Do you like Walking Simulators?

[Lafiel]

Hiku said:

I'd say games where you get from point A to B by primarily holding forward on the stick (with an occasional mountain climb, etc) are not Walking Simulators.

What makes Gran Turismo a racing simulator over an arcade racing game?
It's the focus on the more realistic elements that affect the cars in a race. Buying different parts, fine tuning adjustments, the damage caused to the vehicle, and so on.

In that sense Death Stranding may be the first game where 'walking simulator' would be an accurate description of a significant portion of the game. Because they made the traversal into a game where you have to think about where you plant your feet, the balance of each leg, the amount of cargo you're carrying, equipment loadout that helps with certain terrain but is a hindrance in others, and the various effects this has on the body, etc.

So I'd say the others are more akin to 'walking games', and not simulators.

I haven't played a walking simulator yet, but I imagine the traversal mechanics can really make it or break it.
Wheres in a game where you simply progress by 'walking', it's mainly a trivial process, so things like interesting puzzles or a compelling story would be more in focus for my enjoyment of the game.

DS is certainly not the first 'walking simulator', as there have been flash games and Octodad, which make walking a game mechanic.

Btw I propose the term 'walkade game' for the others - that said the 'simulator' part of the term was initially used to say "these are not proper games, they don't deserve the label game".