Dealing with a Perfectionist Play-Style

[Wispmage]

So I did a quick search, and didn't see any similar threads to what I've been pondering lately. I find that with a lot of games, particularly highly immersive single-player stealth games (i.e. Bioshock, Deus Ex, Assassin's Creed, Thief, Dishonored, etc) I struggle with being able to just play casually, and accept whatever mistakes I make.

There's definitely part of me that wants to just shrug off my blunders and deal with the consequences, but more often than not, I find myself imposing strict limitations on my play and letting the perfectionist in me dictate what is and isn't 'acceptable' gameplay. I end up continuously quick-saving/reloading in order to achieve what I find to be the most optimal play-through. And I think the best way to define this sort of thing is how my friend once put it: it's trying to achieve a combination of the most skillful execution with the most thematic experience.

For example, I'll lose a sliver of health and reload my last save because I don't want to have taken any damage. I'll circle back in a level to try and find collectibles or consumables that I missed, even if I don't really need them. Or with Stealth games, I'll instantly reload or restart when I get detected by an enemy because I really want to completely ghost levels. While sometimes I enjoy the results of this kind of play style, a lot of the time I get frustrated at the mistakes I make, and even more so, my inability to accept them and just deal with the consequences.

I would like to find a balance between being a perfectionist and just going with the flow, but I can't seem to quite get there. And obviously it isn't as simple for me as just flipping a switch in my head and saying 'from here on out, whatever happens, happens'. That said, does anyone else deal with this? Any do any of you have any advice for how I can find some middle ground? Any input would be much appreciated.

[Exhuminator]

That said, does anyone else deal with this? Any do any of you have any advice for how I can find some middle ground?

I know there are people out there who want to platinum games, or collect every collectable, or simply play a game 100% perfectly. I can't even contemplate being able to do that, because I don't have the time for it. I'm doing good to get 2 hours of gaming a day. So as long as I'm making it through a game, that's good enough. I think OP that when your life becomes so full of obligations/responsibilities that free time is an absolute commodity, this problem will clear itself right up. You won't have time to go OCD about playing a game. You'll be happy to have time to play a game at all, and playing it "perfectly" won't even be an option anymore.

[Wispmage]

I think OP that when your life becomes so full of obligations/responsibilities that free time is an absolute commodity, this problem will clear itself right up. You won't have time to go OCD about playing a game. You'll be happy to have time to play a game at all, and playing it "perfectly" won't even be an option anymore.

Interesting that you bring that up. I have a good amount of obligations / responsibilities, and usually play these kinds of games for around 4-6 hours a week, which is one of the reasons I get frustrated by the fact that I can be so constrained by my gaming OCD. I feel like rather than make a lot of progress in the few hours I end up playing, I get stuck trying to perfect a level that would otherwise take me a half an hour.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Stop doing that. Games are supposed to be fun, and IMO, getting caught/escaping is half the fun in stealth games. (Seriously, you miss a lot of the game's mechanics if you sneak through the whole thing.) Getting collectables in games is also supposed to be fun. If you aren't enjoying it, just content yourself with what you have accomplished and move on to a different game.

Also...here is a dirty little secret...no one actually cares if someone gets a perfect save file, find 100% of the items hidden in a game, or obtains a Platinum Trophy. In some cases, I think that getting these things is kind of sad because there are so many better ways to spend your time.

[dunpeal2064]

Also consider that, in most cases, this is not how the creator of the game intended you to play.

Whenever I start a game, I make sure to know what my goal is. As soon as Bioshock hits your disc tray, just ask yourself, "What are my goals here? What do I want to accomplish?"

Just asking yourself that simple question, before you get caught up in all the nonsense, can really help. This is true for many things, not just video games.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Just asking yourself that simple question, before you get caught up in all the nonsense, can really help. This is true for many things, not just video games.

This is absolutely true. Great advice, dunpeal.

[Wispmage]

Getting caught/escaping is half the fun in stealth games. (Seriously, you miss a lot of the game's mechanics if you sneak through the whole thing.)

Yeah, I'd had that thought, and it's definitely something I'm missing out on. Certainly can make for a more dramatic experience, which is one of the things I'm going for when I play. So maybe I'll try to be more open to that in the future.

No one actually cares if someone gets a perfect save file, find 100% of the items hidden in a game, or obtains a Platinum Trophy.

True, but I'm not doing it to see 100% when I'm done with the game, or to look at my all trophies. I'm doing it out of compulsion on a moment-moment basis, not for the satisfaction of looking back after.

Also consider that, in most cases, this is not how the creator of the game intended you to play.

Whenever I start a game, I make sure to know what my goal is. As soon as Bioshock hits your disc tray, just ask yourself, "What are my goals here? What do I want to accomplish?"

Just asking yourself that simple question, before you get caught up in all the nonsense, can really help. This is true for many things, not just video games.

All great points. And that's certainly a question I should start asking myself before I get into a game.

I think what I might do is play through levels and stages for the first time with the outlook of 'whatever happens, happens'. Just try to have fun and deal with the consequences of the mistakes I might make. And then, assuming I have the ability to reattempt levels, I'll go back later on and try for the perfect run. Or, if I can't go back to stages after beating them, I'll try to play through the game with a more forgiving mindset and just accept that perfection might have to wait till my second playthrough. That way I won't get so frustrated or feel pressured my first time through, but can still satisfy my perfectionist calling later on.

[SirGawain]

I will say there is a certain sense of accomplishment by 100%ing a game, but not to the point of spending 10 extra hours to get it. I saw an article about a guy who had gotten as near to a perfect game in Final Fantasy XI. He had spent nearly 300 hours collecting and completing things. I can't imagine doing that. I cant see it as fun. I will collect certain things if I see it adds to the story or experience, but besides that, I just enjoy the story

[dunpeal2064]

Yikes, I spent well over 300 hours in Final Fantasy XI and didn't get anywhere close to completion

A good point about just leaving some stuff for later. The way I look at it, doing that just gives you one more outlook on the game. "Did I enjoy this enough to come back for a slightly altered 2nd playthrough?" I didn't 100% Nocturne, or play it on Hard mode.... which is awesome, because now, several years later, I can't wait to play it again.

[prfsnl_gmr]

I think what I might do is play through levels and stages for the first time with the outlook of 'whatever happens, happens'. . . That way I won't get so frustrated or feel pressured my first time through, but can still satisfy my perfectionist calling later on.

Do this, and once you have done it a few times, you will probably find the compulsion to play the game perfectly subsiding a bit. You might even beat the game, say, "This was good, but not great," and move on to something else. In other cases, you might say, "This game is awesome," and happily trek back through it for all - or a portion - of the collectable, achievements, etc. (I certainly did this with Okami (80+ hours) and DQIX (120+hours).)

I didn't 100% Nocturne, or play it on Hard mode.... which is awesome, because now, several years later, I can't wait to play it again.

I do this too. It is sometimes nice to "save some for later" and revisit a game a few years after you beat it.