The video game industry is a landscape of constant evolution, driven by innovation, bold creative visions, and the insatiable appetite of players for the next big thing. We expect polish, we expect
excitement, and we often expect a certain genre of experience. We anticipate the usual – the satisfying loop of progression, the familiar tropes, the genres we know and love. But then, every so often, a game emerges that throws the rulebook out the window, a title that surprises us so profoundly it lingers long after the credits roll. These are the games that are than usual.

“Than Usual” isn’t about groundbreaking mechanics or AAA budgets, though those can certainly contribute. It’s about a deeper resonance, a departure from the expected that taps into something unexpected, something more profound. It’s about a game that defied our
preconceived notions, that took a familiar genre and twisted it into a shape we’d never imagined, or that presented a world and a narrative that simply felt… different.

Consider the early days of interactive fiction. Players expected text-based puzzles and rudimentary narratives. Then came games like Myst. Instead of combat or traditional quests, players were dropped into a silent, beautiful, and profoundly enigmatic world, tasked with deciphering its secrets through observation and intricate
environmental puzzles. It was slower, more contemplative, and utterly captivating in a way that was than usual. It proved that interactive entertainment could be about atmosphere and intellectual curiosity as much as adrenaline.

Fast forward to the indie boom, a breeding ground for the “than usual.” Think about Papers, Please. Who would have imagined that a game about being a border control officer in a dystopian communist state could be so utterly compelling? The mundane act of stamping passports became a tense ethical tightrope, forcing players to make heart-wrenching decisions with limited information. The bleakness of the setting was juxtaposed with the surprisingly deep emotional impact of its gameplay. It was a stark reminder that powerful storytelling and engaging mechanics don’t always require dragons or spaceships. It was, unequivocally, than usual.

Then there are the games that take a beloved genre and inject it with a completely unexpected tone or narrative. Undertale is a prime example. On the surface, it’s a charming 16-bit RPG with quirky characters and a catchy soundtrack. But its true genius lies in its revolutionary approach to combat. Players are actively encouraged not to fight. The game rewards pacifism and empathy, allowing you to befriend and spare enemies, leading to radically different story paths and endings. This subversion of the core RPG loop, this emphasis on choice and consequence in a way that challenged the very definition of “winning,” was profoundly than usual.

We also see “than usual” in games that offer a unique perspective. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice plunged players into the fractured psyche of a warrior battling her inner demons, visualized through stunning graphics and a deeply affecting narrative delivered through binaural audio. It wasn’t just a game; it was an experience designed to evoke empathy and understanding for mental illness, a topic rarely explored with such depth and sensitivity in the medium. The bravery and emotional honesty of its presentation were undeniably than usual.

Even within established franchises, “than usual” can manifest. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, while still a Zelda game, shattered expectations with its open-world design and emphasis on player freedom. The expectation of linear progression and hand-held guidance was replaced with an invitation to explore, experiment, and forge your own path. The sheer emergent gameplay possibilities and the sense of boundless discovery made it feel like a fresh, than usual take on a beloved formula.

In an industry constantly striving for the next blockbuster and the familiar hit, it’s the games that dare to be different, the games that defy expectations, that truly leave their mark. They remind us that the potential of interactive entertainment is vast and untamed. They are the games that are than usual, and it is precisely these deviations from the norm that enrich the medium, challenge our perceptions, and ultimately, create the most memorable and impactful gaming experiences. As players, we should always be on the lookout for them, for it’s in these unexpected treasures that the true magic of gaming often lies.