In this week’s edition of Now Loading, the PlayStation LifeStyle crew tackles one of the most controversial things when it comes to “completing” games, and that’s trophies — or more specifically, do we care about them at all? And should we?
It’s certainly a topic where everyone has their own thoughts on, and there’s no right or wrong answer. There’s nothing wrong with not collecting or liking PlayStation trophies, and there’s nothing wrong with collecting and hunting for ’em, either.
What does the staff think? Check the responses below and yep, not everyone is on the same page when it comes to this one.
Are trophies a big deal for you? Do you actively go on the hunt for them? What’s your entire take on it and is it good for games or bad? Sound off in the comments and let us know what you think as always.
Now Loading is a recurring staff-driven feature where PlayStation LifeStyle discusses anything video game-related under the sun (yes, even non-Sony platforms).
Essential Reading:
- Now Loading…Reacting to PSN Outages and Is the Competition Better?
- Top 5 Games That Deserve a Sequel
- Digging Deeper Than the Mainstream – February, 2016
Now Loading...Do Trophies Matter?
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Now Loading...How Much Do You Care About Trophies?
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Ben Tarrant
Trophies are a great way to direct gameplay and give you something to do when you've finished the typical stuff to do. It got me doing things in Skyrim I never would have otherwise done.
But do they matter? Nope. Firewatch had 4 basically inconsequential trophies and it didn't make a blind bit of difference to my enjoyment of the game. People are too focused on what a game supplies trophy wise, I've seen many people simply dismiss a game because t doesn't have a platinum, which is just ridiculous. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon doesn't have one and it rules! -
Cameron Teague
I never thought I would care at all about trophies but I do sometimes find myself hunting down specific trophies. Now, I am not a crazy trophy whore, but I do love collecting them sometimes. As for if they have hurt or helped gaming, I think it has been nothing but a good thing. Trophies have extended the shelf lives of games and I think helped push DLC sales.
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Heath Hindman
The best PS3 firmware update of all time was the one that let me turn off that fucking stupid chime.
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Jowi Meli
I absolutely love trophies! While I wouldn't consider myself a fanatic — my trophy level sits at a pretty humble number at the moment — I enjoy the way trophies can extend the life of games you've already beaten, and I think they're a fun way to track what you've played and how much you've accomplished. They're not necessary, of course, but I think they're a great supplement to our gaming experiences. I do wish some companies would think more about the things they're adding to the list, though — I'll never Platinum Final Fantasy X thanks to that lightning dodging trophy!
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Chandler Wood
Trophies absolutely matter. They are a cabinet of accomplishments. Records of the things we've done in games on PlayStation platforms. Best of all? They're optional. It's the perfect implementation of offering goals and challenges to the players that want them, while not actually hindering or getting in the way of the people that don't want to play for trophies.
It also encourages playing games in styles that you may never play. I'm typically a 'Leroy Jenkins' type, running in and laying waste to all around me (while subsequently getting myself killed). Many trophies require limiting deaths, using stealth, or using character types I don't usually use, which allows me to expand my gaming experience more than what I would get otherwise.
It's also a record of your gaming. That super hard difficulty mode? You can prove whether or not you've beaten it, and that record is tied to your PSN ID.
I will never limit my gaming based on trophy lists though. Doesn't include a Platinum? Let's aim for 100%. Hard trophy? That's motivating to play better or play more. And did I mention they are a completely optional and extra layer? So those that don't like them aren't actually out anything by having them there.
In fact, one of the first features I ever wrote for PSLS more than three years ago was on this very subject.
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Zarmena Khan
I'm somewhere in the middle of the two extremes when it comes to trophy hunting. I'm not a trophy whore and don't go out of my way to hunt or get platinums, but then there are occasions where I do wanna hunt specific trophies just because. I think they're a bit of an incentive for those who like additional challenges but I don't quite understand those people who play games just for them. Doesn't sound like an enjoyable activity to me.
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Michael Briers
Trophies matter, for sure. I wouldn't hold them up as the be all and end all of my gaming experience, but I appreciate their inherent value. Does that mean I'll go out of my way to play games purely to rack up my trophy level? Not at all. In fact I'd argue that that kind of mentality undermines the concept of trophies in general. Quality over quantity, and all that.
I mean, when I look at my own humble collection, I can recall memories of earning some of the more difficult accolades (man, that Dead Space 2 platinum), and there's something to be said about earning 100% on a game that you really admire. -
Stephen Bitto
See Chandler Wood's response.
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Alex Co
I'm in the middle here. I care about trophies, but not to the point that I'd replay games just for 'em. I might go off the beaten path to snag a trinket for a trophy, but that's about it.
I rarely, if ever, 100 percent a game, and I'm fine with that. Do trophies matter to me? In a way yes, but not to the extent to how some people perceive it.
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Mack Ashworth
I'm a big fan of trophies and achievements in games, as they encourage trying out different ways of playing, increasing a title's longevity in a fun way.
I used to be pretty addicted to achievements over on Xbox, but having since been wooed over to the PlayStation and PC side of things, my focus on them has lessened considerably.
With that said, I look forward to the day when I can sit down and complete The Last of Us on the hardest difficulty for the second time. Gotta get me that trophy, for sure!
