dmir

I'm a big No Man's Sky shill, and yeah, the game can be repetitive and shallow, but it can offer some sense of fun casual progression that can last longer if you set big goals (like making tons of money to hunt for the perfect freighter or something).

And it's the beauty of it. It doesn't expect much of you, doesn't want you sink hundreds of hours into a single mechanic or aspect for whatever reason. Instead, you just have a bunch of fun little things to do, some interconnected, but mostly like toys, just some novelties to engage with to whatever degree you're willing to. If you like building and have the patience and the imagination, you're going on a spree or massive project that starts with finding the perfect spot (which is easier said than done because there's plenty to choose from) and likely doesn't end because there's always something else to add or brush up. Same for Corvettes (new starship class, think like Starfield ship building).

And now there's even more stuff to do with space bases, player-ownable space stations, asteroid bases.

I think it's the perfect "play pretend" game where you imagine yourself as someone living out in a world where space travel is trivial and mundane, just a means to an end, and you choose one or multiple ends, like piracy or fighting piracy or mining or bulk trading, etc., going in for as much as you'd like. Again, like playing with toys as a child and imagining things.

I'm finding the progression to be very smart - earlier levels felt more difficult actually because I wasn't accustomed to the way the developers set things up. I can't describe it too well, but as you keep solving stuff, you kind of know what to expect and have the idea of the what the solution might look like sooner, and you sort of work backwards from there.

If you want more puzzles, The Witness is also a great title. Although I found it to be downright maddening at times despite being able to beat it. I really like the variety of puzzles there, realy unique in that regard and its design. Hunting for secrets and extra stuff there takes lot, tol, though, but it's all so beautiful and rewarding.

Is The Talos Principle old enough to end up here? If it is, then I'm recommending it with great ease. Feels like such a great puzzler with little to no action or reflexes required, a lovely magnitudes of secrets to hunt, both apparently tied to progression and just Easter eggs, and a lot of optional reading if you're into lore-diving.

It's from Croteam, the people behind Serious Sam, although I can't say how much of the original crew worked on The Talos Principle. Still, their own engine offers itself very well to puzzle-solving and exploration through walking (or sprinting).

Such a gem.

The many that don't realize either actually do realize and play the game because they don't see or believe in another way, or they're also ghouls. Temporarily embarrassed millionaires and all that.

If Devolver Digital actually goes back to being private and uses the money they claim it will save well, that'll be a good story of choosing lasting value and client relationship over short-term monetary gains, which is rare and and hopeful, but especially awesome with these guys, because I love the games they publish.

But you're so right - I, too, wish the rest of the world would do the same. Maybe that'd lead to a more stable world that wouldn't seem impossible to thrive in without excessive hoarding and hostility to anyone else.