"He's An Easy Lover!"

I first tried to play Mass Effect in the spring of 2008. Everything was going okay until a sniper killed me from full health in one shot, setting me back a half-hour's progress. I ragequit the game and left it on the shelf to gather dust, where it stayed for 21 months. Inspired by the sequel's imminent release, and an article on Destructoid about playing as a female character, I returned and completed the game, only dying once (stupid car levels!). The differences? I did specialise in guns this time, but the main difference was playing it on Easy. And that difference made me enjoy the game a lot more.

I'm firmly on the side of the narratologists in the big ludology vs. narratology videogame debate; story is one of the most important elements of a game to me, and I resent being denied access to the ends of stories I've purchased due to my button-pressing incompetence. Back when I was a sullen teenager, I always played games on the easiest level I could. I've tried to ignore these impulses in later years, but one horrible bump in the road and I'm making the computer as stupid as possible.

I suspect some people might argue that I miss out on the challenge, pitting my skills against that of the machines, making for a tenser, more emotional, more involving playthrough. But that's not why I play games. I want to be told a wonderful story where my actions shape the world and save the day. I borrowed Modern Warfare 2 off a friend, and ploughed through Easy Mode in 2 days, even though the the mini-test at the start recommended Normal. Why? I just wanted to see what happens.

And there's no point my playing the multiplayer, because I'd suck.