Marvel’s Wolverine, the latest action game from Sony, has had a rocky launch. While the reviews were generally okay, a series of viral videos from reviewers and streamers have turned the game into a symbol of a design philosophy that many gamers have long found frustrating. In one particularly popular clip from Skill Up’s review, the player is shown entering a stunning winter landscape only to be overwhelmed by visual cues that tell them exactly what to do. Sonar pulses guide the player toward objectives, targets are highlighted with reflective effects, and trails show not only the direction to go but also where the game’s only hidden collectible is. This level of guidance has been criticized as excessive, bordering on parody. The clip has sparked a wave of similar content, with many streamers humorously mocking the game by letting it play itself, such as during a motorbike chase where the player simply sits idle while the game continues. The trend of over-guiding players in big-budget games is not new. Over the late 2000s and 2010s, it became increasingly common to see obvious GPS-like trails showing players where to go, and characters even talking to themselves to remind players of their next task. This has led to recurring debates about game difficulty and accessibility. Some argue that games should offer easy modes for players who aren’t ready to "git gud," but others believe that difficulty and challenge are essential to the experience. A key distinction lies between a game's difficulty and its friction — the latter refers to how much the game helps players achieve their goals. A game with perfect friction is clear about what to do without being overbearing, allowing players to use their agency, strategy, and skill. Too much friction, on the other hand, can remove the challenge and sense of achievement that many players seek. Modern blockbuster game design often aims to minimize this friction, sometimes to the point of removing player agency. For example, some games provide brightly colored trails to guide players or highlight objects with magical watches. While these features can help prevent players from getting stuck, they can also eliminate the need for exploration and problem-solving, which are central to many games. A game like Hollow Knight: Silksong requires players to figure out what to do next, where to go, and how to overcome obstacles — all of which require skill and practice. In contrast, low-friction, low-difficulty games, such as many mobile games, offer little challenge beyond simple interactions. While Wolverine has faced criticism for its over-guided design, it is not as devoid of value as some of the more passive games on the market. The recent success of Dark Souls, a notoriously difficult game that celebrates player skill and persistence, serves as a reminder that challenge can be rewarding. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it is important to remember that the joy of games often comes from the effort and skill required to play them.