This is not a new complaint. It even has a Tvtrope.
Stop, from Stoppable Force, provided a great example:
For a more extreme example check this one out: http://www.wowhead.com/item=29928#.
Seriously boys. We get it. You like boobs and skin. Normally, this doesn’t really annoy me, but when my dwarf paladin is running around Northern in skimpy chainmail, I really must question her intelligence.
However, as a gamer and a woman there were a few other points I wish she had brought up. Now my experience in gaming is a little different than the traditional gamer. I am VERY picky when it comes to games, and often lose my interest in them just as fast.
Thus, I have only played a very limited number of games, and have seen my brother, father and husband play a bunch more.
Here is my criteria for a game to hold me attention.
- Excellent characters and story
- Forcing the player to think about solutions
- Engaging world and playability
Games with brains.
Yeah, we like to think. We like psychology. We want to spend hours reading through text and getting into a story. For many, games like KOTOR, Bioshock, Half-life, Halo, Mass Effect gives them the best of both world.
However, my favorite genre of games is not longer popular.
I am a huge fan of point-n-click adventure games.
During the late nineties there was a rush of “adventure” games, like The Longest Journey, Circle of Blood, The Gabriel Knight series, and Grim Fandango. RPG’s are okay, but few are able to met these requirements. I have only played one in the last couple of years which has met these points:
Dragon Age, I love you.
These games all had great stories, memorable characters and were challenging. They didn’t however involve jumping, fighting or trying to time a specific button to cause an effect.
I am not saying those game are not fun, obviously they are, just not for me. I am amazed I have played WoW so long because it does require me to do all those things. However, the great thing about WoW is I don’t have to do this. I can spend the whole day dancing in Dalaran if I want, or just pick herbs. The freedom to spend my time anyway I choose, makes me want to tackle a hard instance or healing an impossible situation.
I want a choice. I want to be able to achieve the same result by multiple avenues.
Basically, I want more games like those adventure games. Games where you could take your time. Games with mental challenges (if anyone played The Beast Within, you know what I mean when I say “cuckoo clock”) and fantastic stories. I want real plots and twists. I want characters I can invest my energy. I want game control which won’t break my brain. Seriously, if I have to take a college course to figure out how to walk, something is broken.
Do that, and I am loyal. I will buy your stuff years after your last game.
Yes, Jane Jensen, I am looking at you.
What about you ladies in the interwebs? What do you look for in a game? What brings you back for more? What would you like to see more?
