softlocked
Unwinnable game state
Softlocked describes being stuck in a video game in a state where progress is impossible but the game hasn't officially ended—you can still move around, but you can't advance or retreat.
Unlike a hardlock or crash, the game keeps running.
The term extends to any situation where you're technically functional but effectively trapped: I'm softlocked in this relationship—can't move forward, can't leave.
Unable to move
- trappedUnable to escape
- softlockUnrecoverable game state
- hardlockComplete system unresponsiveness
- deadendRoad without outlet
unwinnable · checkpoint · restart · reload · reset · autosave · quicksave · game-over
Unable to move
- trappedUnable to escape
- helplessUnable to act independently
- exasperationIntense weary annoyance
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
impatience · disappointment · despair · hopelessness · discouragement · vexation · aggravation · dead-end
Minor system fault
- freezeBecome solid from cold
- crashSudden violent impact
- hangSuspend from above
- unresponsiveFailing to react or reply
deadlock · softlock · hardlock · clipping · out-of-bounds · desync · corruption · exploit
Sequential instructional guide
- guideLeader or instruction book
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
- solutionAnswer or liquid mixture
- hintIndirect suggestion
tips · speedrun · tool-assisted · modding · patch · hotfix · wiki · troubleshooting
stuck
Unable to move
deadend · unwinnable · checkpoint · restart · reload · reset · autosave · quicksave · game-over
stuck
Unable to move
- trappedUnable to escape
- helplessUnable to act independently
- exasperationIntense weary annoyance
irritation · impatience · disappointment · despair · hopelessness · discouragement · vexation · aggravation · dead-end · stymied
glitch
Minor system fault
unresponsive · deadlock · softlock · hardlock · clipping · out-of-bounds · desync · corruption · exploit · patched
walkthrough
Sequential instructional guide
- guideLeader or instruction book
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
- solutionAnswer or liquid mixture
hint · tips · speedrun · tool-assisted · modding · patch · hotfix · wiki · troubleshooting
softlockedplayable
Capable of being played
winnable · completable · progressing · unstuck · functional
softlockedcrashed
Suddenly failed or slept
frozen · system crash · bricked · blue screen · game over
soft, lock, locked, softer, softest, softly, softness, soften, softened