I’m not quite if I’ve asked this before, but it’s something that just came to my mind. I, for one, appreciate the subtle nods we see in Miyazaki soulslikes. However, it can get quite frustrating to play a game and not know what the hell is going on. So I personally prefer more direct storytelling a la Lies of P or Sekiro.
It’s a delicate balance, though, since too direct storytelling can lead to an overall “dumbed down” story. The layers of meaning can get lost in the “tell, don’t show” approach.
What do you prefer?
I like the way Miyazaki handles it, makes me feel like I’m really exploring the world and uncovering its secrets. Nothing beats the feeling of making the connection between a random sword’s description and some kind of important figure. And the things I miss, I can probably find in a lore video somewhere.