My previous post was my criticisms or certain claims of difficulty. I think there are a number of ways difficulty can be done right.
1) Better AI - There are games in which the AI is just programmed to be better on higher difficulties. Sometimes this is poorly implemented but it can also work really well. It can force you to need to play better to win. Sometimes the AI is even designed to break the rules of the game to up the challenge, which can force you to attempt strategies that wouldn't normally be required.
2) Adding a skill based (extra) requirement to the game - adding a requirement for combo's, max rank on levels, meeting special requirements etc can be a really good way to add optional difficulty to those who wish it while still having everyone play the same game at the same difficulty. Incentives often help encourage players to take on the additional challenge if they feel like it.
3) Completely changing a difficulty - Some developers create games where higher difficulties are different in many ways from normal, this tends to create a fairly unique experience that is simply set to a higher difficulty than normal, whilst the game still adheres to all the same parameters.
4) Having a brutal difficulty skill wise from the get go - Some games are just designed with a high skill bar in mind. Many years ago this was done by creating games to munch through quarters or in early console days making death easy to increase longevity. In more modern times some games are simply designed to be very difficult. The developers simply don't expect everyone to be able to succeed. They expect that casual gamers likely won't play the game and the people who do play will be looking for a challenge.
PS_Prob said: Some games take difficulty too far, Cloudberry Kingdom
To this, I love that some developers create these challenges and give gamers the chance to take them on. I think it is great to have a wide range of experiences possible. Cloudberry Kingdom is a fair challenge. Personally I got to the final level and gave up, but kudos to those who do it. Now I am older I lack the patience I once had to really persevere with the challenge. Maybe one day if I become patient once more I’ll return to it.
5) Consistency – Consistency tasks often mean that you have to do repeat a long stretch of game that you have already done in its exact form, consistently. I usually feel this can end up tedious, as because nothing is really new or different you feel like you have already done it and get bored. It can take so long that if any mistake is made, it means repeating a lot of lost time.
Even though I usually don’t usually personally enjoy this particular type of challenge, there are some exceptions. If I really love a game I don’t mind repeating the same stuff over and over again. Also, with things like speedrunning or challenge runs it is all about precision and consistency, but because you are playing differently it continues to keep me engaged.