Stamina and fatigue have become something of a gaming staple. It makes sense, as larger, flashier games of the current era often mean greater immersion — and what better way to convey this than to present a hero thatisn’tan infallible human machine? While stamina has sometimes been critiqued for being overused, burdensome, and adding little to a game, there are some examples that break the mold.
Particularly when it comes to survival, horror, adventure,and simulator genres, stamina and fatigue can add a layer of intrigueand intensity — bringing an engaging element that must be accounted for and a rewarding challenge to overcome. This feature can be further enhanced when used tastefully and creatively. Here are a few examples of some great titles that do just that.
One wouldn’t expect a dynamic, realistic stamina system for a colorful high fantasy game involving spells and powerful gods — but in many ways, that’s the case for this ARPGPillars of Eternityspinoff. Playersmaytake the role of a quasi-deity, but that doesn’t mean they’re impervious. The game incorporates a stamina and fatigue feature that can really be felt in the heat of a fight.
Their first-person avatar will start huffing and puffing when it runs low, making them vulnerable for a bit, depending on the weight and style of their weapon. Even spell-casting takes some of this energy, throwing in another element one must manage along with HP and Essence (mana). Various goodies, buffs, and weapons/gear will alter one’s constantly-in-flux stamina.
Another neat aspect is that enemies have — in a sense — their own version of exertion, via Stun Meter that players can utilize by disrupting and stunning them in battle when it fills up. This produces a visceral, raw, semi-realistic feel in these slug-fests, which complements the more immersive first-person view.
This Kojima Productions sequel to the ambitious, memorableDeath Strandingamps up the scope, gameplay, and nuances to an even more impressive degree. The epic and cinematic survival romp is complemented by a refined, multi-layered stamina system — along with endurance — that must often be managed and maintained.
Many aspects (from weight to dynamic weather)contribute to the boosting or wearing down of stranded porter Sam Bridges' stamina as he wanders the hostile wilderness of post-apocalyptic Australia (and elsewhere). The game makes these elements of fatigue and wear-and-tear a central component — as it should be given the super-harsh circumstances — without being overwhelming, repetitive, or one-dimensional.
Much like the thrilling, well-crafted Samurai adventure-sim that preceded it,Nioh 2continues to entice amateur Eastern swordsmen with tougher, grittier fights, cool weapons like kusarigama and odachi, Soul Core-fueled abilities, and several rewarding modes of progression throughout.
While the player’s stamina mechanic is quite interwoven and detailed as is, what brings this title to the next level is a comparable system inflicted onfoes. These differ in potency and vulnerability depending on the enemy’s makeup and current actions; adding a thick layer of depth to a game already oozing detail and immersion.
While it remains confined to “Early Access” status,Valheimhas already impressed many with imaginative Viking-mythology themes, unpredictable procedurally-generated locales, andfun co-op offerings. The game masterfully blends wild arcade-style action with the grit and nuance of survival adventures. There are seemingly endless ways to approach a fight and customize one’s Viking warrior — and the prominent use of stamina further mixes things up.
Being described by Iron Gate AB as “stamina-based combat,” the feature is clearly crucial, aswouldbe the case when laced with heavy armor while swimming (and even the merestateof being wet), chopping wood, and fending off tough monsters. In true Viking fashion, plundering for food is also key, as some will restore much-needed stamina in-between battles.
Coupled with the ever-pressing ability to survive and maintain one’s acquired Souls, this grueling From Software dark fantasy thrives on its weighty, tactile combat that almost feels as if the player’sreallylugging the Ashen One’s heavy armor and axe. Complementing this is a prominent stamina feature, which is further refined for the robust third entry in this groundbreaking series.
While stamina makes up the seemingly standard appearance of a green bar, there areseveralactions and conditions that subtly affect this bar. In fact, just about anything that doesn’t include simple walking chips away at this crucial meter on some level. This serves as one of the main points of the game’s difficulty, realism — and thus heart-pounding excitement — as players desperately scurry to the next Bonfire or fend off that ominous Serpent-Man.
Adding stamina can inject intensity and fear into chilling horror romps, andThe Long Darkis not shy about using this tool to its advantage. Taking the role of a crash-landed, solitary bush pilot, players will be vulnerable as they make their way across the cold, empty Canadian wilderness in first person. The game can be played via a more typical campaign, or in stripped-down, grittier survival fashion.
The latter really brings stamina to the forefront, as oscillating fatigue levels must be managed to just make it through. Several obstacles and hardships are thrown at the player, including body temperature, hunger, illness, and injury — and many of these work hand in hand with stamina. A seemingly basic action like rope climbing would naturally require ample exertion from protagonist Will Mackenzie and thus fatigues him. Details like this makeThe Long Darkfeel organic and “pop-off-the-screen” real when playing survival mode in particular.
