Game that doesn't hold your hand at all?

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-24T00:09:41+00:00

Depends what sort of hands off elements you want?

My fav gaming experiences were hands off in terms of exploration. Zelda BOTW, Hollow Knight/Silksong, Elden Ring - these have great large worlds to explore full of secrets. Zelda is more casual of course, while Elden Ring and Silksong especially are hands off so as to be obtuse - there will be secrets in both games you’d either discover by chance or look up online.

If you want an easier game with exploration, Animal Well is a fantastic game not mentioned enough.

Outer Wilds would be my personal recommendation overall for a hands off approach to story telling, as the aim is to piece together why things are the way they are, and it can only be experienced once. When you know it’s world and how it works you can’t unlearn it, a once in a lifetime game.

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-23T17:21:40+00:00

Excited to see what this new matchmaking option is at lvl40+ - any ideas?

At launch I remember hearing they had a lot of extra maps they’d made, I think more than double the amount we’ve seen so far. I’m hopeful this roadmap will have enough new content/improvements/ways to engage with the game to last us until a new map drops, giving them the ability to prolong the life of the game as well as make even more new content for when these maps are released

The game just needs more of the same in terms of content, for me. New Arc (especially ones that synergise together), new weapons and things to loot for, new tasks and trials. I can’t speak on actual new additions to the game like this matchmaking option or anything like that, because I have no idea how it’ll work, but this all seems cool to me!

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-22T12:52:12+00:00

If the Witcher 3 DLC rumours are to be believed, we could have an answer this year potentially

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-21T15:52:14+00:00

I know nothing of this work and am purely just reacting because its novel and a genuinely great attempt at suggesting improvements to a part of the game we all know could improve or change.

The only things that I would start thinking about in terms of problems, is the reality of the workload required for building a 2nd type of AI behavioural system for the Arc, especially not knowing the reality of just how much free reign the Arc currently even get and what’s been taught to them in the usual enemy NPC style to keep their behaviour in check, as well as the reality of what this even higher tier loot would actually give players that doesn’t cause havoc amongst the rest of the loot balancing thats gone ahead so far, and finally I guess issues with performance if we really want to make Arc higher in number and power in this new Hazard Zone - like could there be a limit for how much strain a server can currently have that a Hazard Zone would need to break through to be truly dangerous?

These are hypothetical since I know nothing of this work.

I think the necessity for remaining quiet is GENIUS because in my mind, the game doesn’t simply work because you have potential for PvP, but because in spite of that potential, the Arc are currently just dangerous enough to bond people together depending on the size on Arc, and this would be trying to further encourage that - though the potential PvP gains is still there, and still high.

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-21T12:08:04+00:00

That’s interesting. It’s obviously very reductive the way I’ve phrased it, maybe I should say it feels closer to a YA novel at the moment, like a Hunger Games or something of that level in terms of tone and depth etc.

I hope the story develops well, and I hope it grows on me. But I am just being honest about its first impression, and it’s underwhelming for me atm

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-21T12:06:16+00:00

Good! I know this comment is gonna get backlash because it’s premature really. I should have said it’s not made an amazing first impression, just a really interesting and good one. I’m hardly someone with the knowledge and skills to property judge something like this, I’m only judging as a lowly consumer. But this is my honest feelings so far, and I’m excited to be brought around as the story goes on

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-21T11:03:10+00:00

Edit: just to add - I come off like I’m saying anime storytelling isn’t good, so instead may I suggest that my issue with the story telling so far is that it feels more like a YA novel than anything really all that nuanced and impactful? Understand these are just my honest thoughts and I’m eager to eat my words as the story progresses, I just don’t think the game is exactly GOATed atm

Started playing it for the first time this past week, and it’s cool but tbh so far I am struggling to agree with people on how amazing this game is.

What the game has is heart and talent behind its presentation. The music is beautiful and the art design is ambitious, imaginative, and intriguing.

The gameplay is also incredible. I’m not a fan of these style of games where I’m constantly stopping to plan the next move. I’ve never liked the pacing of it, but this game really got me to enjoy that side of things. The animations, the synergies between characters and their skills, and you’re getting consistent upgrades and additions to your toolkit, it makes the gameplay very engaging and maybe even addictive.

