When we look at a game purchase, typically one of the first things we judge is how long is it going to last us. In terms of game length, replayability is king - the ability to do the same thing over and over without getting it getting boring or repetitive. Games like Crusader Kings II and Minecraft thrive on replayability, knowing that every time you head in you’re going to be playing the same game but have a completely different experience.
Cinematic adventures take a different tack, and deliver a completely different experience. Games like The Last of Us and Ryse: Son of Rome thrive on delivering this one size fits all experience, where every playthrough is carefully orchestrated to be much the same. For some though, the prospect of a 5-10 hour linear playthrough is a much more enticing prospect than attempting another daunting runthrough of The Witcher 2, much in the same way rewatching a movie is more commonplace than rewatching a TV show.
Multiplayer is another aspect that adds untold value to some titles, for some players. Even now, almost 20 years after its launch, the appeal of Quake’s online ensures gamers are still playing it to this day. For me the prospect of going through an old game again now seems a waste of time when there’s new titles constantly coming out, but I used to take pleasure in running through classics like Goldeneye, Ocarina of Time, and Half-Life. Again. And again. And again.
What do you think are the qualities that ensure is playable over and over again? Is being replayable just the same as being addictive? What are some of the most replayable games you’ve ever played?
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PC Specs
its realy a combination of Choices, Multiplayer, Great Plot(s), Alternate Endings and Varied Gameplay
PC Specs
I've often thought having a big open world inevitably would lead to replayability just to mess around in, but Assassin's Creed puts paid to that. I like the games but the thought of playing one through again just bores me to tears.
I'd say gameplay is the winner for me. When I look back at the games I've played again it's stuff like Mario, Zelda, Half-Life, Oblivion. Anything with an over focus on plot though becomes less appealing.
PC Specs
totally agree too big world just discourages of playing :)
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i agree
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You guys are wrong about great stories making games replayable. Take Sleeping Dogs for example.
PC Specs
Sleeping Dogs is highly replayable.
PC Specs
what makes it replayable is the sidequests, endings, etc.. There are like 15 different endings to Fallout NV, I put over 80 hours in Skyrim and about 50 hours in Fallout NV and 3 and I still haven't done everything in those games. They are also really fun, I usually don't replay games but RPGs are the only exception.
PC Specs
I put over 1000 hours into Skyrim and I have much left to be done... Damn I haven't even finished the mainquest once.
With Oblivion it was exactly the same...
PC Specs
Good Fu**ing story, and the length of the game...
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Good story, choices and varied gameplay. Games like Fallout 3, Skyrim or Borderlands
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The chases in NFS: Most Wanted (2005, the real Most Wanted) made me play it 8 times so far...
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mods(like in skyrim/gta) and side quests for me
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need to get biggest posible score in all missions (Hitman Absolution :))
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gameplay in most cases for me, multiplayer and plot only if they're very good, i'm not that type of person that enjoys watching the same movie too many times
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Im not fan of completing game multiple times, but if I do, that game is simply very good.
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Great Plot but aslo elements that affect the ending. Like in Mass Effect 3 those war assets. That keeps you repeating until you get the "best ending".
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very high difficulty is what makes it replayable for me
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Bioshock Infinite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Up For Debate - What Makes A Game Replayable:
Your own imagination and if you add great Story, meaningful Choices, engaging Gameplay and multiple Paths/Endings and you could replay a game for a LONG time...
Little off topic:
With all above said its NEVER one thing that can make the game great it can only be a quick fix, for the game to be truly Epic or even replayable it needs more things at once that make a game as a whole and if done the best possible way it can turn into something Special, shame tho in the past 10ish years it seems like more and more games are made primarily to make money (not all!) and not done something out of love for the game and for those that love games...
PC Specs
Story, Just replayed all Half-Life story -> HL, Oposing force, blue shift, HL2, HL2-Ep1 and Ep2
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Free Roaming :)
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If a game has good gameplay then I'll replay it.
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Great plot together with alternate endings :D
PC Specs
I would go for the Story,like Max Payne 3 and GTA V had an excitingly good story.That's why I've finished Gta V 5 times and Max Payne 3 3 times