10 Games That Change Drastically Midway Through

For any game developer, an essential lesson to grasp is this: when you discover a successful gameplay mechanic or engaging element, fully exploit it for all its worth.

If a player enjoys your approach, they’re likely to crave similar experiences. Any change from this could potentially cause them to lose interest and move on to another game.

It’s sound advice to find a reliable hook for your project, but some daring game developers have achieved remarkable success by radically altering their approaches. This has served as a significant change in perspective within their specific gaming genres.

Finding the right hook is solid guidance, but some courageous game developers have thrived by overhauling their methods extensively. This has resulted in a transformative shift in the way each of their games is perceived within their respective niches.

Throughout the game or even in the middle of it, these developers have shown courage by making their games versatile in terms of genre or taking significant storytelling chances that keep players on their toes with surprise and excitement.

Occasionally, it delivers as expected; other times, it can be challenging or hard to accept, yet consistently, it keeps us intrigued – a trait exemplified by these titles that aren’t shy about changing the storyline unexpectedly.

To ensure a clear understanding, we plan on incorporating games that undergo significant transformations during gameplay or story progression. These transformations may encompass alterations in game mechanics as well as plot developments. Furthermore, we’re referring to games that don’t rely on a single major shift but instead, continually evolve throughout the experience.

10. This list will effectively spoil and potentially ruin the shocking twists these games have planned for you, so proceed at your own peril!A Dark Room

A Text-Based Twist

As a passionate gamer, I rarely venture deep into the archives of gaming culture to unearth ancient free-to-play flash game remnants. Yet, the captivating allure of A Dark Room has me digging up this gem from the past.

As a passionate gamer, I’d like to share my experience with A Dark Room – a text-based adventure that initially seems straightforward. At first, I issue simple commands to navigate and understand the environment around me. However, as the game progresses, I begin to unravel the mystery hidden in the darkness, piecing together the context bit by bit.

As the game progresses, it shifts focus to become a resource management game where you construct your camp. Over time, you may discover that you’re participating in a space race, reminiscent of Civilization but slightly different at its conclusion.

This game offers one of the smartest and smoothly structured playtimes I’ve encountered, and despite its simplicity, it’s definitely a must-try experience even now.

9. Little Inferno

Some People Like To Watch The World Burn

One engaging and satirical take on the gaming world is Little Inferno. At first glance, it might seem unlikely for this game to be both entertaining and insightful about consumer culture. However, surprisingly, it becomes incredibly hard to pull away from, making it a highly addictive choice among titles.

In this game, you acquire items that you later have to burn for warmth in a bleak future shaped by capitalism. It’s a simple, almost thoughtless, puzzle game where you match items to burn them and gain more. However, once you’ve burned through all your possessions (and I mean absolutely everything), the atmosphere shifts dramatically.

For the very first time, you encounter a glimpse of your character, and as you explore this dismal landscape, you’re led through an interactive point-and-click experience.

Experience the impact of consumerism directly, and ultimately, your only solace lies in wishing for a more illuminating tomorrow, as you unwittingly fanned the flames. It’s an odd yet engaging pastime, one I wholeheartedly endorse for an enjoyable, brief, rewarding diversion.

8. In Stars And Time

Not Just A Simple JRPG Story

Among all indie games I’ve played, “Stars and Time” stands out as one of my favorites due to its exceptional narrative and innovative approach to a mind-bending, self-referential time travel mechanism.

Initially, the game follows a rather straightforward progression with several similarities. Essentially, you’re tasked with exploring the castle, employing your time-travel abilities to correct errors, and ultimately defeating The King in order to save the world. This is quite typical for Japanese Role Playing Games (JRPGs).

Despite vanquishing the evil that haunts the realm, strangely enough, time resets itself regardless of your triumph, leaving you no longer immersed in a JRPG. Instead, you find yourself trapped within an enigmatic time loop puzzle. To escape, you must explore, manipulate time, and brace yourself for the descent into insanity, as solving it is your only hope.

Without a doubt, there’s no game quite like this one, and I can’t stress enough how highly I rate it. So why not slip into the role of Siffrin and dive right in?

7. The Last of Us Part 2

Know Thy Enemy

As a dedicated admirer, I’ve shared that not every paradigm shift found universal favor, and the mid-point transformation in The Last of Us Part II has sparked controversy that is nothing short of epic.

As a gamer, I’ve just hit a pivotal moment in the game, stepping into Ellie’s shoes, but then, unexpectedly, I find myself catapulted back in time, slipping on the boots of none other than Abby, the game’s antagonist. This twist makes me experience the world from the perspective of the ‘villain’, offering a unique and intriguing insight into her storyline.

Although many found this distasteful, I found myself appreciating this decision quite a bit. It represents a daring storytelling decision that gives depth to the villain, making them more relatable and subtly placing some accountability on the audience for their actions.

Regardless of the character you choose, the basic playstyle stays consistent. However, switching roles and taking on the persona of your adversary can be quite a shock for numerous gamers.

6. The Nier Series

The Ol’ Yoko Taro Mess Around

As a devoted gamer, I’d be hard-pressed to pick just one game from the brilliant mind of Yoko Taro. The Nier series is renowned for its genre-defying games that refuse to follow a single path, either in terms of gameplay or storyline. Therefore, it seems only fair to extend my praise to the entire captivating collection of the Nier series.

The games are scattered in various places, often emphasizing hack-and-slash gameplay at their core, yet they frequently explore and generously delve into a wide range of other aspects.

