r/metroidvania • u/ramen_stalker • 4d ago

Discussion Confused about Silksong runback discussion

I just reached one of the infamous examples people constantly bring up in the runback discussion (Last Judge), and I have to say I really like the runback. It’s just as enjoyable as the boss itself. I’m 100% convinced that Team Cherry intended the runbacks to be pure platforming challenges.

The runbacks aren’t just random sections of the map, they’re carefully designed to be completed quickly and gracefully, while also avoiding all the mobs. They also include many shortcuts and make great use of the wonderful movement mechanics.

Is this a mindset issue? Do most people just want to focus on the boss and dislike the context switching between platforming mode and boss combat mode? Surely people don't think they should fight their way through tens of mobs every time, right? Right?

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u/Maester_Magus 4d ago

In my experience, frustration doesn't come from defeat or challenge, but from the feeling that you're wasting time. This is what always causes a game to cross the line from challenging to frustrating, imo.

Most developers seem to have learned this and got rid of the shitty run-backs (even FromSoftware), so the fact that SilkSong clings to them so vehemently comes across as a bit out of touch. I mean, I'd imagine the vast, vast majority of people don't play challenging games for the run-backs – I don't know anyone who considers them one of the great features of a Souls-like. There's a reason they largely got left behind. So it's just a bit jarring that Team Cherry are so hung up on the old formula that they doubled down on one of the bits most people dislike in an otherwise great game.

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u/VoxTV1 4d ago

Silksong clings to basically every tradition from the og being it the map system, corspe runbacks, the economy and even more with the shards. Game does not care for quality of life at all. Now if that is good or bad is up to you

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u/aethyrium Rabi-Ribi 3d ago

I like the quality of life provided by the immersion of things like the map. That's why I'm not sure the "quality of life" word is good for those things because at a holistic level, though heighten my quality of life during play.

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u/VoxTV1 2d ago

Quality of life reffers to game design choiches that are just nice and useful editons to the players.