Re: Game mechanics do you like?

On 1/13/2025 4:33 AM, JAB wrote:

Well I though about from a thread of which ones we dislike and also a video about do gamers know what they dislike (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=gCjHipuMir8). The video is a bit rambling but it did make a point for me that whereas I can easily name several mechanics that I dislike, I find it that much harder for ones I like and the reasons are less concrete.
 So anyway I'll give it a go in no particular order.
 - Switching up the gameplay. This is something I feel that HL:1/2 did really well in that each level felt in keeping with the game yet was also different. So often in games I just feel that I'm doing the same thing that I was five hours ago but I've now got better stats/equipment.
 - The game is tightly focused on meaningful content over meaningless content to extend the length of the game.
 - Options to play the character you want to and not feeling forced to have a certain type of character. A lot of games I think get this right in being able to have different types of builds but I still find it a problem with CRPG's in general that you ending up doing side quests for the reward instead of because that's what my character would do. The glaring one I find is almost the assumption that you're the good guy. Disco Elysium is a game that mostly avoided that as failure was an option (failing forward) and so was playing a fascist, a centrist or a communist among others all of which are viable options.
 - Keep the game with one core focus and not multiple. Total War is one of the worse offenders here. Am I playing a 4x strategy game or a large scale tactical game. Just do one or the other. An honourable mention for XCOM with its base management. I'm here for the tactical combat thank you very much.
 - Dialogue trees that are adapted to your character and not fixed. This again comes from Disco Elysium where what you can say is affected by your character and you even have your inner monologue telling you what you should do.
 - UI's that try to minimise breaking of immersion. Firewatch gets a mention here with its 'physical' map and compass for navigating and also Kingdom Come Deliverance with its in game art style based quest markers. Another one I like is Pip boy of Fallout fame.
 I was going to mention an engaging storyline but then thought I can't explain what that really means to me!

A well made and fun game *shrug* Mechanically I can't really define that.
Oddly the fun is much more important than well made, as some of the games I love the most are are were almost unplayable bugfests.  Bethesda games, Master of Magic come to mind.
I seem to like 3rd person action or rpgs most these days.  I enjoy trying lots of weapons, strategies and or 'builds' and combat is pretty much a must.
I prefer darker settings, but I've been surprised by a few lighter ones.
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-Justisaur
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