Which of these 4 games would you choose?

I'm a big fan of games that implement a good "risk vs reward" system so I would personally choose Qix.

Games with good "risk vs reward" systems often foster the player to come up with multiple strategies to win. And games with multiple strategies have more replayability for me.


Tempest actually fits into this category. However the catch is you don't really see it until you get to the higher levels. (Like above level 30.)

One game changer (literally) for me about Tempest was when I discovered the 'open level' ROMs, that let you start on any level up to 81.

Someone said earlier in this thread that Tempest was 'the same thing over and over'. And that is somewhat true for the lower levels. But what you want is to install the open level ROMs, and try playing at level 30 or 40 for a week. You'll get your ass handed to you at first. But if you let the game keep kicking your ass and just keep at it, your brain will figure it out VERY quickly, and it will become a whole new game. And you don't really need to have any skill. (I actually suck at video games. And if I'm able to do it, anyone can.)

Then you go back and start at level 20, and it'll be easy. If you want to beat level 40, play at level 60 for a week. If you want to beat level 60, play at level 80.

The difficulty curve is designed so every dozen levels or so, the mechanics change so it's almost a completely different game. The tricks that worked up to that point don't work anymore, and you have to develop different strategies. They actually put a lot of work and thought into it, and it's unfortunate that 99% of people never get to see it. But the open level ROMs make it more accessible to everyone now.

As a bonus, see this thread and associated video, where @Morpheus explains his excellent Pulsar-stacking technique, for the highest levels.

 
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