As a gamer, I can tell you that one moment I’m slicing through enemies in hack-and-slash combat, the next I’m dodge-rolling through a hailstorm of bullets in twin-stick shooter chaos. Suddenly, the game flips to a side-scrolling 2D platformer, and I find myself navigating tricky jumps and timed button presses. Then, out of nowhere, it transforms into a puzzle-based survival horror, testing my wits against eerie environments and creeping dread. In essence, this game keeps me on my toes, constantly changing things up to keep me guessing!

It’s surprising how, despite the numerous drastic changes this Nier spin-off has undergone, it remains popular. The peculiar, erratic qualities that define Nier are what make it endearing, and these quirks are reasons why you might want to get acquainted with its eccentricities soon.

5. Brutal Legend

Front-loading Action Into A Strategy Game

As a dedicated gamer, I must admit that I was initially taken aback by Brutal Legend’s marketing. It seemed to promise an unparalleled experience, but upon playing, I found it fell short of its grand promises, much like Alien: Colonial Marines did before it.

In this game, you take on the character of Eddie Riggs, an ardent fan of metal music who has been mysteriously transported into a world mirroring his heavy metal album covers. Using the strength of your powerful guitar solos, your mission is to transform into a hero, saving the downtrodden, battered, and damned.

Initially, the game appears as a standard action-adventure with conventional combat akin to hack-and-slash. However, upon closer examination, this intense combat segment was added late in development as a disguise for the fact that the majority of the game is actually a Real-Time Strategy (RTS) title. Unfortunately, an RTS game can be a tougher sell to casual gamers compared to action-adventure games.

The combination wasn’t exactly harmonious, I must admit, but with exceptional vocal performances, catchy tunes, innovative concepts by Tim Schafer, and all that, it remains an interesting experience worthy of exploration.

It didn’t quite get booed off the stage, but this one could have definitely rocked a lot harder.

4. The Pedestrian

From 2D To 3D Action

As a gaming enthusiast, I simply can’t resist a challenge when the central idea is something entirely unique, and The Pedestrian truly fit that bill.

In this game titled as a 2D puzzle-platformer, you will assist a small stick figure character by creating connections that enable the character to unlock doors, operate switches, and utilize machinery, all with the aim of navigating from one point (A) to another (B).

As a devoted admirer, I must say, there’s something endearing about this game – its simplicity is what draws you in, making it accessible to all, yet hidden within its unassuming exterior lies a treasure trove of brain-teasing puzzles that truly test your mental mettle. But among them all, none have left as lasting an impression, posed as formidable a challenge, or sparked as much debate and polarization as the final enigma.

This transformation occurs because the game transitions from a 2D puzzle game to a 3D one, requiring you to apply the same logic and connections to solve puzzles within a three-dimensional space. This shift can be challenging to grasp, but it makes for an incredible climax in what is unfortunately overlooked as a fantastic puzzle game.

3. The Messenger

Linear Platforming Gives Way To Backtracking

There’s plenty to appreciate when it comes to games produced by Sabotage Studios. They have a distinctive blend of contemporary and retro styles, combined with cheesy scriptwriting and fantastic soundtracks that give their work a unique appeal. However, what truly sets their games apart is the bold design choices they make, which are evidently on display in The Messenger.

Initially, this game resembles classic ninja platformers akin to Ninja Gaiden, but as you advance through levels, it transforms into a more expansive, open-ended style reminiscent of the Metroidvania genre.

Instead of being the most intricate and polished Metroidvania in existence, it certainly brings a fresh twist to the genre, providing an exhilarating deviation from the routine of lengthy linear platforming. This shift becomes particularly refreshing once the linear platforming sequence has started to feel repetitive by the time the change takes place.

2. Elden Ring

Boss Rush Incoming

FromSoftware made a significant stride with Elden Ring, marking the fulfillment of their long-held ambition to create an open-world title in the vein of the Souls series.

The journey from being a maidenless individual to an Elden Lord involves a flexible progression allowing you to explore and act at your own pace, with the freedom to choose your path. Should you encounter challenges that are beyond your current abilities, feel free to try alternative approaches and come back stronger and more prepared.

But as you torch the Erdtree and approach the closing stages of the game, it starts to feel reminiscent of the linear, challenging runs characteristic of the earlier Souls series games.

The journey leading up to your ultimate battle with the Elden Beast can be likened to a series of intense encounters against various formidable opponents, where you either persistently struggle to overcome their skills until you succeed, or find yourself retreating after multiple attempts.

The change from the initially open title theme to this part is quite noticeable, and it often serves as a starting point for newer or less experienced players in the game.

1. Inscryption

A Top-Down Twist

Frankly speaking, there are numerous titles by Daniel Mullin worthy of inclusion in this list, but generally speaking, Inscryption stands out as his crowning achievement. Essentially, it blends genres, offering a unique combination of roguelike deckbuilding and escape room elements.

As a gamer, I can’t help but be drawn in by this game that’s as chilling, mysterious, and hard-to-put-down as they come. I thought I had it all figured out, but boy was I wrong! This game just keeps on throwing me unexpected curveballs.

As the story progresses with its ARG-inspired plotline and dreamlike scenes, the game unexpectedly transitions into a role-playing game that involves collecting cards from above.

Fortunately, it retains many of the original game’s card-based mechanics, yet presents them in an entirely novel fashion that requires adaptation. This change keeps you engaged and ensures the experience remains fresh throughout, up until the end credits.

2025-01-27 19:10