I’ve been a fan of the first-person shooter since 1992 and id Software’s ever-popular Wolfenstein 3D (some would consider that a late start). And while any good FPS has a storyline that would be it’s own reward, there has always been that little extra something waiting for the patient gamer.
But as things on the ever-changing gamescape go about their natural course, I notice another disturbing trend emerging. And considering the focus that has been placed on online multiplayer and taken off the single player story, it makes people who really enjoy their single story experience with all the trimmings such as myself feel a little slighted. What I’m really trying to ask here is:
WHERE THE F**K IS MY GOD MODE?!!
The God Mode has been a staple of FPS since way back. In fact, ids’ own Catacomb 3D is widely regarded as the first take on the modern FPS (released 2nd quarter 1991). It has been used as a reward for those who have had enough patience and discipline to see the game all the way through. When you really think about it, the God Mode isn’t he only staple to go missing. Cheat codes in general seem to have been omitted from many of the games released in the last two years or so. The only one that comes to mind is GTA IV (whose cheats are one of my little guilty pleasures, as it were).
Now, I know that developers have had complaints about cheats in the past. Some believe that it severely cuts down on the mystique and playtime of a newly released game. And to a point, that’s true. But really, how hard is it to put a code system in place? When the game is finished to the satisfaction of the developers, you get a code to unlock the modes. Just have a game save with needed progress. Is that really so hard? These are video games people. And although I take them as seriously as anyone else, the God Mode I believe is a big part of the FUN of our hobby/lifestyle. It’s about goofing around and doing the things that you shouldn’t be able to in the serious aspects of the game. So many people are so obsessed with their favorite games as it is. So what’s the harm with screwing about when you’re not feeling so competitive? Have you ever taken out a Baron of Hell in Doom with just your fists? It’s awesome!
I suppose, perhaps, that I take these things a little too personally. To me, it’s like the death of a ritual. There are very few things I love more than fighting my way through a great game to reap the final reward: no damage, infinite ammo, and all weapons. The game that whopped my ass so frequently has now become my red-headed stepchild. Kneel before Zod, bitches!!
So is it just me folks? Does anyone else feel like we’ve lost something fun for no real reason? Or is this just a new step in increasing a game’s innate value and replayability? And if it is, is it really worth it? Let us know what your thoughts are.
Yeah, I miss the days of God Mode and Cheat Codes you’d scamper to find in magazines and online. Developers focus too much on the online multiplayer component with these constantly connected consoles (say that 10 times fast).
Cheats were never engineered intentionally for games. They were exploits / code left in that allowed the developers to create their game quickly. Why battle death when your play testing a certain section.
Achievements and Trophies have also reduced the familiarity. They’re still there, just closed on release.
in an online world, everything needs to be fair
i think such codes r ommited so that reviewing a game wont be hindered by ne codes the reviewer might have used to ‘hurry up’ theyr blog.
i think every game can benefit from codes, but some games lose theyr sparkle when u have ppl, like my friend, who uses codes as soon as he puts the game in. and the company still gets the sale.
then u can look at a game like GTA: SA, which after playing it, or getting stuck on a mission, go to the 4 pages of cheats that were available, and made the game’s replayability much greater
u win some, u lose some i guess
For that matter, what’s wrong with FPS games allowing you to retain whatever weapons you’ve collected after you’ve beaten the game and fancy using them for a second playthrough? No! You have to get the guns at the same times you did in your first time around.
It’s the difference between Resident Evil 4 and Resistance FOM, one allows you to carry everything you’ve got over to the next game, the other is an anal bastard about what you can and can’t have and when you can have it.
Guess which approach is more fun.
I miss my old goldeneye with all those awesome cheats. I think I’m going to plug in my n64 and play all night long. If I could go online with it my life would be complete.
Glad to see a campaign for more replay in the single player campaigns. The stealth armor and tuxedo made a difference to playing through Metal Gear Solid.
Yeah,I miss the god mode…and I wish there were some console FPS with it.I don’t even remember how many games I beat in my teens using those cheats.There was also this one FPS in which you actually became god,and got all sorts of cool powers like lightning and in it,your character would make the most mundane yawns while killing the enemies.I would really appreciate it if someone knew which game I was talking about.
yer that was “rise of the triad” i think. if you set your calander on windows to dec 25th it would snow and chrismas carols where playin
The concern would be that some gamers would figure out how to use the codes to exploit things online and make other gamers miserable.
the lack of an in depth single player campaign really bugs me too!
i love a good muliplayer portion, but why shouldn’t we have both. im not always in the mood to get cussed at by twelve year olds while im gaming!
i cant sa that i miss god modes too much, im a stiff that thinks thats a game breaker
i think you pretty much said it… we traded cheats for trophies/achievements, and online multiplayer…
@sugreev2001
that games called rise of the triad, and it was pure awesome
I think back about my most enjoyable FPS experiences and they were playing Quake and Duke Nukem 3D on GOD MODE. I simply don’t find much fun in the challenge of staying alive and conserving ammo. Dying and having to replay areas over and over. That’s not a fun game, that’s a frustrating game. The fun part is exploring the levels, blowing up freaky looking monsters, and playing along with the illusion of being in the protagonist’s PERSPECTIVE.
I play games to escape reality. Why would I want to fail over and over again because a monster is too hard to kill? That is too difficult, that’s real life. I want my games to be easy to play, but one hell of a joy-ride.