>>717323158 (OP)
I think there's an inherent problem with them feeling too samey.
I'm not a game designer but I think there are 3 main ways other games can offer variety but beat em ups can't:
1) Player mechanic depth. In 2d fighting games, for example, the depth control axis is used to combo inputs, which is difficult for beat em ups. You only have to focus on one enemy, and there's a lot of possible expression on how to attack him and defend from him. In beat em ups you instead have to manage being surrounded, it's a bit more tactical, but depth suffers. Other action genres with many enemies (first person shooters, top down shooters, bullet hells, run n guns) usually have projectiles, both for the player and enemies, and fast movespeed, which allows for other depth dimensions to emerge. Not the case in beat em ups.
2) Because enemies are designed to be in groups, mostly melee, and moving in tight spaces, there's barely any possible variety to their design. Some jump at you. Others throw a knife or grenade. Some grab you from behind... that's about it.
3) Environments are mechanically super plain. Also the case in other genres like 2d fighters or bullet hells, but not in fps, platformers, rts, etc. Sometimes there are cliffs, rolling barrels, flames coming out of the ground, giant guillotines... super stiff and barely adds depth. An elevator level. An autoscroller where you are on a rolling vehicle. Meh.
There's little variety in player expression, enemies and environments. What's left?
>Some resource management. Sometimes there are limited use items, mana. Not much else.
>"RPG elements". Classes, stats, level ups. It's alright.
Please understand that I'm not saying this as a "hater". I like the genre, but it sort of feels like playing the same game over and over again, just with different sprites. It feels like there's little to be explored in the genre, which is why it's "dead".
