Normal--I don't want to take the easy way out, as that's not what the designers intended, but I want something to go back to if I like it.

@BHR-3

And fustrating as hell//that's what turns me off about starting a game for the first time on the hardest difficulty setting//it might make it more realistic but it can piss you off into not wanting to play the game again.

If there is a Normal option, I go for it (e.g. Persona 3). If there's a Hard option that doesn't need to be unlocked, it depends. For Tales games I go with that, for games I'm not familiar with, I go with normal (e.g. NMH).

ive tried easiest in the past and just not wanted to play the game again on a harder level because the game was crap. So, instead, I play now on medium or hard, in order to avoid more playthroughs.

Games I know like FPS games or RTS and platformers get hard on first run.
everything else medium.

Typically normal first play through, however, on some games (like metroid 3) I start with the hardest mode available.

Easiest settings at first, I just wanna enjoy the story, the situation and all the other stuff. Then I play on normal, hard and super hard if I enjoy the game.

Default and then harder.

First RTS!! You're missing out!

Normally I will go through on hard, especially if there is an achievement/trophy for it

If there is an achievement for completing it on the hardest difficulty (CoD, ME) then I will play on normal (though I probably should have gone for hardcore on CoD)

There are certain circumstances, like Gears 2 where I played it on hardcore, and then insane (with a little help from a casual friend!)

Exactly we both are alike//I try not to let the new achievement thing effect my first playthrough either. I try to enjoy the game and if I enjoy it enough I will go for a harder diffculty and then go for the achievements on another playthrough.

I just don't understand people going for the hardest difficulty all it leads to is fustration.

for FPS Hardest, for every other game Normal