Why do you like what you play?

[Head Mutant]

Awkward phrasing of that question... let me try again.

Gamers tend to gravitate toward certain genres/types of games as our favorites. So why do you enjoy playing the types of games you typically do?

For example, I vastly enjoy RPGs of all types because I derive a lot of satisfaction from developing a weak level minus five character into a powerhouse. Unlike many games where your main character is largely static, RPGs offer growth and development and accomplished goals both in the game setting and with the character itself.

[sirgallahad2]

For the most part, I have a lot of First-person shooter games. I just like to blow crap up.

[DocD83]

I like RPGs for the freedom they allow. In a lot of games, if you don't ike a section, you're SOL because you have to move through to move on. In RPGs you tend to have options--if you're bored of fighting you can develop a trade skill or scour an auction house for armor or go exploring.

I also like empire-building games. Not sure why. Maybe because of the multiple things you have to manage at once.

I never got into FPS games. I always feel like I'm fighting for my life while looking through a straw. People watching me play have gotten dizzy as I try to keep looking around.

[Hucklebubba]

I actually like games that many would derisively refer to as "grinds" or "crawls". You know, wander about killing monsters and performing various other tasks for the sake of becoming more buff and getting better weapons for the sake of killing bigger things, etc..

If you exclude the killing and advancement, games of this sort are a perfect metaphor for real life.

Beyond that, I'll play just about anything that isn't an RTS. Hates them RTSs.

[mrshady]

Hmmm i'd say the main thing is the sense of achievement. Whether it be beating a particularly hard boss, getting the fastest time, finding the last secret, beating a particularly hard song (i'm looking at you guitar hero 2!) or reaching a certain level the fact that I know i've actually achieved something gives me a nice warm feeling inside .

That and anything with zombies cos zombies are cool.

[Storm_Rider]

RPGs, for the reasons Justin so eloquently enumerated. And most specially post-apocalyptic RPGs, there's just no beating that sense of impending doom that I get when I watch the news...wait a sec, that's real life....hmm...Fallout kicks ass. I vastly enjoyed Arcanum, I mean it's been the best mix of Jules Verne and Tolkien I've seen yet, plus man you could have talked your way out of almost everything if you would have opted for that kind of character.

Also this is a question for RPG players, do you find yourselves creating a character that best reflects yourselves, and do and say things that you might actually say in a similar situation? or do you go for the brute force "the bigger they are the larger type of weapon they can carry and fire" type? I mean I dunno, I often invest most of my initial character points into Intelligence since I'm not the strongest dude in the lot.

And some RTSs, I really haven't played anything since Warcraft III Frozen Throne, which kicked ass mostly because of the RPG infusion. I wonder if they'll do that with Starcraft II? That would be crazy-cool. I'm a die hard Starcraft fan, for me nothing topped that game in all-around kickassness.

[DocD83]

Also this is a question for RPG players, do you find yourselves creating a character that best reflects yourselves, and do and say things that you might actually say in a similar situation?

My primary character is always a ranger type, which makes sense for me--very practical, but also with a bit of magic. It's odd, because I'm not the outdoors type at all. Nor strong. You'd think I'd go for mage types. The character is me, though--nine times out of ten I just want everything to leave me alone, because I'm doing stuff and can't be bothered. In groups my character and I agree that we'd rather go alone than deal with idiots. I also methodically search for the highest efficiency I can get out of what I have, which is not really me, but I'd like to think it is.