Best Games That Do Trial And Error Gameplay Well

Trial-and-error is an unfortunate reality in video games and is an often criticized part of game design. However, it's extremely common, and this is likely because trial-and-error gameplay creates tension, as the player is punished for using the wrong solution. A game without punishment for errors results in similar experiences to those seen in the cozy-game genre or walking simulators. There are exceptions, certainly, but trial-and-error is almost unavoidable in challenging games.

Related

20 Classic Point & Click Games That Still Hold Up Well Today

Point and click adventures may have fallen out of favor recently, but these genre-defining classics still hold up surprisingly well despite their age.

Posts 1

Thankfully, designers have figured out how to twist trial-and-error gameplay to make it much more enjoyable than that of old-school adventure games, for example. Games that allow fans to play with multiple solutions are usually the best at this, such as sandbox games that encourage creativity, as well as RPGs and roguelites that allow for multiple synergies and builds.

1 Hades

Rich Storytelling And Rewarding Meta-Progression Make Dying Less Painful

Trial and error are inherent to the roguelike genre, as players are generally given very little direction and must devise their own solutions to each challenge they come across. Many challenges in roguelikes require very specific solutions, while others are more open to interpretation. Regardless, knowledge is key in these games, and this can only be gained through repeatedly attempting whatever crucible is on offer.

Related

10 Best Roguelite Games, Ranked

The roguelite genre is home to some of the best games around, whether due to their engaging mechanics, addictive combat, or compelling storylines.

Posts 6

By  Eduardo Ariedo

Roguelites, on the other hand, tend to offer players some form of meta-progression between runs. This alleviates the pressure of an otherwise trial-and-error structure by ensuring that the game gets progressively easier even if the player fails to find a better solution. Hades is one such game, and arguably one of the best examples, as it simultaneously offers players fragments of a well-crafted narrative, providing players with another incentive to keep going. As a result of its unique blend of rich storytelling, meta-progression, and roguelite action, Hades is one of the most accessible and rewarding roguelites on the market.

2 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Sandbox Stealth And A Rich Variety Of Options Allow Players To Adapt

This fifth installment in the iconic Metal Gear Solid franchise is a well-crafted combination of action and stealth gameplay. Furthermore, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain manages to make the traditionally frustrating trial-and-error gameplay of stealth games a consistently fun experience. The Phantom Pain does this by giving the player a broad variety of options at all times, allowing players to not only create a plan of attack but adapt when it inevitably goes wrong.

Many stealth games punish players for messing up and/or getting caught out by enemies, but The Phantom Pain is arguably at its best when players have to think on their feet. Coming up with a new plan on the fly amid the chaos of guns blazing and explosions erupting is a truly unique experience that makes the error in trial-and-error a lot less frustrating. Even if they fail, players are almost guaranteed to go out with a bang.

3 HITMAN: World Of Assassination

Immersive-Sim Inspirations And Sandbox Gameplay Make Repetition Fun

The Hitman games are notorious for their well-crafted, trial-and-error gameplay that rewards repetition and encourages players to replay levels, even after they've already succeeded. It does this primarily through its immersive-sim inspirations, which allow it to offer players a sandbox to play in within each level. Open environments packed with unique areas and possible solutions are a common occurrence in Hitman's design, and arguably a key factor in why it's so popular, and this makes attempting levels multiple times less of a chore, and more of an opportunity to try new things.

There are a variety of Hitman games on the market, all of which do trial-and-error gameplay quite well, and every Hitman fan has a favorite. However, Hitman: World Of Assassination is the most recent and arguably most accessible game, and it also includes the roguelike "Freelancer" mode that emphasizes Hitman's trial-and-error gameplay even more.

4 ​​​​​​Dark Souls

Bosses And Enemies That Punish Brute Force And Reward Patience

Many, if not all, of FromSoftware's Dark Souls games feature trial-and-error gameplay that rewards patience and practice. Dark Souls is a notoriously difficult game, and this is primarily due to its variety of challenging bosses and enemies that can be overwhelming for new players to overcome.

Related

The 21 Best Soulslike Games On Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch owners who enjoy the challenge of Soulslike games have several great options to choose from for the console.

Posts

By  Ritwik Mitra

The main reason that trial-and-error exists within Dark Souls is the way its bosses are designed. Many bosses (and enemies) in the game cannot be beaten with brute force, especially when playing with some form of melee build. As a result of this, players are forced to learn the attack patterns and timings of each boss, making trial-and-error an inherent part of the gameplay. While this trial-and-error approach to design makes Dark Souls less accessible, and many players are likely to bounce off of it, it's arguably a key factor in what makes Dark Souls (and its successors) so rewarding.

5 Kerbal Space Program

A Space-Sim Sandbox In Which Failing Is Part Of The Job

This heavily simulated space sandbox has players building their rockets before (hopefully) launching them into space. However, even if players manage to get their rocket off of the launch pad, they'll still need to learn how to operate it. Furthermore, they'll have to learn how to break out of the atmosphere, as well as how to maneuver in space itself. There's a lot of learning and experimentation to be done, and the game requires players to engage with its systems and pay attention as they play. To succeed requires patience and dedication, and that's likely to throw some players off.

Thankfully, though, failing in Kerbal Space Program is usually an entertaining affair. This is thanks to the game's humorous, light-hearted tone, as well as the fact that failing usually means players get to watch a mighty explosion.

More

Kerbal Space Program: How To Construct Your First Successful Rocket

Building a rocket in Kerbal Space Program is no easy feat for beginners. Here's everything players need to know to undertake this task.

Posts

By  Jordan McEvoy