What is a Hardcore game to you

A game with hard difficulty or that requires a high level of skill.

Difficult games that no one else plays. :P

I tend to look at the question more regarding gamers not games. In this regard, I would say that hardcore gamers are those who have a high amount of patience to play games on the harder difficulties and/or who will spend the time to really complete all the sidequests, get the platinum, etc.

I finish nearly every game I purchase but I would not necesarily say I'm a hardcore gamer because I don't, in general, spend tons of time playing the most punishing difficulties and I could care less about getting all the achievements. Some games I'll obviously do more in than others but I'm not consistent in this.

It's a game, that at its core, is hard.

to me, Hardcore games is * Game is not easy to play, * Gameplay is full of technical/mechanism * Non gamers, wussy girls, girlie girls, soccermoms, children and fancypants are not into such games that require mind-bending skills * teen to M ratingshippiesanta

A game about ponies and unicorns that no one will ever play.

Games that make you think and adapt rather than instant gratification.

Technically any game can be casual or hardcore, depending on how much the person plays it. But my general idea is where casual are quick pick up and play mini games like angry birds and facebook games. While my favorite games like Tales of games, Dragon Age, Final Fantasy, Zelda, Mass Effect, The witcher and so on require much more time and are more complex than simple pick up and play games. I guess to sum it up casual games usually revolve around mini games and very simple game machanics, while hardcore games usually require many hours, and have more complex gameplay i guess. Yknow, this is really hard to try and put into words lol.

Games that require a considerable effort to learn how to play them. (stretegy, simulators, old-school RPGs, etc.)

Pajama Sam, Freddie Fish, Putt-Putt, and Lego Island.

Jolt_counter119

A game that can suck you in, has lots to do (but this can be in many different forms) and won't wear out its welcome anytime soon. I think that an M rating means nothing as far as being Hardcore goes. Kirby is just as hardcore as other M rated titles.

For me a hardcore game has to have a one or more of these:

High difficulty level

Complex gameplay/rules/mechanics

High learning curve/barrier to entry

I swear there's more but hey I just woke up. Anyways that to me makes a hardcore game, as a casual game is:

Low difficulty level

Simple gameplay/rules/mecanics

Low to non existent learning curve/barrier to entry

One appeals to gamers that are into the hobby more seriously and one appeals to gamers who casually likes gaming. This does not mean a gamer that takes the hobby "seriously" will play hardcore games. This also does not mean playing both hardcore and casual games makes you casual. To me its just a label that shows what the audience the game was made for.

For me a hardcore game has to have a one or more of these:

High difficulty level

Complex gameplay/rules/mechanics

High learning curve/barrier to entry

I swear there's more but hey I just woke up. Anyways that to me makes a hardcore game, as a casual game is:

Low difficulty level

Simple gameplay/rules/mecanics

Low to non existent learning curve/barrier to entry

One appeals to gamers that are into the hobby more seriously and one appeals to gamers who casually likes gaming. This does not mean a gamer that takes the hobby "seriously" will play hardcore games,. This also does not mean playing both hardcore and casual games makes you casual.

Yangire

So games like Mario, Dead Space, Zelda, Final Fantasy, and others are casual because they are easy to pick up and play?

I don't know..Maybe a game with a steep learning curve.

[QUOTE="Yangire"]

For me a hardcore game has to have a one or more of these:

High difficulty level

Complex gameplay/rules/mechanics

High learning curve/barrier to entry

I swear there's more but hey I just woke up. Anyways that to me makes a hardcore game, as a casual game is:

Low difficulty level

Simple gameplay/rules/mecanics

Low to non existent learning curve/barrier to entry

One appeals to gamers that are into the hobby more seriously and one appeals to gamers who casually likes gaming. This does not mean a gamer that takes the hobby "seriously" will play hardcore games,. This also does not mean playing both hardcore and casual games makes you casual.

turtlethetaffer

So games like Mario, Dead Space, Zelda, Final Fantasy, and others are casual because they are easy to pick up and play?

Yep, besides some of the early Mario games and fan levels. Something can be pick up and play but still be very challenging.

[QUOTE="turtlethetaffer"]

[QUOTE="Yangire"]

For me a hardcore game has to have a one or more of these:

High difficulty level

Complex gameplay/rules/mechanics

High learning curve/barrier to entry

I swear there's more but hey I just woke up. Anyways that to me makes a hardcore game, as a casual game is:

Low difficulty level

Simple gameplay/rules/mecanics

Low to non existent learning curve/barrier to entry

One appeals to gamers that are into the hobby more seriously and one appeals to gamers who casually likes gaming. This does not mean a gamer that takes the hobby "seriously" will play hardcore games,. This also does not mean playing both hardcore and casual games makes you casual.

