19 replies to this topic

[vrap]

Do you replay games? If so, which, and why?

This may seem like a strange question to ask a retro-gaming forum, but I've actually heard people mention in passing that they never replay games, and I've wondered about how other people's habits compare to my own. Do you guys regularly replay particular games, retro or modern? If not, why not? And if so, which ones and why? I don't necessarily mean your favourite games, this is more about certain titles that compel you to play over and over, despite your knowing them back to front. I think some games are better for this than others, and maybe you guys will prove that theory.
I think my reasons differ depending on the game, so I'll jot down a few personal examples:

Grim Fandango: If you've ever play LucasArts' Grim Fandango you'll know it's a masterpiece of memorable storytelling, beautiful visuals and lovable characters. I return to the game every few years just like I do to a well-loved movie or novel. I just want to be back in that world to visit the places and meet the characters I am so fond of, even if it's all exactly the same as when I last played.

Super Metroid: This was the first Super NES games I owned. As far as I am concerned, it offers the finest action-platforming to be had on that console. It's quite minimal with story, so obviously I don't love it for the same reasons as I do Grim Fandango. But I still fire it back up regularly without fail, year after year. With all the Metroid: Other M news lately I've felt the urge yet again I think it's just that it's so easy to get right into the thick of things, and you can choose to hang around and collect items or charge forward and complete it in very little time.

System Shock 2: This is my favourite game, and the fact that I can keep replaying it is partly why. I think it's a combination of the factors mentioned above - I love it for the story as well as the gameplay, and since it's an RPG I can play it in different ways each time. There are a few mods out there that slightly change the experience, and there is a co-op mode to mess around in with friends. I tend to stick to the pure vanilla experience though, by and large. There is enough variation and unpredictability in the games systems that emergent gameplay often surfaces and surprises.

What about you guys?

[Thor]

I replay games. If they are fund. Because they are fun.
Does that answer the question? Oh but which ones well... that would take way too long to answer.

[Mister Zero]

I replay these every year:

EarthBound(usually in spring because it reminds me of Onett)
Super Mario World
Super Mario Bros 1+3
Sonic the Hedgehog series (1-3+S&K)
Final Fantasy VI
Chrono Trigger(also usually spring)

[Schloss Ritter]

When I had a much more limited amount to choose from, I replayed a number of my games like SMB1, Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy. The most times would probably be about a dozen times through Startropics and over half a dozen times through Final Fantasy II (now properly known as FFIV). There are also a handful of PC Adventure games that I played through more than once. Nowadays, especially with my backlog of PS2 games and the advent of emulation for older games I missed, I don't really have time to replay stuff.

[E-Day]

I'll replay games, but it will be years after I first played them. And they have to be excellent.

[Gnash]

Super Mario Bros. 1, 2 and 3. I can't evenr remember how many times I've played through these games.

Final Fantasy IV. About 6 times on Snes, And playing it right now on my DS.

[vrap]

Interesting to see your lists. To be honest I was more interested in the reasons why, thinking there is something common to games that bring people back over and over more than just the personal sentimental aspect.

I replay these every year:

EarthBound(usually in spring because it reminds me of Onett)
Super Mario World
Super Mario Bros 1+3
Sonic the Hedgehog series (1-3+S&K)
Final Fantasy VI
Chrono Trigger(also usually spring)

I really like that seasonal idea to replaying games, brings a sense of tradition to it. I haven't even thought about that with my own favourites, I don't often remember the times of year playing a game as much as specific years or periods of my life.

When I had a much more limited amount to choose from, I replayed a number of my games like SMB1, Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy. The most times would probably be about a dozen times through Startropics and over half a dozen times through Final Fantasy II (now properly known as FFIV). There are also a handful of PC Adventure games that I played through more than once. Nowadays, especially with my backlog of PS2 games and the advent of emulation for older games I missed, I don't really have time to replay stuff.

Yeah, the time issue is the thing I expected to crop up here eventually. The backlog gets bigger year after year, and we hardly get time to play new games once let alone old games multiple times. I do know people, however, who choose to spend their precious free time playing an old game again over a new one, just because they know they'll have a good time as opposed to not knowing what to expect with the new game.

