Are modern games "too easy"? (Essay warning)

[Soma_Shotgun]

I don't mind a game being easy as long as it's still engaging and fun. Many like modern games though, and by modern I mean games after 2018 really started to become way too handholdy to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Never forget that they used DSP as an example when designing GoW: Ragnarok. I just hate in modern games when I feel like being treated like an idiot.

 

[lestagio]

It does, but stop looking in only the one direction or expecting more from the majority of AAA at this point. Aside from Capcom, Nintendo, Platinum, KT, Konami (getting better now), sometimes Square, Santa Monica, and a few others, constantly expecting most of the other AAAs is pointless and not worth waiting on them. AA and indie, or the niche Japanese studios have their issues, but most aren't afraid of what you're asking, or make whatever games they want to make without shitty corporate over sight compromises nor trying to make a "game for everyone".

You have fun waiting on a majority of them for nothing, while I always have something either challenging or fun. I got more than enough to keep me busy. I don't play ever indie game either, but I pick whatever interests me and nothing more. A majority of the AAA have almost nothing to offer me on a consistent basis aside from Capcom.

I mostly play retro and indie these days, but I can understand what is being said by Xyberskull—Many AAA games are often too easy or unsatisfying to play. Obviously one can go play indie games, but indies are just that— they don't have the money to make these grand, great looking games like an AAA studio could, and yet many of these AAA games are not all too skill-based, likely to appeal to a larger audience. That said, Elden Ring made crazy numbers, so I'm not even sure.

It's why I can't take arguments about older games being "unfair" too seriously; even back then they gave you all the tools necessary to beat a game, it was just down to you as a player to figure out how to use them

Fair point to some degree, but there's plenty of games that definitely were pretty unfair just... because. Simon's Quest? Honestly one of the easier Castlevanias, but unless you had Nintendo Power, you wouldn't know to equip a crystal and crouch at a wall for 5 seconds for a tornado to take you to the next area. Battletoads has some pretty unfair spots. I shouldn't be missing platforms and hitboxes in, say, the Turbo Tunnel without any real clarity as to WHY I lost. I've played enough times that I can manage the Turbo Tunnel without dying, but it's not intuitive at all. Ninja Gaiden? Love the game to death, but the Stage 5 boss is nearly impossible to beat without the knowledge that you just have to run up and mash the B button until he dies. The boss isn't difficult when you know the trick, but it's obnoxious. Just because something is possible doesn't make it fair or good design.

 

[X y b e r - S k u ll]

It does, but stop looking in only the one direction or expecting more from the majority of AAA at this point. Aside from Capcom, Nintendo, Platinum, KT, Konami (getting better now), sometimes Square, Santa Monica, and a few others, constantly expecting most of the other AAAs is pointless and not worth waiting on them. AA and indie, or the niche Japanese studios have their issues, but most aren't afraid of what you're asking, or make whatever games they want to make without shitty corporate over sight compromises nor trying to make a "game for everyone".

You have fun waiting on a majority of them for nothing, while I always have something either challenging or fun. I got more than enough to keep me busy. I don't play ever indie game either, but I pick whatever interests me and nothing more. A majority of the AAA have almost nothing to offer me on a consistent basis aside from Capcom.

I haven't bought a new release since 2023 (which was Pseudoregalia like I mentioned) so I know full well it's a fools errand waiting on them. Being realistic; I know it most likely won't change, so that's why I haven't given any of them my money for this long, and I'll continue to hold out until I see something truly worth playing to me.

I've at least got many, many games from the 80's, 90's and 2000's I still haven't played to keep me occupied, so believe me I also haven't got a shortage of things to play either.

 

[BrawlMan]

Obviously one can go play indie games, but indies are just that— they don't have the money to make these grand, great looking games like an AAA studio could, and yet many of these AAA games are not all too skill-based, likely to appeal to a larger audience. That said, Elden Ring made crazy numbers, so I'm not even sure.

Uh, that's becoming less of the case. There are indie games looking like late life PS2/GC and early 360 games, but having a defined or distinct art style helps them out by a lot. Also, Elden Ring is the major exception, and not the rule.

Indie is not too far behind, depending on who we're talking about.

I haven't bought a new release since 2023 (which was Pseudoregalia like I mentioned) so I know full well it's a fools errand waiting on them. Being realistic; I know it most likely won't change, so that's why I haven't given any of them my money for this long, and I'll continue to hold out until I see something truly worth playing to me.

Last new AAA game was Resident Evil Requiem. I love it, but did my two different playthroughs and most of the bonus DLC mode recently. The last new game I got recently is Ragebound, but I got the physical with cupons and a gift card. I only had to pay $12 instead of $40. Worth it and loving the classic fast paced ninja platforming action. Before all of that, the last AAA games Cronos: The New Dawn (on a Christmas week sale [I paid $30.] at GameStop, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Lost Soul Aside before the first former. All of them are worth it to me. Especially NG4 and LSA.