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Action games have a parrying problem
A.V. Club • • technology
Key Points:
- Mortal Shell II features multiple shield mechanics for blocking and parrying enemy attacks, including a unique stone statue transformation that staggers foes and allows continued attacks during the animation.
- Parrying in video games adds high-risk, high-reward gameplay by forcing players to time their defenses precisely, making each battle moment tense and rewarding, as seen in titles like Dark Souls and Batman: Arkham.
- The appeal of parrying lies in its intentionality and skill requirement, preventing players from relying on button mashing and encouraging focus on enemy attack patterns and timing.
- However, the repeated use of parrying mechanics can become repetitive after extensive play, as enemy attack variations are limited, potentially reducing the novelty and excitement over time.
- Despite this, Mortal Shell II is praised for its creative monster designs, which add visual interest to its otherwise familiar parrying-based combat system.
