Here are a few things I like about those games:

  • “on rails” progression - no loot, any new gear is discovered as part of the story (e.g. OG Zelda -> blue ring -> red ring); minimal loot
  • hard, but fair, boss fights
  • dungeon feel - less emphasis on puzzles, more on working room to room to find items to access the boss
  • minimal emphasis on stats, so grinding shouldn’t be a thing of playing normally
  • forced usage of gadgets/types of weapons

Examples of games that qualify:

  • most Zelda titles - A Link to the Past, Link’s Awakening, Ocarina of Time, Skyward Sword; not BotW or TotK
  • Ys games - esp. Ys 1 and Ys Origin; later titles lose focus IMO (more gear, more leveling, etc)
  • Okami - boss fights aren’t exactly what I’m looking for, but the rest of the game is close

Examples that don’t qualify:

  • Diablo and similar - far too much loot and skill trees
  • Dark Souls - it’s close, but the variety of equipment is a bit much; I want less choice, not more,; but DS is pretty close
  • Assassin’s Creed - “boss fights” are usually lame, too much focus on upgrades, stealth isn’t really my thing

Games on the fence:

  • Tunic - I’ve played an hour or so and it was tons of fun
  • Titan Souls - finished and loved it, just worried mentioning it will take people off track since it doesn’t have any progression, dungeons, etc
  • Furi - again, loved it, but like Titan Souls, it’s a bit of an exception

Basically, I want a game that forces me to learn and adapt using the limited tools the game provides. Here are things I absolutely want to avoid:

  • feeling of being OP - causes me to drop most (a)RPGs
  • lots of choices - if I get an upgrade, it should be strictly an upgrade (e.g. more damage)
  • loot - I hate managing inventories (exception: switching gadgets to solve puzzles/different enemy types) and buying/selling stuff; I want that progression managed for me

Basically, I shouldn’t have to think outside solving puzzles and fighting bosses.

Indie games are preferred.

Platforms:

  • PC (or emulator) - preferred, esp if I can use my Steam Deck
  • Switch
  • Wii