Line #280 Main/VideoGameDifficultyTropes


1	All about video game difficulty - how to create it, how to present it, and what happens when you fall afoul of it.
2	----
3	[floatboxright:
4	Subcategories:
5	+ FakeDifficulty
6	++ TheComputerIsACheatingBastard
7	+ ThatOneIndex
8	+ VideoGameTutorial
9	]
10
11	!!Difficulty levels in general:
12	[[index]]
13	* BossAlteringConsequence\
14	The difficulty of a boss fight can be affected by in-game choices or objectives.
15	* BossDissonance \
16	A boss fight should normally be tougher than the level, but its difficulty doesn't match what's nearby.
17	** EasyLevelsHardBosses
18	** HardLevelsEasyBosses
19	* BreatherLevel \
20	A level which is much easier than those surrounding it.
21	* BrutalBonusLevel \
22	An optional level that has a much higher difficulty level than the required levels surrounding it.
23	* CheeseStrategy \
24	Tactics that will usually take all of the difficulty out of a given puzzle, enemy, or boss battle, but are seen as cheap by the community.%%page is currently awaiting a rewicking, but it has been launched as "YMMV Cheese Strategy." Remove comment once corrected.
25	* ChooseAHandicap \
26	The game forces you to select one of several disadvantages before a boss fight or similar challenge.
27	* ComebackMechanic \
28	A feature that provides assistance to losing players or players near elimination.
29	* CrutchCharacter \
30	A character who has skills that make the early stages of the game easier, but relying on them too much will hurt you in the long run.
31	* DifficultButAwesome \
32	A character or game is hard to master, but doing it yields great results.
33	* DifficultyByAcceleration \
34	The gameplay gradually goes into fast-forward as you progress.
35	* DifficultyByRegion \
36	Some games are made harder or easier when released in different countries or regions.
37	* DifficultyLevels \
38	If at first you don't succeed, try it on Easy mode.
39	** UnlockableDifficultyLevels: If you want the [[HarderThanHard hellish difficulty]], beat the game under certain conditions.
40	* DifficultySpike \
41	One level (or level of difficulty) which is suddenly ''much'' harder than the ones that came before it.
42	* DynamicDifficulty \
43	A game that adjusts its difficulty based on how the player is doing.
44	* EarlyGameHell \
45	Game is hardest at the start, rather than the end.
46	* EasierThanEasy \
47	Do whatever you want in ''this'' mode -- dying is all but impossible.
48	* EasyLevelTrick\
49	When beating a level in a non-standard manner is a lot easier than beating it the expected way.
50	* EasyModeMockery \
51	If you pick easy mode, the game will change things to mercilessly mock your ineptitude.
52	* FakeDifficulty \
53	The use of cheap tricks to make the game harder.
54	* FinalDeathMode \
55	A difficulty level where a player only has one life, instead of having multiple lives normally.
56	* HardModeFiller \
57	A later level is identical to an earlier level, but harder.
58	* HardModeMook \
59	Certain (most likely tougher) enemies only appear on higher difficulties.
60	* HardModePerks \
61	You are rewarded for choosing harder difficulties in a gameplay-affecting way.
62	* HarderThanHard \
63	A difficulty level ''above'' "Hard".
64	* HealerSignsOnEarly \
65	One of the first people in the party has healing spells.
66	* HealingCheckpoint \
67	Reaching a checkpoint or save point replenishes your health and/or supplies.
68	* HintsAreForLosers \
69	In which a game's developer will adamantly refuse to help you.
70	* IdiosyncraticDifficultyLevels \
71	Difficulty levels that are given weird names.
72	* LastLousyPoint \
73	If you want to go for that last percentage point in your quest for OneHundredPercentCompletion, you're in for a world of hurt.
