The heads-up display, more commonly referred to simply as the HUD, has become a staple feature within the gaming world. Considering how brutally difficult a lot of games from the '80s and '90s were at the time, having a HUD to point players in the right direction was a way to help make games a little more enjoyable and easier to follow. With that being said, having a giant mini-map or even a visible crosshair does also come at the cost of breaking immersion, reminding players that they are still playing a video game at the end of the day.
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Most modern games, however, now give players the option to disable the HUD altogether, or to at least tone it down enough so that it doesn't clutter the screen. Considering how hyperrealistic many video games look these days, disabling the heads-up display allows players to feel like they are truly living in the world that they are playing. This especially applies to these excellent titles below, which are definitely at their most enjoyable when the HUD is nowhere to be seen.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Venture Through Hyrule Without Getting Distracted By On-Screen Icons
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
Considering how incredible Tears of the Kingdom looks from a visual perspective, Nintendo made sure to dial down the HUD so that players could immerse themselves in the wonderful land of Hyrule as much as possible. However, while the HUD may already be inimalistic as a result of this, it's still well worth entering the settings and disabling it entirely, and there are a few reasons why. For starters, Tears of the Kingdom is without a doubt one of the best-looking games on the Nintendo Switch, especially with the Switch 2 upgrade, which greatly enhances the visuals and frame rate.
Therefore, the best way to experience this wonderful world in all its natural glory is to switch off the markers and symbols, which will only get in the way of the jaw-dropping locales that Link can visit on his grand adventure. Another reason it's worth switching the HUD off is that it adds to the survival element of the gameplay. For example, rather than relying on a hot or cold indicator, players will need to pay careful attention to Link himself to determine whether he needs to change clothes or maybe eat a fiery pepper or two to heat himself up when traversing colder environments.
Battlefield 1
Experience The True Chaos Of An All-Out War Without Any Prompts Or Guidance
Battlefield 1
- Released
- October 21, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
While the Battlefield series has always been dedicated to providing a realistic and immersive wartime experience for players, Battlefield 1 took this to a whole new level. Whether it's the soldiers screaming out at the beginning of each new round, the absurdly realistic sound design, or even just the incredible level of environmental destruction, this game does everything it can to suck players into the experience. However, those who want to reach the maximum level of immersion definitely need to give the HUD a rest by switching it off in the settings menu.
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By having no minimap or objective indicator, each battle feels much more chaotic and realistic, while also drawing attention to the frankly outstanding graphics that relate to the maps and the soldiers. It should be noted that switching off the HUD is mostly advised for players who already have some experience with Battlefield 1, considering it does make it harder to tell which soldiers are teammates and which are enemies, but players who already have a firm grasp of the game and its mechanics will definitely get the most out of their matches by making this quick change.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Explore Skyrim At Your Leisure
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
When loading up a new save in Skyrim, it can be all too easy to obsess over reaching each of the objective markers that pop up on the map as quickly as possible. This can ultimately take away from the exploration, which is arguably what makes Skyrim so much fun in the first place. Having no HUD in Skyrim makes it much easier to get lost while traveling, and that's what makes it so much fun. This world is packed full of caves, temples, and villages that all contain their own set of unique enemies and goodies to uncover, but which can also all be ignored when players are only pursuing the main missions.
Bethesda's games have become well known for the amount of freedom they offer the player, and this is only amplified by disabling the heads-up display to make the world of Skyrim that much more believable. This especially applies to the modern ports of Skyrim, which are all a real feast for the eyes, making them easy to admire when there are no icons on the screen to draw the player's eyes away from what's right in front of them.
Metro Exodus
Players Must Rely On Their Basic Instincts To Survive The Monster-Ridden Surface
Metro Exodus
- Released
- February 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Considering the Metro games are all about trying to survive in a world that's gone to hell, it's understandable they would feature a pretty stripped-back HUD to make players feel on edge at all times. In Metro Exodus, though, players have the choice to take this a step further by starting the game in the Ranger Hardcore mode, which will not only make resources a lot more scarce but will also disable the HUD entirely. This forces players to be extra cautious when traversing each new area, as they must keep track of how many bullets they are using, and will also need to use their own intuition to uncover where they need to go next.
Of course, there will also be an army of radiation-ridden mutants that will make traveling from A to B extremely difficult, but at the end of the day, the anxiety and panic that come as a result of these creatures are a big reason why Metro Exodus has become so beloved. Ranger Hardcore mode provides a true test of skill that only the most hardened of survivors will be able to overcome, so it's definitely worth at least trying out.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Turn Red Dead 2 Into An Even More Immersive Cowboy Simulator
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Rockstar has always strived to make their games feel like real-life simulators, and there's no better example of this than Red Dead Redemption 2. It's clear that the developers went above and beyond to make the core gameplay feel as immersive and realistic as possible. With that being said, there is still a small group of symbols and icons in the corners of the screen, which, while helpful, can easily draw players out of the game because of how out of place they seem visually.
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While turning these symbols off does make the game a lot more challenging, it's well worth it, as it encourages players to be a lot more adventurous in their travels. For example, players will need to naturally learn the routes when moving between their camp and a nearby town, rather than just relying on the minimap. They will also need to keep track of Arthur's weight to ensure that he is eating the right food. All of this helps turn Red Dead Redemption 2 into a fully-fledged cowboy simulator where players are able to live out their dreams of being an outlaw without the game ever getting in their way.
The Last Of Us Part 2
Amplify The Horror While Increasing The Challenge
The Last of Us Part 2
- Released
- June 19, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
It's hard not to cower in fear when a Clicker or bloodthirsty infected human is hiding around the corner, but while this can already be terrifying enough in The Last of Us Part 2, the true horror comes when the HUD is nowhere to be seen. Without any tips or prompts showing up on the screen, it's fair to say that players will have the odds stacked against them, amplifying the intensity and impact of the scares tenfold in the process.
While The Last of Us Part 2 does feature a listening mechanic, which Ellie and Abby can use to spot enemies through walls, the game is far more enjoyable when players leave this mechanic untouched. Instead, the gameplay can feel much more engaging when players are required to listen for enemy footsteps and chatter to determine their location in the environment, allowing each kill to be that much more rewarding.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Players Must Rely On Their Skills To Defeat Each Boss Without Any Assistance
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Released
- March 22, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
It's no secret that Soulslike games are incredibly difficult, but this especially applies to Sekiro, where pulling off split-second parries to counter an enemy is more or less required of the player if they want to progress through the game. There's an immense satisfaction that comes with taking down a giant ogre or a dangerous swordsman after a grueling battle, but at the same time, having even the slightest advantage over the opponent can also end up dampening the thrill that comes once the fight is finally over.
This is exactly why so many people prefer to play Sekiro with no HUD, as this means every battle comes down to the player's skill and nothing else. Keeping track of item layouts and which prosthetic tool is currently equipped is extremely important for surviving the game's boss fights without a heads-up display. Those who manage to make it through to the end without using the HUD can stand proud and say that they completed the journey entirely on their own.
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