Yangire

So games like Mario, Dead Space, Zelda, Final Fantasy, and others are casual because they are easy to pick up and play?

Yep, besides some of the early Mario games and fan levels. Something can be pick up and play but still be very challenging.

[QUOTE="turtlethetaffer"]

[QUOTE="Yangire"]

For me a hardcore game has to have a one or more of these:

High difficulty level

Complex gameplay/rules/mechanics

High learning curve/barrier to entry

I swear there's more but hey I just woke up. Anyways that to me makes a hardcore game, as a casual game is:

Low difficulty level

Simple gameplay/rules/mecanics

Low to non existent learning curve/barrier to entry

One appeals to gamers that are into the hobby more seriously and one appeals to gamers who casually likes gaming. This does not mean a gamer that takes the hobby "seriously" will play hardcore games,. This also does not mean playing both hardcore and casual games makes you casual.

Yangire

So games like Mario, Dead Space, Zelda, Final Fantasy, and others are casual because they are easy to pick up and play?

Yep, besides some of the early Mario games and fan levels. Something can be pick up and play but still be very challenging.

Last I ckecked, Mario games are usually pretty challenging, as well as Dead Space on higher difficulties, and Zelda (in the form of puzzles) and Final Fantasy is usually pretty challenging.

Any game that isn't made by Nintendo.Ikouze

So that latest Sesame street game is hardcore?

[QUOTE="Yangire"]

[QUOTE="turtlethetaffer"]

So games like Mario, Dead Space, Zelda, Final Fantasy, and others are casual because they are easy to pick up and play?

turtlethetaffer

Yep, besides some of the early Mario games and fan levels. Something can be pick up and play but still be very challenging.

Last I ckecked, Mario games are usually pretty challenging, as well as Dead Space on higher difficulties, and Zelda (in the form of puzzles) and Final Fantasy is usually pretty challenging.

Games that you find challenging and games that are very challenging are two different things.

[QUOTE="turtlethetaffer"]

[QUOTE="Yangire"]

Yep, besides some of the early Mario games and fan levels. Something can be pick up and play but still be very challenging.

Yangire

Last I ckecked, Mario games are usually pretty challenging, as well as Dead Space on higher difficulties, and Zelda (in the form of puzzles) and Final Fantasy is usually pretty challenging.

Games that you find challenging and games that are very challenging are two different things.

So tell me what are some challenging games then? Have you played FFIV on DS? That game is pretty damn tough.

Any game that isn't made by Nintendo.Ikouze

[QUOTE="Yangire"]

[QUOTE="turtlethetaffer"]

Last I ckecked, Mario games are usually pretty challenging, as well as Dead Space on higher difficulties, and Zelda (in the form of puzzles) and Final Fantasy is usually pretty challenging.

turtlethetaffer

Games that you find challenging and games that are very challenging are two different things.

So tell me what are some challenging games then? Have you played FFIV on DS? That game is pretty damn tough.

Ketsui (full playthrough), Wizardry IV, a lot of roguelikes, if we're counting difficulty levels Baroque (PS2) on hard, Metal Slug 3, 7th Saga, hell most Raizing and CAVE SHMUPs even more if your trying to score high, those all come to mind quickly.

I could go into more games if you want, however I didn't want to make a list. Also Final Fantasy games can provide a lot of challenge when someone challenge games, how about a solo white mage run on FF1?

[QUOTE="turtlethetaffer"]

[QUOTE="Yangire"]

Games that you find challenging and games that are very challenging are two different things.

Yangire

So tell me what are some challenging games then? Have you played FFIV on DS? That game is pretty damn tough.

Ketsui (full playthrough), Wizardry IV, a lot of roguelikes, if we're counting difficulty levels Baroque (PS2) on hard, Metal Slug 3, 7th Saga, hell most Raizing and CAVE SHMUPs even more if your trying to score high, those all come to mind quickly.

I could go into more games if you want, however I didn't want to make a list. Also Final Fantasy games can provide a lot of challenge when someone challenge games, how about a solo white mage run on FF1?

I remember Baroque...by far the most challenging game I've ever played on my Wii.

for me it is any game with an actual difficulty.

