If the gaming community has taught us anything, it’s that mastering challenging games can be a source of immense pride. However, the line between skill and ego can sometimes blur. The thrill of discovering innovative strategies often surpasses the mere act of achieving perfection in gameplay. This sentiment was recently echoed in discussions surrounding the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, where many players believed that success hinged on mastering its intricate dodging and parrying mechanics. Yet, one Reddit user, HunterIV4, decided to challenge this notion.
The Challenge Accepted
In a post that sparked considerable interest, HunterIV4 shared their experience tackling the game without relying on dodging or parrying. “I’ve seen a lot of posts from people about how hard this game is and how you need to get perfect at dodge/parry in order to survive,” they noted. This prompted HunterIV4 to take on the challenge, particularly for those who might feel discouraged by the game’s reputation. “There are plenty of people out there who may be turned off from the game thinking, ‘Well, I suck at Souls games and action games in general; should I skip this game?'”
Despite the skepticism surrounding their approach, HunterIV4 managed to complete the game and even conquer some of its notoriously difficult optional bosses. Their strategy involved utilizing the auto QTE feature and steering clear of the recently nerfed ‘one-shot’ builds. Instead, they focused on a weapon that could absorb damage while simultaneously buffing their party members.
Finding Success in Story Mode
The key to their success lay in playing on Story mode, which simplifies certain boss mechanics, replacing them with more straightforward attacks. This adjustment allowed HunterIV4 to survive long enough to defeat all story-critical encounters. They acknowledged that while higher difficulty levels might present a challenge without exploiting overpowered builds, their experiment demonstrated a crucial point: “The goal was to see if someone who didn’t go for the absolute best builds or have good reflexes could still beat the game,” they explained. “I think I demonstrated that most people can beat the game with minimal or even no dodging at all.”
HunterIV4’s journey not only highlights the potential for creativity in gameplay but also serves as an encouragement for players who may shy away from challenging titles. In a world where gaming often emphasizes skill and speed, their experience reminds us that there are many paths to victory, each worthy of exploration.
