Ideas That Sounded Better On Paper
Every masterpiece has its flaws, and video games are no exception. Behind the stunning graphics and engaging storylines lurk mechanics that players quietly dismiss or actively avoid. Games often include features that sound impressive in theory but add little value in practice. From poorly executed mini-games to unnecessary survival elements, here are 20 gaming mechanics that prove sometimes less really is more!
1. Skyrim: Cooking
The cooking mechanic stands as one of gaming's most underutilized features. Players can discover countless recipes throughout the land, even baking those notorious sweet rolls. Yet food items deliver weaker effects than raw ingredients or potions, making the entire system feel like a half-baked addition.
Skyrim COOKING Guide for Total Beginners [Elder Scrolls Guide] by Vress Games
2. Fable III: First-Person Mode
In Fable III, the first-person perspective remains a curious footnote in the game's design. Unlike other RPGs that embrace this viewpoint for immersion, it only appears during ranged combat. Most players stick to the default third-person view, which leaves this feature largely forgotten.
Fable III [3] Walkthrough - Part 1 [HD] (X360/PC) by TheMediaCows
3. Red Dead Redemption 2: Bathing
Hotel baths let Arthur wash away the dust of his adventures. Despite NPCs reacting to his cleanliness levels and the option for a pampered "deluxe bath" experience, this mechanic remains largely decorative. Clean or dirty, Arthur's effectiveness as an outlaw stays unchanged.
Bath Scene in Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) by edepot
4. Far Cry 3: Crafting Syringes
Far Cry 3 developers spent considerable time creating various injectable buffs that players rarely touched. The health syringes served their purpose, but specialized formulas for spotting animals or breathing underwater gathered dust. Most gamers found creative alternatives, like using vehicles for hunting instead.
Far Cry 3 - The Good Stuff Trophy / Achievement Guide by PowerPyx
5. Resident Evil 6: Skill System
Despite showering players with skill points, Resident Evil 6 features an upgrade system that feels completely disconnected from its action-packed gameplay. Its various perks and abilities might sound impressive on paper, but many forget the system exists. Basic healing and gunplay remain the go-to.
Resident Evil 6 skills overview 2 by Rob Cram
6. Assassin’s Creed II: Feather Collection
The 100 feathers in Assassin's Creed II represent a classic case of pointless collecting. Most just skip this tedious task. Though meant to honor Ezio's feather-loving brother, these scattered trinkets serve no real purpose beyond achievement hunting.
Assassin's Creed 2 - All Feathers by Assassin's Creed Series
7. The Witcher 3: Repair Kits
Equipment maintenance here relies on repair kits scattered across the world. Despite their abundance, these items rarely see use since weapons and armor deteriorate too slowly to matter. Players typically hoard dozens of kits while focusing on more engaging activities like card games.
8. Fallout 4: Settlement Building
Fallout 4 lets players become wasteland architects, building defensive structures and thriving communities across the map. Though some created impressive fortresses and even themed locations like cat cafes, these settlements had no bearing on the main questline or how the story concluded.
Fallout 4: Settlement Building Tips & Tricks pt2 - Support Beams by Darkdally
9. Grand Theft Auto V: Stock Market
The dual stock market system stands as an overlooked gem. Players can manipulate BAWSAQ and LCN shares through story missions, but few explore this option. Instead, they choose the reliable path of robberies and getaways for quick cash rewards.
GTA 5 - How to Make $2.1 Billion by IGN
10. Mass Effect 3: Galactic Readiness Multiplayer Tie-in
Mass Effect 3 players discovered that reaching the best endings required engaging with an unwanted multiplayer system. The Galactic Readiness mechanic attempted to merge single and multiplayer experiences and ultimately failed. Even smartphone apps couldn't make this forced feature more appealing.
100% Galactic Readiness: How to install ASI mods for Mass Effect 3 by Mgamerz
11. The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword: Stamina Potions
Despite offering enhanced running and climbing abilities, the stamina potions in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword became one of the game's most overlooked features. Players found little use for these green power-ups since most areas didn't demand extended physical effort.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - Sidequest: Fledge's Stamina Potion Abuse by AuraChannelerChris
12. Halo 4: Spartan Ops
Halo 4’s developers created an ambitious ten-episode co-op campaign called Spartan Ops. This weekly series brought new characters to the franchise, but players showed little interest. The mode barely affected the game's larger story, and most fans preferred traditional multiplayer matches instead.
Spartan Ops Episode 1: Departure by HALO
13. Deus Ex: Human Revolution: Hacking Augment
Players who invested heavily in Deus Ex: Human Revolution's hacking abilities soon discovered their mistake. The game's sophisticated breach mechanics became redundant thanks to conveniently placed passwords and alternative pathways. Most security obstacles could be overcome with basic ventilation access or Jensen's reliable stun gun.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Ep 5 - An augmented Hacker WTF?! by Tort Tuxedo
14. Elder Scrolls: Oblivion: Speechcraft Wheel
Elder Scrolls: Oblivion introduced a peculiar persuasion system with its Speechcraft wheel. NPCs respond with over-the-top expressions as players rotate through dialogue options. However, this mini-game proves largely pointless since bribing characters or progressing through quests achieves better results with less hassle.
Oblivion - Persuasion Tutorial; Speechcraft Wheel Explained. (2019 Tutorial) by Mythic Dwellers
15. Dark Souls II: Bonfire Ascetics
In Dark Souls II, players can toss Bonfire Ascetics into flames to boost local enemy strength and respawn defeated bosses. Despite offering a creative way to replay tough encounters, this optional system gets ignored. The extreme difficulty spike makes it impractical for regular gameplay.
Dark Souls 2 Scholar of the First Sin Bonfire Ascetic Location by cad5150
16. Dragon Age: Inquisition: War Table Fetch Quests
Remote missions in Dragon Age: Inquisition sound exciting until you realize they're just glorified progress bars. Players send companions like Leliana on adventures, but the random loot rewards rarely justify the wait times. These menu-based quests feel more like busy work than actual gameplay.
Dragon Age: Inquistion War Table Basics by Shacknews
17. Shadow Of Mordor: Collectibles
Middle-earth enthusiasts might appreciate the lore-filled artifacts in Shadow of Mordor. However, these collectibles rarely enhance the core experience. While the Ithildin symbols create an elaborate door-opening sequence, most players focus on combat instead of hunting down these optional extras.
Middle Earth Shadow of Mordor The Black Gate Collectibles Locations Guide by VGFAQ
18. Hitman: Absolution: Instinct Mode
The red-tinged Instinct Mode in Hitman: Absolution lets players peek through walls like a super-spy. But this psychic power comes with drawbacks: a draining meter and reduced immersion. Skilled assassins typically ignore this feature, sticking to tried-and-true stealth tactics instead.
Hitman Absolution Trainer Infinite Instinct no stupid survey by WarhawkRevolver
19. Cyberpunk 2077: Car Customization
Despite the futuristic setting of "Cyberpunk 2077," car modification remains surprisingly basic. Night City's streets are filled with amazing vehicles, yet players can't personalize their rides beyond basic cosmetic changes. No fuzzy dice for the dashboard, no performance tweaks — just pure visual flair.
Cyberpunk 2077: Customize ANY Vehicle With One MOD! (Cyberpunk 2077 Mod Spotlight) by LastKnownMeal
20. Bioshock Infinite: Gear System
Booker DeWitt discovers special gear throughout Bioshock Infinite, but this supposedly strategic system never reaches its potential. The passive buffs from hats, shirts, pants, and boots barely impact gameplay. Most players stick with their starter gear since swapping items feels pointless and unrewarding.
