Gaming tropes you really like?

[ThirteeTooBeets]

Any common tropes that you can't get enough of? Even if to most they seem repetitive, or lazy, or reasons to skip a game/not take it seriously.
For me, I love the classic medieval fantasy JRPG, all of it. I'm glad it's so liked and popular and done to death and beyond, I can't get enough of the slimes, and the dragons, and the cozy towns, and the chosen hero with a magic sword.

 

[DunkeyKong]

I think another thread is pretty similar to this (link). Anyway, mine is cheat codes. I really like how some games activates the cheat codes, whether by doing a hidden input or after finding secrets in-game

 

[RustySK]

Mine's not really all that common anymore and has mostly been replaced by DLC these days, but old games exist and I still love it - unlockables!
There's nothing better than beating a game and unlocking new weapons, outfits, hidden stages, difficulty levels, game modes, or whatever else you can think of to spice up a second playthrough or challenge yourself.

 

[nemui-enbi]

For themes, I do love time loops (though that may mainly be VNs) and also when former antagonists become allies or even party members. ( ˶'ᵕ'˶)

For mechanics, it's 'doing the thing levels up the associated stat' like taking damage increases defense, attacking -> strength, walking... walking lol

Makes the grind feel more meaningful and kinda true to life, rather than blanket EXP.

 

[Raud]

Games that combine modern and medieval settings, love that stuff!
Also the final battle taking place in a technicolor stage for epic reasons.

 

[Kamako]

I always find it fun in games when characters break the 4th wall to tutorialize, like saying "Press the Circle button to climb that ledge!". I know that irks some folks but it always makes me smile.

I like it when a game shows you an important weapon or an item just out of reach, and then makes you go through hell to get it. Very rewarding.

 

[Glimbo]

When an antagonist / rival is just you but better in every way. You'll get stomped when you first meet but you're able to beat them once you've gotten stronger later in the game.
Jetstream Sam vs Raiden or Kuja vs Zidane for example.

 

[Kamako]

Also when at least one character for no particular reason speaks like a bass cannon.

Samuel Hayden monologuing about "ReSOLVEEee" in DOOM 2016 or Handler Walter giving mission briefings in AC6: Fires of Rubicon

 

[Dyne]

When childhood friends become reluctant enemies later in life
For example,

Spoiler

Suikoden 2

So tragic.

 

[OmegaPunch's icon OmegaPunch OmegaPunch]

When the game has minigames in the game.

 

[Zerohour2k12]

More of a mechanic than trope, is that back then unlockable characters and even whole campaigns are a thing just by playing the game without forking-over money on DLCs. As for modern tropes. I like that that Modding Scene/Patches/Fan Translations are more accessible now and that old beloved franchise are more likely to be revived.

 

[>pitchshifter]

Beatiful views in a racing game. Players will just speed past the scenery without caring, but it really adds to the atmosphere. I play NFS3 without the hud because of this.

 

[PhrawzT]

New Game Plus, I love beating a game and then having the option to start over with everything you had at the end. Gives you a reason to go back and play it again, and look for things you may have missed the first time around, especially with branching storyline games where one choice locks you out of other scenarios.

I never would have gotten all 45 characters in Chrono Cross without it.

 

[miguk miguk]

For themes, I do love time loops (though that may mainly be VNs) and also when former antagonists become allies or even party members. ( ˶'ᵕ'˶)

For mechanics, it's 'doing the thing levels up the associated stat' like taking damage increases defense, attacking -> strength, walking... walking lol

Makes the grind feel more meaningful and kinda true to life, rather than blanket EXP.

Bravely Default will cure you of the first one. Final Fantasy II will cure you of the second.

Also when at least one character for no particular reason speaks like a bass cannon.

Samuel Hayden monologuing about "ReSOLVEEee" in DOOM 2016 or Handler Walter giving mission briefings in AC6: Fires of Rubicon

I love how in Final Fantasy IV DS, everyone is little chibi people but Kain talks like he's 900 ft tall.

When the game has minigames in the game.

One of the funniest versions of this I've seen is from MiSide.

Spoiler: spoilers for MiSide

When you are running from Evil Mita with Kind Mita, you come across a racing arcade game sitting in a otherwise empty hallway. After you stop and play through the game, Kind Mita will tell you off for stopping to play a video game when your lives are at stake.

