[Razor]

What ever happened to the old system of three lives and your dead? Personally I was glad to see the back of it and much prefer the more modern approach of checkpoints/save games and infinite continues.

With the old system some games were near impossible to complete on a set amount of lives at least we can now experience the whole game with the current system and we don't have to repeat the first few levels multiple times.

So if you can remember the old system which do you prefer?

[Dazimus]

I HATED that system when I was a kid, can hardly remember completing any games because of it. Probably only the Mario games.

[Iccz]

The games with set lives were so much easier, now with set lives it would make it a lot harder to complete games, and probably ruin a lot of games.

For some games it could work though, guess it depends on the game. Mario with checkpoints and unlimited continues would have made it far too easy.

[Chaos]

Anyone choosing to get to the end of a game and then die and have to start again is mad. Remember getting to the end of turtles on the SNES a few times and getting killed just before completing it.

[Chox1988]

Depends on the game, some games now their nightmare or hard mode has a set number of lives and limited checkpoints.

[smoochiez]

i never completed super mario land on the game boy becuase of the silly lives system

[nero0410]

Definately checkpoints and infinite continues for me

Back in the old console and retro computer days you could more or less complete a game in a 2-3 hours. There were the odd few that included game saves like mario and desert strike, but they were few and far between.

These days games are more challanging and a lot longer in some cases, so not haveing the option would be a nightmare. Just imagine playing a game for 30+ hours and when you switched off you had to start again. Of course you wouldnt sit there for 30 hours straight unless slightly mad, so the saves would come in then too.

I do however like the idea of hardcore modes/challanges where you get one life and if you ide it's game over. Most recent example is the one in D3. Great fun
You still save throughout so you dont have to sit there for 20+ hours trying to do it.

So yeah, checkpoint's and saves for me

tris

[filmfreak71]

Checkpoints were probably the best gaming thing to come out of the 90s. Three lives was purely a money making scheme of the old arcades, if they'd have had check points, they never would have a made any money.
If it wasn't for check points I'd never finish any games and would have probably stopped playing them years ago.

[TheNameIsJambo]

Originally Posted by Razor

What ever happened to the old system of three lives and your dead? Personally I was glad to see the back of it and much prefer the more modern approach of checkpoints/save games and infinite continues.

With the old system some games were near impossible to complete on a set amount of lives at least we can now experience the whole game with the current system and we don't have to repeat the first few levels multiple times.

So if you can remember the old system which do you prefer?

*Plays (S)NES/Master System/Mega Drive games*

*Rocks slowly in the corner*

Kids these days don't understand how difficult games were back in the day.

Give them a copy of the Silver Surfer on the NES, or Diddy Kong Racing, Manic Miner on the ZX, Ninja Gaiden, Contra... The list goes on.

They won't know what hit them...

[Sega Mega Dave]

I reckon games should have one life. If you die at any point whether it be beginning, middle or end the game never works again and you have to buy another copy if you want another go. Also make it one shot kills.

This would sort the men from the boys you big bunch of pansies!

[smoochiez]

Diddy Kong Racing did my head in!

Beating Wizpig for the first time (the car one) took me AGES. Then it opened up a whole new world which was crazy difficult (DAMN YOU SILVER COIN RACES!!!!!!).

Dont get me started on Wizpig on the rocket though. Nearly brought me to tears!

[filmfreak71]

Originally Posted by Sega Mega Dave

I reckon games should have one life. If you die at any point whether it be beginning, middle or end the game never works again and you have to buy another copy if you want another go. Also make it one shot kills.

Sounds like you need to get One Single Life for one of those IOS thingies
IndieGames.com - The Weblog One Single Life: Free iPhone Game You Can Only Play Once

[TheNameIsJambo]

Originally Posted by smoochiez

Diddy Kong Racing did my head in!

Beating Wizpig for the first time (the car one) took me AGES. Then it opened up a whole new world which was crazy difficult (DAMN YOU SILVER COIN RACES!!!!!!).

Dont get me started on Wizpig on the rocket though. Nearly brought me to tears!

My N64 controller was full of dents and scratches. It took a total pounding after/during those Wizpig races... Argh, I still hate that fat bastard. You had to hit every boost, with your finger off the accelerator, or it was 'Restart'.

Still though, I managed to win TT - Yes, I did every race forwards & backwards, under the time limits!

[smoochiez]

Originally Posted by TheNameIsJambo

Still though, I managed to win TT - Yes, I did every race forwards & backwards, under the time limits!

You sir, are a Diddy Kong Racing master!

After managing to complete the second Wizpig race I was done with the game.

[Sinzer]

I like it when checkpoints are well thought out. It is a big part of game design to make sure that the checkpoints are fair and pace the game.

A good game will allow the player to play and not have to worry about saving and loading. The difficulty and checkpoint system should allow you to feel like you are progressing well. One of the best examples of this is Dark Souls. You have infinite lives, but you only have one chance to complete the level. You never have to worry about saving and loading.

PC gaming was long plagued with the Quick Save and Load, I remember watching my mates playing FPS games, with their fingers above the F keys. It seemed pointless. I prefer to play now with checkpoints, especially in FPS and RPG.

RTS is the same kind of deal as Dark Souls, where you only have one chance at the level.

