Jenny100 said:
Indubitably!

Carolyn,
Unlike action sequences, you didn't have to be a good aim to shoot. You used the bolt like every other inventory item and just clicked in the right spot. The cut scene did the rest.

I'll admit it. I like action, but it shouldn't overshadow the puzzlin. While playin the recent Jack the Ripper game when I got the gun from Abigal I was just itchin ta pull thee trigger. To bad the game was just teasing me. ARRG! Anyhow, I think adventure games that include action should make the action completly optional as to apease both kinds of gamers. And if you love both of the genres like me this could possibly add replay ability! Hold up, me creativitys flowin! Gotta nourish it! Happy Gamin everyone!

In this case, I'll print the walkthrough before I even do the install.

Mike

I've done that too Mike. If I know there are timed sequences or I can die, I skim through the WT to see where it says "Save here" and then I highlight it with a marker so that I know that I don't have to worry about it until that point in the game. I remember doing that with the WTs (I think MaG's) for the Cameron Files games.

tuesday next

Okay, okay--you only get one as far as I KNOW. And as far as I know you don't get to re-load and start over from before you made your worst mistake! Unless reality REALLY IS like "Jonathan Livingston Seagull."

Tuesday Next et al: There's also that snake sequence in GK1. And I, also, will often just go straight to a WT (or hints) to get me through a nasty action sequence--my blood pressure just skyrockets as soon as it starts and I can't even function. Even *with* the answers I have to give over the mouse to my husband for that stuff.

You know, I didn't used to be that way! I used to play shooters, even! And lots of games with jumping from one platform to the next over a pit of fiery lava and stuff. And I guess I still could do that and maybe even enjoy it, but I just don't want that stuff in my adventure games.

WW

Generally, I agree with Becky's definition. Most action adventures make quick movement or combat a bigger part of going on than the puzzle solving.

This is even true of my beloved Zelda games, which have quite a few puzzles!

I don't have a lot of confidence with timed bits in adventure games either. Too often the controls are sloppy, the time is short, and there's no real 'training' for the moment when it comes. As a result, its actually tougher for me to get past some of these bits, than in a full-on action game!

If I havent read or heard about the challenge, my first 'warning' is often 3 seconds ahead of the 'restore' screen. This is coming from someone who plays some platformer titles, the occasional rpg, and a few of the more family-friendly action adventures.

Personally, I regard Uru:Chronicles as an adventure game with 'action' motion. You had an 'easy' area to learn how to move your character, no combat (unless you took on the cones ), and only a few 'crucial' jumps to make. Uru is about exploration, puzzling & study. I love it

Broken Sword 3 was skirting the edge of action adventure. You mostly evaded being shot, but in the end you did 'fight.' Many times I initially failed to move in the right direction or quickly/stealthily enough and poor George (or Nico) bought the farm. Only some of those were also puzzle-related. Emphasis was still on the story & puzzles in BS3 though. You still had a number of things to figure out. So while I had quite a few hair-pulling moments in it & needed a save to get past one area ~ it still felt like an adventure to me.

Susan

WW, I agree with you--I too like to play console shooters and platformers, but I don't want any of that stuff in my adventures--when I play adventures I want a whole different experience.

I know that Lady K, I just meant I was so sorry I had to kill those guys

I kind of liked the way The Messenger was set up like that, too. All you had to do really was figure out what tool or weapon you'd use and the game played it out.

happy trails,

Carolyn

Hi Jenny

It has to be when your hands move quicker than your brain Or my ten year old on the PC next to me, seems to be moving in slow motion.

Pete

I have to agree with other folks here. If there are a ton of tims puzzles or fighting, then I would classify the game as Action/Adventure.

That's a really good point. Often it seems like adventure games that include action elements don't go to the trouble to make the action elements coherent and workable: they just stick them in there! Like, "well, it's an adventure game, so we don't really have to spend time on this..." Except, if that's the attitude they should just forget it, because it's annoying to action and adventure afficianados both. Part of what raises my blood pressure is how often action elements in adventure games just pop up with no warning, and all of a sudden you're just supposed to have this skill. As opposed to "real" action games where you get to practice making the 2-foot leap or shooting really slow creatures before you're required to make the 30-foot leap while fighting super-fast mutant ninjas.

WW