09-09-2012, 02:20 PM
This is a game factor that I rarely think about actually. To be honest I don't mind it either way, most games I play do it well either way. If they guide me every step of the way, it's normally needed and gives you a feel for the game that's required to enjoy it. Psychonauts does this, and while it tells you exactly what to do almost all the time (especially if you use the bacon), just accomplishing the tasks is what makes the game fun.
On the other hand, games where you start off clueless have clever ways of easing you into the gameplay. Even if you have to figure out everything yourself, it rarely overwhelms you too much to make you ragequit. Braid did this well, each world had an introductory level where you could discover and experiment with the new mechanic without any real guidance. Jonathan Blow's next game, The Witness, looks like it will be similar (you're on an island and have no idea why). I'm looking forward to it because I'm sure it'll also allow you to find out things yourself and really discover the game, but not make you trip and fall while doing so.
So yeah, as I said I don't really look at this factor much. Whatever the case, most games manage to make it work. And if they don't, I usually get over it and enjoy the rest of the game anyway.
On the other hand, games where you start off clueless have clever ways of easing you into the gameplay. Even if you have to figure out everything yourself, it rarely overwhelms you too much to make you ragequit. Braid did this well, each world had an introductory level where you could discover and experiment with the new mechanic without any real guidance. Jonathan Blow's next game, The Witness, looks like it will be similar (you're on an island and have no idea why). I'm looking forward to it because I'm sure it'll also allow you to find out things yourself and really discover the game, but not make you trip and fall while doing so.
So yeah, as I said I don't really look at this factor much. Whatever the case, most games manage to make it work. And if they don't, I usually get over it and enjoy the rest of the game anyway.