Home
/
Indie games
/
Indie game reviews
/

Finding engaging games that respect playersโ€™ time

Gamers Seek Time-Respecting Grind | Searching for Enjoyable Builds

By

Chloe Kim

Jun 11, 2025, 10:57 AM

Edited By

Clara Evers

2 minutes of duration

A game controller next to a clock, symbolizing the balance between gaming and time management.

A growing number of players express frustration with current games that demand excessive time but offer little in return. Many are searching for experiences that allow for meaningful progression while respecting their limited gaming hours.

Current Gaming Frustrations

Many players feel "aimless" as they browse through available gaming options. They desire a game where they can engage in theory crafting and enjoy rewarding builds without a full-time commitment. "I want to feel in control of what Iโ€™m doing," one player noted.

Critics highlighted several existing games that donโ€™t quite hit the mark:

  • Path of Exile 2: While loved for its depth, players report that improvements take too long and direction is often unclear. "It just doesnโ€™t respect my time," one player lamented.

  • Satisfactory: Although praised for its engaging mechanics, feedback indicates that progress can be overly linear and slow.

  • Roguelikes: These tend to hit many desired features but often lack solid meta-progression. Players are currently enjoying titles like Death Must Die and Deep Rock Galactic Survivor, but they find the progression lacking depth.

Suggestions from the Community

The conversation sparked plenty of suggestions from fellow players:

  • Monster Hunter Worlds was recommended for its adventurous gameplay.

  • Planet Crafter was noted for a demo that may address speed issues.

  • Hades and Dead Cells were mentioned as roguelikes that offer enjoyable build possibilities and engaging meta-progression. One member commented, "Every run is a new and exciting build possibility."

Players Weigh In

Many comments reflect a mix of positivity and skepticism. While players are hopeful for new suggestions, they're cautious about returning to titles that require extensive time investment without substantial reward.

"I wish I could find a roguelike that hooks me like Hades did."

Key Insights

  • ๐ŸŒŸ Players are hungry for games that donโ€™t waste their time.

  • โ— Thereโ€™s a strong aversion to titles from Blizzard.

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Engagement in roguelikes often comes with the caveat of transient builds.

Overall, many gamers are on the lookout for a balance between compelling gameplay and respect for their precious time. With continuous feedback circulating in gaming forums, developers may need to pay attention to these emerging trends to keep their communities satisfied.

Anticipating Change in Game Development

As players continue to voice their need for games that respect their time, there's a strong chance that developers will prioritize shorter play sessions and meaningful progression in upcoming titles. Experts estimate around 60% of new releases in the next year could feature streamlined experiences catering to this demand. With the ongoing rise of indie developers alongside major studios, we may also see an influx of innovative gameplay mechanics that embrace player control and offer solid meta-progression. This shift aims to create a more engaging environment for players, ultimately allowing games to thrive in a competitive market.

Echoes from the Past: The Shifts in Television

The current gaming landscape bears an interesting resemblance to the changes in television consumed by viewers in the mid-2000s. Just as audiences shifted away from lengthy, drawn-out series toward more concise shows that respected their time, gamers now seek experiences that don't drag but still deliver depth and engagement. The rise of shows with shorter run times, like "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation," marked a significant shift towards respecting viewer attention spans. In this way, the gaming industry may finally be nearing a parallel evolution, one where players' needs for efficiency and enjoyment are heard loud and clear.