Admitting that you sometimes prefer a more laid-back gaming experience can feel taboo among hardcore players. In an era dominated by Soulslike games and communities that celebrate mastering challenging gameplay, many gamers display their toughest achievements like trophies. However, I also relish difficult games while acknowledging that there are times I just want to unwind. Gaming doesn’t always have to involve grueling mechanics, punishing death loops, or meticulous stat optimization.
For this reason, I often choose games that allow me to adjust the difficulty settings, leaning towards easier modes. Sure, I could spend countless hours grinding through every title for bragging rights, but sometimes the enjoyment of a game is simply paramount. Here’s a curated list of ten games that are either more fun on Easy mode, align better with their narratives, or offer improved balance when played at lower difficulty settings.
10 The First Berserker: Khazan
Take The Edge Off
Despite my admiration for Soulslike games, not every entry needs to be a punishing ordeal. In The First Berserker: Khazan, the difficulty scaling feels excessive. While the traversal through levels isn’t punishing and standard enemies are manageable, certain bosses have been tuned to a frustrating degree, often resulting in experiences that feel more annoying than rewarding.
Fortunately, this game accommodates various skill levels with Easy and Normal modes. Personally, I find that the balance improves significantly on Easy mode, and there’s even buzz about introducing an even gentler difficulty option in the future.
9 Another Crab’s Treasure
Soft-Shell
You might be surprised to learn that Another Crab’s Treasure is regarded as one of the more accessible Soulslike titles. However, I personally preferred it for its lighthearted approach rather than its challenge. This game feels much more like a vibrant, PS2-era mascot platformer, where the focus is simply on fun rather than challenging gameplay.
During my playthroughs, I opted to reduce the difficulty and enjoyed a carefree romp through its whimsical world. The tunable settings allow players to tailor their experience to their liking; just be wary of using the pistol shell, which can instantaneously defeat even the toughest bosses!
8 Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
Say, Drake
The Uncharted series, heralded as one of Sony’s finest, includes Drake’s Fortune, the original title that still holds a special place in my heart. While the later entries have raised the bar significantly, there’s no shame in opting for Easy mode to swiftly navigate through this installment.
The enemies in the first game often feel overly resilient, which can be a suspension of disbelief. Reducing the difficulty enhances the overall experience, allowing players to enjoy the adventure without feeling bogged down by overly spongy adversaries.
7 Forza Horizon 5
Cut Some Corners
As someone who enjoys racing sims like Gran Turismo 7 in the most realistic settings, I must confess that Forza Horizon 5 thrives as an arcade racer. The game presents exhilarating moments such as racing against trains and helicopters, and a realistic experience isn’t necessary.
Activating assists, utilizing automatic shifting, and blasting your favorite tunes allows for a chaotic yet thrilling experience, reminiscent of the thrills found in Burnout 3: Takedown. Whether you prefer enhanced AI or a more forgiving experience, increasing the assists elevates the fun in Forza Horizon 5.
6 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Force Push It Real Good
Although I might be courting ridicule for including another Soulslike, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order isn’t designed to be unnecessarily challenging. The use of a lightsaber comes with substantial power in the lore, yet the game throws waves of resistance that feel oddly unbalanced.
By opting for Easy mode (or Jedi Knight as it’s termed), players can more fully embrace the joy of wielding a lightsaber without overwhelming challenges. The experience becomes a thrilling narrative adventure fueled by Jedi powers without relentless setbacks. Just avoid the easier ‘Story’ difficulty; instead, Jedi Knight presents a sweet spot of challenge without becoming burdensome.
5 Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
We Ain’t In The Prisoner Takin’ Business
The latest titles in the Wolfenstein series rank among my favorites in the first-person shooter genre. However, The New Colossus features inconsistency concerning difficulty. While alternating between Easy and Normal can mitigate frustration, I recommend setting it to a lower difficulty to avoid sudden spikes that disrupt gameplay.
Considering the serious themes of the game, I prefer to experience my own power as the protagonist without frequently facing death, ensuring that BJ can unleash havoc upon enemies seamlessly.
4 The Last Of Us Part 2
Bleak Enough As It Is
Another entry from Naughty Dog, The Last of Us Part 2 is a narrative achievement. Yet, gameplay isn’t always enjoyable due to its dark themes, which can become emotionally taxing. By playing on a lower difficulty, you can experience the powerful story while easing the burdens of gameplay.
The game is more about the cutscenes and story progression, so focusing on the narrative rather than combat can enhance your overall experience. Lowering the difficulty can help you bypass less engaging segments for the captivating narrative highs.
3 NieR: Automata
Oh, The Humanity
Proceeding cautiously here, NieR: Automata is iconic, and the less you know beforehand, the better. While it might hit some repetitive notes early on—by design—the gameplay remains stylish and enjoyable, particularly on easier difficulty settings.
Playing on Easy showcases an engaging experience while rushing you towards the game’s thrilling final acts. This third chapter features a challenging spike, so starting on Easy preps you for the journey ahead. Additionally, the game offers one of the simplest Platinum trophies available; you can purchase trophies straight from a merchant, making the grind feel less daunting.
2 God Of War (2018)
Too Much To Ax
Undeniably, God of War (2018) is exceptional, showcasing the necessary evolution of the series across various facets. However, the combat doesn’t necessitate a grueling experience. With an array of storytelling elements, puzzles, and exploratory opportunities, too much focus on combat can hinder the overall gameplay.
The power fantasy of dominating adversaries feels incredible, making it worthwhile to lower the difficulty to avoid tedious battles. Even on Easy, formidable Valkyrie encounters still provide the occasional challenge, making this a sensible adjustment.
1 Person 5 Royal
Phantom Breeze
Persona 5 Royal ranks among my favorite JRPGs, encompassing a captivating story, engaging characters, and stylish gameplay. One element I could do without, however, is the grind for levels in a game already extending beyond 100 hours. On Easy mode, the combat remains rewarding without the stress of losing ground in such a lengthy title.
While the game isn’t exceptionally challenging on Normal, an easier combat experience allows for more exploration of its captivating narratives and interactions. If you’ve played the original Persona 5, shifting down to a lower difficulty in Royal helps you dive into new content faster without the grind, earning you no judgment for your choice.
Additionally, while the game features an easily accessible ‘Safety’ mode where loss in battles isn’t an option, I suggest sticking to Easy if you still want to enjoy the gameplay while embracing the dramatic storytelling that Persona 5 Royal offers.
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