I DON’T mean other games that let you build a car from scratch.
I’m looking for other complex open world games that throw you into the deep end without any explanation, and are completely unforgiving when you make mistakes.
Games that even actively hate the player, but give you a deep sense of satisfaction when you finally figure it out.
So no tutorial, no quest markers, no mini-map, no quick-saving, etc.
Bonus points if they also show you a glimpse into a niche culture, like My Summer Car does with rural life in Finland during the 90’s economic depression.
Other examples I can think of are Kingdom Come Deliverance in hardcore mode and Dwarf Fortress. Which ones do you know?
Morrowind kinda does this. Unlike the other Elder Scrolls games that came later, you don’t have any quest markers, or anything really to help you find where you’re looking for. Most of the quests give directions like, “follow the road south till you get to the fork in the road with a big tree. Go on the eastern branch till you find a cave entrance. If you get attacked by cliff racers you’re either on the right path or you went too far. Good luck.”