Custom difficulty settings and custom controls please

Gameplay
#1

I’ve played the game for some 4 hours now and I’m impressed with the story depth and eagerness to be historically correct.

I understand that my character is somewhat useless at most skills in the beginning. Especially lock picking even easy or very easy cheats on a PS4 console seems close to impossible. I got stuck in Talmberg (where I’ve used the last 2 hours) since my lock picks broke or whenever I try to lock pick there are guards busting in.

And trying to knock out a guard seems very hard as they’re considerably tougher (and better) than me and reinforcements are always around the corner. Any tips are much appreciated.

I can always reload 10 more times to try lock picking again, but why not simply have a custom difficulty setting? Like “start at level 3 at each skill”-Y/N? It could surely help us that are newbies at this game.

Secondly, the controls for PS4 are somewhat odd in my opinion. Examples are running with circle (how about R3?), jumping with square (how about x?), map is arrow up (how about the big flat button?). Also running with a horse is left stick forwards and double tapping circle (seriously, how about R3?). It would be great with custom controls or adapt something more standard.

1 Like
#2

I’ve been playing on Xbox and I agree with the last half of your comment.
Custom control layouts would help make the game a little more ergonomic - pressing circle to gallop whilst using other two thumb sticks is a little unnatural for me and, although 70 hours later, I am used to it, it still has its awkward moments.
As for difficulty settings, no I think they got that decision spot on.
I usually play a game on a standard difficulty when there’s the options and very rarely play a game on survival settings unless I’m achievement hunting. The whole progression system works for me. Being a complete novice in everything (although Blacksmith skills should be higher IMO) including lockpicking makes absolute sense and forces you to think outside the box if you can’t take the ‘easy’ option (Kunesh’s quest for example).
As I’m talking about lockpicking, I was massively frustrated at the beginning of it - the controller system was super difficult to begin with. But after practising later in game, it’s just become easier every time.
Right now, I just want them to fix the game as is - screen jitter and texture/load times/ broken quest lines have meant that I can’t bring myself to finish this otherwise beautiful game.

#3

We all sucked at the game initially and thought it was very difficult. Spend time with it, practice, and I promise that by level 10 or so it won’t seem difficult anymore. With lockpicking on Xbox for example, I unlock very hard locks in 3 seconds every time and can’t tell you the last time I broke a lock pick. Just practice.

#4

Yeah the run button needs controller remapping.

Was surprised I couldnt do so via game menus…
I would make it L2 (kick)…
Tap L2 for kick (which only works in some situations anyway),… hold for ‘run’.

It fits with the direction pad buttons mechanics (different actions from different duration presses eg left = draw/sheath weapon; hold left for torch)

It could be easy to figure out the animation… if they wanted to take it a step further… kick, hang on- they are still holding the button… the ‘kick’ becomes a leading step into a run.

Alternatively use the tap B or Circle button to turn run on/off.

Even the missus who is new to gaming said to me today that she wished ‘run’ button was on other side of the controller.

It just fits.
My guess is devs played keyboard and mouse mostly…

#5

they actually mostly played with controls on all the dev videos… guess they just got very good at it.

#6

I actually disagree with nearly everything you wrote except custom difficulty as I find the game too easy.

BTW - since you’re on PS4 you can reassign buttons on your controller to what you want them to be in the PS4 settings.

1 Like
#7

The only thing I would change is the jump and the stealth button. I go back and forth between this Skyrim and Fallout 4. It would make it a little easier to deal with.

#8

About the difficulty settings, there should be an option to reduce the attention to details and reduce complexity of mini games.

It could have been flags like this:

  1. Simplify mini games like pick pocketing and lock picking? (As someone wants it even more complex it could also be a gauge from easy to more challenging for each mini game).
  2. Skip being hungry and tired states?
  3. Make fast travel actually instant?
  4. Enable saving when you like?

Of course these flags/settings would be optional so nobody should be offended by simplifying the game. That way there would be easier to enjoy the game and there would be less frustration in the user forums from people who aren’t too good at this game yet.

#9

These mini games are so simple already. I mean, I pretty much never need to eat nor sleep. I’m actually bummed I took those perks to reduce it as I’ve now lost a cool part of the game.

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