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Self-improvement through computer games?

14:26 / 28.09.02

An odd request, perhaps, but I wonder if anyone could please help me choose a game that will help me develop my instincts.

I need to work on speeding up my reactions, and on trusting my instincts more, and on not over-analysing *every* situation. I tend to dither, to get lost in my own thoughts, and to fail to react quickly enough to events around me. I also don't have the best co-ordination.

This doesn't seem to be something I can solve through a sheer effort of will, but there must be some way to improve the situation. If I practice motor activities enough (eg typing, driving etc) I do eventually make some of it instinctual, but it tends to take me a longer-than-average time to pick these up. It has been suggested to me that a computer game of some sort might help me practice these skills.

Right now, I have a lot of time while I wait for my US employment authorization. My husband has a Playstation and is about to go and get a PS/2. We also have PCs running Windows and Linux. Does anyone have any suggestions about a Playstation and/or computer game that I might enjoy that would also help me to strengthen my weak points? (I have not played computer games in about 20 years - they don't really appeal to me to be honest, but I figure if I find the right one and persevere, there must be one I'll like). Something ideally that has some kind of engaging premise, something to draw in my analytic side, some kind of story, but that also includes some kind of twitch-response type stuff.

Any ideas? All help and suggestions much appreciated.

thanks!

14:51 / 28.09.02

Deus Ex sounds something like what you're looking for. It's got an interesting story that evolves as you move through the levels, the premise is engaging, there are a number of different ways to progress through the levels, and at times you can just mow down targets like in your regular first person shooter which gives you the twich response stuff. It's available for both the PC and the PS2, but you'd be better off getting it for the PC. I just don't think first person shooters work well on consoles.

15:04 / 28.09.02

Whoa! I think Deus Ex is exactly the wrong thing if you want to develop instincts, for the simple reason that if you want to succeed you have to abandon most of your instincts and plan things intellectually. You can spend an immense amount of time dithering and being indecisive. While some co-ordination is needed for the arcade bits, it's not much compared to most other FPSs.

I think I'd recommend some sort of arcade puzzle game, where you have to think a bit but your time is limited, so you need to develop your intellectual decisions into instincts, as well as have co-ordination. There was a game on the PS2 called Wetris I tried which was along those lines, it was one of the launch titles so you should be able to get it cheap.

Either that, or something *really* mindless where you need to be aware all the time. You could always play Timesplitters against lots of computer opponents in deathmatch mode. No time for dithering there. Of course, you might find it really frustrating getting killed all the time.

Or what about a racing game? I hate all racing games apart from Mario Karts, but you're reacting on a mostly instinctive level there.

15:12 / 28.09.02

What about Devil May Cry then? It's just been announced that it'll be a Greatest Hits title for the PS2 so it'll be about 20 bucks and if you spend any amount of time thinking about what you're doing; you're dead. It's all about instinct. You're constantly running, jumping, slashing, and the like.

15:14 / 28.09.02

I'd second that. And it's fantastic anime-goth, as well.

15:49 / 28.09.02

Quake 3 Arena.

16:11 / 28.09.02

Yeah, racing games. I'm fucking awful at racing games. Unless I practise, and then that becomes nowt to do with reactions, just to do with learning the course. So, yes, racing games. Lots of them so you don't get to know them too well.

16:39 / 28.09.02

Wetrix is wonderful: a really brilliant, original puzzle game, that looks quite nice and gets infuriating really fast.

Quake 3, if you've got the machine and good net connection, is probably the best jerk-game around. It's really simple - move, shoot, jump, change weapon is about it; you can play teamplay stuff that's still relatively frenetic but not too bad for a beginner, but getting good with that railgun will improve reaction/mouseskills tenfold. You just need to go see-aim-bam-repeat. I'm getting a similar skill with the rifles in Day of Defeat, but that's much more tactical and not as quick.

Other arcade puzzle recommendations: Puzzle Bobble, Bust-A-Move, that thing; also, the dancing stuff - Dance Dance Revolution etc, and things like Parappa the Rapper and Gitaroo Man; they're rhythm action games, which translates to: flashy version of Simon. Great stuff though, and will improve reactions no-end, I'd guess.

And finally: try some old emulated stuff; Missile Command gets mental towards the end. Oh, and Tempest, which is probably the most underrated arcade game ever. It's so simple... and SO mad.

17:05 / 28.09.02

This thread is a conversation from the Magick forum, dealing with this theme.

17:17 / 28.09.02

... as far as games for developing instinct, most successful gamers will seem to just know when something bad is about to happen, when to save and when to keep going. Sometimes there will be cues [soundtrack, atmosphere, cliche narrative], but mostly it's just a hunch. Games to test this would include [the amazing] Devil May Cry, any of the Resident Evils or Silent Hills... then try it out on Soldier of Fortune or Medal of Honour.

"Trust your instincts as a soldier... as a gamer" - excerpt from Codec transmission, Metal Gear Solid.

19:52 / 28.09.02

For the PS2, Tekken 4 surely would be a good choice wouldn't it? With the exception of the storyline (of which there is none - although the game makers would try to have you believe otherwise...) this game covers everything else you're looing for.

At first glance these sort of fighting games appear to be nothing more than mindless nonsense but with the Tekken series, the sheer volume of available moves for each character allows gamers to develop their own unique styles. A lot of practise can result in incredibly tactical fights all relying on split second timing and a master of the control system. Like chess, the game can be played with success by a complete beginner but against a 'true master' (how pretentious is that?!), the button-bashers don't stand a chance.

Spend more time learning to defend yourself as opposed to learning to attack and you'll reap the rewards.

It's also a damn good laugh on 2 player mode...

16:48 / 29.09.02

Thanks everyone! We got some free blockbuster rentals with buying the PS2 so I started out by renting Deus Ex. I have spent a few hours going through the training, and haven't got that completed yet, so clearly it requires skills I do need to develop. I have this game for a week, then I'll try something else. I actually did quite enjoy it, although it was frustrating, as it's been a while since I persevered at mastering a new skill and it was interesting to challenge myself in this way.

Who knows, maybe one day I will actually regard games as recreation ...!

17:25 / 29.09.02

If you're after something that combines instincts and intelligence, there are no better games than the Thief series on the PC