Post date: Aug 6, 2014 6:16:06 PM
I have been learning about visual directions given by the games. For example in Portal, I have learned that one dot means that the first thing you do is "this" and two dots means that the second thing you do is "that". The game gives arrows for direction and blue dots along the floor to tell you where to go. There are check marks when you have accomplished part of a task and an x when it has not been accomplished. I have learned what is deadly and what is not that is for sure. In Monaco, my multiplayer game, I have learned that you need to learn from your partners what can be done with a certain character and which would be easier or more efficient to play with. In Monaco, each character has something that helps them perform a certain task better than others. There are symbols in Monaco as well. Arrows tell you where to get the desired object. Question marks mean the guards are unaware. Exclamation marks mean the guards are on to you! Counting down clocks tell you you have so much time till your door opens or the lock is unlocked, the computers are disabled, or even when the repair kit has saved yourself or the injured person...
While I have been learning the symbols to make my way through the games, I have also been learning that it is key to share your experiences with others while playing these games. If you discuss them, you share ideas and strategies. Working alone may be relaxing for some, it appears to me that more difficult puzzles need teams to work them out.. New participants need basic training. This is true in work situations. Usually, you are provided with some kind of training before working on your own. If only to help you get around the office and the infrastructure of the job. So, I have felt that these two games, Portal and Monaco, discussions of strategy and basic orienteering to the game are extremely helpful.
In Portal, I have reached levels that are taking me longer to solve them. I can be stuck in a room for an hour. or more..Time is just flying by while I play it as well.