74	* MercyMode \
75	An Easy Mode unlocked by repeatedly, utterly failing.
76	* ModularDifficulty \
77	A game's difficulty can be augmented by applying different effects.
78	* MultiplayerDifficultySpike\
79	The multiplayer mode(s) are significantly more challenging than the single-player campaign.
80	* MyRulesAreNotYourRules \
81	When the computer has abilities and better versions of the stuff you could ever receive.
82	* NonIndicativeDifficulty \
83	Where "hard" mode is easier than "easy" mode.
84	* NintendoHard \
85	Games that are ''very'' hard.
86	* NumericalHard \
87	DifficultyLevels that merely change some statistics of the player/enemy stats.
88	* OverlyGenerousTimeLimit \
89	The player is given more than enough time to complete a level or other mission.
90	* PlatformHell \
91	A PlatformGame which is '''evil''' and totally out to kill you any way it can.
92	* RubberBandAI \
93	The better you are at a game, the harder the game gets.
94	* SchizophrenicDifficulty \
95	A game has a difficulty curve that makes no sense.
96	* SequelDifficultyDrop \
97	A sequel is much easier than expected compared to the game(s) before it.
98	* SequelDifficultySpike \
99	A sequel is ''much'' harder than expected compared to the original game.
100	* SkillGateCharacters \
101	FightingGame characters that are a challenge to newcomers, but those with experience will easily mop the floor with them.
102	* SurpriseDifficulty \
103	You thought this cute game was gonna be easy, didn't you?
104	* UnstableEquilibrium \
105	A game which gets easier when you're doing good, and harder if you're doing poorly.
106	* VideoGameDelegationPenalty \
107	If you automate an in-game task or assign it to an NPC, you get a less desirable outcome.
108
109	!!Ways of increasing difficulty:
110	* AssassinationSidequest \
111	A type of sidequest that requires you to kill a specific target stealthily.
112	* AbilityRequiredToProceed \
113	An obstacle that requires a particular skill or item to pass.
114	* ActionBasedMission \
115	An action-heavy sequence in a game which for the most part eschews action, combat and direct confrontation.
116	* AIRoulette \
117	Random AI actions can result in extremely stupid moves by the computer or the contrary.
118	* ArtificialBrilliance \
119	AI that's really good at what it does.
120	* AutoScrollingLevel \
121	A level in a PlatformGame where the screen continually scrolls and you must keep up with it.
122	** AdvancingWallOfDoom \
123	A level where you must constantly outrun a threat, or even the left side of the screen!
124	* BottomlessPits \
125	Falling a thousand feet is fine, but falling ten feet into a bottomless pit? Instant death.
126	* ChallengeRun \
127	The game suggests optional special rules, or rewards players who follow them.
128	* CheckPointStarvation \
129	Severe lack of {{Check Point}}s or {{Save Point}}s.
130	* ChestMonster \
131	It looks like a treasure chest, but you don't wanna open it.
132	* CombatExclusiveHealing \
133	Just barely survived that RandomEncounter? Sorry, your WhiteMage can't use healing spells outside of battle!
134	* TheComputerIsALyingBastard \
135	The game gives you hints and advice that are flat-out wrong.
136	* ComputersAreFast \
137	When it comes to reacting quickly or "mashing" buttons, it's easy to make a computer better than any player.
138	* ConspicuousElectricObstacle\
139	Let's make surfaces electric! Let's add some bolt emitters while we're at it.
140	* ContinuingIsPainful \
141	Where continuing or losing a life results in an [[UnstableEquilibrium even harder challenge]].
142	* DeadlyGas \
143	Here's a hint: Don't get hit by it.
144	* DeadlyWalls \
145	You're killed instantly whenever you touch a wall.
146	* DeathCourse \
147	A gauntlet filled with enemies and/or booby traps that the hero character has to pass through.
148	* DenialOfDiagonalAttack \
149	Games that only let you shoot horizontally, and often without being able to crouch, meaning short enemies are incredibly difficult to hit.
