Does going into a game blind increase your enjoyment?

[kman]

Ive been thinking about this for a while and I have decided to avoid media on games I am super interested in. I feel that if I watch all the trailers for a game and read all the reviews I miss out on a lot of the excitement and surprise that games can bring. The first game I tested this on was Batman: Arkham Asylum and I absolutely loved it.

I had no idea what villains were in it other than the Joker and it was so refreshing not knowing anything about the story or big set piece moments.

Now I am avoiding the Uncharted thread for the life of me.

Anyone else feel the same as I do and try to avoid media on games you know you would enjoy?

[Chiyo_chichi]

Yeah, for sure.

Keeps the surprises coming. I don't like feeling "well, I know character-X won't die because the trailer shows him in an area I haven't been in yet."

[DarchAmonNagar]

I think the internet has taken away the surprise not just from games but movies too. You'll always getting set photos from some film with a first look of what not. When you come to see the movie or play a game you pretty much know whats going to happen.

[MOONPHASE]

For me it's the opposite I could watch a trailer before it's released and get very excited(even more excited then not knowing beforehand). Like I watched the Joker PS3-exclusive challenge map trailer before the game came out during at work a few times and each time I was like this is so awesome, so then I played Arkham Asylum as soon as it was released and felt the same exact way.

[SoCalTiger]

Yeah, totally. Reading wikis and forums about a game sort of removes the excitement too.

[jsteinhauer]

Reading reviews and descriptions and watching trailers is important to see if it is a game style you might enjoy, I think, but reading detailed storylines and walkthroughs take away from the adventure and gameplay. I also don't play demos for the same reason. For games like uncharted, if you play the first one and liked, it, it's reasonable to believe that the second one will be fun as well (though that's not universal). I tend to get bored with games before I finish them, so playing extensively in advance of the release (like many around here) would for me take much away from the pleasure of playing the game when it finally arrives.

[Theoriez]

Yeah going into a game blind is better IMO...especially if you know it will most likely be a great game like uncharted 2...i stay away from demos and betas just so its fresh when i get it...i never purchased batman aa yet..but reading the threads and reviews..playing the demo..i feel like i pretty much played the game already lol. So yea even tho its hard...i try to stay away from reading up on games too much before i get them.

[kman]

Yeah I mean you can really only go into a few games blind. For instance, I will buy anything created by Naughty Dog or Insomniac just because I know it will be a quality PS3 title.

Other titles I just want to know basics about the game, for example, what kind of game is it. FPS, RPG, etc and what has the developer done before.

[Seeking_Alpha]

I agree with you OP. I haven't watched or played or read anything about Uncharted since E3

I do it for all games that are especially story driven. Once I get to a certain point of excitement where I know I will be buying it. I go "dark" on it. No media nothing.

Games like gran turismo 5 however I watch everything I can get my hands on.

[silversnake]

If it's a game I know I'll like , I refrain from looking at anything. Uncharted 2 for example , I played the beta after buying inFamous and haven't looked at anything since than. It's hard but it's worth it.

If it's a game i'm iffy about than I might look at a few gameplay videos and scores. I never look at a review video until I"m done with the game.

[Matt S]

Without a question, yes.........

[jsteinhauer]

I've been reading the entire thread about Uncharted 2. I have to commend the participants on revealing very little (not that have anything to say about the single player game). Reading that thread has only added to my anticipation.

[Sponge-worthy]

I think you're well off if you stick to "official" trailers, demos, etc., and their related coverage of games because I think publishers are pretty good at keeping most of the title's content under wraps while still giving the masses a taste of what's to come.

Of course, if you poke around the 'Net long enough, you'll likely be able to spoil the entire experience for yourself. As for me, now that Uncharted 2 is only a few weeks off, I find myself less interested in U2 press releases, playing the demo, etc. The hype machine has done its job by now.

[1cleans13]

dude I feel the same way, but no matter how hard I try to refrain from looking at these threads I cant help it most of the time. I end up reading and reading about the game to the point where I almost loose interest in playing them.

[Xerios]

if you think going in blind is fun try going in

[Show spoiler]high

[Proteus]

I will watch pre-trailers and such if it's obvious they aren't going to 'spoil' anything. But, I usually do a run through of the game before consulting any other sources (to be sure I cover it all).

[Lord_Stewie]

Ads in general tends to spoil things for me. But when it comes to game I only see a commercial once or a review on G4 and then thats enough for me.

[repete66211]

This all comes down to expectations. High expectations are hard to live up to and low expectations can make a so-so movie seem better than it probably is. That's why I avoid movie hype and, if possible, advertisements, word of mouth, etc. I saw District 9 without knowing it was about aliens.

Going in with no expectations at all are a real gamble, but can pay off in the end.

[paperkut]

This is just me but why rent or buy a game when you havent read any reviews to get you hyped up. I hate going into a game blind and be very disappointed.

[kingofgrills]

I never go into a game blind. I want to know if it's a game I would be at all interested in before investing time in it. I want to know what type of a game it is, what the basic plot or premise is, and I want to see some screen shots or in-game footage to. If it's a new IP, and not part of an existing franchise or from a known developer, I want to read a review first.

However, I don't want to know any info that will spoil the experience or story. So I don't want to read strategy guides or walkthroughs, and I certainly don't want to find out about major plot points or twists.

I do all this to get an idea if I'll like a game. Plus, it get's me something to look forward to, like all the preview information on Heavy Rain.