Overlevelling Discussion

Robbiedbee

Robbiedbee

Red Mage
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I have recently finished FFIV, and am currently playing though FFVI, and in both cases, I have resisted the urge to powerlevel for hours at the first opportunity, and as a result, the games have offered far more challenge than they ever have before. In the past, I have tended to be the sort of player who does pretty much rob myself of any challenge that these games tend to offer. So what I'm here for is to hopefully start an open discussion on the topic of overlevelling.

I'll start by offering some things to think about:
  • Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
  • Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
  • Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
  • Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
There are certain games which kind of inhibit levelling to an extent (enemies levelling with you in FFVIII, Lv. 1 Key locks in FFX), and I don't think it really alters the way I play the game at all, nor does it alter my opinion of a game. Other FF games would be near-impossible if you didn't spend time grinding (or at the very least, a big levelling session before the final dungeon), so I'd gather that the folks at Square intended for us to grind at least a little bit. Sometimes you need to for money, also for AP/ABP (FFVIII/FFV respectively, but sometimes I guess you're just too weak for the battles.
 
  • Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
No, aside fromt he fact that it's BORING, it takes away the challenge, and first time through a game I want to experience the story, so I'l advance as soon as I can. I'l level if I need to (struggling etc) other than that, Il wait til the end of the game to train
  • Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
Not really, I just trundle through, I like a challenge but I won't go out of my way to make things too hard for myself, I h ave a terrible temper when I can't beat a boss, or if it's taking me too long to get through random battles
  • Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
No, we all have our different styles of playing, anyone criticises my way of gaming can butt o ut tbh, it's my file not theirs and vice versa
  • Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
Never. Im too interested in the story, I'm far too impatient, I want to advance as quick as I can so I can uncover the next part of the story
 
Robbiedbee said:
I'll start by offering some things to think about:
  • Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
Click to expand...
Only when it's neccessary, such as on FFXII with the Elder Wyrm, all the bosses up to that point were gradually harder each time, but then you challenge him and the difficulty just jumps to the extreme, plus, when you overlevel at a certain point in an FF title, as long as you haven't overleveled to the extreme, you gain less EXP per enemy than normal anyway so you'll eventually reach a point where you won't be overleveled anymore.

No, like Kelly I wouldn't go out the way to make things more difficult for myself, I don't try to make things easy by overleveling too much, but if I have to because I'm stuck on a boss for ages, then I will.
  • Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
Click to expand...
Not really, if they beat the same boss then they've effectively achieved the same thing, they just went a different way about it. They'll have made it more of a challenge but only achieved the same thing.

  • Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
Click to expand...
I'm not really fussed tbh >.>
 
Robbiedbee said:
Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
Click to expand...

I like to over-level when I replay the game, just because I know the storyline already, and I know how to play the game this time. Being over-leveled lets me enjoy the story, without worrying about getting my ass kicked.

I never over-level on the first playthrough though.

Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
Click to expand...

Nah. Often, during the first playthrough, I'll level to just a little over the recommended level.

Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
Click to expand...

No, I admire those that have the patience to do that, but conversely, I also admire those who do like, level 1 challenges and whatnot. It's insane. xD

Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays
Click to expand...

It's the other way round for me. I'll rush through the game during my first playthrough, cause I'm so excited about the story, but then in other playthroughs, I'll power-level. xD

It's mainly FFVII, IX and X that I power-level on. Probably because it's easier to level on those games than it is for the others. In FFVI, for example, you have to worry about the equipped esper effecting your stats and such, so you have to level up carefully. While in FFX, if you over-level early on, you can't bugger up your stats for the rest of the game.
 
  • Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
No, I am too lazy to do it. I usually say something like "I should level up a few levels before the next dungeon", but I usually give up after a few battles and just go to the dungeon. Should I be able to finish it, it is great :highfive:.
Should I find myself in a half-dead state I'll use EXIT or simply run away from it. Then, if I realize that the dungeon is too hard for me, I'll still won't really train (even if I'll try to convince myself to do some training :P) and just go into the dungeon again and again in order to collect treasures. That in order be able to reach the end of the dungeon faster (no need to search for treasures or enter false doors). Of course that while doing so, I actually training, but I don't do it for this purpose.



