There’s a peculiar kind of gatekeeping that pops up in gaming spaces now and then — the disdain for (*raise hand*) easy mode players.
Scroll through Reddit threads or watch the comment section on YouTube, and you’ll find someone bragging about how they beat a boss with no armor and a spoon… followed by someone else getting mocked for picking the “story mode” option.
But here’s the thing — what’s the point of playing a game if you’re not enjoying it?
The elitism behind difficulty
Some gamers equate skill with self-worth.
In their eyes, breezing through a game on easy mode somehow invalidates the experience. But this mindset forgets one important thing: games are not standardized tests. They’re meant to be fun, immersive, and sometimes even therapeutic.
Not everyone has the time, reflexes, or even physical ability to play on “ultra nightmare” difficulty. And that’s okay.
According to the 2023 Developer Satisfaction Survey by the IGDA, 44% of game developers identified as having a physical or mental difference. This significant statistic underscores the importance of accessibility in game design, highlighting the need for inclusive features that accommodate a diverse range of players.
The changing faces of gamers
The stereotypical image of the teenage basement-dwelling gamer? Super outdated.
Today’s gaming audience is incredibly diverse. A 2023 report from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) found that:
▪️46% of gamers are women
▪️62% of adults (18+) engage in video gaming.
▪️The average age of a gamer is 32 years old, with an average of 21 years of gaming experience.
▪️83% play games for stress relief
It’s no surprise that a lot of people lean toward modes that let them enjoy the story without punishing gameplay. And yet, some parts of the community still act like easy mode is “cheating.”
What does ‘Difficulty’ even mean?
Game difficulty isn’t just about cranking enemy damage. There are layers to how challenge is built:
▪️Artificial difficulty: When a game becomes hard by giving enemies unfair advantages, like being damage sponges or removing save points (cough early JRPGs).
▪️Adaptive difficulty: Games like Left 4 Dead or Resident Evil 4 adjust intensity based on how you’re doing. You’re struggling? The game eases up. You’re steamrolling? Time to sweat. Here’s an explanation of adaptive difficulty used in Resident Evil 4.
▪️Assistive design: Celeste includes a thoughtful Assist Mode, offering players tools like invincibility and slow motion — and makes it clear that using them is valid.
Difficulty is a design tool, not a rite of passage.
The rise of accessibility awareness has brought more voices into the spotlight especially from players with disabilities, neurodivergence, or even just full-time jobs. Custom difficulty options let more people play, period.
Games that normalize easy mode
Here’s a list of games that don’t judge you for turning the difficulty down, and might even encourage it:
▪️Spider-Man (PS4/PS5): Friendly Neighborhood mode lets you be Spidey without breaking a sweat.
▪️The Last of Us Part II: Features sliders for everything — enemy accuracy, stealth perception, resource scarcity.
▪️Hades: God Mode gradually boosts your resistance every time you die — no shame, just progress.
▪️Celeste: Assist Mode is woven into the game’s themes of self-acceptance.
▪️Animal Well: No combat, just pure exploration and smart puzzle-solving.
And hey — playing on hard mode isn’t a flex all the time, but it’s not a crime either
There is joy in challenge. I get that.
For some players, ramping up the difficulty is how they immerse themselves. Every parry, every frame-perfect dodge, every boss beaten with 1 HP left is part of the thrill. It’s not about gatekeeping, it’s about personal satisfaction.
So to speedrunners, min-maxers, soulsborne masochists — you’re valid too.
Some players crave the sense of mastery that comes from learning patterns and pushing limits. Games like Sekiro, Returnal, or Dark Souls wouldn’t feel the same on “Tourist Mode,” and that’s kind of the point. For people who love hard mode, the frustration is part of the fun.
(Though I really wish Lies of P had easy mode, because I love stream punk!)
Here’s the catch, though: liking hard mode doesn’t mean easy mode is wrong. Just like choosing easy mode doesn’t invalidate the game’s value.
The problem only starts when someone else’s preferred difficulty setting becomes a measuring stick for “real” gaming.
My controller, my rules
So here I am — just me, my controller in hand, casually playing Expedition 33 on Story Mode because I’m here for the vibes, the gorgeous art, and yes… the jiggle physics. (Look, if we can talk about realistic leaf rendering, we can talk about… physics where the sun don’t usually shine. It’s 2025. Game engines are wild now.)
I’m not here to prove anything. I’m here because it’s fun.
I don’t need enemies with one-shot kill moves to validate my experience. Sometimes, I just want to enjoy the narrative, explore the world, and take a million screenshots of unnecessarily detailed armor… and other things.
Repeat after me: “You’re not less of a gamer”
So let’s put this to rest: Choosing easy mode doesn’t make you a fake gamer. It makes you someone who knows how to tailor an experience to your own enjoyment which, last we checked, is kind of the point.
Games are for everyone. If someone wants to bash you for playing on easy, remind them: life is already hard. Sometimes, you just want to win a little. And maybe admire the physics while you’re at it.
