When Great games are No Fun

Professor S · 01-27-2006, 01:43 AM

I just bought what has to the best game that really don't like: Silent Hunter 3. Its a submarine simulator, with an emphasis on SIMULATION... as in you better have graduated from friggin' Annapolis and concentrated on subschool while you were there.

Don't get me wrong, the game is great. The graphics are good, the physics are incredible, and sound is fantastic and there are moments where I feel sheer delight when I split a merchant vessel in twain with a well placed torpedo. The problem is that hitting your target shouldn't be that fun because hitting yor target is crazy hard. Hard as in you better break out the compass and abacus to figure out a firing solution.

You can use your periscope to target automatically, but once you hit one target you better have already fired on them all because unless you dive you'll have more artillery in you than an Iraqi bunker.

The problem isn't with the difficulty in the opponent's, though. That is always welcome. The problem is with how cumbersome it is to manage every aspect of your vessel. From CO2 levels to sending status reports back home, you are in charge of it all... when all you really want to be in charge of is blowing **** up.

That and I was hit by ONE FRIGGIN SHELL and spent half an hour trapped on the bottom of the ocean. Couldn't surface, even when I blew the ballast. The game didn't end... I just sat there. Couldn't do a damn thing. No game over... nothing.

So yes, I have come to conclusion that great games can be absolutely no fun to play. has anyone else experienced the same thing with a game?

Swan · 01-27-2006, 01:46 AM

Do you manage the crew as well? Such as conditions and such?

Professor S · 01-27-2006, 01:49 AM

Yep, you have to send them up to man the guns if your surfaced and hold their hand with every damn thing. Drove me NUTS.

Typhoid · 01-27-2006, 01:54 AM

Well, if you just want to blow **** up, why not get a 3D version of Battleship?

But I dont agree with you on one thing. You say "great games are no fun".

You would think the "no fun" factor would take away from the "great game" factor. Because sure, a game can be full of micromanagement, good graphics/sounds etc. But if the funability of the game isn't all too, well, fun, it's not that great of a game, is it?

However, it sounds like a good game, maybe for an evening or so anyways.

Professor S · 01-27-2006, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Typhoid

You would think the "no fun" factor would take away from the "great game" factor. Because sure, a game can be full of micromanagement, good graphics/sounds etc. But if the funability of the game isn't all too, well, fun, it's not that great of a game, is it?

If I was giving the game a rating, I would definitely rate the fun factor into it. I was more looking at the game from a design and aesthetic point. The game is meticulous and well made in every aspect. If I wanted to devote a significant portion of my life to the game, I sure I could master it and have some fun, but the micromanaging pushes you away. Its for the "Flight Sim Crowd".

Thats why I said it was a great game but no fun. Well made but far too complex... to the point of even being unrealistic as many of the jobs you do would be in the charge of your crew.

I think if they had simply made options for you to assign jobs to your crew, like in a real submarine, it could have been a great game that was a ton of fun.

Typhoid · 01-27-2006, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor S

If I was giving the game a rating, I would definitely rate the fun factor into it. I was more looking at the game from a design and aesthetic point. The game is meticulous and well made in every aspect. If I wanted to devote a significant portion of my life to the game, I sure I could master it and have some fun, but the micromanaging pushes you away. Its for the "Flight Sim Crowd".

Thats why I said it was a great game but no fun. Well made but far too complex... to the point of even being unrealistic as many of the jobs you do would be in the charge of your crew.

I think if they had simply made options for you to assign jobs to your crew, like in a real submarine, it could have been a great game that was a ton of fun.

I'm surprised (if there already isnt) some sort of "automatic" option for certain things. So the computer takes care of some of the micromanaging nonsense. And if it doesnt, it really should.

And I looked up the game, and sadly it looks beautiful. And it actually sounds like the sort of game I would like. God damnit.

Professor S · 01-27-2006, 02:29 AM

Well give it a shot. It might be up your alley. Keep in mind, though, that I'm saying its too complex... and I loved micromanagement games like Rome: Total War and the Civilization series (which is the most addictive game I've ever played)

Typhoid · 01-27-2006, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor S

Well give it a shot. It might be up your alley. Keep in mind, though, that I'm saying its too complex... and I loved micromanagement games like Rome: Total War and the Civilization series (which is the most addictive game I've ever played)

Well, Civilization III is my favourite game ever (I used to stay up for countless hours at a time playing it when I was sick, but I never beat it before 2050

) And I love Rome: Total War to every minute detail.

So I shall try this out, given a chance.

BreakABone · 01-27-2006, 07:39 PM

To me a great game has to be fun.

I don't care if the graphics suck, if the story is non-existant, if there is terrible art. If the game plays well and is fun I will enjoy it.

On the other hand, if I find it to be a chore with all the good qualities, I won't really bother.

Such as the Movies, I really enjoy the game, but it becomes such a pain w/ all the micromanagement.

Canyarion · 01-29-2006, 06:01 PM

Another example of a great game that's no fun: Black & White.

I tried to play through it 3 times. Never did.