This simple change made my games much more engaging (and it only takes a click).
Players, the time has come to look up.
Most players prefer to play with subtitles on, but I recently changed my approach and opted to play without them, discovering several benefits that have made me not want to go back. If you keep relying on on-screen text, you are missing out on a more complete experience, and turning them off is as simple as a click in the settings menu.
In narrative-focused games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Detroit: Become Human, or SOMA, dialogue is fundamental. The interactions between characters and their environment are essential for immersing ourselves in the story and understanding the world we are exploring. The nuances of dialogues, accompanied by a careful soundtrack and sound effects in games like Dead Space and The Last of Us, create an atmosphere that cannot be simplified to just a few lines of text at the bottom of the screen.
In my previous experience, I constantly looked at the subtitles, fearing I would miss crucial information. However, after reading an article discussing Generation Z's preference for subtitles, I began to reflect and decided to set aside that dependency. As I immersed myself in the visual splendor of Red Dead Redemption 2, I realized how much I was underestimating the visual storytelling in contemporary video games.
Subtitles not only break immersion. Sometimes, they are genuine spoilers that ruin key moments. A classic example is in Mass Effect 2, where the premature revelation of a crucial character can undermine the intrigue built in the early moments of the game. This type of information can act as a stumbling block in the narrative, diminishing the effectiveness of the plot development.
Moreover, I often found myself skimming through the subtitles, thinking I could skip the dialogue and still understand the story, but I realized I was simplifying an experience that should be rich and detailed. By eliminating subtitles, I began to enjoy the narrative in a deeper way, appreciating the nuances and visual expressions that often went unnoticed.
However, it is important to recognize the value of subtitles as an accessibility tool. They are crucial for players with hearing disabilities or for those playing in a language different from their own. But personally, I have come to appreciate more the option of a dialogue log, such as the one offered by Baldur's Gate 3. This alternative allows players to enjoy the visual and auditory performance as the designers intended, while ensuring they don't miss any important details.
At first, it may feel strange to turn off subtitles, as if something is missing, but with a little time, one can discover a new way to enjoy video games.