The most popular games, whether we’re talking about video games, board games, or casino games, tend to get a lot of attention. Their widespread appeal means that tons of people are playing them at any given time. However, just because something is popular doesn’t necessarily make it the best choice for every player. In fact, avoiding the hottest, most hyped games could actually be a smarter strategic play.
Drawbacks of Extreme Popularity
When a game achieves a huge amount of popularity, that comes with some downsides:
- More competition – You’ll be facing tons of other players, many of whom dedicate endless hours to mastering the game. As a more casual player at Lucky Dreams, you’re unlikely to stand out.
- Toxic communities – Popular competitive games often breed a toxic “gaming culture” and abrasive player bases. The anonymity of online play means people get away with poor sportsmanship.
- Balance issues – Developers struggle to balance gameplay and features to satisfy both elite and casual gamers. Core fans often complain about sacrifices made to appeal to wider audiences.
- Content droughts – Once you exhaust the content of an incredibly popular game, you may grow bored while waiting long periods for expansions and updates.
This isn’t to say that popular games can’t be very fun. But once gaming stops being enjoyable and begins to feel like a chase after elusive rewards or achievements, it may be time to consider other options.
Finding Games Better Suited to You
Rather than playing what’s widely considered “hot”, give some thought to games that are better aligned with your personal interests and habits:
- Play more single-player experiences – Solo adventures allow progress at your own pace, with storytelling and challenges tailored to your individual abilities. Popular examples span action-RPGs like Elden Ring to puzzle games such as Portal.
- Explore niche genres – The wider gaming landscape consists of niche genres often overlooked by mainstream audiences. Maybe you’d enjoy the strategic card battles of Slay the Spire or the tactical shooting of Squad.
- Highlight local multiplayer – Online experiences full of random strangers can’t compare to the camaraderie of couch co-op and party games with people you know. The Jackbox Party Pack series offers family-friendly fun.
- Seek out hidden gems – Underrated and overlooked games regularly provide just as much enjoyment, if not more, than the flavour of the month. Critics and fans widely regard Disco Elysium as one of the best RPGs ever made.
- Revisit retro classics – Returning to all-time greats that have stood the test of time tends to rekindle gaming passion. Iconic series like Super Mario, Zelda, Metal Gear Solid and more recapture childhood nostalgia.
How Obscurity Improves Experiences
While people equate popularity with quality, that idea doesn’t always hold true in gaming. In fact, flying under the radar often directly leads to better and longer-lasting experiences:
- More personal progression – Without hordes of pros and streamers setting speedrun world records, you can master game mechanics at your own pace and feel a real sense of growth.
- Stronger communities – Less popular games foster tighter-knit player bases where you recognize names and make gaming pals. Friendly cooperation beats toxicity.
- Customized challenge – Underrated games better adapt their difficulty to your skill level and don’t assume you can sink 80+ hours a week. Wins feel satisfying rather than frustrating.
- Longer replay value – Since you aren’t rushing to finish hot new content before the masses spoil everything, you can take your time replaying at higher intensities. Enjoyment lasts longer when there’s no social media hype train.
- Developer passion – Rather than annualized franchises pushed out to make shareholders happy, obscure developers often pour true passion into their projects. That care and inspiration shines through.
Great Games Exist Beyond the Mainstream
Gaming culture fixates extensively on blockbuster franchises, console wars, esports, and whatever games are cranking out viral memes or breaking viewership records on Twitch and YouTube. But past the cacophony of non-stop hype trains lies a wider world of wonderful games waiting to be discovered.
Stepping outside the echo chamber of popular consensus can unveil fresh and exciting experiences that better match your tastes. Rather than defaulting to what’s hot, conduct some self-reflection:
- How do you actually prefer to play games day-to-day?
- Which gaming memories bring you the most joy when you reminisce?
- If you removed outside influences like marketing and peer pressure, what types of games would you choose for yourself?
In Conclusion
The fear of missing out drives many of us to jump aboard hype trains that ultimately take us on rides we don’t really enjoy. Overexposure and mainstream consensus shouldn’t dictate our gaming habits. Instead of defaulting to what’s popular, carve your own path through the exhilarating breadth of interactive entertainment based on intentional choices that satisfy you as an individual. Tune out the noise and rediscover the simple pleasure of playing great games on your own terms.