Guidance vs. Mastery in Modern AAA Design

Design

We saw this transition start in earnest around 2012 when 'invisible tutorials' became the industry buzzword. The intent was to keep players in the flow. The actual outcome was a slow creep toward total hand-holding. Now, AAA titles often prioritize a frictionless experience to the point where experimentation is discouraged. If a pop-up tells you exactly which ability to use for a specific enemy the moment they appear, you are not learning the system; you are following instructions. There is a distinct difference between making a game accessible and removing the cognitive load required for mastery. When the discovery process is automated, the reward for figuring it out disappears. This removes the friction, but it also removes the satisfaction of solving the puzzle of the mechanics. Which recent titles have you played where the guidance felt like it hindered your ability to actually master the mechanics, and conversely, where did a lack of explicit instruction actually enhance your experience?