10 Dumb Video Game Mechanics We Should've Hated

9. Guiding Wind - Ghost Of Tsushima

the legend of zelda tears of the kingdom
Sucker Punch Productions

As open-world titles continue to grow in size, it's no surprise players regularly find themselves getting lost. Because of this, these games often have a system to ensure the player doesn't stray off-course.

Although this is helpful, it can ruin the immersion. Instead of letting the player explore, most games just tell them where to go with a big fat arrow or a glowing landmark in the distance. (Classic titles like BioShock fall into this trap.)

Fortunately, Ghost of Tshusima has a mechanic which resolves this issue. Rather than relying on unsubtle indicators to locate the next destination, the player can use Guiding Wind. By activating this mode, natural elements like dirt, foliage, pollen, and yes, the wind, will blow towards your goal.

Although following leaves doesn't sound captivating, this simple tool assists the player without being distracting. It's so subtle, the player wouldn't notice Guiding Wind if it wasn't mentioned.

While playing Ghost of Tsushima, this was probably the mechanic most players were the least interested in. But after seeing how effortlessly it blends into the gameplay, it would be great to see a similar set-up in more open-world titles.

Contributor
Contributor

James Egan has written 80 books including 1000 Facts about Superheroes Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Horror Movies Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about The Greatest Films Ever Made Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Video Games Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about TV Shows Vol. 1-3 Twitter - @jameswzegan85