I DON'T mean other games that let you build a car from scratch.
I'm looking for other complex open world games that throw you into the deep end without any explanation, and are completely unforgiving when you make mistakes.
Games that even actively hate the player, but give you a deep sense of satisfaction when you finally figure it out.
So no tutorial, no quest markers, no mini-map, no quick-saving, etc.
Bonus points if they also show you a glimpse into a niche culture, like My Summer Car does with rural life in Finland during the 90's economic depression.
Other examples I can think of are Kingdom Come Deliverance in hardcore mode and Dwarf Fortress. Which ones do you know?
13 Jun 2026 12:59
I’m looking for other complex open world games that throw you into the deep end without any explanation, and are completely unforgiving when you make mistakes.
UnReal World? It's never really grabbed me when I've tried it, personally, but it might be up your alley.
Kenshi has a pretty difficult start, though it gets easier later in the game. I don't think that it's as complex.
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is quite complex and has a very steep learning curve, with a lot of hidden stats and the like and limited documentation.
13 Jun 2026 13:12
Have you checked out Fear and Hunger or Pathologic? I've only experienced them through video essays but they seem like what you're looking for.
13 Jun 2026 13:15
My Winter Car its the sequel
13 Jun 2026 13:15
Pathologic looks very interesting, thanks!
Also Pathologic 2 is currently on sale for under 7€.
13 Jun 2026 13:32
I know, and I also own it.
13 Jun 2026 13:37
Noita may be close. It nails the no directions and unforgiving part.
13 Jun 2026 13:53
Pathologic series and Gothic 1 remake
13 Jun 2026 14:52
I'm looking for other complex open world games that throw you into the deep end without any explanation, and are completely unforgiving when you make mistakes.
Games that even actively hate the player, but give you a deep sense of satisfaction when you finally figure it out.
So no tutorial, no quest markers, no mini-map, no quick-saving, etc.
Boy have I got a game for you. I'm playing
Darkwood right now and this should tick most of your boxes. It's not a huge open world, more like several open zones as you progress through the story, but otherwise should do what you want. It's also not just deeply unsettling but also genuinely terrifying despite being a top-down game.
13 Jun 2026 14:55
All good games and I would think those are good suggestions too.
13 Jun 2026 15:13
"Don't Starve"? Checks all your boxes and has a ton of dlcs. I've yet to find the will to play it again.
13 Jun 2026 15:22
I've been playing Pacific Drive. It's a roguelite driving survival exploration and crafting game. There's very little guidance, the punishment for failing is decent. You may like it.
13 Jun 2026 16:16
There’s a very light “tutorial” but Breath of the Wild is like that. Especially on Hero Mode (I think that’s what it’s called)
I was 20 hours in when I found out cooking was an option. No explanation of the mechanic in-game
13 Jun 2026 16:25
Project Zomboid has a tutorial, but it's strictly optional to play. You can absolutely just dive straight in to it.
Knox County, Kentucky, 1993. The zombie apocalypse hits. As far as you know, you're the last person alive on earth. It's all up to you, and you alone, to keep going.
The game's default settings are plenty brutal, but you can tweak them to an insane degree, and anything the settings don't cover, someone's probably made a mod for that. I highly recommend the Bandits mod, which adds hostile human NPCs in to the mix of all the things that will kill you.
13 Jun 2026 17:08
Lemmy
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