I have always liked open world games as a concept, but I have a very bad sense of direction. So whenever I play open world games I keep getting lost and frustrated. Eventually getting bored and dropping the game. I am curious how other people with bad sense of direction cope with this problem.
I have a bad sense of direction IRL but an excellent sense of direction in games. I don’t think it necessarily transfers.
I get super lost in them. Honestly even if it isn’t open world, if it’s still a 3d overworld, I will get lost. I think what saves me is helpful accessibility features like in Xenoblade 3 for example, with the glowing red line on the ground leading you toward your destination. It won’t clear your obstacles for you but it will help you orient yourself and not get super lost. I would never get through a game like that without that feature. Anything less is honestly not sufficient for me to not get lost, unfortunately. I do try to play other games but I will absolutely be lost for ages in them.
Yes. For reference, in my day to day, when I try to look into my mind for a map, it’s just a black space with a spinning compass and shifting points of reference. In open world games, there’s usually waypoints and I can open the map constantly. In games without these crutches, I do get your frustration, but I’ll find a YouTube guide or something to find my way. Subnautica was probably the toughest so far.
Just depends! Well designed world with distinct level features and/or a good map? Yee it works out well. Lotta samey territory with little to do between areas? I tend to struggle.
I LOVE them, but yes I am constantly lost. I have the worst time streaming because I get lost and feel bad about any viewers watching me wander around Vanaheim going “Where was that place again?”
I will say, the more distinctive the environments are from each other, the better off I am. In Stray or Ragnarok I’ve had a lot of problems. In Control, even though the map is weird (The map shows levels that are above and below each other by overlapping, so the lowest areas are the lightest color and the highest areas are the strongest color) I get around pretty well because every hallway and room is pretty distinct and unique.
In Spider-Man I barely notice I’m lost, travel is so fun.
I’ve been fine with open world as long as the map and the relevant quest or marker I set in relation to where I am was very clear.
But, with something like Hollow Knight I was much too lost and didn’t end up finishing it since I found myself backtracking in confusion too much.
The map has to be good. I’ve got good sense of direction in real life, but terrible in open world games.
There is a game called minetest, similar to minecraft. You can view coordinates and the direction you are facing. There is also a mod called tpad (teleporter pad) that can take you to places without walking. You can try it out.
I am horrible with directions. I keep my Google Maps going when I drive for that very reason. In games, I just use the built-in map. If there is no map and the world is not made of unique geometries and settings then I am out. I will have no way to navigate.
I have an incredible sense of direction in real life. In games, I can’t find my way out of a paper bag. I’m not sure how that works.
I hate games that don’t have good maps. Especially in caves or big buildings. Like, why!?!?!?
I have an incredible sense of direction in real life. In games, I can’t find my way out of a paper bag. I’m not sure how that works.
I hate games that don’t have good maps. Especially in caves or big buildings. Like, why!?!?!?
I have an incredible sense of direction in real life. In games, I can’t find my way out of a paper bag. I’m not sure how that works.
I hate games that don’t have good maps. Especially in caves or big buildings. Like, why!?!?!?
Good question. I’m like you, I get turned around so easily, I just keep using the map systems and making markers to make my life easier. Markers being the most critical component. I start going in a direction and then I check again to make sure it’s the right way (often it’s not)
Especially when the map doesn’t orientate to the direction you’re facing, so I end up turning 90 degrees, checking map, turning another 90, checking again. I really enjoy when a game uses the Oblivion-style nav bar at the top that shows your markers at a glance as you turn around.
Definitely!
I enjoy the opportunity to try to navigate by landmarks, roadsigns, and other natural means of finding your way. Games like Skyrim are great for this, games like Mass Effect are understandably not. Unfortunately I am more of a sci-fi guy so I’m used to being railroaded through steel corridors anyway.