Basicly Hardcore games have ben pretty much None existant this gen, except for the titles who held on to past glory (and often proved the best).

In my world the Super mario games ARE hardcore, they are ALOT harder and unforgiving then random peashooter nr.468.

Hardcore games also tend to go thier own way, not caring about the mainstream user base, those games are made by the devs, for people like the devs. This is not a rule tho it just happens to be that way.

And the game MUST rely on the players own skill! This can NOT be stressed enough, any game that helps, give help messages, helps with jumping, aiming or other handholding are by definition NOT hardcore.

for me it is any game with an actual difficulty.

Basicly Hardcore games have ben pretty much None existant this gen, except for the titles who held on to past glory (and often proved the best).

In my world the Super mario games ARE hardcore, they are ALOT harder and unforgiving then random peashooter nr.468.

Hardcore games also tend to go thier own way, not caring about the mainstream user base, those games are made by the devs, for people like the devs. This is not a rule tho it just happens to be that way.

And the game MUST rely on the players own skill! This can NOT be stressed enough, any game that helps, give help messages, helps with jumping, aiming or other handholding are by definition NOT hardcore.

Maddie_Larkin

You haven't played very many video games this gen.

I have always wondered this what is a Hardcore game to you? Is it a game with an M rating, a game with blood, guts, and sex, or IMO it is a game with a large following and decent amount of hype when coming up on release.So for example since Mario games have a large amount of hype around release I consider it a hardcore game.

layton2012

That is a decent answer actually but let me ask you this. A game like GTAIII didn't have much of a following coming into release did it therefore become a hardocore game only after it grew a large following?

[QUOTE="Yangire"]

[QUOTE="turtlethetaffer"]

So tell me what are some challenging games then? Have you played FFIV on DS? That game is pretty damn tough.

peterw007

Ketsui (full playthrough), Wizardry IV, a lot of roguelikes, if we're counting difficulty levels Baroque (PS2) on hard, Metal Slug 3, 7th Saga, hell most Raizing and CAVE SHMUPs even more if your trying to score high, those all come to mind quickly.

I could go into more games if you want, however I didn't want to make a list. Also Final Fantasy games can provide a lot of challenge when someone challenge games, how about a solo white mage run on FF1?

I remember Baroque...by far the most challenging game I've ever played on my Wii.

I agree, I for some reason only try to play it on hard and it just destroys me.

[QUOTE="layton2012"]

I have always wondered this what is a Hardcore game to you? Is it a game with an M rating, a game with blood, guts, and sex, or IMO it is a game with a large following and decent amount of hype when coming up on release.So for example since Mario games have a large amount of hype around release I consider it a hardcore game.

greenskittles

That is a decent answer actually but let me ask you this. A game like GTAIII didn't have much of a following coming into release did it therefore become a hardocore game only after it grew a large following?

Dark Souls

A game that requires much time and skill to play.

games that have buttsecks.

Something you can't pick up and play for 10 minutes?....

games that have buttsecks.

Celtic_34

lol wut

The term hardcore has absolutely nothing to do with the rating of a game....sigh. It has to do with competition, challenge, and skillcap. Ninja Gaiden was hardcore cause it was hard, Dark Souls is hardcore, Starcraft is the most hardcore game ever. The pro players in SC on television in Korea have the highest skillcap of any gamer on the planet easily, what they do in that game is almost inhuman and they practice 8-12 hours a day, thats hardcore.

IMO, there are hardcore gamers, not games. It depends on how you play it, and how much time you invest in it.starjet905

I never thought about it that way but it makes sense.

A game that is easy to learn and hard to master.

Dark Souls. That is all.

usually something that requires skills that can't be gained in about 1 minute or less. Not because of bad controls but because of subtle and or complex controls with a great deal of depth that isn't always transparent.

I have always wondered this what is a Hardcore game to you? Is it a game with an M rating, a game with blood, guts, and sex, or IMO it is a game with a large following and decent amount of hype when coming up on release.So for example since Mario games have a large amount of hype around release I consider it a hardcore game.

layton2012

For me? Nope. The hardcore games for me are X-Plane 9 and FSX. Both are E-rated. At the hardest settings, even merely taking off (and trying to trim the aircraft) can be a challenge, esp with X-Plane 9.

there is no "to you" about it, a hardcore game IS a game like Starcraft that requires immense skills and a full life dedication to compete at the highest level. That is the definition of a hardcore game.