Replay values in console gaming = Going down the crapper.

[manofpeace20]

I'm not really sure how it happened, but I am getting less interested in video games these days. For awhile I was playing alot, but now I just get bored with them very easily. I have been gaming since I was 5, but I only got into the current generation during Christmas 2002; and I didn't get into my XBOX (favorite console) since late last year. Anyhow, let me start getting to my point.

It seems to me that while games during this generation have been achievements in terms of production values, games these days don't really have replay value and lasting appeal. Now I know some games have many unlockable features, but the question is: "Do I really want to keep playing to unlock this crap?" For example, while I was beating Hitman 2 and Halo, the end couldn't come soon enough. The holiday season this year has been especially bad. The only game I found with any replay value is Burnout 3, and even that starts to get old.

Things have gotten to the point where I am selling off chunks of my collection and I am only playing sports games. I'm thinking of getting away from console gaming in general and turning to the PC. My PC is kinda weak, but I have played on it enough to know it is where strategy games reign, along with some personal favorites: Civilization, Stronghold Crusader, Warcraft, and Medieval Total War provide unlimited replay value.

Don't get me wrong, there are major advantages to console gaming, but there is nothing really out there besides sports games that keep me going. Even recently, I have gotten so bored with only playing Madden that it is also going on my selling list. I know I can't be the only one. Does anyone else feel replay values of games are going down the crapper?

[Scorch]

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40655

[Rig]

I don't think there's ever been a time when I haven't been able to find a game to enjoy. Sorry to hear about yours. I can't stand PC games. They've just never appealed to me...

[manofpeace20]

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40655

This isn't really tied to that thread...

[sketch226]

I think it's a very basic design difference between console games and PC games- you just don't see games like the Total War, Heroes of Might and Magic and Civilization series on consoles. Console games seem to be much more story driven and a "one-shot" deal.

[basketkase543]

I went through one of those phases recently, especially with RPG's. Personally my problem is that so many games that come out now are really lacking in innovation. It gets more difficult to get into a new game and play through it several times when you've already played a game identical to it several times before. Or maybe you just went through an overload of too many games at one time and are now experiencing the after effects.

[KingDox]

Are you playing games online ? XBL adds so much replay value to my xbox games it's nuts. I almost consider the strength of XBL over Single Player when picking a game. And if a game doesn't have some type of online component then Single Player better be fantastic.

[Gameboy415]

Get a DS.

I felt the same way about the newer console games coming out until I got my DS. The first time I played it, it felt like games were brand new and amazing again.

[manofpeace20]

Are you playing games online ? XBL adds so much replay value to my xbox games it's nuts. I almost consider the strength of XBL over Single Player when picking a game. And if a game doesn't have some type of online component then Single Player better be fantastic.

Funny you mention that, we are actually in the same CAG NHL league. I found XBL is overrated. it was a blast for the first few months, but now it just seems to be a bunch of glitchers and little kids.

[EggViper]

yea i agree games keep getting less 'fun' as the generations go by. i remember back in the nes days i'd play games over and over w/o getting bored, snes and genesis had almost the same appeal where games were fun to play and would last for way more than just the first run thru. then came the 3d days with ps2/dreamcast/etc. and things just started going down hill from there. dont get me wrong there are plenty of really good games but for the most part their nothing like they used to feel back in the day. imo it just seems like a emphasis is placed more on graphics today then how fun a game is also i think a lot of it could b due to a fact that developers keep wanting to follow the strategy that seems to work most often (how many wwII fps's is too many?).

[KingDox]

Are you playing games online ? XBL adds so much replay value to my xbox games it's nuts. I almost consider the strength of XBL over Single Player when picking a game. And if a game doesn't have some type of online component then Single Player better be fantastic.

Funny you mention that, we are actually in the same CAG NHL league. I found XBL is overrated. it was a blast for the first few months, but now it just seems to be a bunch of glitchers and little kids.

well then I'm out of ideas, the only advice I can give is you have to do some deep research when buying your games. You've become too picky when it comes to games. And that's not a bad thing. Your just going to have to realise that since you are so picky that very few games will apeal to you or keep your attention.

Also since few games will keep your attention your going to have to create a list of games you liked and list of games you hated. Then when you see a game you may like your going to have to ask if the game in question is anything like the games you hated.

Your just going to have to do more research on what games will keep your attention. With 6 game platforms Xbox, PS2, NGC, GBA, DS, PC and soon the PSP there has to be at least one game out there that will keep you attention. It's just going to take some work on your part to find it.

[Lexian]

I feel the same way sometimes, but I try to detach my laptop from gaming because I feel like the laptop is for work and the Xbox is for play. The only time I really feel this way is when I have a stack of unplayed games in my collection, which is what I have currently. I just sort of try a little bit of everything I have instead of really getting immersed in the game. Time to play is also a problem. I don't really have a chance to put in 40+ hours into KOTOR, but I always have a spare 30-40 minutes to play a quick game of ESPN NFL 2K5 or NBA 2K5. Maybe that's why you're latching more on to sports games?

[zionoverfire]

I'm sure the game stores love it. People come in buy a $50 game with no replay value and a week later the store gets it back for peanuts.

