I must say that I am disturbed by a trend I've noticed in this forum that I don't remember as being so obvious in previous LDW releases. A lot of posts are from people wanting instant answers to the puzzles, with every step spelled out for them in detail.

It is much more satisfying I find to try to complete the puzzles on my own or with gentle hints from fellow-gamers in the forum if I'm stuck in a particular area. There's no sense of achievement otherwise.

Everybody seems to be in an awful hurry, as well. All LDW games are meant to be played over a period of weeks or months; VV4 has been out for less than a week and already some people seem to be fretting over uncompleted puzzles or collections. Take your time and enjoy the game; it's not a race!

I 100% agree with you! What's the point in making a game if you're going to rush through it and then be demanding more? The only things I looked up instant answers to were when I had a food problem. But I will admit that I tried very hard to even solve those on my own. In other words,

Stop and smell the pixels!

Well put, Alan, bravo for having the courage to voice what many of us have been thinking.

Really, what is the sense of buying a game just to look up all the anwswers? You miss so much of the game and the feeling of accomplishment. Has our society become so competitive to be the first or that we need instant gratification?

Sure, we all need help now and then but I prefer a gentle nudge rather than the direct answer. Some of us have been very careful in not giving the solution but rather a hint that will point you in the right direction.

Relax, take your time and get to know Isola and your little villagers. You're missing so much by just rushing through to complete the puzzles and say "I'm done!"

I think that there are many type of gamers: those that really want to work the puzzles out for themselves, those that want to "win" and those in between that need those "gentle hints".

For those who want to "win" (and it's really not the point to "win" LDW games), why not? They're not taking anything away from MY game play. Giving and getting step-by-step instructions will help these gamers feel good about themselves AND the game, AND LDW through this forum. Why withhold the info? It's all in the game guide, isn't it? (I didn't look myself, so I'm not 100% sure about this!)

For those who need some hints, why not? Many, if not most of the people who bought VV4 aren't hardcore VV/LDW fans. They like the games, they play them, they come here for help and that's it. And that's fine!!! Some people are new to LDW's games and need a LOT of help. I know I did when I played my first VV game! People need hints. Giving them hints doesn't detract from your game experience.

Then there are the "hard-core" LDW fans who wouldn't look at a hint if their life depended on it! I'm proud to say that I'm one of them, but I don't begrudge hints or even step-by-step answers to solving the puzzles. If it hadn't been for this forum and the generosity of the people helping me when I first started playing VV games, I wouldn't be here right now!

Let's let the players choose which type of gamer they want to be and help them out if they need it.

Happy VV4 gaming!

ajuma,

It's not the number of those who come here looking for hints that disturbs me. It's how many want the answer written down step-by-step, with their hand held all the way, so they don't need to do any thinking for themselves.

I, and I suspect the great majority of people using the forums, first came here looking for hints when I was stuck (in my case it was VV1). However, no-one really expected any more than a hint towards the solution. If the hint wasn't enough, I'd ask for another, but I'd try to solve it on my own or with as few hints as possible. There's no fun in just applying solutions that have been handed to you on a plate, at least for me.

i completely agree arnie ive only completed 3 puzzles so far and i was beginning to feel like i was lagging behind! im enjoying trying to find all the puzzles and figure out how to do them its the best part of the game (and also the whole point)!

Different strokes for different folks. I'd rather have the help instantly.

Great Point Arnie ! I have been trying to complete the game on my own, and have to ask myslef time and time agin if i should go to the forum and look for help, but usually i try to read the first sentence of the anwer and try to solve it on my own..... I have been feeling that I am rushing through the game and then i think, the game has only been out for a week so I slow down , relax and just start scanning the island for collectibles

I enjoy a fast paced game (probably more than most). I always run the games on Fast. Even in the previous games I would "start over" until I started with a tribe that included at least 2 runners. Thankfully, this time I was actually able to select all runners from the start.

This means I enjoy playing fast, and seeing projects/goals completed quickly. It does not mean I want instant gratification, or the answers handed to me immediately.

I think the point Arnie is trying to make, is that if you aren't taking the time and effort to play the game, versus finishing the game, then you are really missing the whole point of casual games.

I agree with that wholeheartedly. I disagree with him on one point. I started noticing this trend way back with the release of VV3.

I guess the puzzles are secondary to the gameplay for me. I love them and love trying to solve them on my own (which *pats herself on the back* I managed to do this game!), but I love the people, their actions, their little personality quirks, all of it, even more! Actually, I'm kind of relieved that all of the puzzles are solved in one of my games so that I can do more with my peeps.

If I do need hints, this is the place to come! Imagine if we COULDN'T ask for or look for hints here? This forum wouldn't be what it is today: a place for people to come, chat about the game and get as much or as little help as they need.

Arnie, I understand what your saying, but each player chooses how to play the game(s). One way is not better than another.

I totally agree with, Arnie!
Many of our younger generation are on a fast track of wanting instant gratification. This is not just happening in gaming, you see it in everyday life.
Our life experiences and opinions are completely invalid! We're simply OLD HAS BEEN that don't understand!

Someone once said to me, "Hire a youth while they know everything." 
Usually when they are in their twenties their braincells starts to function again. I should know, I had three of them.... 

I agree somewhat! I really do feel awesome when I figure something out myself, but on the other hand, i don't want to be tearing my hair out trying to figure it out! so after i have tried and tried to figure it out and i'm getting ready to give up, i just turn to the forums! they are a real life saver! the reason i found the forums is because i was tired of my little fishies dying!

I usually do not want any spoilers or anyone solving my dilemmas, however in this game it seems to be very hard to get healers. I have tried variations of stew (my poor villagers were vomiting all over) but they remained in good health. So no healers in my Village and I have only had 8 sick ones since I started.

I agree with Arnie, a game like this is very precious, it is so much fun to solve it yourself, we where all eager to get our hands on it and then wanting to finish it in a copple of days, that's such a pity ... I had so much fun solving everything on my own, (I avoided the forums because I didn't want to see unintended spoilers) I can understand tips are neccesary, we have a lot of youngsters and sometimes you really have to bent your mind to figure it out and before going nuts maybe all you need is a very delicate tip to see it yourself


Brikalhal