I've always been a singleplayer kind of gamer. Well, I used to play WOW for a few years after high school until life happened, and since then I've been strictly playing only singleplayer games.

I still have no interest in multiplayer-only games because they require more time than I have and I won't be beating any singleplayer games, but I've been considering starting to get into the multiplayer part of the singleplayer games I play. The other reason I mostly play singleplayer is that I have a backlog of 50+ games, as well as a wishlist about the same size.

So my question is, is it really worth getting into multiplayer? Am I missing out on a crucial part of gaming by not playing multiplayer? Are there any other singleplayer-only gamers here? If I should get into multiplayer, what are some tips for starting out? And lastly, if I get into multiplayer, does this mean I'll probably never finish my backlog?

@benleslie5: I've never played a JRPG before, Persona 5 is going to be my first. I mostly enjoy RPGs and action adventure games.

@RSM-HQ: As far as I understand it myself, it means one devotes time to gaming and makes it a hobby. Someone who likes to be immersed in games and not just hop in for a few COD matches or some sports game with friends or whatever. Not to be mean, I'm just not interested in those types of games. I don't believe being a hardcore gamer has much to do with the level of difficulty in the games you like, but I do like a challenge in my games myself. Anyway, looks like the 3DS actually does cater to hardcore gamers, contrary to my understanding.

I consider myself a hardcore gamer, and I've been interested in the 3DS for a while, but I'm not sure if I'm going to enjoy it. My little brother got one last year, so I figured this might be a good opportunity to try out a few games on it. So I guess my question is if I will be able to find enjoyment in the 3DS as a hardcore gamer, before I go ahead and invest time and money in some games.

I initially wanted to get a Vita, but didn't have the budget for it on release, and then the PS4 was announced so I saved up for that instead. Literally the only games I was interested in on the Vita were Gravity Rush, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, and Persona 4. But then Gravity Rush got remastered on PS4 so I got to play it (and it was great), and also I recently got Persona 5. I've also played all other Uncharted games so not sure if it's worth getting for one game. Is a Vita worth getting at this point? Should I reconsider my decision not to get one?

@SoNin360 I take it you're currently in the Soviet Installation? I'm only 2 areas ahead of you, and I'd say that most challenges so far are indeed a set of "collectibles," meaning that in most cases you're tasked with "Shoot X of this" or "Burn X of that"... etc. Sometimes there's a larger number than what they ask you to shoot or find or whatever, but most of the time they are lets say only 8 scattered across the entire map (other times they're restricted to part of the map, in which cases I haven't had much trouble finding them).

@mrbojangles25 Yeah I fully agree. As I've said when the collectibles add to the lore and aren't frustrating to find, then I'd be more than happy to collect them, but in most cases they're just not worth my time.

I've been considering making this post for a while. Basically I'm considering starting to play most of my games on harder difficulties than normal. I always play on normal, but normal seems relatively easy to me now in most games. I would like more challenge, but I'll admit I would hate to die endlessly on my first playthrough, when I'm just trying to enjoy a good experience with challenge.

So I was wondering if it's advised to play most games on harder difficulties first playthrough, or to do so on subsequent playthroughs? What do you guys usually do?

@Starshine_M2A2 I wish I could get myself to like them, I've really tried, but I can't. I honestly think there are other ways to add content/length to games. Collectibles is a cheap one. And honestly, when I've played a game for 50+ hours (that's not an RPG), then in most cases I would be ready to move on to another game once the game is over, and in some games I would be bored with it for a few hours already and just waiting for it to end.

@locus-solus Totally agree. Some games do have fun collectibles though, but so far I haven't played many of those.

@Valgaav_219 I will get Persona 5 then and try it out. I've been considering Ni no Kuni for a while, so if you recommend it I'll check it out as well.

@ronnieav I've never heard of Megadimension Neptunia VII before, but I'll look into it. I'll take a look at Final Fantasy X-HD as well. Will I have to play previous games in the respective series to understand those games? As for 3DS, my little brother owns one, and the first game he played on it was Pokemon Y and he tells me it's great, so maybe I can borrow it for a while. Though to be honest it didn't look much interesting to me when I saw him playing. I could be mistaken though, as I've never really tried it myself.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.

@Black_Knight_00 Eight different types of collectibles!? Well good thing I don't have an Xbox 360 and my laptop most likely can't run the game. :)

@SoNin360 Well some of the collectibles in Rise of the Tomb Raider are well worth the effort. The strongboxes are relatively easy to find, especially if you find the Archivist Maps (which aren't ridiculously hidden, but can be missed if you don't keep an eye out) and upgrade survival instincts, but some of the others? I mean you have to shoot 8 bullseyes in a large region, and like I said I was looking for one and couldn't find it, but then checked out a guide and it was on the other side of a building where I was. It would have taken me some patience-testing hours to figure it out myself. What I mean is that the game can get boring if all you're doing is running around trying to find one goddamn collectible/challenge object.

Well, the only kind of RPG I've played so far is action, so that's what I'm voting. I would love to try out a turn-based RPG, but I'm not sure what. Suggestions would be great! I'm thinking maybe Persona 5. Any others I should be looking at (preferably on PS3 or PS4)?

Anyone else hates collectibles in games?

I'm currently playing Rise of the Tomb Raider, and while they may not count as collectibles, some of the challenges can get ridiculous. I mean I'd sometimes be in survival mode looking for those stupid bullseyes, only to discover it was on the other side of the damn building! I couldn't be bothered with some of the challenges/collectibles, so now I'm just using a guide for those. It could easily take hours to find them, and I'd rather finish them quickly and move on to another game. I mean this is not even remotely related to skill, this is a test to your patience. The only reason I'm doing the challenges and getting the collectibles is that they add to the lore and also grant XP.

Another example is Assassin's Creed II. When the game asked me to collect useless feathers that you'll never in 100 years figure out the locations of, I thought it's another level of ridiculousness, so I just did the story missions, the sometimes boring and repetitive side missions and moved on. I couldn't be bothered. Don't get me started on Infamous and the stupid shards. In other games like Ratchet & Clank (or at least the 2 I've played), at one point you are shown the locations of the collectibles, and it's a joy to go looking for them and collecting them. Plus there aren't hundreds of them. I wish other games would follow this example.

In short, I just hate ridiculous collectibles in video games. When there isn't a mind-boggling number of them and the game provides you with a way to find them, and they add to the experience, not take away from it (not just count towards an equally useless trophy/achievement), I would gladly get them, but in most games I couldn't be bothered. Anyone else feel the same?