What’s Your Least Favorite Recurring Gimmick or Trope in Video Games?
So over on RA we were discussing this topic and I wanted to get your opinions here at RGT. Whether it’s a poorly designed mission, an overused narrative device, or a gameplay choice that feels more frustrating than fun, certain tropes have a way of getting under our skin. For me, there are a few recurring gimmicks that consistently test my patience.
These undoubtedly get under my skin while playing.
Escort Missions
Escort missions often involve protecting an AI-controlled character who moves slowly, makes poor decisions, or gets stuck in dangerous situations. This can lead to frustration, especially if the mission fails due to the AI’s incompetence rather than the player's skill.
Fetch Quests
Fetch quests can feel like padding, requiring players to collect arbitrary items with little narrative or gameplay payoff. When overused, they can make the game feel repetitive and uninspired.
Forced Stealth Sections
I'll say I love stealth games but not forced stealth. When stealth mechanics are tacked onto games that aren’t designed for them, it can feel clunky and frustrating.
Overused Quick-Time Events (QTEs)
QTEs can feel like a lazy way to add interactivity to cutscenes or action sequences. If overused, they can make gameplay feel less engaging and more like a series of button prompts.
Artificial Difficulty Spikes
Sudden, unexplained difficulty spikes can feel unfair and discourage players, especially if they’re not given the tools or information to overcome the challenge. Now I do like hard games and challenges just not when its implemented in the way described above.
The “Chosen One” Trope
While not inherently bad, the “chosen one” narrative can feel overused and predictable.
These tropes aren’t always bad and they can work well when implemented thoughtfully. But when done poorly, they can really drag down an otherwise great game. What about you? What’s your least favorite recurring gimmick or trope in video games? Let’s discuss it!
