Why do people complain about backtracking so much?

I just feel that "backtracking" has become a cool buzzword to use for mindless hate. For example, around the time Prince of Persia: Warrior Within come out, I spoke to my friend about it and asked him what did he make out of it, he said it was cool but he didn't like it that much because of backtracking. I was like "what the heck?", at NO point I've felt like I'm backtracking. It's just I think he's read plenty of reviews and through them found a "cool" reason to downplay the game. I haven't read any, the notion of "backtracking" didn't even exist in my mind.

Backtracking if not tedious, not forced and done right can make a gamer feel more like in a real place with a sense of purpose. Why do I prefer Dead Space 1 to 2? Among other things, because of said backtracking, it made the game even more immersive, you felt like you are really on a functional ship where you have something meaningful to do...Why do I prefer older Resident Evil games to 4 and 5? Also because of backtracking and some tactical options it was connected with, not just linear no-brainer go-forward-and-don't-care-about-anything-else. People act like ANY kind of a backtracking is automatically a very bad thing...which isn't.

It depends on how it's presented. Backtracking could mean travelling back to old areas because new things happaned there, so it's still a new experience. Backtracking could also mean travelling back through rooms full of respawning enemies for 45 minutes just because you forgot to pick up an item somewhere at the beginning.

because it sucks and reeks of lazy game design?sts106mat

It's one of those few old school things that should stay old school since now days both the storage device and the powah is there so as not Require backtracking to make the game last longer and feel somehow bigger then it really is. :P

[QUOTE="sts106mat"]because it sucks and reeks of lazy game design?tenaka2

It works well in games that try to develop a game world the player can get lost in, Dead Space being a good example. I can't explain it too well, but basically, travelling back to areas on the Ishimura made the game more immersive for me as I became familiar with certain areas. Perhaps a strange analogy, but I've thought the same thing about Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series. Throughout the books/movies, the same places are visited & it makes the reader more immersed & able to really flesh out the school. I think games can do the same thing, if not more so than books.

It really depends on the game though. Backtracking isn't really suited in say a 2D hack & slash that focuses on the combat. You're there to hack & slash things, not be immersed in the background art. I'm not sure if I'm making sense...

Well backtracking isn't as extreme now, usually games today only have backtracking elements which is nice as it makes the games feel less linear than they actually are. People who say that backtracking is bad no matter how well implemented it is, then they probably haven't played any Zelda, Metroid or Castlevania game. Kids actually say that it's bad these days? SuperFlakeman

Wow, Zelda, the perfect example I'm looking for. Imagine if OoT was a linear experience without all the travelling around & backtracking. Can't really comment on Metroid or Castlevania, but it works for any game with adventure elements.

Because new areas are always better than old areas whose designs aren't particularly interesting. I guess you could split it up into "good backtracking" and "bad backtracking" but in reality only certain types of games that are built around backtracking (eg Metroidvanias), or rely on it for immersion/realism, do backtracking right.

It's sort of like calling a game linear, or repetitive. Many great games are linear, and all are repetitive in some way, but when you use it as a criticism you're referring to faults in the game's design that prevent the linearity or repetition or backtracking from feeling natural and instead make them "game-y"

It only sucks in RPGs...when you're in a sewer or a dungeon level.

Back tracking is fine if it helps you access new areas. IE Dead space 2 type back tracking. Always revisiting old areas to get to a new one.

In DMC 4's case it's a pain and shows that capcom wasn't able to creatively creat 10 new levels for dante. Especially when you just spent the whole game going through those levels. And fighting the same bosses.

if you nip out to the shop and when you get home realise you have forgotten something you really need, do you look forward to going back again?sts106mat

We live in the Halo generation, where the majority of gamers are concerned with fresh new action happeneing every second. They don't have the patience to do the "same thing" over again, despite a lot of people playing the campaigns for these games over and over again to "re-experience them," ironically. Backtracking is a good way of presenting a world that goes beyond "a game." It allows you to create a living world that changes as time goes on.

We live in the Halo generation, where the majority of gamers are concerned with fresh new action happeneing every second. They don't have the patience to do the "same thing" over again, despite a lot of people playing the campaigns for these games over and over again to "re-experience them," ironically. Backtracking is a good way of presenting a world that goes beyond "a game." It allows you to create a living world that changes as time goes on.

foxhound_fox

exactly a prime example is onimusha 3: demon seige it involves some backtracking and its a solid presentation as a result.. not some half backed game its onimusha 3.. its jsut unfair that todays 30 second thrills gamers cant grasp the idea that taking your time can be rewarding.. i look at folks that do speedclears and im like lol why? those that rat at me need to simply look at good backtracking ordeals like pokemon or harvest moon or onimusha to see examples where it works jolly proper.

thats when its ok in games like fable or TES. its unacceptable in action / hack and slash games .sts106mat

i look at folks that do speedclears and im like lol why? ionusX

if you nip out to the shop and when you get home realise you have forgotten something you really need, do you look forward to going back again?sts106mat

[QUOTE="sts106mat"] thats when its ok in games like fable or TES. its unacceptable in action / hack and slash games .foxhound_fox

mm alien shooter is another successful application of backtracking

It really depends on how it is done, but I feel as though we are missing games like Zelda, metroid and 2d castlevanias...well besides those exact games :P. It would be nice to see more devs try stuff like this. I love these type of games :).

its bad backtracking if you find yourself thinking "oh surely i dont have to trapse all the way back through here again" simple, if it feels a chore, the game has lost its fun factor = BAD.sts106mat

[QUOTE="sts106mat"] thats when its ok in games like fable or TES. its unacceptable in action / hack and slash games .foxhound_fox

apparently nobody told you about the town portal spell.

