Grinding in video games is pointless
Introduction
When a gamer hears the word “grinding”, it is often asked even among new generation gamers what grinding is. Grinding or level grinding is when a gamer wanders around an area or run around in a circle killing enemies until they grow stronger or strong enough to kill the in game baddies or a boss.
Commonly, grinding is usually done in RPGs where strength, and not skill or battle intelligence, is usually the only thing that matters.
Is grinding necessary in RPGs or games in general, it technically isn’t because every game including RPGs give gamers the tools to level up without grinding. I used to believe that grinding was necessary especially when I played Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, but then I took one approach that pretty eliminated my need to grind; searching for treasures on the world map within that region.
The damage that a gamer’s character(s) gains can be anywhere from somewhat decent to immense; the damage that your character inflicts can also make and break them as well. Ultimately, grinding is pointless because there are usually enough enemies and other things to do in the game that will allow the character to level up or get stronger without grinding.
Lack of Accomplishment
The point of grinding in a video game is to get stronger which every gamer wants for their character(s). Consequently, grinding destroys the challenge factor; enemies become so easy and one shot kills become a norm which isn’t good.
Enemies in games are supposed to be tough and the game is built around providing tools for the character to use to get through. For example, learning Item Hunter then Slowproof then Stopproof for your Thief Dressphere will make it so Baralai does not get or keep the upper hand in your battle with him in the Bevelle Underground in Final Fantasy X-2.
When gamers level grind in games, they are robbing themselves of strategy or how to come at certain enemies strategically. For example, Dragon Quest VIII: The Journey of the Cursed King, the Brickman infamous monster might require a bit of grinding in order to destroy him with ease. But, if you wait until after you have Angelo then you can topple him and lessen his chances of destroying your people; see, strategy vs. brute strength.
Reliance on brute strength is another factor that plays into grinding, it is a common feature. The sad part about grinding is that gamers tend to forget that their characters are learning skills/abilities that they can utilize as they see fit so they don’t have to grind.
Grinding destroys the reliance on battle skills and give gamers the excuse that all in game obstacles can be destroyed using brute force, if I thought that way, I wouldn’t be the gamer I am today. Ironically, grinding taught me that playing any video game requires intelligence and strategy not brute strength to get to the end of that game.
Grinding does not solve in game problems
A benefit to grinding/level grinding is that your characters’ level increase which will increase their other parameters such as defense, magic defense and accuracy.
However, grinding is a double edged sword because grinding in a game does not guarantee that your character will be strong enough level wise to handle the looming threats in games.
An increase in strength may get you through A part or certain parts (if you’re lucky) of a level with minimal difficulty, but more times than not level grinding won’t solve your strength issue.
In fact, the only thing that level-grinding/grinding does is give gamers the excuse of hiding behind their stronger teammates which ultimately screws them. The reason, if those strong teammates have their own agenda then they’re screwed especially if they go somewhere or die.
Conclusion
Grinding used to be the way to play and win at certain kinds of games including RPGs, but it causes more problems than it fixes; relying on brute strength, water down challenge factor, one shot kills, little experience; the list goes on and on.
Gamers often find themselves at the mercy of their frustration because they don’t strategize they would rather rely on stronger teammates or raised character levels. My advice, learn everything about that game so grinding is not needed.
Unmoot point, pay attention to your surrounding in games or the landscape you’re on because the “subtle” clues that the game points you to tells you what to do and what is not necessary.