I do prefer life systems in shoot-em-up and platformers. Those two genres really benefit from that type of system.

There is room for both ways of gaming. The problem is that many devs simply don't think the whole checkpointing through. Either removing the difficulty as checkpoints are too close to each other or making the game more difficult in some cases (Tomb Raider!!)

[Sinzer]

Kids these days don't understand how difficult games were back in the day.

I would have to say that online, games are far more difficult now and require more practice than ever before. You ever tried to stay top of the Starcraft ladder? Play DOTA2 at pro level? Be in the top Counterstrike Team?

In terms of multiplayer, the difficulty of games has increased ten fold. Those kids who spend 8 hours a day or more fragging people left, right and center would probably laugh at Manic Miner and trash it in a day. Korean players who earn 7 digit salaries have APMs (actions per minute) of over 300, Manic Miner would probably crash with that type of input level

In terms of AAA blockbuster titles, then Razors complaint holds true. However, in the world of Indie platformers (VVVVVVVV, Super Meat Boy), Bullet hell shooters, online FPS/RTS/ARTS, game difficulty is horribly worse than anything that came before.

[SparkShot]

Could have defo done with checkpoints and infinate continues in my spectrum days, only ever completed probably on handful of games on that system (Robocop, Target: Renegade and Midnight Resistance).

Games have defo got alot easier since the intrduction of the 16 bit systems although i do remember chucking a few controllers doing chaos emerald runs on sonic 1 and 2 (sonic 3 was easier as it had a battery backup in the cart).

Don't really miss the 3 lives and your out gaming tbh, gaming is far less fustrating for me now.

[Razor]

I remember games like green beret, manic minor, jet set willy etc frustrating the hell out of me due to the limited amount of lives. I personally am glad to see the back of 3 lives system.

I am trying to remember some of the first games which had the current check point system, I think they were first person shooters namely goldeneye and unreal.

[IvyFanBoy]

I have no clue wot you lot are on about ..I was outside playing football when I were a kid ... then the pub and clubbing

[DT53]

Unlike you lot I'm not an old fart and thus have only ever used checkpoints etc

[Houghsx]

Ah, the good old 'infinity lives' cheat at its best.

[smoochiez]

Originally Posted by IvyFanBoy

I have no clue wot you lot are on about ..I was outside playing football when I were a kid ... then the pub and clubbing

You were doing it wrong

[Apsilon]

Evolution of gaming. 3 lives were great in the 80's and early 90's but times change and I for one wouldn't go back to it. I still vaguely remember the first time I saw a game with a health bar and thought it was crazy , I just can't remember what the game was. I'm just trying to remember the first game I played with a check point. It must have been C64 or Amiga.....??

Imagine Ghouls and Ghosts or Contra with a health bar or checkpoints. They would be a doddle now.

Always remember the up up up, down down down, left left left, right right right, select and start for cheat mode in most games on the early console games like Gradius etc

[Iccz]

Originally Posted by IvyFanBoy

I have no clue wot you lot are on about ..I was outside playing football when I were a kid ... then the pub and clubbing

What a loser, would you listen to this guy?

Going outside. HAH.

Weirdo!!!

[Razor]

Originally Posted by IvyFanBoy

I have no clue wot you lot are on about ..I was outside playing football when I were a kid ... then the pub and clubbing

I was a bit young to be down the pub as manic minor was out when I was 8 years old.

[IvyFanBoy]

then you shoulda been outside lol

[Razor]

Originally Posted by Apsilon

Evolution of gaming. 3 lives were great in the 80's and early 90's but times change and I for one wouldn't go back to it. I still vaguely remember the first time I saw a game with a health bar and thought it was crazy , I just can't remember what the game was. I'm just trying to remember the first game I played with a check point. It must have been C64 or Amiga.....??

Imagine Ghouls and Ghosts or Contra with a health bar or checkpoints. They would be a doddle now.

Always remember the up up up, down down down, left left left, right right right, select and start for cheat mode in most games on the early console games like Gradius etc

Ghouls and Ghost was fun but annoying. I managed to clock it in the end but boy was it hard going. I think my dislike of platform games stems back from the days of playing games like manic minor, ghouls and ghosts etc.... Back in those days platform games ruled the roost a bit like fps do.

[TheNameIsJambo]

Originally Posted by Razor

Ghouls and Ghost was fun but annoying. I managed to clock it in the end but boy was it hard going. I think my dislike of platform games stems back from the days of playing games like manic minor, ghouls and ghosts etc.... Back in those days platform games ruled the roost a bit like fps do.

Zombies Ate My Neighbours! Is one of my keen favourites from the olden days...

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by IvyFanBoy

then you shoulda been outside lol

But... but... but... there could be zombies out there. Or even... GIRLS

[DJSigma]

Having a set amount of lives would be incredibly frustrating in a lot of games. It was useful (for games companies) in the days where they were trying to get you to put in more 10p coins, but when you're buying the game outright it just doesn't work in most cases. Imagine playing for 30+ hours in an RPG and then dying, only to be told "GAME OVER" and you have to start from scratch, lol.

I think they could add that sort of thing in as an option in some games though, say a "realistic" mode in an FPS where if you die once, that's it.