train by playing the game. If you enjoy the game, it’s easy to find the motivation to “train”. With Street Fighter, you’re often advised to hop into training mode and practice combos against a dummy for hours until it becomes muscle memory. How does one motivate oneself to do that? Does anyone enjoy it? IMO, it’s harder to get good at fighting games because you’re playing against people that are willing to put in a lot of time in the mindbogglingly boring training mode.
When SSF4 came out, I picked a new main character by using the trials. Whenever I encountered a challenge that seemed too hard (usually happened between 15-20), I took that as a sign that this character requires too high technical skills, and moved to the next. Luckily, SSF4 has T. Hawk ? could do all of Hawk’s 24 trials in about 1 hour, which is acceptable to me.
I don’t really find FG’s to be all that hard to master. Once you learn the basics, such as blocking, dodge roll, using projectile moves, etc., you can pretty much play against anyone and either win or not get your ass handed to you too badly.
That’s true, but every character is different. Then once you know the Supers/Specials/All that, it then becomes a game of ‘what beats what’ what works against this character or this strategy, etc. I think Fighters are the hardest to master, because no one starts out the same. Not every character has the same special moves or etc. Unlike a shooter or RPG/MMO where everyone starts out on the same even level, it’s just a matter of aiming, getting the right weapon or item. RTS is the only thing similar to a fighter. But fighters are more personal, it can get heated really quick because there’s a very intense head-to-head aspect unlike anything else.
Are fighting games like Chess? No. They’re more like games of Checkers. Chess has an infinite number of strategies. Checkers doesn’t have that, because there’s set patterns that can be used, such as infinites in MVC 2.
I think RTS is the hardest. You have to know maps, length of time a thing has to finish, reaction time, macro, all the units, and imagine patting your head and rubbing your stomach, except things are trying to hit your face, but 10x harder. If you make a mistake early on, it’s GGPO for your ass. It feels like one small mistake entails a slippery slope of failure.
No one has mentioned music games? Check out these videos:
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This is Stepmania, an open-source DDR clone but you play with your fingers. I can’t even pass this song (and I’m pretty good) yet this guy perfects/marvs almost every note. (crazy part starts at 39 seconds)
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This is IIDX, there are 7 buttons and a turntable. It’s probably the most difficult game I’ve ever played, the learning curve is ridiculous, and the timing is VERY strict (much stricter than Stepmania).
Then of course there’s this classic video of a 9-button game called Pop’n Music
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At the highest level it looks like you could just mash and pass, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. You’ll fail within 10 seconds.
I don’t deny that rhythm games require a lot of dexterity and hand-eye coordination, but they lack human interaction. I mean, there’s no mind games or mixups in Beatmania.
Rythm games are a matter of memorization in pursuit of perfection. It’s the same every time you play it so no it’s not the hardest there’s no variation or changing element to them.
I think RTS games are pretty mindless. Even at the professional level, the same things are happening. I’ve played them all pretty though, but I’ve since then given them up. To be good at RTS games, all you have to do is practice your execution. That means taking map snapshots and using hotkeys. If you rely extensively on the mouse you die. Your strategy is dictated by the map you play on, the faction you use and the one your up against (obvious, I know). The maps that are sanctioned for tournaments are the only maps that you play on day in and day out until you have it memorized. Once that’s done, it’s smooth sailing from there. You’ll know exactly what strat your opponent is going for and the main thing you have to do is not get caught with your pants down.
I can’t vouch for MMORPG PvP and FPS since I’ve never really got into them. I did go to a Halo tournament where the guys had watches on their controllers so they would know respawn times for weapons and such. I honestly believe that FPS games are all about reflexes and very little about strategy. I was going to start playing WoW a few years ago just to go on an adventure. After hearing people talk about it and reading up on it, I decided not to. It wasn’t so much about what they were saying. They were after all just talking strategy. But when you read things that tell you exactly how to setup a character, you (at least for me) start to feel like you doing exactly what everyone else is. The game is way to time consuming to be experimenting if you aren’t into it like that. Otherwise, you end up a carbon copy of the next Ice/Arcane Mage. This wasn’t something I wanted to do. Of course since the whole game has been figured out to the letter. If you don’t go with the information given to you, you get dead. So in the end, you will use the most efficent build and everything comes down to who has the better gear.
Right, it’s impossible/impractical to memorize a 2000-note chart.
Though I do agree there’s little to no thought involved. If we were talking about games that require the most thought, Chess would obviously be the winner.
Quake/UT2004 maybe, but Counter-Strike isn’t. The difference between a good player and a professional is strategy and teamwork, not aiming.
