Summary
- Gamers crave challenges that don't hold their hand, sacrificing hand-holding for true immersion and discovery.
- Titles like Dark Souls embrace deep waters, requiring players to figure things out, capturing the essence of retro gaming.
- Games like Subnautica and Shadow Of The Colossus trust players to navigate dark waters and giant creatures, emphasizing survival and discovery.
A lot of gamers are so done with games that spoon-feed every little hint and detail. It feels patronizing and takes away from the sense of wonder and discovery. It’s not like the idea of helping gamers who struggle is bad, but it’s overdone, and every game feels neutered because of it.
8 Most Immersive Open-World Indie Games
These incredible indie games feature diverse open-world settings that excel in their immersive environments and engaging gameplay.
However, all is not lost, as there are more than a few titles that take away the hand-holding. They’ll thrust the players into deep waters, and it’s up to them to figure everything out. They capture the essence of retro gaming with a modern twist to balance everything in a reasonable way.
8 Dark Souls
The First Of The Dark Souls Trilogy Wonderfully Welcomes Players With A True Challenge
Dark Souls
- Released
- September 22, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Namco Bandai
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Elden Ring is the trending Soulsborne darling, and Bloodborne is a visual stunner, but they’ve got nothing on the first Dark Souls. The sense of isolation and haunting ambiance of the original game fills the players with dread. It ties fear to progression — map layout and enemy placements will constantly surprise first-timers. Even the prologue section tutorials don’t clarify things or tell players what to do exactly.
The hub area of Firelink Shrine might evoke nostalgia, but it isn’t any less safe, as players can easily stumble on the catacombs. Combat encounters are always tense. For example, things like the parry and riposte timing will require patience to master. The thought-provoking lore, secrets, and deception of the NPCs add to the immersion and enjoyment.
7 Super Metroid
An Old-School Classic That Requires Diligence And Patience To Figure Out Its Mechanics
Super Metroid
- Released
- April 18, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Metroidvania
- Platform(s)
- SNES
Nintendo has a rich history of making family-friendly and easy-to-play games, while also catering to the hardcore audience. Super Metroid is one of the best examples of this, as this game completely leaves players to their own devices. There isn’t an explicit explanation for navigating the perilous levels. The subtle visual cues of watching Dachora and Etecoon to learn wall-jumping and shinespark is a masterstroke of game design.
8 Games To Play If You Miss Super Metroid
A staple of the SNES, Super Metroid remains in the heart of many nostalgic gamers. Here are a few titles that may help in reliving its excitement.
Super Metroid is well-known for its complex level design and heavy use of backtracking. Some items require players to travel to the opposite end of the map before they can even be used. But there’s no flashy reminder or notification. It’s literally up to the player to remember what they’ve picked up and where it might be useful.
6 System Shock (2023)
A Faithful Reimagining True To Its Roots Of Giving Less Guidance And Encouraging Exploration
System Shock (2023)
- Released
- May 30, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- NightDive Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Prime Matter
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Sci-Fi, FPS
System Shock (2023) might be the most niche video game on the list that doesn’t tell gamers what to do. The game pays homage to the original by embracing the philosophy of classic game design — letting players learn from trial and error. There will be times when frustration will take over because the game actually requires effort on the player’s part. What that means is that finding the correct code to unlock automated doors requires reading through data logs very carefully.
Timing and game physics play a huge role in the main character’s survival. Tactical thinking instead of run and gunning, and avoiding the environmental hazards, is the key to having a good game. The puzzles require logical deductions, and the collectible placement is well spread out with rewards that make them worth it.
5 Kenshi
One Of The Most Realistic RPGs Of All Time And One That Will Confound Many Players
Kenshi
- Released
- December 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Lo-Fi Games
- Publisher(s)
- Lo-Fi Games
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Open-World, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PC
Kenshi actually delivers an unforgettable RPG experience by not telling players what to do. Freedom and player agency are the key gameplay themes that will eat away hours without feeling like it. There is no form or structure to follow, as everything from character creation to the job or class offers a sandbox-style approach. With no linear story, the fun is in exploring what actions players can take and get away with.
