One thing that has always bothered me is the concept of creating a game that tries to cater to everyone. In my opinion, such a game ends up not appealing to anyone. Instead, I believe that games should be targeted towards specific audiences, rather than trying to please every player.
There's one game that immediately comes to mind as an example of doing this well: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The game's higher difficulty, combined with its incredibly rewarding gameplay and phenomenal combat from From Software, makes it highly appealing to a specific audience. While I'm a huge fan of the entire Souls series, Sekiro stands out the most to me when discussing this topic. Anyone who has played Sekiro knows from the start that it's not a game everyone will be able to finish; some players may not even defeat the first boss. There are no handholding mechanics or features that make the game easier, like summons and spirit ashes in Elden Ring. The only way to succeed in Sekiro is to fully immerse yourself and learn how the game is meant to be played. Even as someone who has completed every Souls game multiple times, I struggled in the beginning. But that's precisely what the fanbase seeks—a challenging experience.
I can't understand why some people go out of their way to write articles about how Sekiro needs an easy mode or boast about finishing the game using cheats. It's beyond me. In fact, it's one of the reasons I started my own blog in the first place.
At its core, video games are a form of art. And like any form of art, they aren't designed to appeal to everybody. There isn't a single song, movie, or painting in the world that can resonate with every individual.
I plan to write multiple parts on this topic, and what I've discussed here is just a small piece to give you an idea of my perspective and what motivates me. I will delve into detail about all the elements that can make a game truly great or contribute significantly to the overall experience.
So, whether you agree or disagree with me, please leave a comment and share your opinion.
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