Unveiling Gamers' Ultimate Demand for In-Game Gear!

Gamers recently took to social media to criticize the practice of withholding the best items in games until the very end, singling out Pokemon Legends: Arceus as a prime example. While this may be acceptable in games with a New Game+ mode, it is perplexing that so many games employ this tactic even when they lack such a feature.

Finding the right way to reward players for their achievements is a challenge that many game developers face. Balancing item progression is crucial. Distributing top-tier gear too early diminishes the sense of progression, while delaying its availability until late in the game denies players the chance to fully enjoy it. The most problematic scenarios involve games that require players to complete the entire game before accessing the best items.

In a Reddit post titled "Dear devs: stop giving me the best gear when there's nothing left to do," user Pender8911 addressed game developers, specifically mentioning Pokemon Legends: Arceus as a prime example of the problem. This action RPG, set to release in 2022, boasts 242 Pokemon, including the prominent Arceus. However, players don't obtain Arceus until they complete the main storyline and must accomplish the task of uncovering secrets and capturing all other Pokemon to unlock Arceus' Plates. Unfortunately, by that stage, players find themselves with no meaningful activities remaining in the game.

Moreover, the Reddit user rejected the notion that games must offer rewards at the conclusion to keep players engaged. They argue that if a game is truly captivating, players will naturally see it through, and if it fails to grip their interest, developers shouldn't rely on incentives to retain disinterested players. Furthermore, the user contended that games like Pokemon Legends: Arceus should unquestionably incorporate a New Game+ option, leaving no valid excuse for its absence.

The item progression in various games was discussed in a Reddit post. Fans mentioned Far Cry 3 and Half-life 2 as examples of games that allowed players ample time to utilize the best weapons. On the other hand, Assassin's Creed: Valhalla's Odin's Spear was brought up as a negative example, as players had to complete almost everything in the base game to acquire it. The Sword of Aeons in Lionhead's Fable initially required defeating the final boss, but this was rectified in the re-release of The Lost Chapters. However, the Sword of Aeons was weakened and new items with similar issues were introduced.

As some commenters noted, many games use this technique to entice players to purchase DLC. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the DLC itself is compelling enough that it doesn't necessitate withholding base-game items.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available on Nintendo Switch.