[Mister Zero]

Oh, man. My friend covers video game music and he just did the space theme from Ducktales for NES. Add this to my list of constantly replayed games. This is a game I turn to more than once or twice a year, I just LOVE playing through it.

And here's the file, if anyone wants a listen: http://www.mediafire.com/?rimgdmz4mtd
He goes by Zombie Possessor, if any of you want to look him up.

[skalynuik]

We have 330 games and we replay them all, we replay them because we still like them for the reason we bought them in the first place.

Party (group) games like Mario Party
All RPGs english or Japan imports (we could do with more Japan imports translated to english)
Wizardry i play all the time and have on Apple in early 80's, to ps3 today and still play on the ps2 and ps1

[PokemonResearch]

The game of replayed more than any other is Tales of Symphonia on Gamecube. I think I played it all the way through eight times, and most of the times were pretty much right in a row. I've replayed some of my older Pokemon games, as long as I'm able to transfer the Pokemon to another game first.

I also like replaying Ace Attorney games, although that feels more like rereading a novel than replaying a game, since I already know what to do when.

Oh and Zelda games too!

[paravani]

I replay the Fire Emblem games on a regular basis, as well as Final Fantasy Tactics. I also replay old DOS games from Apogee, like Biomenace.

[tyson171]

Every couple years I replay my favorites. I always seem to go back to Snes earthbound and Zelda 1 and 2. Just some of my fondest memories come from these games. Brings me back to a time in my life where I didn't have the first worry in the world!

[blackreaper]

Fallout 1-2 because different character types lead to different gameplay
Deus ex 1 because I have choices in all situations

[MrLink]

CastleVania on the NES. I remember finding it in one of those "fake" arcade cabinets -- the type that just had a modified NES inside -- and spending all my spare change on it as a kid. I could only get past the first couple levels at the time. Then I got the game shortly after for my birthday and I spent every waking hour mastering it. Now I need to play through it every couple years just to scratch that retro itch. Love it!

[Hotspot]

I reply games, especially games that I played but never beat because I got bored of them and hadn't played them for ages; in which I completely forgot what was going on so I replayed it from the start.

Although, for me. I can play any Suikoden game, Kya Dark Lineage, Chrono Cross and any Sly Cooper game over and over.

[MrLance]

One game that I really enjoy playing over and over again is "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," for the Gameboy Color. Many people may be put off because it's a "licensed" title, but really, it's based more on the book than movie, and has quite a few deviations from both. It's a sloid RPG, and one that I really enjoy playing. It's not very expensive these days; you can probably get one of Amazon brand new for 6 bucks! ^_^

[JeKing211]

I go back to SMB3 on SM Allstar whereby I saves can be made for the items, and you can start at any level. So I have a file that has 7 frog suits, 7 toonki suits and 14 hammer brother suits. It's a blast using the hammer brother suit in level 1 and 2 and the toonki suit in the water level (I use the statue stomp to kill the enemies).

I go over shinobi 3 on Genesis and try to use the dash attacks as much as I can. The cool thing is that if you time it right, you'll be temporary invincible during the dash attack.

[GrinningGoku]

I have replayed Zelda: OoT and Majora's Mask over and over again. They're just that awesome. I've also played through RE 2 and RE 3 several times and they were just as awesome and ground breaking as I remembered them being. A few of the other titles I've replayed include: Crash B.: Warped, Banjo Kazooie, Banjo Tooie, RE 4, Jet Moto, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World. These games are just so much fun and I know them so well. It's almost an intimate connection I share with them. I'm sure many people will agree with the titles I've identified.

[ubersauce]

I have somewhat of an annual routine of replaying Crash Bandicoot: Warped and Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! on PS1. Those games are so well-made and fun to this day that it never bores me one bit. Also, those were the games that I grew up with, so it shares a sentimental value to me. I also replay the first three Ratchet & Clank games for the same reasons as well. Games with a "New Game +" feature will almost always persuade me to play through the game again, like Resident Evil. Other games I often replay: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Mega Man Legends 2, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1-4, etc.

[bawitback]

I regularly replay

Trap Gunner
No One Can Stop Mister Domino
Team Buddies

- for Playstation