I’m not sure if this is controversial or not - but I (mostly) don’t like games that are primarily set underground.

There are a few exceptions to this, Dungeon Keeper and The Binding of Isaac spring to mind, but mostly I find it actively discouraging. Perhaps it’s a desire to explore under the sky, perhaps it’s that it feels claustrophobic, or perhaps it’s the gloom.

I don’t have a problem with the dark or claustrophobia in the real world, so it’s not that. Anything that involves dungeon crawling immediately puts me off. I don’t want to go down into the dark! I want to be outside!

I wasn’t a fan of the Metro series until Exodus, I bounced off Recettear as soon as the dungeon element was introduced. Anything that wants me to spend an extended period underground with monsters is just a massive turn-off for me. Sewer levels and the like also have this, to a lesser extent.

Anyone else have this specific dislike?

  • owenfromcanada@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    1 month ago

    For me, outside correlates with an open world, and underground correlates with a linear progression. I generally prefer the vibe of open world stuff. Underground stuff can sometimes have a lot less variation as well, which can get tiring. The general vibe is often designed to have a somewhat oppressive feel.

    Another difference is the sense of being cut off from a safe place (whether real or imagined)–outside feels more flexible with retreating to safety or restocking supplies while dungeons can limit your ability to “return to home base” as it were. I disliked dungeons a lot more when I was younger, turned out to be a generalized anxiety disorder. I enjoy a wider variety of games these days.

    Out of curiosity, have you played Baldur’s Gate 3? There’s a large area that would be interesting to see what you think of it.

    • Flamekebab@piefed.socialOP
      2·
      1 month ago

      It’s an odd one for me. I think it’s related to how I like to spend my relaxation time. I don’t want any significant challenge (I have lots of other stuff in my life that scratches that itch, often too much…) and I don’t want to be particularly uncomfortable. I hate games that try to grade my performance (league tables, onscreen timers, ranking systems). I’m not necessarily bad at them - I just do not like the approach.

      I’ve not played Baldur’s Gate 3, unfortunately, so I can’t comment on that.

      I’m trying to figure out why I don’t find The Binding of Isaac uncomfortable. It might be because I disable the oppressive soundtrack and know that the maps are actually quite sprawling, often with many ways to approach problems. Hmmm…