[joeposh]

I can't believe I'm saying this.... but I seriously miss the N64 days. I mean sure you had your share of collect-a-holic platformers that practically killed the inventiveness of the genre but you also had some of the greatest quickplay and multiplayer experiences in video game history. You had games like Goldeneye, San Fransisco Rush, WWF No Mercy, Tetrisphere, Blast Corps, Beatle Adventure Racing, and so many others that you could play over and over and never tire of.

I think that speaks volumes towards the level of creativity and polish that seems to be lacking in todays games. They look nice, they play well, they control just fine but the spirit is lacking. You're playing to get to the next objective, cutscene or whatever it may be... there's not much joy taken in the levels themselves and once you've played them there's little desire to repeat the experience... I think some developers have just forgotten how to bring that to a game, which is sad for all of us who expect more than a couple weeks out of our games.

[cag1000]

i have a huge stack of sealed sports games
if u wanna get out of gaming with non sports titles i'll trade multiple copies of what i have for something half decent

[Mospeada_21]

different phase in life, different priorities, different enjoyment. change is constant; accept, adapt, and live.

sometimes it's fun to revisit. midway arcade treasures 1 and 2 may help.

[Ebraum]

I'm just sick of games marketed as the next "Halo killer" , "GTA killer".
"Gran. Turismo killer". I don't want that. Give me something I've never played before.

[The Successful Dropout]

I'm just sick of games marketed as the next "Halo killer" , "GTA killer".
"Gran. Turismo killer". I don't want that. Give me something I've never played before.

have you ever played a "halo killer", a "gta killer", or a "gran turismo killer"?

[alongx]

I find myself not replaying games I really want to because I bought too many other games that need to be played for the first time.

[schultzed]

This is more about you (your mental state or personal taste), than about gaming in general.

I'm as old-school as it gets (just turned 40) and cut my teeth on Pong and Atari 2600. To me, the platforming and action genres have never been better! I've been enjoying many of this generation's fruits:

Katamari Damaci . . . excellent innovation!

Ratchet and Clank UYA . . . this series has refined action gaming!

STOP. I could easily list 50 games that I've really enjoyed in the past 2 years . . . Rygar, RAD, Jak 2, Mario Sunshine, Metal Arms, Ninja Gaiden, Sly Cooper, I-Ninja, Zelda WW . . .

If you prefer PC gaming or sports, more power to you, but to me this is a great age in console games! Not only are many of the games excellent but they drop in price fairly quickly!

[Ebraum]

I'm just sick of games marketed as the next "Halo killer" , "GTA killer".
"Gran. Turismo killer". I don't want that. Give me something I've never played before.

have you ever played a "halo killer", a "gta killer", or a "gran turismo killer"?

No, & i'm really not looking for one either. Rather play a game with a fresh new idea.

[Scrubking]

Yes, replay value and game value has been going down the toilet for a long time now.

I call it the hollywoodization of gaming. Where games are now short 5-10 hour mini movies that focus on the graphics, cutscenes and story with a little gameplay thrown in to justify calling it a game.

The worst part is that gamers are eating it up.

[cgpwns]

I find myself having more fun with games on my GBA than on my consoles. But lack of time to play games is probably a huge factor. It just takes a lot of time to get through some of these games.

[dpatel]

I don't think this is because gaming has gone downhill. It's just that long time gamers like us have been gaming for so long, it is hard to please us anymore. I am also finding that I am less interested with games nowadays. I rarely stick with one game for too long. It's hard to stay intrested in one game for more than a few weeks.

I really don't think games back then were that well done. I think they were just as good as the games being released now. The difference is, games were still fairly new back in the snes and nes days. People want games to be so 'new', 'fresh' and 'innovative' nowadays. Back in the day, almost all the hit games were side-scrolling action games with little innovation. I remember spending tons of time on games like prince of persia, any mario game, contra, donkey kong 1-3. Those games were very similar though. Most people still find that going back to those games is more enjoyable than playing some of the new games (myself included). But I think the enjoyment of those just comes from feeling nostalgic.

I think that since graphics are nearing their peak, game developers will find new ways to game like the eyetoy, microphone, kongas, dance pads, etc.. I probably won't be too eager about the next gen of consoles though.

[whoknows]

Sometimes I feel like I'm tired of gaming. I just don't like putting the game in, waiting for it to get past the company name and stuff, finally getting to the start screen, loading the game and start playing it.

I like the story and all but I hate starting a game only as soon as I start it my dad is calling me and I have to turn it off only to come back and start it again. That is why I dont play many RPG's and have been playing a lot of Ikaruga and Genesis games recently. (I own the three systems)

But with games like MGS or Ninja Gaiden I just can't help but to play, which forces me to stay up till late night to start playing so I am left alone and won't have to suddenly quit.

But that is getting to be the reality for some people that they just don't have the time to enjoy good games with good stories that take awhile to beat and they have time to enjoy it.

Therefore during the day I am stuck with playing gameboy mostly (can't wait for the psp so I can play it during the day without having to quit but getting the console experience)

Sorry for the long post.