This is partially a rant, partially a question and partially a commitment device.
Earlier today I was thinking about how much I liked HL2 and didn’t like Doom 2016 when it dawned on me. Sure, the moment to moment gameplay of HL2 feels tighter and the level variety is much greater; but the thing I enjoyed about it the most was the complete lack of optional content.
In HL2 here’s no score, no collectibles, no upgrades and no side objectives. You play with the tools given to you in the way you find the most fun. Doom 2016 not only has those things, but they’re not even restricted to a end of the level screen like the original Doom. You actually have to do optional objectives if you want to upgrade your weapons! So I played most of it with the long list of things I needed to do before finishing the level constantly occupying my mind.
Recently I started playing 2 new games, both of which I just realized I’m doing similar things in: Meteo Exodus and Lego Skywalker Saga. With Metro, I had a guide detailing the places of collectibles open from the moment I stated playing. This was out of habit, I played the previous 2 games the same way because I hated to see “not found” in place of a journal entry. But this game seems to place the entries in much more obvious spots compared to those two, and it’s obviously supposed to be an exploration game.
With Lego, I was playing the story with minimal exploration because I knew some secrets would be unattainable without freeplay so if I want them I will need to replay the level anyways. But I also know from experience that exploring as you go is the most fun part…
So I guess the question is, what should I do? Go on as I’ve been or somehow overcome the urge? If so, how?
I kind of think the solution to this problem is modding. Like to make the progression system of Doom 2016 be only based on which level you’re in, unlock all diary entries you haven’t found when finishing a level in Metro, or have freeplay powers the first time you play a level in Lego.
What do you think?
This is one of the reasons I hated NieR: Automata and struggle with similar action RPGs.
If I decide to play an action game, I want nonstop action. You fuck with the pace with shit like that or have me pull up a map to locate the next progression point and you can fuck right off.
My solution is simple: I only play linear action games—Bayonetta, The Wonderful 101, Ninja Gaiden 2, God Hand… etc.
Luckily, the indie tide found its way to the action genre shore and we’ve been eating good recently: Homura Hime, Genokids, Spirit X Strike, Kings of Hell… etc.
Good number of games on the horizon too: Kirk Mephisto, Enenra, Mightreya, Forastero… etc.
I guess my advice is: stand by your standards and play only the games you like.
Yeah, it’s a pacing thing for me too. Ace Combat 4 was great because the next most expensive plane was the next best plane, it had whatever weapons it came with, and its role was clear. Ace Combat 7 had this crazy upgrade tree, aircraft upgrades, different sub weapons; too many choices, I want to fly planes and blow shit up, not make a spreadsheet to figure out the optimal upgrade path or ideal plane for the next mission
Some games struggle to embrace their selling point. Maybe in a misguided pursuit of mass appeal by covering as much ground as possible, or lack of focus during planning/development. Either way, I’d like to see it happen less often overall.