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3 Gaming Trends That Really Need to Go

08 Nov, 2024

Kenneth

As much as we all love gaming, some trends in the industry have overstayed their welcome. From endless remakes to rushed releases, here are three trends that are dragging the gaming world down. 3. An Overload of Remakes and Remasters, but Not Enough New IPsRemakes can be fantastic—I’ll always love the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 remakes, which are some of my favorite games. But let’s be honest: where are the new titles? Reviving classics like Final Fantasy VII or Mafia is fun, but the flood of remakes is leaving little room for fresh, original games. It feels like developers are more focused on rehashing old favorites than taking creative risks on new IPs. And yes, I get it—it’s safer to remake a classic that fans will buy than gamble on something unproven. Still, the success of games like Elden Ring and Black Myth: Wukong gives me hope that studios might take more risks on original ideas. We need innovation just as much as nostalgia.2. Rushed Game Releases with a Ton of BugsThe disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077 should have been a wake-up call for the industry, but sadly, rushed releases are still common. Many publishers push to meet deadlines, even if it means delivering an unfinished game. And let’s face it, a lot of this pressure comes from executives who seem more focused on profits than quality. There’s an easy solution: don’t buy broken games. Supporting polished, well-crafted releases will send the message that quality matters. Personally, I’d much rather wait for a delayed release than spend money on a game plagued by glitches and bugs.1. Oversaturation of Live Service GamesLive service games aren’t all bad—I’ll jump into Fortnite once in a while—but there’s just too much of it these days. These always-online, constantly updating games demand so much time and energy that they can feel more like a job than a game. For adult gamers especially, the appeal of a story-driven game that we can pause, play at our own pace, and come back to anytime can’t be understated. Games like Black Myth: Wukong show there’s still a strong market for deep, single-player experiences.Take Concord, for example, one of the most expensive games to develop, and yet it’s one of the most lackluster. It’s a clear sign that a huge part of the gaming community craves depth over endless grinding. With high-quality single-player games like Black Myth: Wukong leading the way, maybe, just maybe, the endless stream of live service games will start to slow down. Sidenote, I’ve been talking about Wukong non-stop, but that's just because I can’t think of a better contender for game of the year! What are the worst trends in gaming for you? Let’s talk about it in the comments. Until next time, stay golden!

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The Debate on Difficulty: Should Games Like Elden Ring and Black Myth Wukong Offer Easier Modes?

31 Jul, 2024

Vivid

In today’s gaming landscape, most games come with difficulty sliders—options like easy, normal, hard, or extreme. But then there are the games that don’t care about making things easy for you. Games like Elden Ring and Black Myth Wukong go beyond the norm, offering players a challenge that borders on brutal, with no easy mode to soften the blows. To be fair, not everyone wants to face down a near-impossible boss battle at midnight, dripping in sweat and frustration. Some players just want to vibe, enjoy the story, and immerse themselves in the game’s world without the pressure of relentless enemies. But when it comes to titles like Elden Ring or Black Myth Wukong… (cue clips of repeated character deaths in Wukong/Elden Ring), they’re not for the faint of heart. And that’s exactly the point. The Philosophy Behind Difficulty Developers like From Software (Elden Ring) and Game Science (Black Myth Wukong) design their games around a philosophy that difficulty is an essential part of the experience. For these developers, the goal isn’t just about reaching the end of the game; it’s about the journey of mastering complex mechanics, and yes, dying—a lot. The sense of accomplishment that comes from mastering these games and overcoming impossible odds is what makes the experience so special for many players. Take Black Myth Wukong, for example—you’re almost guaranteed to fail repeatedly when facing certain bosses. You’ll feel the frustration of losing to the same enemy for the 20th time. But, when you finally manage to pull off that flawless combo and defeat them? The euphoria is on another level. The fact that you couldn’t just dial down the difficulty adds to that moment of triumph, making victory feel so much sweeter. Not Punishment, But Persistence It’s easy to think that games like Elden Ring or Black Myth Wukong are punishing players on purpose, but in reality, they’re rewarding persistence. Their brutally tough design forces players to think, adapt, and sharpen their skills. Overcoming these challenges becomes an integral part of the journey, and while the experience is far from easy, it’s rewarding in a way that few other games are. What’s surprising is how popular these difficult games have become. Despite—or perhaps because of—their punishing difficulty, Elden Ring and Black Myth Wukong have sold millions of copies worldwide and racked up numerous awards. Their fan bases are massive, filled with players who relish the high level of difficulty. Should These Games Offer Difficulty Options? But this popularity leads to an important question: Should games like Elden Ring or Black Myth Wukong include difficulty options to make them accessible to a wider audience? On one hand, adding difficulty settings could open the door for more players to experience the rich worlds and intricate stories these games offer. It could allow those who prefer a more relaxed gameplay style to still enjoy the game without the stress of relentless combat. After all, not everyone enjoys the frustration of spending hours stuck on a single boss. On the other hand, changing the core difficulty of these games could risk losing what makes them so unique. The soul-crushing difficulty is a part of their identity, and for many players, the challenge is the reason they keep coming back. The sense of achievement that comes from conquering these games wouldn’t be the same if players could just tone down the difficulty whenever they hit a rough patch. Whether or not these games should introduce difficulty options remains a hot topic in the gaming community. Some argue that accessibility should take priority, while others believe that the integrity of the game’s design must be preserved. What do you think? Should games like Elden Ring and Black Myth Wukong offer difficulty sliders for a broader range of players, or should they stick to their hardcore roots and continue challenging gamers with their trademark difficulty?