8 Reasons Why You Should Play Kenshi
Kenshi offers a desolate open-world survival experience. Here are some great reasons why you should play this unique game.
Kenshi is all about forming a squad, managing resources, and researching for upgrades. There are alliances to make or factions to oppose, and then facing the consequences of both actions. The level of immersion in Kenshi is another thing that sets it apart — characters won’t heal injuries instantly, and there’s no magic.
4 Project Zomboid
A Game That Tasks Players To Survive But Doesn’t Tell Them How To Do It
Project Zomboid
- Released
- November 8, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- The Indie Stone
- Publisher(s)
- The Indie Stone
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC
Finding originality in zombie games is tough. However, Project Zomboid refreshingly eclipses every generic trope in the genre. The game is all about surviving the unpredictability of the apocalypse and managing the average Joe and Jane. The gritty realism and random chaos add a constant layer of tension to the gameplay. However, that’s just scratching the surface of the content in Project Zomboid.
Players have to make use of the different characters’ skill sets and coordinate the group to optimize survival. Finding firearms is a double-edged sword — they’re efficient zombie killers, but the sound attracts large hordes. The crafting mechanic, vehicle maintenance, food foraging, and ultimately dealing with psychological and medical conditions will keep players guessing, but the game won’t ever tell them what to do about it.
3 Disco Elysium
Remarkable Use Of Complexity In A Point-And-Click Format That Will Stump Most Players
Disco Elysium
- Released
- October 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- ZA/UM
- Publisher(s)
- ZA/UM
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia
A true diamond among gems, Disco Elysium is going to leave gamers scratching their heads. The difficulty is not in the combat, but in the narrative branching freedom and skill checks that the game won’t tell players about. Disco Elysium’s gameplay is all about reading texts and making judgment calls depending on the information and context. While the game advertises the role of a detective, there are a lot of ways to screw it up or become someone vile.
16 Dialogue-Heavy RPGs To Play If You Liked Disco Elysium
There are some great games out there that feature dialogue-heavy storylines like Disco Elysium. Here are some prime examples.
The interrogation for solving cases can vary wildly depending on the approach and dialogue choices. Disco Elysium also greatly benefits from a unique aesthetic and soundtrack that gives it a hauntingly beautiful vibe. Failure is part of the experience as the game encourages experimentation.
2 Subnautica
Scary Depths, Aquatic Alien Fauna, And The Surreal Feeling Of Getting Lost With No Directions
Subnautica
- Released
- January 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Gearbox Publishing
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
There are few open-world games as scary as Subnautica. A huge chunk of why it’s so unsettling is that it literally thrusts players into deep waters. There is a sense of disorientation from the get-go, but the fear of the unknown keeps ramping up. As players traverse the alien planet's ocean, there are hostile threats and strange flora to watch out for. Without any cohesive plot, elaborate cutscenes, or any idea where to go, the goal is to find shelter and survive.
Blueprints and resource mining help with crafting upgrades, vehicles, and base-building. Oxygen reserve, food, and water are also key survival components of the gameplay. Subnautica's audio design constantly keeps players on edge, and the surface-to-water transition is a fear-inducing spectacle.
1 Shadow Of The Colossus
The Pinnacle Representation Of Video Games As An Art Form That Trusts Players To Discover
Shadow of the Colossus
- Released
- October 18, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Team Ico
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Computer Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2
Shadow Of The Colossus is a masterpiece video game that won’t ever tell players what to do. Heck, the game’s so intentionally vague, it’s got a whole language specifically designed for it. The game’s otherworldly and desolate aesthetic has a bizarre feel. Even though the vast map is mostly empty and barren, it is dripping with a melancholic atmosphere.
The mammoth Colossi in Shadow Of The Colossus are gigantic humanoid or anthropomorphic creatures with weak spots. Players have to slay each one to progress the story. But with their massive size and weird physiology, locating them and climbing to their weak spots is the challenge. Each requires a different strategy through trial and error, as the game will never explicitly inform players of anything.