I had a weekend to myself for the first time in months. I had all these plans to get lots of work done, including writing my review for the Game of Thrones strategy guide. When it hit me that I was all alone and could do whatever the hell I wanted, I abandoned the responsible plan and set out to work toward getting my first Platinum trophy in a game. When it comes to getting a Platinum trophy, I’ve hit too many obstacles. I never have enough time, I have too much else to work on, I have no desire, or there are certain trophies I know I’ll never get, either through lack of skill or lack of caring. For example, I really could have gotten a Platinum trophy in either Assassin’s Creed 2 or inFamous 2. The insane, timed platforming requirements for the last tombs in AC2 are what stopped me dead in my tracks. After nearly throwing my controller during the second to last tomb, I completely ignored the last one. For inFamous 2, it wasn’t the Hard difficulty requirement that barred me from getting a Platinum; it was the three precise headshots in a row. You think I have enough patience to master that? Fffft.
Really, I’ve been fine with never getting a Platinum. However, it hit me not longer ago that it’s ridiculous I don’t have Platinum trophy in any of my LEGO games. I usually play those through 100% completion anyway, since let’s face it, it’s not hard to do so and it’s kind of fun. If I’m willing to go that far, what’s stopping me? I touched on playing LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4 once before for the Platinum trophy, but I haven’t set aside time for it since. This weekend was time.
I didn’t wrap it all up, but I’m really close. Of course I have one freaking student in peril left to find, and no, the little bastard isn’t in peril in the campaign chapters. I’m going to have to run all over Hogwarts again to find him. When I do, I will have Harry punch him in the face.
From there, I have the bonus levels to complete, more gold bricks to find (grrrrr), and a couple of chapters I will have to replay under specific trophy requirements. So it’s definitely within reach, but who knows when that will happen. Spec Ops The Line releases this week and I got my little hands on LEGO Batman 2. Harry will just have to wait a little longer.
I still do not understand the obsession with platinum trophies. Because of the way that trophies and achievements are still implemented in a lot of games today, gaining a platinum trophy is more often than not a sign that you have simply played a game well past the point where it is “fun”. Achievements ruined Oblivion for me, for example — once I got all 1250Gs from the base game and the expansion, I felt no impetus to explore anything else in that game — and there was plenty more to do. Similarly, in this post it doesn’t sound as if you’re having fun tracking down those gold bricks and students, so why are you bothering? Honest question, not snark.
I’m all for achievements in games where they reflect skill (Geometry Wars is a good example) or new ways to play (Crackdown is still the quintessential example of this), but more often than not in narrative-based games they simply serve to get in the way — and often provide spoilers. And multiplayer achievements can go to hell.
I agree they’re silly, and I never really cared before. To be honest, I’d be tracking down those gold bricks and students, achievements or not, because I’d want to get the game to 100%. I’d be doing that regardless. Near the end, I’m never having any fun, but by that point, it’s a quest! 🙂 Getting the Platinum really is not that difficult if you’re already going to play LEGO games to 100%. You just have to do silly things that greatly amused me.
For the record, I’m with you on MP achievements. That’s one reason why I don’t have a Platinum in AC:Brotherhood.