14 Awful Examples of Padding In Video Games

Metroid Prime Remastered – Artifact Hunt

Nintendo surprised us gamers by shadow dropping a worthy remaster of Metroid Prime on Switch, and while the game still remains a compelling adventure all these years later – it’s subject to some nonsensical padding that feels really aggravating according to modern standards. To gain access to the final area of the game, you need to collect all Artifacts that are spread across the planet. Many of these artifacts can’t be reached until you gain certain endgame abilities, so it’s just not possible to keep collecting these objects as you run through the levels. Therefore, you have no option but to keep backtracking to previously explored areas just before the finale which can really sour the experience for newcomers to the franchise.