Favorite Game Mechanic

[fallen]

What are your most favorite kind of game mechanics? Do you love resource gathering, recipe completion, turn-based with lots of time to think, stable management for a large group of characters, branching storylines?

This thread is kind of intended to get all sorts of answers, all over the place. The question is a bit vague

[En1gma]

You know what my all-time weakness is in terms of mechanics? Uncovering resources hiding on an explorable and conquerable map. I remember restarting game after game (repeating) on Civ 3, just to find the perfect starting area.

I can't stand puzzle based games like Assassin's Creed or God of War, when you need to spend hours moving stuff around in order to open a door to another puzzle.

[ntsheep]

Hard to answer this one. I play so many types of games. One thing that does come to mind is character building. In games like Elder Scrolls 3&4, I'll spend a lot of time just creating new characters trying out different ways to level up stats quickly.

[xdesperado]

Dec 8, 2016 18:39:30 GMT -5 ntsheep said:

Hard to answer this one. I play so many types of games. One thing that does come to mind is character building. In games like Elder Scrolls 3&4, I'll spend a lot of time just creating new characters trying out different ways to level up stats quickly.

Along with character creation I have a weakness for turn based stuff where I can micromanage all sorts of things from how I train/build heroes to running my budding empires like in Civ.
Also need plenty of options as far as what I have to manage and what I can turn over to an AI assistant. As an example I enjoy sports sim games and playing dynasty modes but while I may want to fine tune who plays what position and when they play I may not want to spend time scouting or recruiting so turn that over to an AI assistant.

[Officer Genious]

Dec 8, 2016 18:39:30 GMT -5 ntsheep said:

Hard to answer this one. I play so many types of games. One thing that does come to mind is character building. In games like Elder Scrolls 3&4, I'll spend a lot of time just creating new characters trying out different ways to level up stats quickly.

One thing I like to do in the Elder Scrolls is to try everything-- can I get into the Thieves Guild with a non-sneaking character? What happens if I tell that guard what he can do with that damn sweet roll? What happens when I poke the dragon they specifically tell me to leave alone? Can I steal this guy's keys and lock him out of his house? Will I get a new HouseCarl if I push Lydia off the nearest bridge? Can I conquer all of Falkreath and claim it as my bandit base?

Or mods. Mods do a lot of this too. XD

[fallen]

Dec 8, 2016 22:26:14 GMT -5 Officer Genious said:

What happens if I tell that guard what he can do with that damn sweet roll?

Oh man, don't tell the guard ... he'll sick the stable master on you!

Extremely interesting responses from everyone! Just soaking it up, good food for thought! Please keep them coming (on topic).

[resistor]

My favorite mechanic? Hmm... I'm not sure I can answer this question very easily. I'm going to have to go with an extremely vague answer that I'm not entirely sure is correct: "any mechanic that gives me the ability to take calculated risks to reduce my opponents' advantages, or to increase my own advantages over my opponents".
As you can probably tell, I can be very competitive. However, I'm not sure that just because my competitive instincts drive me towards certain types of games, I necessarily find those games to be more fun.
Now I'm thinking a lot about what I truly find fun in games... I'll post again if I come to a conclusion.

(Also, +1 karma for fallen for reminding me of the "Arrow in the Knee" song!)

[poryg]

My favorite game mechanics are any kind of when the game depends on your skill and strategy, not just how long you play it.

[wascalwywabbit]

I don't have time for all the games I enjoy any more but I'll list the non-obvious genres since everyone knows I geek out over HoS.

City-world-galatic empire builders, e.g. sim city, civ, MOO.

Fighting games e.g. Soul caliber, Smash Bros.

Some FPSes e.g. Mech Warrior- Titan Fall 2 looks cool, first FPS I'm looking at in a long time. I'd totally do a Templar FPS, especially with custom Leviathans.

Lots of board games, Small World is one of my favorites. Small World/HoS mash-up would be up my alley. Maybe tech/magic/race combos idk, 2 variables gets older faster than 3 or more would, especially against ai.

Lots of pure puzzlers - I don't want a lot of 'em in my other genres though, kinda with En1gma on that front.

Lineage games, play one generation of individual or group followed by their offspring as the world changes. No examples in particular, just the idea always catches my attention. Doesn't need to be political intrigue or combat, tho either would be welcome too, it could be just 'live a successful life' in whatever way.

Wacky or combat racers, yes. Plain racing sims, no. You wanna throw your character and tech designs at wacky/combat racing? I'm game for that.

RPGs in general, story, trading, combat, exploration etc. HoS is kinda stretching my limits for length (due in no small part to my ailing memory) so c. 30hrs something, or more relaxed setting would be a nice change of pace.

I hope that's useful, or at least interesting for now.

[torvus]

Intresting question. I have to say the joy of charecter building and therory crafting. For instance, I wan't to use equipment x with play style y to see if it is any better. But x and y have to change the feel af the game without breaking it (but allowing for stupidity like a naked fighter using a toothpick will fail lol).

But my other favorite has to be branching story lines. Something that makes you feel like your actions count (think you could guess that after my CK2 wish post lol). Does not have to be a huge branch just enough so you feel more engaged.

[Officer Genious]

Dec 9, 2016 6:34:31 GMT -5 torvus said:

Intresting question. I have to say the joy of charecter building and therory crafting. For instance, I wan't to use equipment x with play style y to see if it is any better. But x and y have to change the feel af the game without breaking it (but allowing for stupidity like a naked fighter using a toothpick will fail lol).

But my other favorite has to be branching story lines. Something that makes you feel like your actions count (think you could guess that after my CK2 wish post lol). Does not have to be a huge branch just enough so you feel more engaged.

I agree. A lot of what I meant had to do with actions having consequence-- if nothing happens if I go against the rules, why bother with rules at all?

[stratego]

My most favorite is RTS, but On mobile it is just impossible to find a good RTS, as all there are worth viewing are ports from PC.
So I stick to 4x type of games or I play chess, yep I didn't mistype I play freaking CHESS!!!

[Fourth Horseman]

There is more depth in the question than what presents itself. I like a lot of mechanics if done properly.

I like in depth games, character builds... especially if multi character builds possible, open format, and fps. I also love the old turn based strategy.

Few examples are Fallout 4, Elder Scrolls, Destiny, and old older games like Civ series, Sim City, Master Of Orion.

[fallen]

Thanks again for all the fascinating answers. What a read!

[matrim]

A mechanic I enjoyed was the option to evolve characters. The game that I felt did this the best was Vagrant Hearts for PS. Party based but midgame you could specialize you character into 2 different classes. Adds a layer to the standard character growth arc, lots of options for different groups to try. I saw that it was in the stretch goals for HoS and it made me sad that I did not find this game sooner to try and get to that goal.