  • Have you ever deliberately avoided leveling to provide challenge?
No, I always fight monsters I meet because I know that I may lose against the next boss if I'll avoid them. I prefer to level up when I am on my way to the boss instead of going back to do training after I was already defeated by the boss once or twice.


  • Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
I actually admire those who can do overlevelling, because I am too lazy to do so (that is why I usually don't challenge the Ultime & Omega Weapons).
For me, doing overlevelling is a challenge on it's own.


  • Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
As I said, I don't overlevel. And I hate replaying/rewatching and in general redoing things.
 
  • Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
Sometimes I am, usually by accident. But I'd rather beat bosses using skill and knowledge rather than slugging away for hours so you can beat him within a few attacks. However in some cases this can't be helped, like in FFX, when you go to beat sin and you've done some of the later sidequests, sin becomes far too easy.
  • Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
Yes, as I've said above, and sometimes on the first playthrough of games, I'm regularly underleveled. So then you have to figure out a way to beat the bosses/opponents which is much more enjoyable, and satisfying when I suceed (eventually).
  • Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
Not really, but perhaps they're making it too easy on themselves, and they'll stop enjoying these types of games because it'll get boring if you're doing a load of grinding all the time.
  • Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
First playthrough I'm usually sporadically leveled, sometimes over, sometimes under. It's just difficult to gauge because you don't know what's coming.
 
Are you the type of player who overlevels? Why?

I am not that type of player. I go with the flow as so to give myself a greater challenge while playing the game, and in turn the game is more interesting

Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?

Yes i have, it made the boss fights much more involving and tactical which provided a challenge for me and allowed me to spend more time with the game

Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?

I dont. We all have different playing styles, so condeming is not really fair towards them

Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?

I play all my playthroughs the same way, going with the flow. I just make sure i am on a fair level, not too high, not too low, then i go on to the next part
 
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  • Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
Never deliberately, I'll do absolutely everything possible in a given area which may result in more random encounters and therefore higher levels but i'll never sit for hours just running around one area trying to level up
  • Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
No, I don't see the point. If there are to be fought I will fight them, I'm not going to run away on a regular basis just to avoid fights, nor do I ever equip accessories or abilities that prevent encounters
  • Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
Each to their own as far as I'm concerned. It's your game and if you want to spend hours leveling up then go for it.
  • Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
Nope, on every playthrough I'll just play the game as it comes. I usually find the first playthrough is the most difficult anyway due to not knowing whats coming. Come subsequent playthroughs you usually have a decent idea on boss strategies and the best ways to develop your characters
 
  • Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
Definitely! I pretty much end up just walking through an area for +1hr. to see if I missed any chests or secrets. Also, I enjoy the feeling of being able to toy with the bosses, and not be at there mercy. Plus, I really enjoy when the NPCs say stuff like: "It's too dangerous" or "You will die" and I end not only up proving them wrong, but doing it easily to boot.
  • Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
No. I feel that leveling is as much a part of the game as fighting any boss is, and that by avoiding leveling, you miss out on the game. Once I am over leveled though, I sometimes end up speeding through a dungeon which would normally take longer.
  • Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
Personally, it really doesn't matter to me how other people play. I do find that some people are a little insane when it comes to achievements (NSG challenge in X), but whether you choose to overlevel or nor is your choice.
  • Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
Generally when I play a game, I try to complete the entire game in one playthrough. Now this doesn't always work, but it means that I play each time through as if I was trying to achieve 100% completion.
 
Robbiedbee said:
I'll start by offering some things to think about:
  • Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
  • Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
  • Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
  • Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
Click to expand...

  • Yeah usually try and over-level, just really dislike being stuck on bosses for weeks and weeks on end. But usually get impatient or tried of fighting over and over, so try really hard. But usually fail big..
  • No Never usually suck hardcore at games ..
  • Depends on how much they Over-leveled, if they are like Level 78 when facing Ultors on the River in FF6 for a example, then yeah..
  • Only done that once with Kingdom Hearts II because just really loved fighting, but never done it with a Final Fantasy before.
 
Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
In rare cases, but usually no. I'm usually too lazy to spend hours leveling up.
Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
No, if a game's too easy, then I usually just finish it and complain about it to my friends or at online forums. I wouldn't bother avoiding leveling up.
Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
No, never. All I have for them is respect, because they are all so patient to level up so much.
Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
I do it the other way around. I play the first playthough to enjoy the story and characters, I can't bother leveling up between the main story because that would really ruin the game. I'm usually curious to see what's next for the characters. I only overlevel on the second playthrough, when I play to have fun :P.
That IS my definition of fun : kick the final bosses ass quick and as painful as possible.
 
  • Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
Yes, to have an easier time with the enemies, why waste time losing?
  • Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
No, can't say I have
  • Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
No, do whatever works for you, why should I care what they do?
  • Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
No, I do not
 
  • Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why
I don't for pretty much the same reasons as Kelly. Just find it boring. Especially on the first play-through when you're excited to see the rest of the story.
  • Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
In general, there are parts of the games where I do spend some time leveling, such as before the final dungeon. There are also other specific points in the game that I train at in every play-through, like the first time you get to the Chocobo Ranch in FFVII. I don't keep myself from leveling to provide challenge, and I don't over-level to breeze through the game. I just train my characters when it becomes too difficult to progress through a dungeon because normal battles take forever to end.
  • Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
No. My brother usually over-leveled on his second play through. As someone else said, people just have their own styles of playing.
  • Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
Unless the game has a new game + system, I normally progress through RPGs at the same level of difficulty on all play-throughs.
 
RPG's are all about story for me.

In the beginning of the game, I may fight a few extra battles to keep myself in good shape for what's to come, but other than that, I like to experience the story asap.

Although, saying that, I do enjoy games with a nasty optional dungeon or two, and I love training at the end to conquer them. I mean hell, in FFX I opened up all of the optional monster bosses, and had Yuna smacking em for 99,999 each with her rod :P
 
Are the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
Well, yeah, I kind of am. I hated doing it before, but then I actually found it...fun, which is weird. Now, I love to overlevel. It just makes the fighting ahead of the game easier and less annoying.

Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
Well, sometimes, but when the situation starts looking ugly for me (especially the boss battles), I start to overlevel again. It has become a habit.

Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
No, I overlevel, so I don't see why I would condemn anyone else who does it. If you don't like to overlevel, then that's fine, too. Everyone has their own style, so it's none of my business.

Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
Actually, that's the only time I never overlevel. On the first playthrough, I want to see how hard the enemies are, to see how challenging the game really is before I do anything else. Then, on the second playthrough, I start to overlevel when I reach a certain point in the game (usually the part I had the hardest time with) and I don't stop after that.
 
I enjoy leveling my characters to an extent, but not only does it get tedious, it takes a large chunk away from any sort of challenge. The factor or having greater power, however, is really quite tempting!


  • Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
  • Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
  • Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
  • Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?

---

  1. Occasionally. If the attaining of attributes/abilities is gained through leveling (IV, X etc) then I might drag it on so I can get a certain spell or something. Otherwise, I'll spend a bit of time training until the EXP isn't sufficient for leveling much.
  2. Uh, no. If I want a challenge, I just mix up my style, or change party members where possible.
  3. Sort of. If people spend hours doing it for the sake of doing it (ie not to just to beat a boss/superboss), then I'll just grumble to myself calling them stupid etc etc
  4. Same approach for each play-through. I'll do what I can with who I can, and mix 'em up as best as possible rather than over/under level.
 
Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?

Yes, I do overlevel.
Overlevelling helps out in tough boss battles, and tougher area

Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?

No, not really

Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?

No, seeing as it has it's uses, and everyone plays differently - there's no set way as to HOW you should level up.

Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?

I genuinenly can't remember
 
Are you the sort of player who overlevels? Why?
Sometimes. Probably because I get too bored.

Have you ever deliberately avoided levelling to provide challenge?
Never.

Do you condemn other players for overlevelling, like they haven't achieved as much as someone who doesn't?
Of course not, everyone has to go about things at their own pace.

Do you overlevel on the first playthrough of a game, then seek further challenge in subsequent replays?
I do whatever feels right. Most of the time, I'll maybe overlevel first time around, but it's a huge possibility during replays.
 
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