Great Games That Are Immediately Fun

Many games from older generations tend to be inherently simpler, both in their design and structure. While they’re not always more accessible, these titles generally get to the point pretty quickly. This is thanks to simple, straightforward game designs, facilitated by a space that was wide open for innovation at the time of their development.

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Since these games aren’t typically bloated with unnecessary content in the way many modern titles are, they’re able to get into the action almost immediately. Players only need to learn one or two core systems before they’re thrown into the world at large, and it’s a shame that these design principles were largely replaced by games that wanted to be everything. Thankfully, many modern titles are beginning to return to the roots of old-school design, and a variety of innovations in the indie game scene has resulted in a bucket of experiences that are quick to please.

8

Balatro

As far as roguelike deck-builders go, Balatro is perhaps one of the most accessible; featuring a design based around classic Poker hands and a score-attack structure that’s immediately apparent, Balatro is almost self-explanatory. A tactile user interface, satisfying player feedback, and intuitive controls all help in making the game feel fluid, something that’s made obvious within minutes of playing.

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Balatro is truly unique, and yet it takes almost no time to learn, even for those who are unfamiliar with Poker. This is thanks to a clear and easily readable user interface, helpful accessibility features, and a minimalist design that reigns itself in at every turn. Best of all, Balatro’s design facilitates a variety of strategies, allowing the experience to feel diverse despite the moment-to-moment gameplay being relatively repetitive.

7

CULTIC

A Retro-Style FPS That Gets Straight To The Point

So many retro shooters and modern FPS titles in the indie space are champions when it comes to bringing the fun and action of their design to the forefront. CULTIC is one such example, giving players brief context and throwing them into the first level with a tremendously to-the-point tutorial.

Within mere minutes, CULTIC has players exploring eerie environments and gunning down cultists. A few minutes later, players are introduced to workbenches and weapon upgrades, as well as the immersive interactions that CULTIC allows for with its environmental hazards.

6

Resident Evil 5

An Action-Horror Title With An Intense Opening

After a few minutes to set the scene, Resident Evil 5 throws players in at the deep end, fighting against crazed infected in an intense opening action sequence that immediately shows players what to expect over the next several hours. Though perhaps not as revered as its predecessors, Resident Evil 5 excels when played in online co-op, allowing players to work together in order to survive a variety of hectic ordeals.

The chaotic gauntlet that opens Resident Evil 5 is the perfect crucible for new players, testing their skills and reactions and forcing them to learn and adapt in order to survive. This is especially harsh on harder difficulties, but for the right kind of player, it’s an immediately fun experience.

5

Terraria

An Accessible & Rewarding Survival-Craft Game

Many open-world survival-craft games drop players into the world with little guidance, forcing them to adapt quickly and naturally brush up against the game’s core systems within a matter of minutes. Terraria is immediately fun thanks to its intuitive crafting system and the simplicity of exploration in a 2D environment.

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The intuitive controls and ease of play make Terraria an immediately accessible game, allowing players to focus on the joy of exploration and creativity from the very start. Exploring in Terraria is also tremendously fun thanks to a well-tuned combat system, diverse regions, and a dense network of randomly generated caverns.

4

Left 4 Dead 2

A Fast-Paced FPS That Immediately Fulfills Its Promise

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Released

November 17, 2009

Left 4 Dead 2 wastes no time at all getting players into the action. Taking place amid a zombie apocalypse and wasting very little time with its narrative, Left 4 Dead 2 thrives on its fast-paced, easy-to-learn action and the dynamic interplay of its charismatic characters.

From minute one, Left 4 Dead 2 gives players exactly what it promises: fast-paced action, hordes of zombies, and intuitive gameplay that lacks needless complexity. The game is fast, brutal, and encourages teamwork. Best of all, it’s easy to set up and play with friends, making it a perfect choice for online co-op.

3

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Classic Arcade Gameplay With A Familiar Feel

Fans of arcade games and classic beat ’em ups may find some immediately nostalgic fun with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. Capturing the tongue-in-cheek charm of the classic cartoons from the very start with its colorful old-school pixel art, excellent soundtrack, and talented voice actors, Shredder’s Revenge sets the tone immediately.

Shredder’s Revenge wastes no time throwing players into the action, either, dropping them into iconic locations and battling against the infamous Foot Clan. The game is packed with references and loving homage to the 80s cartoon, but it’s the distinctive level design, variety of bosses, and intuitive controls that make Shredder’s Revenge worth playing. Furthermore, the game can be played in local and online co-op.

2

Hotline Miami

Instant Adrenaline & Edgy Presentation

After a lightning-fast tutorial and a quick sequence to set the scene, Hotline Miami shoves players into its first level with both hands. Brutal violence and throbbing music provide a swift injection of adrenaline almost immediately, perpetuated even through death by the ability to instantly restart.

Hotline Miami is a top-down shooter with inherently simple controls, and the breakneck pace of its combat allows players to learn and adapt quickly. It’s a simple combination of unsettling dialogue sequences and violent, fast-paced rushes through close-quarters environments, but players can experience this unapologetic gameplay almost immediately.

1

Tactical Breach Wizards

A Cinematic, Stylish, & Tactical Combat Puzzle

Featuring turn-based combat puzzles and a distinctive urban fantasy setting, Tactical Breach Wizards is a unique experience that blends elements of games such as XCOM and Into The Breach while simultaneously standing on its own two feet. The stylish, cinematic presentation and expertly crafted flow of the game ease newcomers into the experience before quickly dialing up the absurdity and complexity in equal measure.

This is part of what makes Tactical Breach Wizards so immediately fun, with a pragmatic tutorial that manages to lay out the world, tone, and design of what’s to come. From the get-go, players are likely to experience the promise of Tactical Breach Wizards, and it quickly peppers the player with new characters, enemies, and abilities that ramp up the action and drive a relentless pace.

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