150	* DiminishingReturnsForBalance \
151	The higher a given stat already is, the harder it is to raise it even further.
152	* DroughtLevelOfDoom \
153	A long and often brutal level with powerups and healing items being scarce to nonexistent.
154	* EarnYourFun \
155	You get no rewards unless you jump all these hoops!
156	* EmptyRoomUntilTheTrap \
157	You thought that room had nothing in it?
158	* EscapeSequence \
159	A level where you have to constantly run away from a particular enemy.
160	* EscortMission \
161	A mission where you have to keep another character alive while beating enemies or getting to the exit.
162	** ReverseEscortMission \
163	An inversion of an Escort Mission, where the non-playable character ''protects you''.
164	* EverythingTryingToKillYou: \
165	A player character gets killed by everything no matter how dangerous or lethal is the object or something.
166	* FakePlatform \
167	It looks like a platform, but try stepping on it and you're in for a shock.
168	* FlameSpewerObstacle \
169	Obstacle that shoots jets of flame.
170	* GangUpOnTheHuman \
171	In multiplayer games with several [=AIs=] but only one human, they'll all go after the human.
172	* GoddamnedBats \
173	Enemies that might not be so hard, but they just won't leave you alone.
174	** GoddamnedBoss \
175	A boss that's not very dangerous, but very annoying or frustrating to fight.
176	** DemonicSpiders \
177	Enemies that frustrate you by killing you in unfair ways, which make them innately more dangerous than other normal enemies.
178	* HealingBoss \
179	Boss fights made more challenging because the boss has the ability to heal themselves in battle.
180	* HeroMustSurvive \
181	A storyline character joins you on the battlefield as a "unit" and you must make sure that he/she doesn't die until the end of the mission.
182	* HoldTheLine \
183	A mission where you have to prevent the enemy completing their objective before time runs out.
184	* HostageSpiritLink \
185	In {{Light Gun Game}}s, accidentally shooting innocent people will damage ''you''.
186	* ICantReachIt\
187	The character you're controlling can't, or won't, reach or use a perfectly accessible object.
188	* InconvenientlyPlacedConveyorBelt \
189	A conveyor belt-like surface put in random places just so you can be pushed forwards or backwards.
190	* IncreasinglyLethalEnemy\
191	If any enemy isn't defeated quickly, it becomes harder to defeat.
192	* InescapableAmbush \
193	The player enters an area which is suddenly enclosed in a barrier, and the player can't leave until he defeats all enemies.
194	* InstantDeathRadius \
195	A boss has a strong attack which hits a large melee area and which prevents you from getting anywhere near him.
196	* InsurmountableWaistHeightFence \
197	Trivial obstacles that can't be passed even with brute force.
198	* InvisibleBlock \
199	It's there! You can't see it, but it's there!
200	* JustFrameBonus \
201	Just think, if only you improved your timing then you wouldn't be missing out on everything this move can do!
202	* KaizoTrap \
203	A DeathTrap claims you when you thought you could put the controller down, such as at the LevelGoal after the BossFight.
204	* KarlMarxHatesYourGuts \
205	Where it's impossible to make money because everything always costs the same, so you can never sell at a profit.
206	* LeapOfFaith \
207	Are you sure there's even a platform to jump on?
208	* LevelGrinding \
209	In {{RPG}}s, you gain statistics and abilities by killing monsters many times.
210	** AntiGrinding \
211	Found a good source to grind for experience points? It won't stay that way for long.
212	*** EmptyLevels \
213	All that LevelGrinding you're doing? It won't do you a lick of good.
214	** ForcedLevelGrinding \
215	A point in the game where the difficulty is high enough to force you to LevelGrind to continue.
216	* LevelLimiter\
217	You can voluntarily lower or reset your level, or equip something to stop gaining EXP to increase the difficulty.
218	* LevelOfTediousEnemies \
219	The level is designed not to be difficult, but enemies are placed for maximum inconvenience.
220	* MalevolentArchitecture \
221	Everything is designed to make life as difficult for you as possible, even in actual structures that should have a logical layout.
222	** MagicalMysteryDoors \
223	A puzzle where a room with a set of doors leads to another room with a set of doors, and you have to find the right path.
