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Recommend me a game with "Pace"

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dymoblade

I'm looking for games that have good pacing. In my lifetime, I have only ever encountered two of these.

Though I realise preferences and tastes are different with each other. I have really enjoyed Bioshock Infinite and Portal 2 for their expert pacing. Like any good writing, they don't pile on loads and loads of stress constantly throughout the game. They know when to give the player time to relax and just be, while at other times it urges you on quickly with action. Most games tend to make you shoot things constantly, and after a while, it becomes monochromatic in tone, and becomes "boring" or "repetitive", because there's no contrast in pacing.

I'm looking for more games with this kind of pacing. I was wondering if there were any games with good pacing that you guys and gals may have known about.

These games are also the ones that I can play through in one sitting (though I don't do that very often) and I'm still willing to do that multiple times (not straight after each other though). I've got horrid emotional endurance, so I can't handle constant stress for a very long time. That's why I prefer games that pace themselves well, and don't tire me out very quickly.

Thanks!

Edit: Someone below pointed out Infinite was pretty repetitive. He was right. But I'm looking for something with varying intensity. I'm sick of games continually telling me that I'm in danger, and there's somewhere I need to go, and as soon as I get somewhere safe, some nut person comes in to ruin it. That's bad pacing, and it's supposedly a big no-no for writers. Except those for games, apparently.

11 years ago*

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21 Comments
Thexder

Dead Space
Freespace
Space Rangers 2
SpaceChem
...

Ok, now that my dickinator is replenished, to your question.

Of course, it depends on the "pace" you like. I myself think that the most expertly paced games ever are the Left 4 Dead ones -- they do have some variation in the action rhythm, up to the end of each phase which is nerve-wrecking. Half-Life 1 and 2 are also great in their pacing, I think... But I guess from your examples you want something a little less frantic? What about Mafia?

Cheers!

11 years ago
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viaI

Dead Space has been incredibly boring for me. I expected more:(

11 years ago
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Simowl

Assassin's Creed (2) is pretty good. Doesn't really have many points where you have to rush through, though. And it doesn't get too repetitive. Well, I heard the first one can be so that's why I recommend the 2nd...

11 years ago
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ragethekilljoy

The first is incredibly repetitive. I'd definitely recommend the second over the first, even storyline is much better.

11 years ago
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dymoblade

I was interested in that game/series, but something always stopped me. I think I might try it next time I get the chance.

11 years ago
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bobofatt

Aww, came in here hoping to suggest Marlow Briggs, but that's not the kind of pacing you're looking for, lol. High pace, never stopping. Explosions. Awesome.

11 years ago
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Sklurm

I came in here hoping for this =/

11 years ago
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Khalaq
(Senior Moderator)

You mean that's not the Pace he was looking for?

Now, I'm disappointed, too. (

I would like to point out, however, that there are many classic games with good pacing. Sacrifice is the first one that springs to mind. F.E.A.R. was pretty good with pacing, too.

11 years ago
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EephusSwift

+1

Was going to recommend Briggs and Mafia II, which also keeps it going at a pretty good clip.

Although Mafia II may fit the bill for the OP, since you can opt to just wander around and find Playboy mags between storyline missions.

11 years ago
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SpankyPie

Spec Ops: The Line?

11 years ago
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Asperyules

+1

11 years ago
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neocow

Valve games always have the best pace.

11 years ago
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dymoblade

HL2 series did, and I think it's to do with the puzzles. They let the player still engage, while not being pressured by time.
I tried HL, but the running is too fast, and I get nauseous. I've heard there are ways of fixing it, so I should go look...

11 years ago
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Estbarul

Just finished Metro Last Light... get it, really awesome, is more tiring experience than a boring or repetitive one.

11 years ago
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Asperyules

Max Payne 1>2>3.

11 years ago
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Khalaq
(Senior Moderator)

+1

11 years ago
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Orbs

this

11 years ago
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InvasorKazz

So, Bioshock Infinite is not repetetive? Yeah, good one.

11 years ago
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dymoblade

I guess shooting was repetitive, but the emotional intensity of it wasn't. I guess that's what I wanted to say.

11 years ago
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KroganAlly

Silent Hill 2.

11 years ago
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godprobe

Burnout: Paradise (except for the Road Rules grind, and there's really no story to speak of, but it's a fun world to play in)
I want to say the original Deus Ex, but having played through the first few levels so many times (after so many re-plays), it's difficult for me to gauge the game's true pacing anymore.
Knights of the Old Republic had a pretty decent pace.
As long as you don't get stuck, I think Braid is excellent (never stays on one gimmick too long). Limbo too.

[edit] Also, +1 to AC2, and probably Spec Ops as well [/edit]

11 years ago
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Closed 11 years ago by dymoblade.