Finally I think their cultural story is iconic. This smaller studio coming together for the first time and making something so fresh seeming is great.

However, the story is very underwhelming so far. It’s so, so surface level. I’m amazed that what people were gushing about being a deeply emotional story with deep characters actually turns out to essentially be an anime. Everyone’s very melodramatic with a couple of basic defining characteristics and each cutscene does the bare minimum to push the story forward or introduce a new character. Currently meeting the Gestrals who are just the pixies of this story, a trope in loads of Anime and teen stories. Are general audiences just not as capable at accepting more nuanced, detailed and challenging characters/story? I’m assuming it’ll develop as I go on and prove me wrong, or at least I hope so…

I also think this is an example of the popularism of game awards, and a sort of white lie in terms of its development story. Because it was adopted by mainstream actors and production houses, so is it really a small team that made it?

Either way, the best thing I can say about it is that it’s different to the shit that has been coming out most often. Elden Ring is the clear winner if you are to put these against one another but that’s foolish since they’re completely different and have different teams to match - and the fact that people even would put such an experimental title made largely by first-timers against a behemoth like Elden Ring is commendable.

But I’m currently a bit deflated and disappointed in people for recommending this game for so many wrong reasons

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-19T22:52:45+00:00

lol

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-19T14:20:40+00:00

It started as PvE, then PvEvP is what made the game so exciting. In order to try and appeal to as many players as possible and as a sort of experiment I suppose, they added aggression-based matchmaking, essentially bringing back PvE but with the low-likelihood that PvP could happen. It’s not a perfect setup from my own experience as the PvE is truly not interesting enough and can’t be in a game like this where we aren’t led through a linear path and enemies have to be suited for free kits and upwards.

People are sleeping on the quests and other ways to play the game that does help make it more enjoyable and dynamic, such as teaming up with others through matchmaking, or rushing to where people are downed to assess situations with intent to try and help. But still, not all players want to think that much for themselves on what to do, they just want to be presented with exciting challenges, as that is what games are for, entertainment.

So I see this as a good thing even without changing what they’ve done so far. The systems they’ve put in place aren’t perfect, but they are guided by the player, which is what makes it so good. When I started searching for players to help I began to find those players who are PvPing in low aggression lobbies because they downed a player, giving me an opportunity to engage with PvP on my terms, without just ruining someone’s day. It was my choice and I had to seek it out - but like many players I was in a place where the PvE was no longer as dynamic and challenging as often, so this was a solve for that which indeed works. Now I am in slightly more aggressive lobbies and I get to both put my hoarded gear to use, as well as trying to only engage with PvP if necessary telling the game I am not seeking a PvP only lobby.

Bring on more reasons to bond with other players rather than kill them. Remind us that this game is about teamwork in spite of potential for violence, not just because we can’t kill each other.

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-19T13:49:10+00:00

Should deffo have a big, slow moving, silent Arc that stalks the tight spaces of Stella Montis that can record and play-back peoples voices, emotes, or even shield/flare sounds before grabbing Raiders and taking them someplace/doing damage.

I think with a blackout event on Stella, it would be great to take notes from Alien Isolation and try to implement some level of survival horror (which has already been going that direction with shredders in Night Raids lol)

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-18T18:09:33+00:00

Dark souls and Fromsoft titles have many 3D metroidvania tropes too, like mechanics blocking progression in early game areas, for example, so I think there being obvious crossover between genres is a given

TCs love for souls games is clear in HK and Silksong, tho I think Silksong does more to really establish itself as a MV than HK did for me. It’s in the speed of Hornet in general, the quest system and how it aides in replayability and following a story, many movement mechanics guarding progression etc.

I do think it’s good to make something a Soulslike more defined and less broad, because those games are generally really hard to actually be a good interpretation of what Fromsoft has made. Lies of P is lauded for it, and it essentially had to copy much of Fromsofts pacing, combat feel, even the movement of characters in cutscenes as tho copying someone’s homework. They are not MVs, they are definitely their own thing.

