Do you prefer combat, stealth, or a mix of the two?

I prefer combat. Give me guns, ammo, and grenades and I'm a happy guy. :)

Bottom line is: If the game gives me guns, I'm using them. Shooting is just more fun to me. Must be all those times playing Call of Duty that make me feel the way I do. :P

BANZAI !!!!!

A choice of the two

definitely a choice of the two. stealth nearly always results in a variety of ways to tackle a given scenario meaning progression is less linear. if done well it rewards creative thinking and strategizing which can be just as satisfiying as going all john rambo, if not more. and more choice in approach = more replayability

Regardless of RPG, I always play a rogue.

A mix of the two is obviously best, but if I had to choose between either of them, stealth is more my style.

Stealth, no question. Especially when you can play the entire game without knocking out or killing anyone unless it's the mission objective.

I prefer having so many options that you can't even name them all.

I like a mix of two

Freedom to choose what you wish like Deus Ex than a pre-determined stealth/action section.

@Macutchi: I second this.

I'd prefer a choice between the two.

Combat anyday.

Both. Within the same game sometimes I'm enjoying just stealth-killing everything and then I get bored and feel like just dropping in the middle of a room full of enemies and go to town.

I like games where you can choose either styles. Unfortunately, there aren't that many out there that can accomplish that properly. Metal Gear Solid and Hitman come to mind but I find that it's much more fun to go stealth and the games reward you for going that route.

I like both, that's why games like Splinter Cell, Metal Gear and The Arkham series are my favorites.

@SOedipus: try the original Thief series if you're looking for a great stealth experience. Dishonored as well.

Thief 1+2 are among my favorite games of all time. Just love quality stealth experiences. In Deus Ex I try to play stealth as well. I find it more engaging and tense than *most* (not all) open combat scenarios

there are games like Tomb Raider, Hitman and othe games that give you the option. Which i don't have any issue with at all

@gamerguru100: Something like Thief, Dishonoured, MGS, etc where the game has a solid system for both. My preference will always be stealth, but sometimes I may be impatient and if there are only one or two guys when maybe I'll go all guns/swords/fists akimbo for one small part and then return to my ninja-like ways.

I really like games where screwing up the stealth means that you have to resort to combat, but also games that reward you for not screwing up stealth. While playing MGS and trying to be all sneaky, after getting caught from time to time and having to shoot or fight our way out. Situations like this in MGS inspired us to coin the term "Operation Clusterfuck" do describe the less covert of our covert ops.

-Byshop

Stealth. I'm picky with it though. I particularly prefer the stealth in the old Splinter Cell games and Hitman where you had the hide the body but the stealth in The Last of Us was really good. Thief and dishonored was good to but i like 3rd person stealth games more than first person

Some people have mentioned Dishonored as good for stealth, but I think there are better options out there. Don't get me wrong. I'm not crapping on Dishonored. It's a fun game, but its nonlethal stealth leaves you few options. In nonlethal stealth, you're limited to choke-outs and sleep darts, which gets really boring really quickly. Sleep darts run out quickly too.

Combat gives you a sword, a pistol, grenades, incendiary bolts for your crossbow, and some cool powers. If you're gonna be stealthy, you might as well do a mix of both lethal and nonlethal stealth because your nonlethal options are limited and boring. The trade off for boring nonlethal stealth is a better ending, but in my opinion, it's not worth it unless you want the trophchievement.

I usually like a mix of the two, depending on the situation in the game.

That's most stealth games, though, and it reflects reality. It's always easier to kill than to incapacitate without harming, especially if the person you are trying to incapacitate has no qualms about murdering you.

Deus Ex HR annoyed me because to get the no-kill achievement/perk/whatever you had not kill anyone at all, including during the "intro" which takes place before you get any non-lethal options which means that as the badass security guard you have to run past all the guys breaking into your place of work. That was pretty lame.

-Byshop

A mix of both depending on the game. If I can avoid a lot of trouble by taking the stealth route, I'll go for it.

Definitely a combat person! Monster Hunter gives you an option to sneak and I never do.

Run in slashing, that's my motto.

This is very hard to choose from.

I like the combat of god of war and call of duty games but i also very much prefer the stealth of splinter cell and some little stealth of assassins creed.