Don't get me wrong. I don't mind tutorials if done RIGHT.
Grandia 3 for example, newcomers to the series wouldn't know the difference between selecting Combo or Critical (Combo does more damage, Critical interrupts enemy actions if timed well) and they made it AMUSING. The protagonist's MOTHER was explaining combat and was all like "Kids these days might call this a tutorial." She even went on to say she felt sorry that he kept wailing on poor Soldier A. It made a good impression and ensured I wouldn't forget what I learned (as opposed to my sister who just mashed through it and spammed critical most of the game because "critical hits do more damage in other games."
Mild handholding came later. There's an option you can turn off where allies shout out advice in mid battle. "Yuki! That big one is targeting Ulf! Cancel it!" If you weren't aware of a skill's timing, this was actually very useful, even if it did take a lot of the strategy out, as it even told you "Dahna, only you can save Ulf now!" "Ulf, there's nothing else for it, defend!"
But anyways, in all seriousness....
Accessibility: Lack of "Guide Dang it" moments. You shouldn't need to know to attack specific areas of the floor to find mandatory secret rooms to clear a game, for example.
Handholding: Anything more, past the first few skirmishes. Exception is when a new combat feature is unlocked, in which case, taking a minute to explain the merits is fine. Examples include Yggdra Union and Eternal Sonata.
Grandia 3 for example, newcomers to the series wouldn't know the difference between selecting Combo or Critical (Combo does more damage, Critical interrupts enemy actions if timed well) and they made it AMUSING. The protagonist's MOTHER was explaining combat and was all like "Kids these days might call this a tutorial." She even went on to say she felt sorry that he kept wailing on poor Soldier A. It made a good impression and ensured I wouldn't forget what I learned (as opposed to my sister who just mashed through it and spammed critical most of the game because "critical hits do more damage in other games."
Mild handholding came later. There's an option you can turn off where allies shout out advice in mid battle. "Yuki! That big one is targeting Ulf! Cancel it!" If you weren't aware of a skill's timing, this was actually very useful, even if it did take a lot of the strategy out, as it even told you "Dahna, only you can save Ulf now!" "Ulf, there's nothing else for it, defend!"
But anyways, in all seriousness....
Accessibility: Lack of "Guide Dang it" moments. You shouldn't need to know to attack specific areas of the floor to find mandatory secret rooms to clear a game, for example.
Handholding: Anything more, past the first few skirmishes. Exception is when a new combat feature is unlocked, in which case, taking a minute to explain the merits is fine. Examples include Yggdra Union and Eternal Sonata.
