Five Steps to a Better Game

While it is generally considered that games made back in the 80's are on average harder than those made today, there are still plenty of crazy hard games being produced. While some of these, such as Metal Slug 7 and Contra 4, are continuations of earlier series new IP's such as Super Meat Boy, Battle Kid, and Legend of Grimrock all provide new settings in which to put your gaming skills to the test. What follows are five simple steps to get better at these difficult games, with techniques that can also be applied to most games.

Step one: No Cheating
Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start. One of the best known cheats of all time and unfortunately a very easy way to prevent yourself from getting better at the game. Having 30 lives per continue means that you can progress through the game by attrition only. When playing Contra 4 I don't even let myself use a continue, while this is more extreme than the no cheating rule needs to be, the point is that my progress in the game is due purely to getting better with the controls.

Step Two: Use Training/Challenge Stages
Quite often these extra challenges and levels ask you to do something much harder than what is required in the main game. The advanced skills you develop will not only help you excel in the sections of the game you are already familiar with, but also mean that you will be better prepared for new more difficult levels later on.

Step Three: Demand Perfection
This is something I learnt from my sister. Her and I played Rainbow Islands a lot as children and if she lost a single life before reaching world three she would slam on the reset button and start again. I also adopted this system, later changing it to not losing a life before world four, and both of us eventually managed to finish the game.

Step Four: Learn From Others
Guides, tips, tricks and advice in general can greatly help improve your game. I mentioned above that both my sister and I finished Rainbow Islands, but what I didn't mention is that while she merely finished it, I got the harder to achieve good ending. I was only able to do this because of one key game mechanic that I read about in a gaming magazine.

Step Five: Find a Rival
As a child my rival was my sister, as an adult my girlfriend. By pushing each other and throwing down the gauntlet to say try and beat that score both people become much better at the games involved. I was once shaken awake at 3am to be informed that my high score in Sin and Punishment: Star Successor had been beaten, naturally I dragged myself out of bed and played until I was once again number one (this score also put me in the number three spot for the regional online leader board).

So there you have it, five simple steps to playing a better game. Now what are you waiting for? Go win some games!