2025-11-17 12:01

I still remember the first time I encountered what I now call the "Tong Its approach" in gaming—it was during my third playthrough of Batman: Arkham Knight. There I was, supposedly tracking down Scarecrow's main chemical weapon, when I spotted a cluster of rat statues perched on a rooftop I hadn't visited before. The main mission could wait, I decided. What followed was two hours of methodically hunting down every last statue, radio, and audio log in that district. This compulsive need to explore every corner, to solve every optional puzzle, mirrors the ancient strategic philosophy of Tong Its—a mindset that values comprehensive mastery over straightforward victory. In both gaming and strategic thinking, this approach transforms the journey from a linear path into a rich tapestry of interconnected discoveries.

The beauty of Tong Its lies in its recognition that true mastery requires understanding all elements of a system, not just the primary objectives. In Arkham Knight's sprawling Gotham, this meant I spent roughly 40% of my 60-hour playthrough engaging with content that was technically "optional." The game's metroidvania design perfectly facilitates this approach—you're constantly encountering puzzles that tease your curiosity but require specific tools to complete. I distinctly remember staring up at a ventilation shaft early in the game, knowing I'd need the bat-claw to reach it, mentally bookmarking its location for later. This constant awareness of future possibilities creates what I call "strategic foresight"—the Tong Its practitioner doesn't see obstacles as barriers but as opportunities to return with better tools and understanding.

What surprised me most was how these seemingly minor activities fundamentally changed my relationship with the game world. While chasing down Riddler trophies (of which there are exactly 243 in Arkham Knight, for those keeping score), I discovered hidden pathways and environmental details I would have otherwise missed. The propaganda radios—there are 54 scattered throughout Gotham—aren't just collectibles; they provide crucial world-building context that enhances the main narrative. This is where Tong Its diverges from simple completionism—it's about understanding how every element connects to form a cohesive whole. I found myself taking notes, creating mental maps, and developing strategies that blended main objectives with side content in ways that felt uniquely personal.

The combat and stealth challenges outside the main campaign represent another layer of Tong Its mastery. I probably spent 15 hours alone in the combat arenas, perfecting my timing and learning enemy patterns. These aren't just bonus content—they're laboratories where you develop skills that transform your approach to the main game. After mastering the perfect free-flow combat chain (my personal best was 87 variations without getting hit), I returned to story missions with dramatically improved abilities. The Tong Its approach recognizes that specialization in one area can enhance performance across the entire system. This interconnected improvement is what separates true masters from casual participants.

Some critics argue that this level of completionism represents poor game design—that players shouldn't feel compelled to engage with content beyond the main path. But I've found the opposite to be true. The optional puzzles in Arkham games are "usually just tricky enough" to provide satisfaction without frustration, creating what I call the "just one more" effect. There were nights I'd plan to play for thirty minutes and emerge three hours later, having completely forgotten my original objective in favor of hunting down one final audio log. This engagement isn't forced—it's earned through careful design that makes every discovery feel meaningful. The 100% completion requirement isn't a chore but an invitation to fully inhabit the game's world.

What makes Tong Its particularly relevant today is how it translates beyond gaming into professional and personal development. In my work as a strategy consultant, I've applied the same principles to business challenges—sometimes the most valuable insights come from exploring peripheral data or understanding secondary systems. The willingness to investigate seemingly minor details, to master tools beyond immediate needs, creates opportunities that linear thinkers miss. Just as I needed the bat-claw to access certain areas of Gotham, professionals often need to develop specific skills before they can solve certain business puzzles. The Tong Its practitioner recognizes this and plans accordingly.

I'll admit my approach isn't for everyone. Some players prefer the straightforward thrill of following the main narrative, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But for those willing to embrace the Tong Its philosophy, the rewards are profound. There's a particular satisfaction that comes from knowing a game's world so thoroughly that no corner remains unexplored, no puzzle unsolved. When I finally achieved that 100% completion in Arkham Knight (after approximately 72 hours across multiple playthroughs), it felt less like finishing a game and more like completing a comprehensive study of its systems and design. The main story provided the skeleton, but the optional content gave the experience its soul.

The enduring appeal of Tong Its lies in this balance between structure and exploration. Games like the Arkham series provide the framework, but it's our curiosity that fills it with meaning. Even now, years after my initial playthrough, I occasionally return to Gotham not to replay the story, but to simply exist in that space I've come to know so intimately. That's the ultimate testament to the power of this approach—it transforms entertainment into experience, and gameplay into mastery. Whether you're navigating virtual worlds or real-world challenges, the Tong Its mindset reminds us that the most rewarding paths are often the ones we choose to explore, not just the ones we're told to follow.