Quicksave vs. Checkpoint

So, I'm a bit behind with my gaming. I'm actually playing Far Cry at the moment!

I find the lack of quicksave a bit annoying, as sometimes I end up having to play through a lot of the same areas of the game to get to the one I can't do!

However, saying that I really enjoy the tension that the checkpoint system creates.

What do you think would be a good comprimise? Perhaps a quicksave option could become available after a certain number of replays in a particular checkpoint? Perhaps limited saves per section is the way forward, like Hitman started to do?

What do you prefer? Do you think that checkpoints make you a better player as you can't be lazy and hit F5 every 10 seconds!

(Also, I realise my other option is to stop being rubbish at FPS games :D )

They both have their place. I like to be able to have control over my games - I like to be able to start and stop where I want.

But a game like Vegas, for example, works better with a checkpoint system. The enemies are so lethal and you have such a powerful sense of your own mortality as you play that the combat is extremely tense and exciting. When you're tapping F5 every time you're behind cover, and when you know that if youe die you'll be back into the fight in a few moments, the very concept of death itself loses its meaning.

Of course, on the other hand, if you get to an exceptionally hard part, or a part where the checkpoint is placed poorly, you may find yourself replaying the same parts over and over and over again.

I'm really torn on this topic - I think a checkpoint system has the potential to be better, but only when well implemented. Most checkpoint systems are more like an afterthought. For instance, Alone in the Dark has checkpoints just before unskipable cutscenes.

With excellent implementation of a checkpoint system, I think i'd happily say goodbye to quicksaves. As much as I love the freedom they provide, quicksave also hurts atmosphere in a big way.

Alone in the Dark has checkpoints just before unskipable cutscenes.

fatshodan

That's criminal!

I have played GRAW 2 recently, that kind of used checkpoints with occassional chances to quicksave. If you were 'engaged' then it wouldn't allow you to.

I think you're right about checkpoints sometimes being an afterthought. The system should be a fundamental part of the development.

If I want to raise the tension I should be able to choose for my self to not quick save but I would like the option.adrake4183

That's part of the problem, though. Sometimes people need tough love - they need to be pushed into doing something that's good for them, whether they know it or not. Would you ever actually think to try and raise the tension by not using quicksave in a FPS? I seriously doubt it. It's there, so you'd use it.

Not many (if any) people would deliberately not use quicksave when it's available, and that reflects on the game as a whole. It's like the quick travel thing in Oblivion - it may be argued that its existence is not innately a bad thing, as it's down to the individual to choose whether or not it's used, but just by putting it in the game you're coaxing people into spoiling their own experience - like putting a big chocolate cake in front of someone on a diet. Some people just can't help themselves.