 

[Ajderniz]

When a comedy relief turns evil. Actually, I like it in more than just JRPGs

 

[moonbits]

Parrying

 

[RanmyakuIchi's icon RanmyakuIchi RanmyakuIchi]

I love it when early game bosses or mini-bosses become common enemies later on. It gives a very easy to understand sense of progression in how much stronger the player has gotten.

 

[ThirteeTooBeets]

I think another thread is pretty similar to this (link). Anyway, mine is cheat codes. I really like how some games activates the cheat codes, whether by doing a hidden input or after finding secrets in-game

Ah... Yeah, that post specifies "old" tropes but I guess it's kinda the same. Post cancelled everybody hit the showers

 

[miguk miguk]

Some tropes I love no matter what:

• Arcade/casino-style sensory overload. I loved it when Capcom and SNK put them in their fighting games (whether in the VS loading screens or in super moves). (They seem to have backed off from it to some degree in more recent games.) The absolute master of this, though, is Vampire Survivors, which was built by a former slot machine developer, and it shows.
• Latin chorus in the final boss music. This alone makes some of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters incredible. It adds the one thing the original songs were lacking.
• Moe. Judge all you want; I love my cute anime ladies. (Also, fan service that isn't insulting is quite welcome.)
• On that note, the attractive woman who can keep up with the guys. Fighting wifu > damsel in distress.
• Relationship management and/or marriage. As long as it isn't forced and you can do it at your leisure, it adds a bit of a heart-warming element to the game. I wish Dragon Quest made this into a standard feature, as they get it right every time.
• Skill trees. It's really satisfying to build up your character the way you want them to be built and plan out the optimal route for that.

 

[RanmyakuIchi's icon RanmyakuIchi RanmyakuIchi]

• On that note, the attractive woman who can keep up with the guys. Fighting wifu > damsel in distress..

Adding to this, I like it when a Damsel in Distress decides not to let it happen again and becomes stronger afterwards, like Yuri Sakazaki or Momiji.

 

[ciro64]

• Pause menu with all the options in the world
• Repeated themes (music, mechanics or thematic) under different circumstances, specially boss fights
• Power trip after the game made you feel weak or intimidated
• Unlockable minigames, it's also cool when it's an actual game from the past

Fighting wifu > damsel in distress.

I love Neera Li from Freedom Planet for this very reason. And Karai from Shredder Revenge. I guess I have a thing for serious and disciplined fighting women.

 

[DanVzare]

I know it's been kind of ruined by mainstream movies recently.
But I'm still a sucker for games whose stories take place in multiple dimensions and/or timelines. I absolutely loved the story of Neptunia Sisters VS Sisters because of that alone. It was so needlessly complicated for such a simple franchise. :D

But I suppose that's more of a story trope than a game trope. :/

 

[OmegaPunch's icon OmegaPunch OmegaPunch]

I know it's been kind of ruined by mainstream movies recently.
But I'm still a sucker for games whose stories take place in multiple dimensions and/or timelines. I absolutely loved the story of Neptunia Sisters VS Sisters because of that alone. It was so needlessly complicated for such a simple franchise. :D

But I suppose that's more of a story trope than a game trope. :/

Like Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross?

 

[KirboDeku]

One thing I like a lot is different routes/endings. It adds a lot of game and story content as simple as it is.

 

[Jeff]

Games with time travel

Modern era mixed with ninjitsu from the Feudal/Edo era of Japan. Such as ninja weapons that can take out robots and machines and martial art moves to beat up punks from the 80s when later you found out at the final level, the leader of a certain organization who was an alien demon creature from the past all this time. (Ninja Gaiden, every 80s and early 90s beat'em ups)

Female characters as the main lead or as a gender option in RPGs or any other genre

Games that act as an actual arcade game with none of the ranking systems or experience points

Games that start you from the ground and then rise up to the top as you progress after each level is complete and the higher you reach near the goal at the top, the more challenging the game gets. (Any arcade style game)

Rescue the girl trope. Sorry, I know it's been done and it's been overused, but, I like it. It's just a simple objective. Defeat the villain, rescue the girl and you get a nice reward. (Mario and a ton of others)

Unlocking mini games from the past (Sonic Adventure DX, DK64 etc.)

A young child goes on a journey, makes friends to battle odd creatures and save humanity from an alien or goddess during a modern day era. (Earthbound)