In your opinion, what give a game a replay value?
- Thread starter FakeSympathy
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Being able to tackle objectives in multiple ways. Sandbox worlds with options, deep game play, verticality etc...
MGSV is a good recent example. It took me 120 hours to get bored of the two maps. I wish they had a few more.
MGSV is a good recent example. It took me 120 hours to get bored of the two maps. I wish they had a few more.
Story. Always the story. And it doesn't have to be a "good" story, it has to be a story that I enjoyed. If the story kept me interested and compelled the whole time, then I will go back and play the game again and again.
Meanwhile, games with little story but are designed to be replayed (Skyrim comes to mind) I rarely go back and touch after I've had my fun. It's not that they're bad, it's just that they don't pull me along because there's no meaty story to them.
Meanwhile, games with little story but are designed to be replayed (Skyrim comes to mind) I rarely go back and touch after I've had my fun. It's not that they're bad, it's just that they don't pull me along because there's no meaty story to them.
Gonna have to go with plain ol' fun. Yeah. Looking back on all the games I have played several times, fun is the only thing they all seem to have in common.
I should note that most of them are JRPGs or platformers. Special mention to Mini Ninjas, Psychonauts and Okami.
Fun gameplay, fun dialogue, a fun story - those are the hallmarks of the games I want to play again!
I should note that most of them are JRPGs or platformers. Special mention to Mini Ninjas, Psychonauts and Okami.
Fun gameplay, fun dialogue, a fun story - those are the hallmarks of the games I want to play again!
Being good, especially story.
And much to explore. Sometimes.
Interestingly enough, one thing that is not really for several playthroughs: Choices. Because when I make choices, I want them to matter. Kind of loses its purpose if you start again.
And much to explore. Sometimes.
Interestingly enough, one thing that is not really for several playthroughs: Choices. Because when I make choices, I want them to matter. Kind of loses its purpose if you start again.
It has something which I wish to enjoy again. Thats it really although it is usually something related to gameplay for me as stories no matter how excellent and entertaining rarely have replay value for me as I feel the power is in the first telling.
Most games I dont replay nowadays or play for short periods of time simply because I have so little time to play that when I do play I just want to try something new rather than replay something I loved.
Most games I dont replay nowadays or play for short periods of time simply because I have so little time to play that when I do play I just want to try something new rather than replay something I loved.
Story would be the absolute last thing you should list for replay value, unless you're trying to invert the OPs request and list the #1 reason not to replay a game. Besides, what passes for "story" in PC games is comically infantile compared to the more mature cinema and literature.
Replay often comes down to engaging the player in a series of meaningful decisions that have consequences with disparate possible outcomes in each play through. The story as a result is emergent and varied based on what the player does each time through.
In FPS examples like TF2 work because how you play each time through is up to you, the outcome for the player individually is varied by the fact that each time they play the team they're on and against are different. It's why TF2 all these years later is still going strong, the ppl on that server create a unique narrative each round.
As for SP, my current personal favorites would be strategy games, again, decisions made lead to variable outcomes, as long as those decisions carry consequences (the current fad with rogue like is an indiscriminate application of making choices matter).
Replay often comes down to engaging the player in a series of meaningful decisions that have consequences with disparate possible outcomes in each play through. The story as a result is emergent and varied based on what the player does each time through.
In FPS examples like TF2 work because how you play each time through is up to you, the outcome for the player individually is varied by the fact that each time they play the team they're on and against are different. It's why TF2 all these years later is still going strong, the ppl on that server create a unique narrative each round.
As for SP, my current personal favorites would be strategy games, again, decisions made lead to variable outcomes, as long as those decisions carry consequences (the current fad with rogue like is an indiscriminate application of making choices matter).
It's fun and either there's a chapter select option or an endgame scenario I can keep playing.
If I start all over, hopefully it doesn't take forever to get to the main gameplay (no 5 hour tutorial/intro). Though I have played Okami several times, so there's an exception to that.
If I start all over, hopefully it doesn't take forever to get to the main gameplay (no 5 hour tutorial/intro). Though I have played Okami several times, so there's an exception to that.
