21 Jul 2008 at 00:00 - 20
Well, you certainly don't have to get the Master's bonus in any of the games, Tender Wolf. They're just there for people to test and challenge themselves.
Adding increased difficulties are well, just that: adding increased difficulties for those who prefer more of a challenge. While there are people who just play for the for the titles and lewtz, their main intention is to provide the player with different and more stressful challenges.
This design of different difficulty levels has been in existence in gaming for years now. If you find the game too easy, up the difficulty. If you find it too hard, you can lower it. All that Pie is asking for is another difficulty level. If you find it too difficult, then it would be unwise to present yourself to the frustration.
This isn't a "stay in the easy mode, newb!" post, it's a "don't do something you don't enjoy" post. There are people who will enjoy and appreciate a harder difficulty, and there will be those that don't - and all the latter has to do is not play through it.
And if you do want to experience the harder content, there's only one thing you can do: improve yourself as a player.
Or, well, ya know, max out Norn and go UB crazy, but that's for a different thread ; )
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Well, even though that was slightly on topic, the idea is nonetheless pretty cool. Speed runs would become a bit more popular, and encourage a bit more tactical play ; )