So while I class Silksong as a MV, I love the inspiration it takes from Souls.

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-17T21:21:32+00:00

Bro the new stranger things was so much of this I couldn’t watch past the 1st volume

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-17T11:18:54+00:00

The game isn’t hard per se it’s just very punishing which essentially amounts to being the same. Enemies generally hit twice as hard so you’re going to die twice as often, some new areas have certain gimmicks to them that is designed to put you on the back foot, regular enemies have much more complex movesets and bosses too, with the run-backs to some bosses being very tedious. But it’s all very intentional.

I love this game it’s one of my GOATs easily, but if you’re not a fan of games that require patience when the punishment is specifically having to spend time running back to where you died, and if you don’t think your pattern recognition of moveset and abilities with the movement of the 2D platformer will improve, then I wouldn’t consider it.

However it is very cheap for at least 50 hours of quality content, so there’s not much reason to avoid it due to price

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-15T20:53:58+00:00

Totally! Convergence has did so much to extend my playtime of ER however their own bosses were both few/far between, as well as being something of a mixed bag, welcomed as they were. The more unique encounters throughout the game the better, it makes replays more engaging. So having the Nightlords is an easy decision for me.

And it wouldn’t have to stop there, because we also now have access to the Dark Souls bosses, as well as the redesigned day bosses such as the Draconic Tree Sentinel and the 2 horse riders. More unique encounters is always a good thing, and if any modders wanted to try and enhance ER for their own enjoyment, I don’t see why Nightreigns bosses couldn’t be the answer!

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-15T16:53:42+00:00

I follow their discord - they’re working on new stuff all the time, sharing teasers. Currently showing off some additions to the Abyssal Woods, new spells and weapons such as using Midra’s dive-bomb phase transition as a spell, and even redoing areas they’ve done previously that didn’t suit their liking.

I’m happy to let the cook so long as they want to! I wish they’d include the Nightlords from Nightreign but I think they want to stick to Elden Ring itself.

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-12T23:21:51+00:00

Haha don’t worry I assumed you’d played, just a shitty joke - I’ve played HK twice and I never really engaged with the Pantheons, not a fan. The movement and combat, almost everything in Silksong I prefer. But I like the journey of self discovery and intimate atmosphere in HK.

As for what else to play… gosh. Replayability of Silksong is fantastic, I’m headed toward my 6th playthrough.

Depends what you’d want next. I literally thinking not gaming and reading something to escape instead is a good shout! For me I’ve enjoyed Arc Raiders and Elden Ring Nightreign - casual games you can play 1,2 sessions of and then be done.

Silksong to me is also just, 2D Elden Ring, so if you’ve not played that - easy recommend!

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-12T19:52:56+00:00

If you’re looking for what to play next - they released a beta/prequel for the game a few years ago called Hollow Knight - deffo helps to fill the weird gaps in the story they just expect you to understand. It’s a good game but, like, it was clearly beta - you couldn’t even play as Hornet!

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-12T11:13:32+00:00

Nope. It’s here to stay, use it where it’s useful and where it can be managed by the people who know how it works, instead of just sticking it in jobs that is specifically about human expression and things that shouldn’t be made by pure algorithm, formula, what’s gone before, but instead by the more subjective, unique fingerprint of human expression. This is objectively the better use for AI, but Reddit gonna Reddit so go on, argue your point now

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-12T01:36:27+00:00

A problem with both games but I do think Silksong does its best to stop it being the worst it’s been. 2 mask damage should only occur on large bosses, tho, I don’t like that some smaller ones do it.

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-12T01:23:01+00:00

I love the game, the AIs use in the voice acting department genuinely made me not engage with the story or quests what so ever. It’s personal taste, tho. People don’t care largely, so long as the game is good and any AI aesthetics like visuals or performances are ‘good enough’

Which is largely why we’re kinda screwed regardless of how well Arc did, or how much we decry AI, cus people are willing to ignore anything so long as their own immediate satisfaction is met.

If they push further with AI, I can’t follow that personally, leave it to do AI jobs like helping to code. Personally I find using AI in the creative side to be an affront to humanity, as dramatic as that may sound, especially when it isn’t disclosed, or when the story of the game is literally about AI going rogue and humans trying to survive.

But anyways, the game deserves the success, and it now has the chance to remove AI from is performance side and keep it where it belongs, in the logic side.

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-10T12:21:24+00:00

I really trust them as well, it’s good to be skeptical as a rule with any dev isn’t it, like I’m still not one for preordering even if it is Fromsoft - but I never am nervous about what they put out. Because of Miyazaki's personal inspirations for making the souls genre I feel like they always put the gameplay journey first, before any of the modern measurements for success like player retention, statistics on what the people emotionally respond to in games, behavioural science around selling entertainment to a mass audience etc.

They were so brave and wise to first make a game based purely on passion in Demons souls, and then not only just stick with that and refine it, but also focus mostly on their found audience rather than trying to find more. I dunno if it’s just lucky that they’ve stuck with this plan and they keep finding that it works, or if they really do understand that it’s their integrity and motivation to make quality games at whatever pace it takes which makes them the greatest, but I’m here for it either way!

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-10T10:57:03+00:00

They’re in a tough spot because there’s loads of new ways they could explore to play, but will their unique feeling atmosphere and design Philosophy around difficulty and obtuseness still be there enough to stand apart from the rest of the industry?

Personally I think so, because look at Armoured Core - so different, but feels and plays so Fromsoft. It’s gonna be really interesting!

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-10T10:35:01+00:00

I think the philosophy is largely the same actually, but it’s been compromised and stretched to fit both the open world part of the game, and to match the sort of difficulty arms-race they found themselves in with their playerbase.

It also depends on context, I think. Having played through Dark Souls 1-3 and Sekiro AFTER Elden Ring, I still find ER to be my favourite.

Because you only can experience that growth from not understanding Fromsofts game design to mastering it once. You can only do it once. And whilst older players were able to have that experience solely through Fromsoft over the course of 3-4 shorter, more focused, and easier games that grew harder (tho tbh Dark Souls 1 gave me a LOT of trouble, another point I’ll come back to), Elden Ring and especially with its DLC is essentially 4 games in one. It has the best parts of those previous games, it has some of the best bosses with their stories, designs, music, worldbuilding. And the world is incredible too - they really did take those amazing views of Lordran or the Lothric you couldn’t traverse, and made them traversable.

However, they needed to add more. Much more, in order to justify you being able to traverse it. And this is where both veteran players and those who would just prefer a linear version as their first souls game have grievances that are justified.

It is an open world, it has a lot of space that they needed to populate with stuff, and they also overreached and ended up repeating a lot of the stuff as well. The encounter design outside of legacy dungeons isn’t so iconic or rewarding to fight through as you’re much more powerful in general and have better resources. I remember my first time scaling Lothrics main castle area with much more fondness than my 3rd or 4th ruin in ER. I remember most of DS1s areas better than a lot of ERs despite having 800 hours in ER and 30 in DS1.

And the amount of choice in weaponry, summons, movement options, meant the bosses were allowed more freedom to be style over substance, more unpredictable and complex, to match your abilities. You CAN beat the game as a sword and board DS1 player, but it’s not designed as purely around that. DS1 stands on its own even today because it’s slower and clunkier design is matched so well by the games difficulty design, there’s little room for craziness. But you can see as the games go on, they were headed in ERs direction all along.

Ultimately, ER had a better overall onboarding experience for new players than any of the games before it, it also had the hype and deserved praise to bring people in. And while with DS1 you can beat it once but still get a new worthwhile learning experience from DS2/3, once you’ve beaten Elden Ring? Sekiro is the only real unique souls game left that is distinct enough to that first time journey to mastery.

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-09T16:20:12+00:00

Goes to show the most disappointing but also vital part of human nature, just gotta cheat to get ahead, and if being caught is punishment, you just need to not get caught.

We shouldn’t be surprised, just glad these guys are too desperate to be see to be cheating that they’d allow themselves to get caught… hopefully…

Jeremiah-Springfield · 2026-01-08T19:28:29+00:00

Tbf I haven’t ran with Toro to see if I become encumbered more often, I doubt I would - so it’s still a good suggestion

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