As 2024 promises a slew of exciting game releases, anticipation mounts for titles like Grand Theft Auto 6, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and the highly awaited The Witcher 4. While The Witcher 4 is still in the works and set to build upon the success of its predecessor, The Witcher 3, there's a vital lesson that both it and a potential Hogwarts Legacy 2 might need to learn.
The Common Challenge
Overabundance of Repetitive Side Quests
Despite The Witcher 3's lauded open-world design and rich storytelling, an issue arises with the excess of generic white question mark icons littering the map. These markers lead players to a mix of meaningful missions and mundane tasks, overwhelming players with the sheer volume of content, potentially deterring them from exploring further.
Akin to this, Hogwarts Legacy also faces a similar hurdle with its 95 Merlin Trials, offering a mix of puzzles that, while diverse, can feel like quantity over quality, risking player fatigue.
A Tough Decision Ahead
For The Witcher 4 and Hogwarts Legacy 2, the challenge lies in finding the right balance. They must choose between culling the abundance of repetitive quests or elevating them to be more engaging and rewarding. This decision will shape the player experience, requiring developers to strike a delicate balance between quantity and quality to keep players invested.