Game feel is one of the most elusive concepts in interactive entertainment, at once perfectly clear and difficult to define. It refers to what a game feels like to play, but where does that feeling come from? When chef Samin Nosrat started her career at Chez Panisse, she understood that diners responded to four key factors in food: salt, fat, acid, and heat. Similarly, game feel combines responsiveness of controls, intuitiveness of action, aesthetics, and creative opportunities. Three recent games illustrate this beautifully.
Pragmata: Seamless Sci-Fi Exploration
Capcom's Pragmata is a sci-fi action adventure where you explore an abandoned colony base with a child-like android. The hacking mini-game on a grid adds power-ups to your attacks, and new nodes and weapons create complex, fun interplay. The linear world hides areas for discovery, and movement—running, jumping, gliding—feels seamless. It is joyous simply to be there.
Saros: 3D Shooter with Classic Feel
From Housemarque, Saros follows astronauts on a hostile planet. A shield absorbs enemy fire to power special weapons, creating interplay between attack and defence. The analogue triggers offer varied shooting styles, and movement is luscious. It feels like playing a classic 2D shooter in three dimensions, with fair difficulty reminiscent of Dark Souls.
Vampire Crawlers: Addictive Deck-Building Roguelike
Vampire Crawlers is a deck-building roguelike with pixellated dungeons and card-based combat. Despite a crowded genre, it remains compelling with nostalgic visuals and sound effects. Combat and card play are fluid, dragging you into a deep flow state. These games contrast with superficial online multiplayer rewards, offering challenging single-player experiences with clever systems.
What to Play: Mix Up Fairy Tales
Mix Up Fairy Tales is a collaborative card game from Warcradle Studios and the British Library. Each card contains a classic tale portion; players mix plot points to meet challenge cards. It creates emergent narratives reflecting the oral history of fairytales, which have influenced video games since Donkey Kong.
What to Read
Creative Assembly announced an Alien Isolation sequel. Rob Fahey argues Call of Duty was never right for Xbox Game Pass. Ars Technica has a long read on Peter Molyneux's failed Legacy game, a cautionary tale from the NFT era.
Question Block: Budget Gaming PC
Carrie asks about a gaming PC under £500. Building yourself saves money; a CPU and motherboard bundle costs £250-350. Integrated graphics suffice for older games. Opt for 16GB DDR4 RAM (~£150), a 500GB M.2 SSD (~£75), and a case with keyboard and mouse (~£75). Total ~£550. Buy used parts on eBay or CeX with warranties for lower costs.
