Linear Power Progression and Mechanical Decay

Discussion

Linear power progression often creates a paradox where the reward for mastering a game's systems is the ability to ignore those systems entirely. Early game loops usually rely on scarcity: limited stamina, fragile health, or restricted movement. These constraints force players to engage with the environment and combat mechanics to survive. However, late game builds frequently introduce capstone abilities that bypass these hurdles. When a player can teleport across maps or one shot bosses, the tension vanishes. The game stops being a series of problems to solve and becomes a victory lap. This shift suggests that the industry standard of making players feel overpowered can actually undermine the mechanical integrity of the design. Which games have you played where the late game progression effectively broke the core loop, and did that shift feel like a reward or a loss of engagement?