I got lost in Pragmata‘s New York. It was a little embarrassing, actually. I was in the shopping center, which is maze-like but not exactly huge, and entered a small area with three different exits. I wasn’t paying close attention at that point, having swapped to a different screen briefly, so I couldn’t remember which exit I had entered from. It was a dumb mistake Pragmata let me make, and I was thrilled.
Pragmata gives you a scanner that points out the general location of important objects, and you can even upgrade it later to show nearby collectibles, if you feel so inclined. I used it maybe twice — the first time to see how it worked and later to find a mod chest I just could not track down. The option to de-mystify the world and know where to go is welcome in situations like that, but even more welcome is that it’s just an option.
It’s annoying when games tell you precisely where to go and what to do; it defeats the point of playing. Why, I always wonder, would you bother giving me these painstakingly crafted worlds, just to put me on a pre-determined path that points out all the surprises? I’ll ask for help if I need it. Otherwise, please leave me alone. The emotional satisfaction you get from trying something of your own volition that results in something cool happening is exponentially larger than finding something after you get a hint or reminder.
