Going in Hard

[*Devore*]

On your first play through of a game, if given the option, what difficulty setting do you play on? Easy, Medium or Hard.

And is there anyone out there that actually plays a game on easy?

I'm not sure if its that the games I tend to play are getting easier or if I'm just getting better, but over the past few years I've been playing on hard. Although I should say that this is for games like CoD, Force Unleased, Uncharted and stuff. Everyone says that if I want a truly difficult game I should play Bayonetta or Ninja Gaiden, but monster bashing isn't really my kind of thing.

[kotora]

Usually medium or hard on a first playthrough and a level above that if I play it again. The game would have to be pretty damn frustrating for me to set it on easy.

[VeloZer0]

I usually go on normal. But I typically only play RPGs so Hard mode is really for players who already know all the game mechanics right from the get go. (Not that RPGs usually have difficulty levels)

Never easy though.

[Jessweeee♪]

I always leave it on the default setting. You never know when "Normal" is Megaten Normal or just Normal Normal. God have mercy on those who pick "Hard" when playing a Persona game for the first time expecting Final Fantasy.

[Agent Proto]

Usually Normal, but lately I go Easy because I'm lame like that.

[Jiro]

Normal, usually. I'm too much of a pussy to go hard right from the get go. I only pick easy if I'm playing a game for the umpteenth time just trying to score points.

[NorthernChaosGod]

Definitely start on the standard setting for a first run through, I'll go harder after that.

[G13]

I'll do Hard if I'm feeling especially squirrelly but that's usually after at least one play through on Normal. I don't think I've ever played a game on Easy.

[Laddy]

What are you gonna do, go in soft?

[Dignified Pauper]

I play X-Com on easy. Any other setting is impossible. And Easy is "Yur Scrude!"

[Remon]

Easy :P
Because the first time you play for the story -.-

[Madame Adequate]

Hard because I am MLG pro

[Psychotic]

Depends on the type of game. Something like Halo I will play on Heroic (one step above normal, one step below stupid hard). If I'm playing a football game I will usually crank the difficulty up as high as it'll go, otherwise it's just ridiculous. RPGs I will put on normal or easy for sure. It only usually affects combat and I never play RPGs for the combat. I just want to explore and see pretty places, damnit, stop making me fight things.

[LunarWeaver]

Usually Normal. If I'm somehow good at the game and find the time and interest, I'll try something harder.

Personally, I like games that let you switch the difficulty at your discretion. Then it's like endorsed cheating.

[Shattered Dreamer]

I play most games on normal the first time but always hard the second time. I can't remember the last time I played through a game on easy!