Summary
From overstuffedAAA open-worldsto action games with a front-loaded story, all the way tocomplex strategy titleswith text-heavy tutorials, there are a variety of experiences out there that take much too long to get to the actual fun. However, indie games, with their smaller scales and typically specific niches, are more commonly able to get to the point.
These titles often feature cold opens and intuitive controls, allowing them to drop players in at the deep end and quickly figure it out for themselves. Other games feature such streamlined designs and/or lack of narrative that a lengthy tutorial or heap of exposition is simply unnecessary.
After a brief moment to set up the context of the game,Dredgethrows players behind the wheel of a ramshackle boat and lets them loose on the open waters of a haunted archipelago. Within minutes, players can expect to be soaking inthe melancholic atmosphere, enjoying the tactile controls of the boat and the intuitive gameplay of the fishing mini-games.
From the instantly enigmatic nature of the game’s world and the plot within to the immediacy with which players are given control,Dredgewastes no time getting to the point. It certainly helps that the game is accessible, but it’s the element of mystery and often tranquil atmosphere that makeDredgeeasy to get into.
This iconictop-down shooterwears its unsettling heart on its sleeve from the very beginning, with its creepy characters and overt violence on full display. The tutorial is brisk, followed by a snappy introduction to the narrative that soon leads players on a synth-wave whirlwind of brutal violence.
Hotline Miamifeatures sensitive, snappy, and ultimately expressive controls that are easy to learn but hard to master. The speed of the game in particular takes a little getting used to, but once players lock in with the game’s mechanics and thumping music, they’re sure to find themselves in a hypnotic flow. More importantly, the first mission ofHotline Miamiplays very similarly to the last, withthe cryptic narrativeand a steady difficulty curve providing much of the motivation to keep going.
Balatrois aroguelike deck-builderthat gets players into the game quickly through familiar, Poker-inspired gameplay and a score-attack structure. The lack of enemy characters means players don’t need to memorize attack patterns or weaknesses, instead focusing on scoring as high as possible by making efficient use of each hand.
This simplicity allowsBalatroto be an immediately fun little card game. However, it soon expands into a deeply strategic deck-builder once players begin acquiring special cards and Jokers, which provide a wild array of passive boons.
With its snappy and wholly efficient tutorial level and elegant, minimalist design,Thronefallhas practically been built to get players into the action as fast as possible. Featuringtower-defense gameplaywith minimalist, intuitive RTS mechanics that have players controlling their armies from the ground,Thronefallmanages to be a tactile and immediately fun strategy game.
The combination of many interlocking but equally accessible mechanics ensures thatThronefallis both complex and intuitive. The day/night cycle ofThronefallhas players building during the day and defending from waves of enemies at night, reaping the benefits of economic structures the following morning. This loop provides an immediate reward for very little player input, but the financial decisions of players can still have a meaningful impact over time.
As a boomer-shooter,CULTICwill be an immediately familiar experience to many. However, even for newcomers to the genre, it manages to offer immediate fun. This is thanks in large part to the game’s cold open, which drops players straight into the action with little preparation.
CULTIC’stutorial is made up of a variety of brief prompts, and the streamlined mechanics ensure there’s never much to learn at once. Instead, the fun comes immediately from the expressive movement controls and a drip-fed arsenal of powerful weaponry.
DUSKis a throwback shooter with a retro style that pays homage to classic 90s shooters such asQuakewhile sporting an atmosphere that feels lovingly ripped from a combination ofStalkergames and 80s horror films. The familiarity of its fast-paced FPS combat allows the game to be immediately fun, but even newcomers will likely enjoy the blunt cold open of its first mission.
Immediately putting players at odds with chainsaw-wielding cultists and arming them with a mere pair of sickles,DUSKinstantly throws players into the fire. The tense and frantic battle that follows sets players up for the rest of the game, supported by a steadily growing arsenal of weapons and creative level designs.
Turn-based tactics games can be a little front-loaded with complex systems and information. Games such asDarkest Dungeon, for example, maybe a little too difficult for newcomers to immediately find fun, with its unforgiving structure and abundance of character abilities. However,Tactical Breach Wizardsavoids this with an elegant design that drip-feeds intuitive mechanics and abilities while slowly introducing new characters.
This is only elevated from the start by a slick tutorial that sets up the urban fantasy world and the narrative within while simultaneously teaching the basics. The small scale of the game’s combat encounters and the clear, concise goals of each level also ensure the game gets a running start.
Combining elements of 90s shooters, immersive sims, and first-person brawlers,Fallen Acesis a truly unique mash-up of intuitive game mechanics and open-ended-level design that gets off to a great start. The immediately impressive and wonderfully pulpy comic-book presentation certainly helps, but it’s the game’s stylish cutscenes and excellent opening mission that seals the deal.
Waking up in bed to the sound of a ringing phone and quickly given control of a moaning, groaning protagonist,Fallen Acesgives players the freedom to explore the environment right away. This opening section gives players plenty of time to read helpful notes, learn the controls, and enjoy the excellent music. Answering the incessant phone gives players an ominous message: men are out to kill them. Moments later, two thugs pound on the door. Combat soon follows, and it only escalates from there.
