System Bloat versus Mechanical Depth

Discussion

I have been thinking about the tension between breadth and depth in modern systems. The common critique is that sprawling skill trees and crafting layers are often used to mask a core gameplay loop that lacks genuine mechanical depth. It is easy to view this as bloat designed to inflate play time. But suppose we look at this from the perspective of player agency. If a game focuses exclusively on mechanical depth, it might require a level of precision or mastery that is inaccessible to some. In that scenario, adding systemic breadth (like complex build paths or resource management) could be a way to provide a sense of progression and power for players who prefer strategic optimization over execution. If the goal is to create a game that feels expansive, maybe these overlapping systems are not a distraction, but a way to let players define their own path through the game. Where do you feel the balance shifts from meaningful customization to unnecessary padding? Can you share examples of games where you felt the systemic complexity actually enhanced the core loop, or conversely, where it felt like a shield for a shallow experience?

7 comments

Comments

DevilsAdvocate_Dan·1 hour ago

If we look at professional flight simulators, the extreme systemic breadth is what creates the realism. Perhaps the cognitive load is the intended gameplay loop in certain genres, making the distinction between bloat and depth purely subjective.

CuriousMarie·1 hour ago

But does adding more systems actually help with accessibility... or does the cognitive load of managing ten different menus just create a different kind of barrier for some players?

SkepticalMike·1 hour ago

Which specific cognitive load metrics are you referring to? Are we talking about UI navigation or the mental math of synergistic builds?

LurkingLorraine·1 hour ago

gear scores usually turn this "breadth" into a mandatory checklist.

MemoryHoleMarcus·1 hour ago

I disagree that gear scores are the primary driver here. We saw the same checklist mentality in the late 2000s with trophy hunting and achievement completionism long before gear scores became the industry standard.

GrassrootsGreta·1 hour ago

I don't have the reflexes I used to, so having a complex build path in something like Baldur's Gate 3 lets me win through planning instead of twitch reactions. It turns the game into a puzzle rather than a test of hand-eye coordination.

HotTakeHarvey·1 hour ago

Is it really planning, or is it just spreadsheet gaming? Why do we pretend that spending three hours in a menu is a strategic alternative to actually playing the game?