Summary
- Simple game designs can offer immediate fun and easy learning curves, catering to a wide range of gamers.
- Immersive horror experiences like Lethal Company excel with streamlined structures despite minimalism.
- The simplicity of games like DREDGE and Post Void allows for accessible yet engaging gameplay experiences.
While complex systems and game mechanics can be used to great effect, there’s something to be said for a more simple design. Complicated games can offer great replay value and diverse gameplay, but this often comes at the cost of a steep learning curve.
Simple games, on the other hand, are often able to offer immediate fun with easy-to-learn gameplay and a fast pace. From the co-operative horror of Lethal Company to the streamlined gameplay of HROT, there’s something here for all kinds of gamers.
8
Lethal Company
Simple But Immersive Horror
Lethal Company is a relatively minimalist game, offering an immersive horror experience that excels with its streamlined structure and co-operative play. What elevates Lethal Company‘s simple design, however, is both its immersive atmosphere and emergent gameplay.
This emergent gameplay is facilitated by a wide variety of unique monsters, each with their own behavior. This offers dynamic challenges despite the simple gameplay, preventing the game from becoming stale over time.
7
HROT
A Bare-Bones FPS With A Unique Tone
HROT is a simplistic first-person shooter with an old-school style, both in its gameplay and art direction. Taking on a decidedly brown look, HROT‘s visuals won’t be for everyone, but the game still offers a unique and palpable atmosphere that excels with its minimalism.
Like its visuals, HROT‘s FPS action is remarkably stripped back, allowing for clean and accessible gameplay that remains dynamic throughout. Best of all, this simple design allows the game’s winning sense of place to stand out all the more.
6
DREDGE
Minimalist But Addictive Gameplay
DREDGE is an open-world fishing game with gameplay as minimalist as its tranquil art-style, offering a relaxing combination of simple mini-games and light exploration. While there are small expansions to the gameplay over time, DREDGE can get repetitive, but it’s a flow that many players are sure to enjoy.
The simplistic design is also tremendously intuitive, and this simple gameplay allows DREDGE to be an immediately accessible and consistently relaxing experience. As a result, DREDGE is perfect for gamers looking for a less demanding title, though there are some horror elements at play.
5
ANIMAL WELL
A Quiet & Atmospheric Exploration Game
While it’s dense with creative ideas and bursting with imagination, Animal Well is a remarkably streamlined experience that makes perfect use of simple gameplay in order to immerse players in its exotic world. What results is an immersive and mysterious adventure through thick and neon-painted pixel-art environments.
Animal Well is driven by puzzles and exploration, offering a simple structure that remains engaging thanks to its non-linear nature. This streamlined approach is complemented perfectly by simple controls that allow for immediate immersion and accessible fun.
4
Post Void
A Simple But Frantic FPS
Post Void reveals itself almost immediately, thrusting players into a gauntlet of fast-paced action from minute one. Being a roguelike, this continues indefinitely until players become bored or frustrated, and Post Void works tirelessly to ensure that if it’s going to be either, it’ll be the latter.
But, similar to games such as Hotline Miami, Post Void is so brutally paced that it’s hard to be frustrated for long; it’s so easy to snap back into another run through its crucible of tight corridors and crazed enemies, a frenetic ride that works as well individually as it does when repeated.
3
Left 4 Dead 2
A Streamlined Co-Op Experience
Left 4 Dead 2 is a classic co-op horror game that emphasizes teamwork above all else. In this title, players blitz through a variety of campaigns, fighting against hordes of undead. These hordes also contain a variety of special enemies that force players to adapt and work together in order to survive.
However, Left 4 Dead 2 remains remarkably simple thanks to stripped-back FPS action that keeps each level fast-flowing. This allows for a breezy experience that’s perfect for co-op, taking little to no time to get started and even less time to ramp up.
2
Thronefall
A Minimalist Combination Of RTS & Tower Defense
Thronefall is a simple experience, but it escapes oversimplicity by effortlessly combining elements from multiple genres. Tower/base defense, real-time strategy, and even light action elements are all at play in Thronefall, and they are all elegantly implemented.
The use of simple gameplay in Thronefall is perfect, as it takes a standard structure and twists typically complex mechanics to fit its more accessible approach. As a result, Thronefall manages to be both accessible and engaging.
1
Spelunky 2
A Difficult But Intuitive Experience
Spelunky 2 is an action roguelike all about delving into dangerous caverns, overcoming enemies and hazards alike, and making it out alive if possible. Doing so is easier said than done, but Spelunky 2 remains accessible via its perfect use of simple gameplay.
The controls are tremendously intuitive, but they also allow for a great deal of player expression via both exploration and combat. Furthermore, the game’s structure and systems are simple but interlocking, offering gameplay that’s streamlined but dynamic. As a result, Spelunky 2 manages to offer both accessibility and challenge.