Fun gameplay. The games I play the most are not necessarily the ones I like the most because for replayabilty gameplay trumps all.
Alternatively the ability to make replays different. Character customization, classes, multiple paths to objectives, branching storyline and dialogue ect.
Alternatively the ability to make replays different. Character customization, classes, multiple paths to objectives, branching storyline and dialogue ect.
It depends on the game. A game like say, skyrim, is fun to replay because there's always more to explore, or a different way to play the character. A game like league or CoD is fun to replay because every match is unique, because it has different players. If you liked one, you're probably going to like another. Those are just a few examples, most games have their own reason.
How about a primarily single player game that came out 5 years ago and has held a firm position in the #5-7 most current players on Steam to this day?
That would be Civilization V:
1. Strong core gameplay
2. Highly customizeable gameplay settings
3. Randomly generated maps with about 30 base themes, each one providing a different experience
4. Mods, mods, and more mods adding to or altering everything in the game (Maps, Civs, Units & buildings, gameplay, AI, etc)
Multiplayer games are a more popular genre, but for a single player experience nothing beats Civilization for replay value. And kind of OT, but a big reason I'm cheering for the success of No Man's Sky is not necessarily because it's my type of game, rather because I want to see a big procedural content game succeed and eventually get to an Elder Scrolls like open world game with a Civilization like method of world building, customization, and replay value.
That would be Civilization V:
1. Strong core gameplay
2. Highly customizeable gameplay settings
3. Randomly generated maps with about 30 base themes, each one providing a different experience
4. Mods, mods, and more mods adding to or altering everything in the game (Maps, Civs, Units & buildings, gameplay, AI, etc)
Multiplayer games are a more popular genre, but for a single player experience nothing beats Civilization for replay value. And kind of OT, but a big reason I'm cheering for the success of No Man's Sky is not necessarily because it's my type of game, rather because I want to see a big procedural content game succeed and eventually get to an Elder Scrolls like open world game with a Civilization like method of world building, customization, and replay value.
I play Deus Ex at least once a year because it's a great game. If your game is good I'll play it over and over again.
my most played games over the years:
Deus Ex -> can be played in many ways
Baldur's Gate 1+2 -> offers many classes
Planescape Torment -> great story, earning XP via dialogue, the way all stats have great benefits
Diablo 2 -> so many builds to explore
Aquaria -> Just generally a great experience
Thief The Dark Project (Gold) -> I have noidea why exactly but I keep coming back to that one.
my most played games over the years:
Deus Ex -> can be played in many ways
Baldur's Gate 1+2 -> offers many classes
Planescape Torment -> great story, earning XP via dialogue, the way all stats have great benefits
Diablo 2 -> so many builds to explore
Aquaria -> Just generally a great experience
Thief The Dark Project (Gold) -> I have noidea why exactly but I keep coming back to that one.
In most cases, the biggest factors are the variety and quality of the game-play, as well as the degree to which the game amuses the one playing it. Generally speaking, all game features that are not part of the background should be important to the player.
The game must also minimize glitches and lag, especially if either make the game unwinnable.
Games involving combat should contain a large variety of enemies, each of which requiring a different tactic to defeat and providing challenge without being cheap (more Fume Knights, less Beds of Chaos). The game should also have large varieties of viable attacks/weaponry and viable tactics. Bloodborne and Bulletstorm are good examples of quality and variety over quantity in terms of weaponry, as those games have less weapons, but more unique and useful features in each weapon. Games with a focus on exploration and multiple approaches should ensure that all paths are viable without making the game too easy. Fallout: NV and DXHR: Director's Cut did this well, while Dishonored was fun, but lacked challenge even on the highest difficulties.
The game must also minimize glitches and lag, especially if either make the game unwinnable.
