wispikat

They do different things for me.

PoE satisfies my creative side in the sense that I can find say, a great unique item, or support gem, want to make a cool build out of it, and give that a shot. I also love that the endgame experience is highly customizable (in the form of hideout, as well as map-running choices, atlas passives, etc)

I’m only level ~40 or so in D4 so take this with a grain of salt – although D4 doesn’t appear to have nearly the same level of customizability that PoE does, what it does offer me is an enormous world I can explore pretty much from the get-go. PoE is extremely linear, all throughout. Another thing D4 does really well is the feeling of its combat. Basic skills being a free, but weaker skill to help generate resource to more infrequently use a Core skill is a satisfying recipe, IMO. PoE would often feel like a screen clearing stomp-fest (and, at times, require it) and even though that can be satisfying in its own way, it’s more fun for me if I feel like I have to struggle and claw my way into wins.

TUNIC, FEZ, Nier Automata, Outer Wilds.

I also have a soft spot for Paper Mario and TTYD, those soundtracks are full of bops

this is probably mine, too. i really, really wanted to like it… don’t know why it never clicked with me, but part of me suspects it’s the general aesthetic. i just feel like that whole “medieval” open world look is so overdone. maybe i’m expecting too much.

So many.

Hollow Knight, Celeste, Outer Wilds, Subnautica, Stardew Valley, Slay the Spire and Zachtronics games likely need no introduction. Then there’s also…

Bug Fables. Incredibly satisfying Paper Mario-like which has thrived into its own thing.

Baba is You/Environmental Station Alpha, hempuli games. The former you’ve likely heard of, a logic Sokobon with truly mindbending puzzles deeper within (and a level editor!! god, I could gush about level editors for hours). ESA is an older hempuli metroidvania. If you’re a fan of that genre, it’s among the best.

Caves of Qud – the best true roguelike IMO. It has so much flavor.

Slime Rancher [2], my beloved serotonin game.

Against the Storm, really well polished citybuilder that emphasizes the first few hours of citybuilding. It’s a bit hard to explain here, but I’d suggest looking into it if you’re a fan!

Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga, my personal favorite tactical RPG.

I could go on but I gotta draw the line somewhere…