224	* ManualLeaderAIParty \
225	You'd better hope that the non-human controlled allies' AI's up to scratch.
226	* MisbegottenMultiplayerMode \
227	Games that are really designed for single-player mode, and become painful with more than one player.
228	* MonsterCloset \
229	Enemies hiding in areas that shouldn't even exist and appear not to with no way for them to have got in there to begin with.
230	* MookMaker \
231	A device or enemy who constantly spits out enemies for the player to fight.
232	* MutuallyExclusivePowerups \
233	The case where picking up one weapon or powerup results in losing another.
234	* NoFairCheating \
235	A measure built into a video game to make sure the player doesn't use cheats or auto-fire control pads.
236	* NotPlayingFairWithResources \
237	AI players in RealTimeStrategy games are able to acquire resources faster than the player or don't need any resources at all.
238	* OneHitKill \
239	A skill or attack that instantly kills whatever it hits.
240	** InstakillMook \
241	A non-boss can can unleash it.
242	* OneHitPointWonder \
243	A game in which the protagonist instantly dies whenever he's hit by anything.
244	* PerfectPlayAI \
245	A video game AI that perfectly counters the player's every move.
246	* PitTrap \
247	A hole in the ground that's hidden so as to blend into the surrounding terrain, often found in PlatformHell games.
248	* PixelHunt \
249	In {{Adventure Game}}s, you have to move the mouse across every single pixel on the screen to find the one object you're really looking for.
250	* PressXToDie \
251	The player is given the option to perform an action that can only ever result in failure or otherwise hinder progress.
252	* PointOfNoContinues \
253	No continuing if you die past this point in the game.
254	* ProtectionMission \
255	A mission where you have to protect a stationary object or character from incoming enemies.
256	* ReinventingTheWheel \
257	In strategy games, you need to purchase "upgrades" to capabilities in each campaign, even if your forces already had it in the last one.
258	* RespawningEnemies \
259	After you beat a room full of enemies, if you come back to the room, the enemies will be back.
260	* RevivingEnemy\
261	You didn't expect the developers to be nice enough to make that mook stay down just because you defeated it, did you?
262	* SaveGameLimits \
263	Limitations on when, where, and how often a players can save the game.
264	* SawBladesOfDeath \
265	You touch it and it will hurt.
266	* SecondPlaceIsForLosers \
267	Finishing second at the Daytona 500 is no different from finishing last in Video Game Land.
268	* SecretAIMoves \
269	Computer-controlled opponents use techniques inaccessible to unfortunate human players.
270	* SmashingHallwayTrapsOfDoom \
271	BoobyTrap in which two big stone blocks or spiked walls repeatedly ram into each other in a narrow hallway.
272	* SNKBoss \
273	A Nintendo Hard boss in a Fighting Game that doesn't play by the rules. Known side effects include thrown controllers and frothing at the mouth.
274	* SpikesOfDoom \
275	You touch one, you die horribly.
276	** SpikeBallsOfDoom \
277	Like spikes, only more ''mobile''.
278	* SpitefulAI \
279	AI characters don't seem to care if they win so long as you lose.
280	* StalkingMission \
281	A gameplay segment in which the player is tasked with following an {{NPC}} to a designated area without being spotted.
