The Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077 Mechanic More Games Need To Steal

Many modern games suffer from excessively long and repetitive tutorial sections, often stifling the player’s eagerness to dive into the core gameplay loop. This article highlights the effective tutorial approaches in Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077, suggesting valuable lessons for game developers.

Elden Ring’s Intuitive Approach to Learning

Elden Ring challenges players to quickly master the mechanics. Instead of a traditional, step-by-step tutorial, FromSoftware strategically places a tutorial at the bottom of a pit. This encourages players to learn as they go, using the game’s challenging combat system as the primary learning tool.

• Intuitive Learning: Players are expected to pick up the basics without a lengthy instruction segment.
• “Tough but Fair” Combat: The difficulty encourages exploration and discovery of effective strategies.
• Direct Access: Experienced players can bypass the pit and directly engage in the game’s vast world.
• Emphasis on Player Agency: The player is not forced to learn in a prescribed manner, leading to a greater sense of autonomy in the game.

Cyberpunk 2077’s Efficient Level-Up System

Cyberpunk 2077 stands out for its convenient level-up system. Players can start the game directly in Night City at a higher level, eliminating tedious onboarding and enabling quick access to the game’s expansive world.

• Fast-Paced Entry: Players can avoid the game’s lengthy introduction and start exploring immediately.
• Level-Based Progression: A higher starting level allows players to engage in more advanced gameplay without unnecessary delays.
• Replayability Incentive: This approach motivates replaying for different choices and storylines instead of getting bogged down in initial setup.
• Skippable Intro Option: The expansion pack offers the option to skip the base game intro, further promoting faster exploration.

Lessons for Game Developers

These examples demonstrate how developers can streamline the player experience. By focusing on intuitive design, and efficient methods of introducing mechanics and systems, developers can deliver engaging games with a quicker onboarding process.

• Embrace Difficulty: Use the game’s inherent challenges to teach players essential mechanics.
• Fast-Forward Options: Allow returning players to bypass tedious tutorials.
• Intuitive Mechanics: Design the learning curve so that players naturally grasp the fundamentals.
• Flexible Entry Points: Provide alternative entry points to the game for experienced players or those seeking quicker engagement.

Examples of Poor Tutorial Design

Conversely, many open-world games suffer from excessively long and drawn-out tutorials. This aspect can hinder the player’s enjoyment and engagement with the game world.

• Skyrim and GTA V: Both games have multiple re-releases with no substantial means for returning players to skip the introductory areas.
• Red Dead Redemption 2: The game’s long, mandatory prologue is a barrier for returning players wanting to dive into the main gameplay.
• Metal Gear Solid V: The opening gameplay is engaging but becomes tedious on subsequent playthroughs.

These examples highlight how tutorials can sometimes hinder the overall player experience when not designed effectively.

The Importance of Intuitive Tutorials

Effective tutorials are crucial for players to quickly grasp the gameplay and experience the core mechanics. Intuitive systems, such as those highlighted in Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077, make a substantial difference in overall player enjoyment.

• Reduced Frustration: Well-designed tutorials aid players in quickly understanding the game’s core systems.
• Increased Engagement: Intuitive mechanics make players more likely to continue playing and exploring.
• Better Replayability: Simplified onboarding facilitates return visits by experienced players.
• Focus on Core Experience: Effective tutorials prioritize immersion into the game world and gameplay loops.

By learning from these examples, game developers can create more user-friendly and engaging experiences for players. This, in turn, promotes greater satisfaction and deeper engagement with the game’s core mechanics and gameplay.

Ultimately, the key is to allow players to quickly become immersed in the game world, rather than getting bogged down in extensive tutorials.