I’m sorry, but I’m here to say that I really do not enjoy parrying stuff in videogames
A PC Gamer opinion piece challenges the widespread enthusiasm for parrying mechanics in video games, particularly when implemented in turn-based combat systems. The author recounts a frustrating scenario where a friend recommended a turn-based game, only for the author to be disappointed upon discovering parrying mechanics were included. The article positions parrying as an overrated feature despite its popularity among the broader gaming community.
The author draws parallels to other gaming trends they view as industry-wide missteps, including the prevalence of Quick Time Events (QTEs) that dominated games in previous years and the industry’s tendency to force open-world design into games where it fundamentally doesn’t belong. The piece suggests parrying may be following a similar trajectory—becoming an omnipresent mechanic that developers include without necessarily improving their games.