282	* StealthBasedMission \
283	A mission where the player must sneak through an area infested with enemies.
284	* SteamVentObstacle \
285	Steam vents as obstacles.
286	* StrongEnemiesLowRewards \
287	Powerful enemies enforcing their status as roadblocks by not being rewarding to kill.
288	* SuddenlyHarmfulHarmlessObject \
289	That bush wasn't doing anything before, now it's attacking you.
290	* TeleportingKeycardSquad \
291	Whenever you take something important, a slough of new enemies suddenly rushes in.
292	* TemporaryPlatform \
293	When you land on it, it starts crumbling away.
294	* ThatOneAchievement \
295	The one lousy achievement [[Platform/PlayStation3 or trophy]] that keeps you from HundredPercentCompletion.
296	* ThatOneAttack \
297	A particular attack in an enemy's arsenal which is significantly more dangerous than the rest of its skills.
298	* ThatOneBoss \
299	A boss who's infamous for being hard to beat.
300	* ThatOneComponent \
301	A resource which is incredibly hard to obtain, and usually very important.
302	* ThatOneLevel \
303	A level which is much harder than those surrounding it, sometimes by accident.
304	* ThatOnePuzzle \
305	You have a handful of alien bones, a shell, and no hints.
306	* ThereAreNoTents \
307	You can only rest the night at a ''genuine'' inn; you can't just set up camp somewhere.
308	* TideLevel \
309	Water, GrimyWater, [[ShiftingSandLand sand]], [[EverythingTryingtoKillYou some other substance]], or [[LavaIsBoilingKoolAid lava]] rises and falls to keep you on your toes.
310	* TimedMission \
311	The player has a finite amount of time to complete a goal, otherwise it's GameOver.
312	** StalkedByTheBell \
313	Run out of time and an in-universe threat will start to harass/hunt/attack you. Can you still complete the level?
314	** TimeKeepsOnTicking \
315	When the clock keeps going, even during cutscenes, battles, and even the ''pause menu''.
316	* TimeTrial \
317	A mode that challenges the player to complete a level or race as fast as possible.
318	** RacingGhost \
319	A visual representation of a player/developer's record that the player is able to "challenge".
320	* TrialAndErrorGameplay \
321	When you can only figure out the correct path by trying the incorrect ones and dying, until you get to the right one.
322	* TreacherousCheckpoint \
323	What you think is a save point or other type of safe place is actually an enemy, most often a miniboss, but also even an outright boss.
324	* TurnsRed \
325	When a boss's HP gets lower, he suddenly gains power, speed, and/or uses different attacks.
326	* TutorialFailure \
327	When a tutorial either misleads or gives outright false information to the player.
328	* UnexpectedGameplayChange \
329	Where a game suddenly changes from one gameplay genre to another for a level or area.
330	* UnwinnableByDesign \
331	A gameplay design element that cripples the player so he can't win -- but won't tell him about it for ''hours''.
332	* UnwinnableJokeGame \
333	A game that presents you with a goal, but as a joke of the programmer, this goal is completely unreachable.
334	* WeCannotGoOnWithoutYou \
335	The main hero must survive, and the game ends if he ends up dying.
336	* VideoGameCrueltyPunishment \
337	Doing mean things like [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda attacking Cuccos in The Legend Of Zelda games]], innocent creatures or people or similar things it rewards you with an punishment that has chance to get a GameOver.
338	* VideoGameDelegationPenalty \
339	By delegating a certain in-game task or mechanic to the AI or a NPC, you get a less desirable result than when you do it yourself.
340	* WizardNeedsFoodBadly \
341	The practice of using a food resource as a time limit.
342	* YouRequireMoreVespeneGas \
343	Strategy games make you gather resources.
344
345	!!Ways of making games ''easier'':
346	* AfterCombatRecovery \
347	Just got beaten to within an inch of your life in that RandomEncounter? Don't worry, you're back to full health!
348	** AfterBossRecovery \
349	Same thing, but only happens after boss battles.
350	* AntiFrustrationFeatures \
351	The rules change in certain situations to prevent FakeDifficulty.
352	* ArtificialStupidity \
353	AI that's really bad at what it does.
354	* BadLuckMitigationMechanic \
355	The game overrides a merciless RandomNumberGod to reward persistence.
356	* ColorblindMode \
357	Colors in a game can be altered to accommodate players' visual impairments.
358	* DoorToBefore \
359	Once you fight your way to the end of an area, there will be a convenient door that leads you right back to the entrance.
