I have recently played 3 games that have forced a lengthy, unskippable tutorial section that runs for several hours of the game, just to unlock the most basic functions like buying the items, customizing features, multiplayer, and even 2-player split screen modes.
For 2 of these games (Armored Core 6 and Gran Turismo 7), the major draw for me was the MP and I haven’t even gotten to check out MP yet because it’s locked out until you get passed a certain point in the progression system. Fuckin’ why do any developers do this? I just wanted to play with my sister but we have to get through most of the fucking game before we are allowed to do the multiplayer modes. Such bullshit.
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My favorite tutorial was in STALKER. The guy gives you a pistol and tells you good luck.
Halo does it that way too
Even in Halo, there’s a bit of a movement tutorial to get to the bridge and get the gun.
STALKER opens with a dialog screen and “hey want to kill some bandits for me?”
Halo makes a point of limiting the enemy and weapons sandbox on the first level, and does have a few explicit tutorial moments, mostly around melee and grenades.
The original Super Mario Brothers’ first level is the best tutorial ever made. It teaches you every function of the game right in that first level, without holding your hand or even telling you it’s a tutorial.
MegaMan Xis what I think of for the ghost tutorial.
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I guess another example of the Portal technique, where the teaching moments are blended into gameplay, is Cocoon. It takes that concept to an extreme.
Can’t wait for a sequel/DLC tho.