From the games you need to use a walkthrough step by step, to the games where you have to click at just the right spot at just the right time, to games where the plot is so vague you don't know what you're doing, I'm not enjoying it anymore.

I just have to vent all, it's not fun. Right now I'm playing Paradise and for 2 days have been stuck in a cage, swinging it back and forth, for just the right moment my character will decide to hit a beehive.

I'm really tired of throwing my money away on games that frustrate me. For every 15 minutes of pleasure in a game lately, there's one hour of frustration. Grrrr.

I really want to finish the game. The story is intriguing. I'm using Mag's walkthrough, but waiting for the right moment is getting to me.

Why are 99% of the game this way these days? Or is it I'm just getting old? (No, don't answer that).

Thanks for letting me vent!

Sorry you aren't enjoying them Jean. I go through moods where different games are more fun then others so maybe you could try some Adventure Lite games in the casual section. They have become pretty sophisticated and fun.

Ana

When I get stuck and frustrated I will walk away from the game for a few minutes or play another game. Sometimes a short break is all it takes to ease the frustration.

Thanks for the suggestions, you two. I just now got past that spot, but I think I may do some light games for a week or so. I'm just hoping to finish this one first.

If it will make you feel any better, Jean, it's a good thing Benoit Sokal wasn't in reach when I was swinging in that cage. Talk about maddening! I'm glad you got past it, though, and want to finish. I guarantee you won't forget the ending of Paradise.

Gil.

Thanks, Traveller! My poor cat ran and hid, I was cursing so much. Sometimes these games make me doubt my own sanity, or make me feel like I'm getting senile!

Talk to me! I'm presently engaged in making a potion and I've blown it six times already. Am I really so dumb that I can't understand the very...super...absolutely...clear directions? (Don't answer that.) If I had a cat, it would be hightailing it for the next county.

Gil.

I remember that tree very well... you really had to swing and hit that hive in a certain way.... yes I remember it well... it took me forever!!! That was the hardest part of the game in my opinion.

Jean, I recall years ago back in 2002 - 03 when I was frustrated with a puzzle in Police Quest # 3 The Kindred, I was frustrated for days but I prayed to the Lord (it works!) and asked Him to help me with that game and I clearly recall, the next time I played that puzzle, God helped me to figure it out and I was able to get past that puzzle for the first time since I had the Police Quest Collection.

And when I got frustrated with another game (can't remember its title off hand) I asked God to get me past that puzzle and He did! Or I'd come here to GB and ask for help/a save of that puzzle's solution.

When I couldn't get past certain puzzles in Myst 4 Revelations I came here, asked for help and Dadguy and I were emailing our puzzle saves back and forth so that I was able to finish that game.

As for throwing money away on games, I used to buy action games, the kind that have fighting in them such as war games like Vietnam Black Ops, Vietnam Special Assignment 2, Viet Cong, Rebels Prison Escape, The Great Escape, the Conflict Desert Storm series etc, but as I kept getting (or my party) killed in these kind of games no matter what I did even if I followed a walkthrough/strategy guide, I quit buying action, action/adventure, and even space combat games (except certain games that have cheat codes on GameFAQ's) and these days I only buy strictly pure adventure/certain driving/flying games.

I thought Paradise was really bad. Playing it was tedious and depressing. I'm not surprised you felt you threw your money away.

What other games have you played that you didn't like. Maybe you've just been choosing bad games lately -- or at least games you aren't likely to enjoy.

Paradise was...peculiar... Then there was the ending which I never did think Benoit Sokal justified. When it was done, I just sat there staring at the monitor, unable to believe it.

I can see why you'd say the game is tedious, depressing and just plain bad, Jenny. It will be interesting to know what Jean thinks of it.

Gil.

I enjoyed Paradise very much.

Ana

I just finished it. What a sad, sad ending. Other than that I did enjoy it because it covered a different subject that in usually covered in adventure games. It held my attention, even though I needed the walkthrough. I only got really frustrated at the tree.

But the ending was a shocker. I wonder if he had originally planned to do a sequel. After all, the very end was heard, not seen.

I enjoyed it too. I thought the storyline and psychological intrigues were gripping.

I agree - that tree puzzle made me pull my hair out.

I don't think there's any doubt about what happened, myself.

So, you liked it, Ana? Benoit Sokal probably couldn't make a game that wasn't beautiful to look at but it felt so empty, so hopeless. And it wasn't the easiest thing to play, either.

Gil.

I liked it because it was different. I liked seeing the different cultures. I'm not sure how accurate they were, but it was interesting watching people whose country is in the grip of war.

For sure, though, I'm going to play something more upbeat next!

I didn't like Paradise either, Jenny. I didn't finish it and gave up before that tree puzzle. That would have sent me right over the edge!

I liked Paradise. It's one of those games that I don't plan on getting rid of. It's been so long since I played it, it's about time to play it again.
Terri

Benoit Sokal/White Birds lost my interest after Siberia 2, I'm afraid.
But concerning frustration: don't lose hope yet! Our darling genre can be exasperating at times...it's heading in a better direction(I hope)!