360	* EffortlessAchievement \
361	The game gives you achievements for merely starting the game, or performing mundane actions.
362	* FakeTrap \
363	A trap that actually isn't deadly.
364	* ForegoneVictory \
365	Any point in a game where you can't actually lose, even if it looks like you can.
366	* GameplayAllyImmortality \
367	When you have an {{NPC}} with you, he/she will be impervious to damage or at least death.
368	* HintSystem \
369	The game gives you hints if you can't solve a puzzle on your own.
370	* MercyInvincibility \
371	Whenever you are hit, you have a small period of invincibility before being vulnerable again.
372	* NewbieImmunity \
373	Losing is either impossible or less penalizing than normal when starting a game or learning new game mechanics.
374	* NonLethalBottomlessPits \
375	You expect instant death, but instead you just go back to the start of the area.
376	** BottomlessPitRescueService \
377	Someone or something saves the character from falling all the way down.
378	* NoticeThis \
379	Games will make an important item more visible (e.g. twinkles, color scheme, etc.)
380	* OverheadInteractionIndicator\
381	Characters who give quests and/or information will have something overhead signalling that you should talk to them.
382	* PlayerExclusiveMechanic \
383	Reverse of SecretAIMoves, this is when players can have access to things that the computer cannot have.
384	* PlayerNudge \
385	If you fail, the game hints to you what to do.
386	* PostFinalBoss \
387	A relatively easy boss that is preceded by the true final boss.
388	* RainbowSpeak \
389	Important words and phrases are highlighted for your convenience in different colors.
390	* StoryDifficultySetting \
391	When a game features a difficulty mode specifically catering to players who just want to experience the story.
392	* SurprisinglyEasyMiniQuest \
393	A {{sidequest}} that seems like it'll be difficult or frustrating, but ends up being simple or easy.
394	* SuspiciouslyCrackedWall \
395	The game will have an easily broken wall which conceals some sort of treat.
396	* SuspiciousVideogameGenerosity \
397	The game provides lots of items before a difficult fight.
398	* VillainForgotToLevelGrind \
399	Where the villain is still at the same level he was at ten hours ago, but the heroes are ten levels higher and therefore beat him handily.
400	* WeakTurretGun \
401	A turret gun that can be easily knocked out or over.
402
403	!!Video game deaths:
404	* CycleOfHurting \
405	You're caught in a DeathTrap and have to watch your HitPoints slowly go down to zero.
406	* DeathIsASlapOnTheWrist \
407	The penalty for death is so minor that there may as well not be one at all.
408	* GameOver \
409	You're dead.
410	** ContinueCountdown \
411	A time limit after a failure condition has been met, where the game is over after it expires.
412	** GameOverMan \
413	When a character appears on the game over screen, sometimes to mock you.
414	** HaveANiceDeath \
415	When the game gives you a OneLiner after finishing you off.
416	** ItsAWonderfulFailure \
417	An ending that only plays when you get a GameOver.
418	** NonstandardGameOver \
419	A GameOver screen that appears not after the usual HitPoint-loss, but when you've messed up something more serious or plot-worthy.
420	** TheManyDeathsOfYou \
421	Games that offer all sorts of ways for you to kick the bucket, rather than just losing HitPoints or falling down pits.
422	** YetAnotherStupidDeath \
423	[[VideoGame/SpaceQuest Duhh. You died because you were dumb.]]
424	** PressStartToGameOver \
425	GameOver before it really begins.
426	* NonLethalKO \
427	When HP goes to zero, you don't "die", you just get "knocked out".
428	** {{Permadeath}} \
429	Games where, when a character dies, that character is [[SpellingForEmphasis D-E-D Dead]] and is just plain not coming back.
430	* RespawnOnTheSpot \
431	When you die, you come back to life instantly on the same location you died, or very close to it, without losing any progress.
432	* SingleAttemptGame \
433	A game that can be played only once, regardless of the outcome.
434	* VideoGameLives \
435	How many tries a player has before a Game Over.
436	* WeCannotGoOnWithoutYou \
437	You get a Game Over when the main character is killed, regardless of how many of his companions are still alive.
438	[[/index]]

Context Main / VideoGameDifficultyTropes