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Most games have tutorials that will walk you through the game play. If you prefer to learn on your own, read the instruction manual, or look for the "documentation" section on the main menu or website. This is recommended for adventure and horror games especially. Besides a greater feeling of immersion, this will cut down on glare interfering with your ability to see the screen. Games don't have to be about suffering or pushing yourself to the limit. If you're playing a video game to unwind, set it to Easy difficulty. The harder difficulty levels are often intended to be difficult challenges for people who have played similar games for years. If the game has both single-player and multi-player options, the single-player portion is almost always easier. You can ignore this step until it's an issue, but if you find yourself hitting the wrong button or straining your fingers, visit the menu options. There's almost always an option to change the controls to whichever key you find easiest. A laptop trackpad makes it extremely difficult to play some games. An actual mouse is a big improvement. If you like the feel of a console controller, these are available to plug in to your computer as well, if you have the right adapter. Not all games support this, however. Most games have an auto-save feature that will save your progress regularly. If it also has the option to save manually, do so often. There's nothing worse than losing hours of progress because your system crashes or the power goes out. If you have the option to use multiple save slots, create three or four and rotate between them. This lets you load an old save to explore a different story branch, or recover your game even if a bug screws up your most recent save. One of the most appealing features of video games compared to other art forms is the ability to insert hidden content that you have to actively search for and discover. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your games: In platformers, role-playing games, or even racing games, try to move through or attack walls that look out of place with their surroundings. In strategy games and action/adventure games, try new tactics even if they don't seem great. The later parts of the game (or harder competition) often require the ability to recognize when an unusual weapon or strategy has a chance to shine. In games where you can talk to "NPCs" (non-player characters), use every dialogue option and read closely for hints. Unless your only goal is bragging rights, why spend hours losing to the same fight or stuck on the same puzzle? Search for the game name and the word "walkthrough" online, and you'll find strategy advice or answers for every part of the game. If you prefer to solve it mostly on your own, ask friends or gaming forums for hints and advice. Hints and advice can make the game easier! If it's not possible to follow the walkthrough advice (such as talking to a dead character), or if you are following the instructions but nothing is happening, it could be a bug. Search online for a description of your situation and you might find other players who can help you fix it.
Learn to play. Dim the lights (optional). Turn down the difficulty if you like. Change the controls if necessary. Save often. Explore and experiment. Get help when you're stuck.