Immersion is a major selling point in many video games. Many developers try to give players the ability to interact with the world and live out the life of their character as much as possible. These games may add in features like player choice or real time events to add that extra little feel of realism.
Some games like to go a little further with this though, and give players the option to do things beyond the scope of any mission or purpose. Whether they are fun personalization options or just throwaway abilities, these features prove that it doesn't have to be useful to be awesome.
Classic Weapon Pose - DOOM Eternal (2020)
It could be argued that DOOM Eternal's unlockable costumes could fall into this category as well given that is a first person game, but many of those costumes are awesome or bizarre enough to warrant their inclusion. The game's classic weapon pose may add nothing to gameplay, but it is still a genius addition to the title.
The original DOOM famously featured weapons being held straight out in front like they were coming out of the player's chest. While the newer games have moved the weapons to a more logical position, Eternal gave players the option to switch back to the original pose. It is a loving and awesome homage to the still legendary original.
Smoking - Vanquish (2010)
Cementing the hilariously but awesomely over the top tone of Vanquish is this well remembered mechanic. How many other games feature a dedicated button for smoking? While smoking is typically something to avoid in real life, there is something different about having the option to do it in a game as action oriented as Vanquish.
While taking cover, players have the option to quickly smoke a cigarette and toss it aside. This actually can prove to be incredibly useful as a distraction to enemies, but at its core this is essentially just a fun throwaway feature. Pun intended.
Character Specific Abilities - Various LEGO Games
Traveler's Tales' spectacular LEGO tie-in games are beloved by fans of all ages for their simple but fun gameplay and unique sense of humor. In many of their games, some famous characters have specific abilities exclusive to them that offer fun little nods to their source material.
In LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 for example, Star Lord can play music from his walkman to make characters dance. Mr. Fantastic can turn into a washing machine. In LEGO Star Wars Princess Leia can do a strange lounge dance and Chewbacca can rip Stormtroopers arms off. They may not do much, but these abilities sure do add heart to their games.
Scalping - Gun (2005)
To call a scalping mechanic a "great addition" is a bit of a stretch at best, but the feature in Gun has become one of the most discussed pointless video game mechanics ever. Gun may be one of the best western video games ever made, but it does make a few questionable decisions.
Early in the game players can buy a scalping knife, which gives them the option to scalp fallen enemies. The act itself occurs completely offscreen, and in terms of gameplay does absolutely nothing except produce a usually cheesy outburst from the poor victim. There is no real reason to do this, and perhaps it was only included to reveal just how sadistic players can be.
Rock, Paper, Scissors - Portal 2 (2011)
Portal 2 is legendary among players for its dry wit and unique sense of humor, and that sense of humor is on full display in the game's cooperative mode. The co-op story gives players numerous ways to interact with and mess with each other, including a wheel of emotes.
These emotes give players the ability to high five one another, steal the other's CPU, and play rock paper scissors. None of these options have any affect on gameplay outside of triggering an amusing animation, but they do give players a fun way to bond with one another while solving puzzles.
Owning Fish - Mass Effect Series (2007-2012)
The Mass Effect Trilogy gives players nearly endless options on how to play and customize their version of Commander Shepard, including the chance to collect models, pets, and fish for their personal quarters. Throughout the game they can purchase a multitude of fish to keep as pets.
Owning fish does not provide any sort of bonus, and they do little after they are bought outside of floating in the tank. Most importantly, the fish have to be fed after every mission or they will die. It is definitely easy to get attached to the fish, so it is up to each player to decide if they are worth buying. Perhaps Shepard's biggest threat was responsibility.
Quipping - Spider-Man (2018)
Each of the multiple unlockable suits in Marvel's Spiderman comes with its own special ability that players can use once they have bought the suit. Most of these are powerful abilities to help fight enemies or traverse the city easier, but the ability that comes with the animated suit does neither.
This ability simply unleashes a random quip from the web slinger instead of a special move, ranging in quality from clever to groan inducing. Since Spiderman will already quip throughout the game, there really is not much point to adding a new ability for it, but it is still a fun option. It is small touches like this that make Spiderman one of the best superhero games.
Farting - Fable 2 (2008)
Like most choice based games, Fable 2 has a very complex system for how players can interact with other characters in the game. The wide variety of expressions range everywhere from flirtatious, intimidating, rude, and funny. Even among expressions like "vulgar thrust", farting is by far the strangest.
One of the expressions that players have access to from the beginning is the fart, which can be emitted while talking to townsfolk, fighting enemies, or while completely alone just for fun. While it can affect how conversations go, farting will do little else, and doing it wrong can even result in players soiling themselves. Fable 2 is great, but it is a very strange game.
Hidden References - Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2005)
Featuring phenomenal gameplay and a huge cast of characters and locations, Star Wars Battlefront 2 is by far one of the best Star Wars games ever made. In addition to the stellar, massive battles, Battlefront 2 also contains several numerous loving references to the movies.
The game's multiple maps are littered with subtle Easter eggs from the movies, and many of which can be interacted with. Players can find the Jedi Council chambers, get eaten by Jabba the Hutt's Rancor, and stumble into the Death Star's famous trash compactor. Most of these nods are too niche to make a difference in gameplay, but they add that extra touch to make the game even better.
Gun Spinning - Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
Most people have probably fantasized about being a gunslinging cowboy at some point in their lives, and Red Dead Redemption 2 gives one of the most immersive Old West experiences ever. There are far too many immersion features to count, but by far the most satisfying is gun spinning.
Like the classic movie outlaws, players can pull off a cool twirl as they holster their weapons by holding down the button. There is no benefit to doing so, but watching Arthur flip his gun around after a tense quickdraw duel is the cherry on top of the ultimate cowboy experience. Gun twirling may just be for show, but it sure is awesome.