How thorough are you in exploration?

[Setharion]

Do you explore every nook and cranny? Do you just run from point A to B? How do you go about your games that are a little more open?

I was thinking about this playing Gothic 4, man i search every spot i can run too in these games. Thats the only issue with some big big games is that i can rack up 40 hours probably just in exploration which is great but when i got a backlog that could wrap the earth 5 times, it can also be problematic

But yea for me im pretty thorough, i try to explore every section i can in these games.

[doktorljubavi]

If the game allows it, and I know when I go poking around unmarked places on the map that I will be finding useful shit, otherwise no.

Like, in Alan Wake, if you ran to random spots and places off the path all you got were little papers and stuff for collections for achievements. Not worth it, especially since it wasn't like I was going to find an awe inspiring view in one of those holes. So, I just stuck to the story, and only went after things that were obvious spots for extra loot.

[potterscrow]

I have a tendency to search every nook and cranny in games. Sometimes I try to snap myself out of it but usually I can't. For some reason I will feel like I am missing something. Bugs me to no end.

[nacthenud]

My gamer-mentality forces me to compulsively look everywhere, but I really don't enjoy doing so. I've come to really appreciate games that have no hidden items or collectibles to find lately. Means I can just focus on the experience.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the exploration aspect in certain games where it's a core mechanic, but not in a game that's trying to be cinematic. If I'm trying to allow myself to be wrapped up in the narrative, looking behind every rock can really break up the pacing and pull me out of the story.

A game like Fable 2 - love the exploration.

A game like Alan Wake - get that $#!% the #&@% out of my game.

[CastlevaniaNut18]

I generally am pretty thorough.

Sometimes, I rush thru if I'm just ready to beat the game though!

[Setharion]

Hah yea i must admit on Alan Wake i cut out of that one quick, i explored a little but when youre in a game where ammo is limited and im just running around i get more annoyed than have fun but Alan Wake was amazing.

[dunker]

Jun 13, 2011 14:49:32 GMT -5 potterscrow said:

I have a tendency to search every nook and cranny in games. Sometimes I try to snap myself out of it but usually I can't. For some reason I will feel like I am missing something. Bugs me to no end.

This. I have bad memories of running (and possibly killing) down a long hallway, only to find it was the wrong way, there's nothing down there, or perhaps just finding the secret was the awesome part.

I hate it when that happens, but it's in my nature to check. Almost makes me want to look at a guide beforehand under "secret areas" or something.

[stepheno1683]

I try to. I kind of like the trail of bread crumbs that Fable has and to some extent dead space has. That way I know if I go this way instead of that way it's either a dead end or I may get something extra and not progress the story.

[Kinikko]

It depends on how open the game is. If it's a very straightforward game I tend to explore every little thing more, and the more open ones I just kinda go on my way. I'm kinda backwards I guess xD

[best3444]

Games like Oblivion, Fallouts, and even RDR had me exploring my ass off.

Fallout games do this to me the most though because they reward you incredibly well if you take the time to explore.

[NeoFoxTrot]

I tend to be pretty thorough in games that are a little more open.

[Manny-Calavera]

I go nuts. I have to explore every corner, or i won't sleep well at night. I hate being like this.

[hainesdogg]

I try to explore everything in the open world style games, but generally I will find myself getting bored and want to move the story further.

[nacthenud]

I remember the game that started me on my obsessive-compulsive ways. Shining Force 2. Throughout the game you could find Mithrill that could be used to upgrade your weapons. It was rare and most of the mithrill was hidden in unmarked spots. You would have to walk up to a tree or wall in the game and interact with it and find Mithrill, but there was no way to distinguish those spots from any other. I spent the game interacting with every single tree in the overworld, methodically searching every area.

[teylix]

I'm with potterscrow.

It actually bothers me if i see two doors and I know the middle/main one will progress the story, 100% of the time I'll go to the right one first even if I know there's just junk to be found.

In Chrono Trigger, I actively flesh out the map. If i see a little corner that hasnt been filled, I'll run across the whole map just to finish it. I wouldnt be surprised if I squealed when I got the "Map Nerd" achievement in Tales of Vesperia.

Unfortunately this all has a negative impact on how quickly I get through my games =P

[Sondiame]

I'm sorta that guy where its like the situation hits me. I play games as if i was the character i'm playing (Thats why i love Bethesda), so me running away from someone i dont go straight to towns, instead i fly through dungeons and other spots to find the strong items im not suppose to :/.

[People Is Tasty]

Explore all day every day in any game that allows it.

[Mudhippie]

I am obssesive compulsive when it comes to games. I typically play through a game once and move on (very rarely do I load up a new character or go into a second play through of a game). But, when I work on that play through, I want to do EVERYTHING possible and find any and all items, secrets, special things, events, cut scenes, etc.

I really like to make a game worth the money I spend to play it. If that means mindlessly grinding for hours to get a rare drop from an enemy that appears once every 40 attempts, I do it. Many think this is nuts, but for me, it is fun.

I still fire up Demon's Souls every once in a while and spend an hour running the Pure Bladestone run from the Old Hero archstone back to the Black Phantom Dual Wielding Skeleton to try to get the drop. I probably have about 15 hours worth of running that without one and refuse to trade because I am so anal retentive.

[red16]

Jun 13, 2011 14:49:32 GMT -5 potterscrow said:

I have a tendency to search every nook and cranny in games. Sometimes I try to snap myself out of it but usually I can't. For some reason I will feel like I am missing something. Bugs me to no end.

totally understand this, I'm the same. Can't walk into a room without checking what on the table, is there anything behind the sofa, can I open the cupboards etc. It is a big problem for me and I wish it was a habit I could break but I just can't stand the thought of missing something. It's a major pain for games lime fallout 3 etc as there are how many rooms? I clocked up over 100 hrs and hadn't even got half way through the game :-\

now I'm getting the same on crysis 2, trouble is everytime you walk past something you get a prompt and 85% of the time it's only to pick it up to throw it so it's annoying and I'm taking ages getting through it

[Phoenix S117]

Mine really depends on the genre, I think.

In RPGs I do, but shooters I don't.

[mogo22]

For the most part I don't. I have a very limited time for gaming these days and I don't need to look under every rock. I don't even do side quests for the most part, just a waste of time.

[mrod862]

I look under every rock LOL! Don't want to miss a thing