09-10-2015, 03:33 AM
I could make the same argument for the collection of coins/items/powerups by simply touching them. It's exceedingly common and accepted, even though it "makes no sense". It's just a better mechanic than having an animation, and collision damage is the same deal. The reason the former doesn't get complained about is because it's beneficial to the player and doesn't annoy people, but it really isn't any more logical than collision damage. So I don't think "making sense" is a legitimate argument.
Again, it has to do with design, and depends on the game. Avoiding an enemy that damages you upon touch is much different than dodging animated attacks. And although you could say that spikes and fire are a better indicator of this, well, it's not exactly nice if every game that has this has all their enemies covered in spikes or on fire, or has some other obviously damaging feature. Besides, these are used for different effects (e.g. unable to jump on, burn damage, etc).
I do agree the collision damage is a stupid and nonsensical decision in some cases, but it's not a straight-up bad mechanic.
Again, it has to do with design, and depends on the game. Avoiding an enemy that damages you upon touch is much different than dodging animated attacks. And although you could say that spikes and fire are a better indicator of this, well, it's not exactly nice if every game that has this has all their enemies covered in spikes or on fire, or has some other obviously damaging feature. Besides, these are used for different effects (e.g. unable to jump on, burn damage, etc).
I do agree the collision damage is a stupid and nonsensical decision in some cases, but it's not a straight-up bad mechanic.