For an entire generation, Pokémon was the gateway into the world of gaming – accessible, engaging, and driven by an addictive gameplay loop that tapped into our hunter-gatherer instincts. Cassette Beasts is clearly inspired by Nintendo’s iconic series and, boy is that a good thing.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a beautiful piece of gaming art, my personal Game of the Year 2025 (and it’s only June!), and a fascinating French homage to the jRPG genre. However, its high difficulty level can quickly discourage beginner players, causing them to get stuck on the first serious enemies instead of enjoying the story – making their emotional rollercoaster come not just from the gripping plot, but from frustration as well.
My character in Diablo IV has died maybe three times. One of those times was because I went to get coffee, and some minor yet persistent demon seized the opportunity and, after a relentless 10-minute long assault, finally devoured my Level 50 Barbarian. If you take your time and don’t act recklessly, Diablo IV is actually pretty easy. That being said…
Howdy partner. So among your planned careers, between a firefighter and a soccer player, you always listed a cowboy? “Favorite western: yes.”? “Who is your hero and why John Wayne”? Well then Red Dead Redemption 2 is for you. In any other case: hold your horses! If you’re not into challenges and this is going to be your first rodeo, then you might want to skip this one.
An older relative left you a property in the countryside, and you need to take care of it… Stardew Valley? No… Ha, ha, ha… No. No, no, no no… noooo. NOOOO AAAAhghgghhh!!!…
…Darkest Dungeon is a dungeon crawler and crawling you will… and, despite the very high level of difficulty, it will shackle you with dopamine and an addictive game loop.
Spiritfarer is the best couch co-op I’ve had the pleasure to (co-)play, one of the best games that can be classified as “easy without crossing the threshold of childishness or boredom”, and the most underrated game I know.
Dredge is not an easy game and is hard to recommend to beginners. Casual players might fare slightly better, but they will most likely encounter their fair share of frustration.
Even though Hogwarts Legacy doesn’t meet many of the standards I usually set for games with the Izzy Mode Certificate, by Merlin’s Beard! If this game doesn’t convince a n00b into gaming, may a centaur get this muggle, because I’m done!
I’m sorry. I really tried!
But after eons in the Underdark (40+ in-game hours)… I surrender. I simply can’t manage to like Baldur’s Gate 3. I see and understand what a masterpiece it is. But as a casual gamer… I just can’t muster the desire to return to the land of…
This game is the holy grail of casual games. Thank you for coming to my TED talk, goodbye.