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I used to be concerned about a game being too short. Now I worry that it will be too long. (lemmy.zip)
submitted 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) by to c/gaming@beehaw.org
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Title mostly describes how I'm feeling now.

When I was younger, my main worry when deciding what game to buy and play next was that the game wouldn't be able to keep me entertained until I can buy another game.

Now I have a backlog of almost 100 games that I own and haven't played yet (although some come from bundles, not all are worth playing). My new concern when I'm playing a game is whether or not the time I put into the game is well spent.

I used to really like the idea of games where it would take me 100s of hours to get to 100% completion, but now I tend to almost avoid playing them entirely even if I know I don't care about completion anymore.

I don't think I'm alone in this, but what I'm really wondering is if this is a result of getting older? Or is it because the gaming space itself has changed?

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[–] 20 points 3 years ago (4 children)

As a dad of two young kids, I am 100% with you.

Best example for me: Zelda Tears of the Kingdom.

I loved the first game but I had significantly more spare time back then. I picked up TOTK on day 1 but I just couldn't connect with it because it's too big. The map is too big, there's just too many options it overwhelms me now. I maybe can spend one or two hours a day playing and I really enjoy it now if the game just takes me by the hand and guides me. These massive open world games are not for me any more I'm afraid.

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  • [–] 6 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Yep, kids changed it for me too. Picked up RDR2 on sale and just can't get into it. I have like an hour to play a game at a time, and I don't want to spend 20 minutes riding a horse to a destination.

    I always check howlongtobeat.com before investing in a game. 10-20 hours is perfect. 80+ sounds terrible to me.

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  • [–] 4 points 3 years ago*

    As someone who loved BOTW, there's no way I'm playing TOTK. Just for so many reasons.

    I hate crafting and building. I can't deal with such a massive world right now. And I think what it really comes to is that, while I can enjoy periods without narrative, I'm just not the kind of person who thrives in a "make your own fun" situation. Sandbox games never appealed to me, and TOTK is even more of a sandbox than BOTW was.

    I think I was just lucky to be in the right frame of mind when it came to BOTW.

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