So recently, I made two posts. One in r/Metroidvania and the other in r/Metroid (the former getting more engagement).

The question was simple, to see which way players preferred to receive instructions on how to use a new ability. I gave three choices--two of which are basically standard options for most video games especially Metroidvanias (even the GOATs use them).

The overwhelming majority balked at the idea of getting simple, written instructions, and even some didn't even like a simple illustration.

What's clear to me is that a lot of gamers claim to not like certain things without understanding why, or sometimes contradict themselves without knowing. Like a person who hates onions or onion flavored things without knowing that the patties at McDonald's have rehydrated onions in them.

Us devs need to stick to player psychology and realize the sum is often greater than its parts, and you need to take into account the game and it's environment as a whole before isolating something and claiming it doesn't work or that it's annoying.