Throughout the history of gaming there has been the frustration of not being able to get past a point in a game, and equally how to save your current progress within a game.
But which method works the best? Which one do you prefer and why?
Check points were the first solution to this problem, and still used a lot in many games.
Early check points involved giving you a level code one competition of a level. This solution is great for puzzle games, where each level is a separate entity and the achievement is in beating each level one at a time.
However in more recent games you build up scores, collect items or weapons, and score bonuses and rewards as you play. If you just had a level code then these would all be lost each time you switched off.
Next came the check point saving. Instead of being given a code or saving your progress at the end of each level you had points within a level to reach. Small goals that once reached meant you didn't need to repeat anything before that point. This works brilliantly in platform games such as Tomb Raider or the recent Trine.
With the advent of First Person Shooters the Quick Save was introduced. The ability to hit a key at any point in the game and save your progress with an exact snapshot of your game to that point. This is great to remove the frustration of needing to repeat something, but it also removes skill involved in perfecting a part of a game to reach a check point or end of level.
One solution some developers tried with quick save was to limit the number of times you could quick save. Fine in theory, but not if you used them all up before a really difficult section and then needed more to actually progress.
One other solution is the pay to save system. Resident Evil for example has you collecting ink ribbons. You could then use these to save your progress at key locations within the game world on a typewriter. I think this solution works best if done well. It allows you to save as often as you wish (if you have the item or money to pay to save), but it removes the ability to save every 5 seconds in order to safe guard against needing to repeat anything.
So what do you prefer and why?