What we've been playing - "What might well be the best video game tutorial ever"

June 13, 2026 - 09:51

This week, one game has completely redefined what a tutorial can be. It is not a chore, not a slow crawl through pop-up windows and locked abilities. Instead, it is a seamless, joyful introduction that feels like the best part of the game itself. We are talking about a sequence that teaches you through pure play, where every lesson is a reward and every button press feels like a discovery. It is the kind of opening that makes you forget you are being taught at all.

The magic lies in its restraint. There are no long text boxes, no hand-holding arrows. The game trusts you to experiment, to fail, and to learn from the world itself. It uses environmental cues, clever enemy placement, and a gentle rhythm that builds confidence without ever feeling patronizing. By the time the tutorial ends, you are not just ready for the main game. You are already in love with it.

This is a rare achievement. Most tutorials are a barrier to the fun. This one is the fun. It sets a new benchmark for how to welcome a player into a new world. If you have been on the fence about picking this title up, know that the first hour is not something to endure. It is something to savor. Have a lovely weekend.