Checkpoints suck
#1
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Checkpoints suck
I never owned a console until I bought this xbox 360. I bought it as an economic measure because I was disgusted with the hardware and software demands of newer PC games. I hated the controller at first but I sucked it up and I am slowly getting used to it.
However, there is one thing I just can't stand about console games... checkpoints. I hate the goddamn things with a purple passion. The damn things are never where I would save and never often enough. I detest playing the same section of a game over and over and that would not happen if I could save where I wanted. Bioshock and Mass Effect allow you to save when you want (except in the middle of a fight). Why not others?
However, there is one thing I just can't stand about console games... checkpoints. I hate the goddamn things with a purple passion. The damn things are never where I would save and never often enough. I detest playing the same section of a game over and over and that would not happen if I could save where I wanted. Bioshock and Mass Effect allow you to save when you want (except in the middle of a fight). Why not others?
#2
DVD Talk Godfather
I hate checkpoint saves too, especially coming as a primarily PC gamer where just about all games let you save anywhere. They seem like an artificial way to make a game longer and harder, since it often leads to having to replay long sections of a game if you die.
#3
DVD Talk Special Edition
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It depends on the game, but I think checkpoints can be good or bad. As long as checkpoints are offered often enough, I like them, as it gives the game more challenge than just saving and retreating after shooting every single bad guy.
In a game like the Splinter Cell series, I want to save often, because I am often moving methodically and slowly and according to my own plan. RPGs also need anytime saves. However, for a game like COD4, Halo 3, or Gears of War, the checkpoints were absolutely fine with me.
So, it's a mixed bag. I think a developer just needs to consider how the game is played to determine what type of save system is needed.
In a game like the Splinter Cell series, I want to save often, because I am often moving methodically and slowly and according to my own plan. RPGs also need anytime saves. However, for a game like COD4, Halo 3, or Gears of War, the checkpoints were absolutely fine with me.
So, it's a mixed bag. I think a developer just needs to consider how the game is played to determine what type of save system is needed.
#6
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt
I like checkpoints mostly because I would sometimes forget to save a game (Halo 3). I think you may just be spoiled by PC games.
#7
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
I agree that it is a poor design element that is a holdover from when consoles used to not have internal storage. Hopefully it is something that goes away this generation or the next.
#8
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Checkpoint saving does suck, but it is much better than the ancient 30 character password saving of NES games. I hated that with a passion, especially whens 8's and B's looked alike and 0's and O's and 1's and I's...
#9
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
It's really not that hard to have Save-Anywhere and Checkpoints together. Most PC games do it already by making an automatic quicksave whenever you go into a new area/level or after some event.