You’re a dungeon explorer out for fame and glory. You were sure to stock up on torches because you know where you going hasn’t been graced by civilization for thousands of years. You’re at the gates, but before you can open the door you set off a trap and the ground beneath you gives way. You fall into the depths of an unknown cave system. Much to your surprise, the entire place is lit up like Christmas.
Why are all these torches burning on the wall? The place is abandoned. It makes no sense.
This is little gaming pet peeve of mine. It takes me out of the experience and reminds me, “Hey, this is a videogame I’m playing.” That’s not something I want from interactive media. I want to be fully engrossed in the content of the game. I want to feel as if the game was an extension of myself. I am the character exploring the mysteriously lit-up cave system after all.
Most games features dark areas that would be a pain to explore if they weren’t properly lit. That’s why there are torches still burning in places uninhabited for over a century. I understand why there are there, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. It takes me out of the experience.
