My current game rotation consists of the following:
Metroid Prime
LIMBO
Guacamelee (thought it’s been several weeks)
Pokemon LeafGreen
Looking over my list, it occurred to me that the varied games on this list have one thing in common: they are mostly directionless. LIMBO actually sticks out the most in this regard as it contains absolutely no narrative about where to go or what to do in the game. The other games contain hints about your next destinations, but none tell you specifically what paths to take to get to where you need to be. All the games have logical “forward” courses. In the 2D platformer LIMBO, with just a few exceptions, you can only go forward. In Metroid Prime, the game informs you regularly of your next goal, but you can ignore the computer in favor if exploring. Guacamelee in the “Metroidvania” style shows your next location on the map, but never says “GO THERE NOW!” And in Pokemon, with its top-down view, you aren’t really told where to go next – following trails will get you to where you need to be. But you’re free to explore, and you can travel to any past points as much as you like.
