next »

[Mittens]

Let's make a list of games that are actually just enjoyable experiences rather than some kind of tedious competency simulation.

Requirements:
No grind (or minimal grind)
No repetition for the sake of padding play-time ( eg. The Last of Us )
No accumulating fake currency with which you buy fake gear which will buff your fantasy self into someone well off and respected
No MOBAs
Nothing that your gut tells you is more work than play


Here I go trying to start the list:


-Octodad
-The Stanley Parable
-Journey
-Noby Noby Boy
-Push me Pull you
-Mario Kart
-Clairvoyance
-Gang Beasts
-Speed runners
-Flotilla
-Altitude
-Angvik
-Gunpoint
-Windosill
-World of Goo
-Portal
-Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
-The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
-All the Kirby games
-Grow Home
-Proteus
-Knytt Stories
-Frog Fractions
-Achtung, die Kurve!
-ICO
-Shadow of the Colossus
-Tengami
-Flower
-Shelter
-Limbo
-TellTale's The Walking Dead
-Jet Set Radio
-Nidhogg
-Towerfall Ascension
-Yoshi's Island
-Little Big Planet





Removed
-Dustforce
-Spelunky

[ProgramGamer]

I found A Link Between Worlds to be a very liberating experience with very little of the game feeling like "work" or "something I have to do". Puzzles are satisfying, upgrades and items give you meaningful powers and the value of rupees is actually very real in this game, as the amount of rupees you have directly influences the amount of items you can carry.

Anyways, I'm not trying to write a review or anything, I'm just saying the game is fun for fun.

[Nillo]

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

[Mittens]

I consider most puzzle games as tedious work, Braid and Portal are the only puzzle games where I've not felt like I was assigned the game as homework
I think I will refrain from putting any Zelda games on the list for now. I like Zelda games, but the fact that they are RPGs which involve collecting currency (to some degree), I don't think they fit this list

[s0]

I like Zelda games, but the fact that they are RPGs which involve collecting currency (to some degree), I don't think they fit this list

spelunkuhuy involves collecting currency

[ProgramGamer]

I would have included other Zelda games if I thought that they weren't RPG's. ALBW is an exception IMO in the world of Zelda games because it is pure adventure and almost no work.

Also, Spelunky is a roguelike. If you don't consider roguelikes work, I'm proposing The Binding Of Isaac as well.

[s0]

kirby i guess??

i dont get this thread

[Mittens]

I like Zelda games, but the fact that they are RPGs which involve collecting currency (to some degree), I don't think they fit this list

spelunkuhuy involves collecting currency

Yeah but you don't have to (I generally ignore all the gems/gold when I play)
and it's also lost immediately when you invariably die

The fact that the gold farming/grinding is not persistent or required makes it suitable for the list (yes my rules are vague)

Kirby is an excellent suggestion, I will add those games soon

[s0]

you never buy items from shops in spelunky?

ok ok ill shut up now

[Nillo]

you never buy items from shops in spelunky?

Buying items is a crutch, the best players steal everything

[Mittens]

The Zelda games are very well appreciated globally, they don't need to star on every list ever. I know you can technically justify most games you already like to suit this list but I just don't see the need to put the Zeldas on here when they are already appreciated for so many other things.

I'm being intentionally nit-picky to keep the size of the list somewhat manageable (There are 17 Zelda games guys, 17!)

[vinheim3]

Spelunky, Dustforce and Brothers all feel like working another job though. The first 2 because of skill acquisition/requirement and the last because you're trudging through a world that isn't really all that exciting.

I'd argue Dustforce is still great though, but getting better and achieving S ranks to someone new to the game will feel like working another job

As for spelunky, I've never liked roguelike-likes, they feel too repetitive, which is one of the things you listed



Off the top of my head, the Wario Land series. Each one keeps it fresh within stages, as well as keeping it fresh between games.

[ProgramGamer]

If your list is meant to feature games that are composed of intrinsically fun gameplay mechanics, it is not universal, because fun is subjective.

That was my two cents.

[mzn528]

Not sure if this violates any rule, but Souls series...?

One of the few games I actually have the patience to finish...multiple times.

[Canned Turkey]

Just adding what hasn't been said, you guys beat me to a few of my favorites.

Anything made by Nintendo (Fan-boy and proud)
Nuclear throne
Hotline Miami 1 & 2
Grow home
Proteus

[Canned Turkey]

you can play zelda without collecting rupies if you really wanted

this thread is dum

Almost every Zelda game requires you to buy a key item.
You're dum.

[Mittens]

Added Grow Home and Proteus

[FK in the Coffee]

Cave Story is incredibly fun, and while it can be challenging at times, it never felt like a chore to play.

Knytt Stories is also an absolute joy. So easy to get lost in it, and the gameplay is incredibly simple and stripped down, making the whole zen nature of the game much more prominent.

[Garrent]

Almost every Zelda game requires you to buy a key item.
You're dum.

no they don't

and this thread should be called "here's some games i personally like"

[Clockwise]

Don't have anything off the top of my head, just wanted to say I love this topic. I'll have to check out the games I haven't played yet that are on the list.

Edit: On further thought I think Antichamber would make a good addition to the list.