Collectibles are featured in so many games, to the point where it would take days to list off every game that features some sort of collectible. The recent PC release of Horizon Zero Dawn includes a wealth of collectibles (blasphemously called “collectables”) for players to find. But how do you feel about in-game collectibles yourself? Do you love them? Or hate them? Do you enjoy trying to find them all? Or find them a frustrating feature that you’ll never touch?
Basically we want to know if you think collectibles are worthy additions to games that should be implemented properly more often, or whether you think they’re just a tacked on feature meant to arbitrarily increase playtimes.
For instance, lots of games have collectibles that feature rewards like Assassins Creed rewarding players with armors (in older titles) or new engravings for weapons and armor in the latest ones like Assassins Creed: Odyssey. Horizon: Zero Dawn even allows you to trade in these collectibles for rewards. They can also be used to allow for some really satisfying 100% completion in some games.
They're most common in AAA open-world exploration games, but can sometimes creep into smaller single player experiences or even Indie titles, which can often lead to more niche rewards like expanded lore for the world and/or it's characters.
But sometimes it can feel like they’re just a waste of time, with no value other than extending the length of your play sessions. Sometimes these collectibles can be hidden in such outrageously hidden areas that you’re forced to use a guide, and can we really call that thrilling gameplay?
So how do you feel about in-game collectibles? Are they a worthy addition? Or just another fad? And which game(s) do you think have the best collectibles? Let’s debate!
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PC Specs
Collectibles in HZD were really good vantage points gave a glimpse of old world while datapoints gave some really good insight as to what was happening before it all went down also gathering power cells give you a really nice award.
PC Specs
if they are just bonus i am fine with them but if they are fused with character or some ability progression or leveling then i hate it bec i like to collect everything that will make me feel stronger better in the game and then they blow so fcking dust grain all over the map that you have to collect if you want to unlock something
PC Specs
Collectibles are fine if collecting them is rewarding, as in you'd get a nice buff/boost/upgrade after finishing it, such as a nice weapon or armor for example, if they are collected just for the sake of collection, then they'd be pointless
PC Specs
I like collectibles if they are part of the story. I remember trying to get a set of armor in Diablo.
In that case it is part of the story to me and worth the time to find it. In the same way getting some set of epic gear in WoW. You really get a feel of accomplishing something.
PC Specs
really love collectibles with hidden lore/clues behind them as i am a lore nerd for literally every game i play
PC Specs
Collectables can be fun as long as they don't oversaturate the game. For example Ubisoft is the worst at implementing collectables, they put so many in it that they can be a game unto itself and most of the time you get a measly reward for something that took hours to do or sometimes nothing at all. I think Farcry 4 was the worst one for collectables as there were just TOO many.
PC Specs
Yakuza games have great "collectables" the locker keys that everyone of them has items in them weapons/health items/valuables/armor. Great implementation.
PC Specs
I did enjoy the lucrative health boost collectibles in Wolfenstein reboot games - that's a good way to do it, IMO.
I also enjoyed the Playboys in Mafia.. :)
I don't really have much more to add as truly memorable examples. They're the best when they genuinely do something or are interesting to go back to and look at. Otherwise they're just there to pad out the "gameplay" for the people, such as one of my friends, who seems to have OCD when it comes to game "achievements"...
PC Specs
I suppose I can add the Just Cause 3 collectibles too. Not exactly very secretive or anything like that, but you do have to go out of your way to collect them around the map. Once done - each set of collectibles adds a new weapon, upgrade or vehicle - which I did also end up using (the dual revolvers are the best pistols in the game too, IMO).
PC Specs
Anything thats the exact opposite of RIddler Trophies in Arkham Knight
PC Specs
Well said
PC Specs
I accually enjoyed collecting those ????
PC Specs
I feel like in 99% of the time it's just unnecessary bloat.
At least it's usually optional. But there are some games that lock content behind collectibles and I think that's just bad.
PC Specs
Agree 1000000% with ya
PC Specs
Like Arkham?
PC Specs
Even though I find Arkham games some of my all time favourites I never finished all of Riddlers quests in any of the games. If you really want to make content behind collectibles at least make sure collectibles are fun to collect or at least easy to get and few. Arkham games did it terribly. Most of the riddles you come across often require equipment you get later in game, expecting you to come back for them. I'll do collectibles if they're on my way, but I'm not coming back.
PC Specs
I agree. If its filler material or bloat. Then i lose interest quickly.
PC Specs
A lot of the data points in Horizon Zero Dawn do great things for the story, particularly on the main quest. While I don't really go out of my way to grab them, I know my experience wouldn't have been nearly as good or as invested if I hadn't listened to the recordings or read the accounts of how ZD came to be.
On the other hand, collecting for the sake of collecting 100/100 pieces of whatever the hell the game throws in the map... I find that pointless.
PC Specs
Less collectables but more fun to collect them. I recently for the first time ever decided to 100% AC black flag and the collectables are just poorly hidden and spread out as much as possible with fun way to collect them EXCEPT the sea shanties. Every collectable should be as fun to collect as the sea shanties imo.
PC Specs
And its not just the AC franchise that has this issue. Even the recent god of war which is a gem in a lot of peoples eyes is guilty of boring collectables that you just pick up off the ground in a corner of the map.