Reviews
Games
A lot of games these days implement a form of levelling up or upgrade system within them. These could vary quite often too, such as Call of Duty enables you to level up in order to get new weapons, perks and the ability to prestige so you can start over your levelling up again, whereas Destiny allows your to level up your character to make them stronger and upgrade your weapons and gear too. Would people still be playing these games if levelling up/upgrading wasn’t a part of it? The desire to have the highest prestige badge on Call of Duty or the strongest weapons and highest level in Destiny really drives and pushes gamers on to keep playing, even if what they are playing is largely the same, no matter how fun it is.
Even single player games include upgrading systems too, such as The Last of Us. It has a crafting system which allows you to create molotovs, increse the amount of times you can use your shiv, health packs and bombs. There are workbenches where you can upgrade your weapons, and supplements which allow you to increase your crafting speed, maximum health, listen mode distance, healing speed and decreases weapon sway. This however, is a minor part of the game considering it’s story and something that most certainly doesn’t keep you coming back, but you certainly feel happy when you come across a crafting table to upgrade your weapons, that’s for sure.
However, some games don’t include levelling up or upgrading in them at all, look at Telltale’s games as an example. Playing through The Walking Dead or Game of Thrones and you wouldn’t even think about upgrading because the story is so strong and gripping. The most important thing in them games is the story and the choices they give you to make.
It’s certainly an important part of many games, and doesn’t play a role in others. I think it’s merely circumstantial, it depends on the type of game you’re playing that decides whether a levelling up or upgrade system is needed. It certainly plays a large role in multiplayer games though, and many would be worse off without it. I personally however, love levelling up in most games, it gives me a sense of accomplishment from playing the game.
What do you think? Are they important or not needed? Or merely circumstantial like I said? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