If its done right, it can be fun. I remember MGS1, when you have to go waaaaay back for something in the game (forget exactly what is entailed): Snake even says something like "I've got to go all the way back there?!"

It's boring.

that's why i never finished metroid prime on gamecube. You'd get somewhere and see something but didn't have the power up to get it. You'd have to go all the way through an area and get a power up that is used in a completely different area. good thing i only paid $1.99 for it.

Backtracking is really bad when enemies respawn. If there is a fast travel option and or no respawning enemies then its not as bad.

My two least favorite things in video games are respawning enemies and catch-up AI.

I LOL at you for not understanding what i am saying. Mass effect never felt a chore - hence = not bad backtracking.

sts106mat

that's why i never finished metroid prime on gamecube. You'd get somewhere and see something but didn't have the power up to get it. You'd have to go all the way through an area and get a power up that is used in a completely different area. good thing i only paid $1.99 for it.

Backtracking is really bad when enemies respawn. If there is a fast travel option and or no respawning enemies then its not as bad.

My two least favorite things in video games are respawning enemies and catch-up AI.

billbradsky

If I didn't get lost so dang much it wouldn't bother me, but games like Metroid with that huge map...

I think I spent as much time looking at that map than actually playing. Personally, I'm just not good at it.

I would get lost in Prince of Persia Warrior Within as well, thought not as bad.

It's just easier to waste significant time wondering which area you have to 'go back' to re-explore, at least for me.

Back tracking is fine if it helps you access new areas. IE Dead space 2 type back tracking. Always revisiting old areas to get to a new one.

In DMC 4's case it's a pain and shows that capcom wasn't able to creatively creat 10 new levels for dante. Especially when you just spent the whole game going through those levels. And fighting the same bosses.

Animal-Mother

Agreed. DMC4 must be one ofthe laziest games I've played this gen... I think Capcom started falling off their high pedestal with that game (for me anyway)

[QUOTE="sts106mat"]because it sucks and reeks of lazy game design?tenaka2

If it is used in a bad way so yeah i agree

Backtracking if not tedious, not forced and done right can make a gamer feel more like in a real place with a sense of purpose.

Salt_The_Fries

That's a lot of IF's. The problem is not many games can pull it off.

If it is implemented well and if the old rooms/corridors feature new elements which enhance the gameplay rather than hinder the experience then I dont mind backtracking at all. If it's a lazy game design that only takes up time however, I do mind it.

It depends on how is used, i love DMC4 but the backtracking in the game was plain lazy, however in Metroid Prime it just feel right.

What's funny is people complain about games being "linear" and games having "backtracking"

...

Most times, I actually dont mind it. Dead space severed is a prime example(though some people didnt like it exactly for this reason) why it can be interesting. It showed what has happened since time has passed, and can make the game's world feel more lively rather than dragging along an already predetermined path. It all depends on the game, and the person's exception towards it.

I for one enjoy it for what it is most times.

Deadspace 2 had backtracking! Anyway I don't mind backtracking much... unless it's like DMC4 backtracking ~_~

sometimes it bugs me sometimes it does not, it depends on the game and if it makes sense to backtrack.

I agree with you 100%

We live in the Halo generation, where the majority of gamers are concerned with fresh new action happeneing every second. They don't have the patience to do the "same thing" over again, despite a lot of people playing the campaigns for these games over and over again to "re-experience them," ironically. Backtracking is a good way of presenting a world that goes beyond "a game." It allows you to create a living world that changes as time goes on.

foxhound_fox

Halo CE had a whole level based on backtracking, as 8 was the same as 5 except in reverse. With that said, backtracking had been disliked and taken as a sign of laziness even before Halo, so casting blame on the so called "Halo generation" makes no sense to me. Unless we're talking about games like Metroid or RPGs that revolve around backtracking, I have never heard of anyone praising it as some type of immersion factor. If anything, it sounds more like an excuse forged to praise old school gaming, its lack of memory, and most of all, laziness.

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]

We live in the Halo generation, where the majority of gamers are concerned with fresh new action happeneing every second. They don't have the patience to do the "same thing" over again, despite a lot of people playing the campaigns for these games over and over again to "re-experience them," ironically. Backtracking is a good way of presenting a world that goes beyond "a game." It allows you to create a living world that changes as time goes on.

Renegade_Fury

Halo CE had a whole level based on backtracking, as 8 was the same as 5 except in reverse. With that said, backtracking had been disliked and taken as a sign of laziness even before Halo, so casting blame on the so called "Halo generation" makes no sense to me. Unless we're talking about games like Metroid or RPGs that revolve around backtracking, I have never heard of anyone praising it as some type of immersion factor. If anything, it sounds more like an excuse forged to praise old school gaming, its lack of memory, and most of all, laziness.

I think Metroid Prime did it pretty well, since it felt like you were exploring even when you were going to a place you had gone to before for the most part. But most of the time it is annoying and makes the game longer for no good reason.