Games involving combat should contain a large variety of enemies, each of which requiring a different tactic to defeat and providing challenge without being cheap (more Fume Knights, less Beds of Chaos). The game should also have large varieties of viable attacks/weaponry and viable tactics. Bloodborne and Bulletstorm are good examples of quality and variety over quantity in terms of weaponry, as those games have less weapons, but more unique and useful features in each weapon. Games with a focus on exploration and multiple approaches should ensure that all paths are viable without making the game too easy. Fallout: NV and DXHR: Director's Cut did this well, while Dishonored was fun, but lacked challenge even on the highest difficulties.
Happy to see this works different for everyone. Replayability in games is something I can crap on about till the sun don't shine, but I'll point out the factors that stand out to me (with examples, hooray!)
- Simply solid controls/mechanics/balance/feel
[Counter-strike, Rainbow 6 Vegas 2, Killing Floor(s)]. Good controls, nice sounding and kicking guns, solid reload animations, nice competitive balance, difficult but tactical play rewarded. Really all there is to it, just a joy to play.
- Branching story line
[KotOR, Mass Effect, Bioshock] So you want to see what happens if you go with the other guy. Or if you make all the different moral choices and go extreme good/bad. Or just to get the different ending.
- Variable play styles
[Witcher, Borderlands, almost any RPG] Just want to try a different way of hacking or burning enemies up. Magic instead of swords. Maybe two swords. Maybe stealth. Maybe guns that shoot acid. Whatever.
- Just a short, good ol' romp
[Most arcade emulators] Fighting games emulators, especially Streets of Rage. Always a soft spot in my heart.
And any combination of the above!
- Simply solid controls/mechanics/balance/feel
[Counter-strike, Rainbow 6 Vegas 2, Killing Floor(s)]. Good controls, nice sounding and kicking guns, solid reload animations, nice competitive balance, difficult but tactical play rewarded. Really all there is to it, just a joy to play.
- Branching story line
[KotOR, Mass Effect, Bioshock] So you want to see what happens if you go with the other guy. Or if you make all the different moral choices and go extreme good/bad. Or just to get the different ending.
- Variable play styles
[Witcher, Borderlands, almost any RPG] Just want to try a different way of hacking or burning enemies up. Magic instead of swords. Maybe two swords. Maybe stealth. Maybe guns that shoot acid. Whatever.
- Just a short, good ol' romp
[Most arcade emulators] Fighting games emulators, especially Streets of Rage. Always a soft spot in my heart.
And any combination of the above!
Going to concur with the growing fun consensus.
Thinking back over my most replayed games, most are RPG's, so story is obviously a draw card, but more importantly, none of them feel like a hassle.
For instance, I'm always up for replaying Chrono Trigger, but struggled to whip up any enthusiasm for replaying the first Witcher game in preparation for TW3.
Thinking back over my most replayed games, most are RPG's, so story is obviously a draw card, but more importantly, none of them feel like a hassle.
For instance, I'm always up for replaying Chrono Trigger, but struggled to whip up any enthusiasm for replaying the first Witcher game in preparation for TW3.
fun, that's it. if a game is fun to play I can forgive just about anything and ill play the shit out of it.
DA2- played a lot just because its a fun hack and slash with story.
Halo- just a great shooter you can play in 15 min intervals.
golden eye- nothing as fun as running around as odjob and kicking your friends asses
perfect dark- remote controlled rockets, that is all.
DA2- played a lot just because its a fun hack and slash with story.
Halo- just a great shooter you can play in 15 min intervals.
golden eye- nothing as fun as running around as odjob and kicking your friends asses
perfect dark- remote controlled rockets, that is all.
Assuming you are talking about singleplayer games, I find that the number one thing that will get me to replay games is very solid gameplay with a lot of deep systems for me to figure out, utilize, and explore. The more shallow the game experience, the less likely I am to ever bother replaying it.
A game that is good because of its story has very little replayability for me. I thoroughly enjoyed Telltales the Walking Dead for instance, but a second playthrough is a very tedious experience for me. It needs to be purely the gameplay that gets me back. And preferably a way to get straight into the action, so no half hour long mandatory handholding tutorial thanks!
You're so wrong, it's not even funny, but if I were to list all the really good story driven games that I always return to for the experience even though their gameplay could use fixing, I'd be doing that forever3asytarg3t said: