Looking for games with unique core mechanics

zirzedolta@lemm.ee to Gaming@beehaw.org – 123 points –

I'm requesting for recommendations for games that stand out from the rest in their genre, and not in the sense of being the best game in that niche but actually bringing something new and innovative to the table. I've not had much experience in gaming, but I have a few games to give you a hint on what I am talking about:

  • Superhot: Time only moves when you do
  • Viewfinder: Convert 2D pictures seamlessly into interactive 3D environments
  • Superliminal: Change size of objects by working with perception
  • Portal: Portals
  • Scribblenauts: Summon objects by describing them in a notepad

I am not focused on the story, no. of hours of playtime, date of release or its popularity. It just needs to be playable and be enjoyable (and be available in PC).

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Tunic is incredibly unique and I can't say I've played anything like it. On the surface it's a classic dungeon crawler zelda inspired thing, but once you play.... Really any amount of it, you start to see past the veil and the real game is revealed to you. Even after completing the entire game and all achievements, there is technically more of the game available to be explored.

Outer Wilds (not to be confused with Obsidian's Outer Worlds) will be an absolute bliss for anyone who enjoyed portal or superliminal. It may be the single greatest puzzle/exploration game ever made, with no exaggeration.

Return of the Obra Dinn was a game that I could not put down. I played it in one sitting beginning to end. I was enthralled and I felt like Sherlock fucking Holmes. It is a very unassuming game but by God, you will be gripped. It stands up there with Outer Wilds as being a game that absolutely propelled itsself up to one of the best of its genre (this one being Mystery/Puzzle)

Bump for Outer Wilds. Genuinely an amazing and unique game. I've never seen another "found knowledge" game mechanic like this.

@Spood_Beest@lemm.ee @frank@sopuli.xyz

If you haven't played either of the other two games I mentioned, I think you'll thoroughly enjoy them. All 3 of the games are absolute masterclasses in how to hand the player knowledge that transforms their experience of the game, over and over again.

I've heard great things of outer wilds, just wishlisted it. I hadn't heard of Obra Dinner but it's Lucase Pope! The Papers, Please creator. Instant buy from me.

Thanks for the suggestions, my SO and I are stoked to delve into more mystery and confusion

If you remember me when you're done with the game(s) I'd love to hear what you think! Have fun!

Thanks! Playing through Return of Obra Dinn now. Really enjoying it so far. What a cool concept and it's so pretty!

Oh man, you weren't kidding about getting right on that shit! Glad you're enjoying!

Okay! I'm not sure anyone else will see this but Obra Dinn was fantastic.

Music was down and has been stuck in my head since. It's a cool murder mystery with such amazing imagery/creepy depictions of sea monsters. I really enjoyed how subtle some of the hints were and we felt like geniuses when we got something right

So glad you enjoyed! Did you 100% everything/get the "true" ending?

The music is SO good! And yes, 100% agree on feeling like a genius when you connect the more subtle dots!

We sure did. The endings besides that were not gonna work for this completionist household haha

Truly awesome. I know I am only an Internet stranger, but if you do play Outer Wilds I'd be thrilled to hear you and your partners thoughts!

I appreciate your recommendation, internet stranger, and I'm gonna pass it forward.

We will! Tis wishlisted :)

I so wholeheartedly agree with Tunic. It absolutely blew my mind to complete. I'd love to experience that again.