Quests vs. Puzzles

[Apple Juice]

In games like the Legend of Zelda and Portal, the main objectives are generally puzzle-based and require your mind to think about how to solve the problem, and then proceed with the story line. Many parts of these video games incorporate critical thinking into their game play which ups the difficulty level and also makes for a much more satisfying feeling once you've finally conquered it. On the other hand, other games are centered around quests and simple objectives. Straightforward, easy to understand requests that slowly progress you through the game. It's much less of a hassle to complete, and therefore easier to play often. On the other hand, beating games like this don't require too much skill and/or work. What is your preference? Do you enjoy puzzle-based games or quest games more? Is the straightforward approach better, or the critical thinking approach? Compare/contrast the two here!

 

[Hiatus]

I like puzzle-based games. In my opinion, they're simply more fun than quest games. In puzzle games, you're required to think and figure what you have to do. In quest games, you don't need to think at all. They give you instructions, so you already know what to do. One of my favorite puzzle games is Okami. In this game, you play as the sun goddess known as Amaterasu. She is a wolf who's been awakened from a 100 year slumber. Her main task is to do whatever she can to save her world from a great and dark evil. Darksiders is one of my favorite puzzle-based games, too. You play as a guy named War, a member of the Four Horsemen, and your objective is to maintain the balance between the forces of heaven and hell.

 

[Wobbu]

Quest games tend to be more dynamic with gameplay, so that's why I prefer them. Puzzle games are also great fun, but personal experience has proved quest games to be more fun. In Puzzle games like the Prof. Layton series, you do a puzzle, read dialogue, and repeat. In quest games like the Mass Effect series, you can make decisions that will affect future quests so that they will vary. The one big advantage with puzzle games, however, is that you can be relaxed and, for the most part, take your time with them

 

[T!M]

Quest >>> Puzzles.

Personally, when it comes to puzzles, I get stumped really easy. I've never been good at the LoZ series or God of War.

Every Legend of Zelda ever. I am not a man of puzzles. Call me a barbarian when it comes to a video game, but puzzles stump me. I may get it eventually, but it takes countless hours of exploring previous rooms in the dungeon.

 

[Apple Juice]

I think a mix of both works great. If you can throw in puzzles while having a previous objective established, it just makes the quest harder and more satisfying to complete, managing to get both straightforward gaming and critical thinking in one. Contrary to other concepts of gaming, though, being heavily in favor of one or the other in a game isn't so bad either. LoZ is one of the most puzzle-oriented games out there, and also one of the most successful!