As with books, movies, or television shows - the enjoyment of re-experiencing these narratives is something many people often find comfort in. Knowing how events in the plot unfold will give more context to moments of foreshadowing or provide clarity on something you may have missed the first time around. Videogames are no different, but I would argue that in some ways gaming can offer a little more than other media when revisiting them…
Firstly, let’s consider that because gaming is an interactive medium, and no two playthroughs have to be the same. Yes, linear games will generally unfold in the same way, but you can determine the pace at which you engage with them and alter accessibility settings to vary the challenge, shifting the experience into new territory. Then there are games that provide choice-based narratives, which can vary substantially between playthroughs making replaying them a fresh experience.
Most games also feature additional challenges such as trophies or achievements, giving a replay a different focus, where experiencing the story once more isn’t the driving factor but where completing specific challenges set by the developers is. There are also collectibles and easter-eggs to discover so re-experience becomes a new experience.
which brings me to the point I wanted to get too in this ramble; are there specific games you just love replaying?
I have a videogame I try to replay every year, it’s a story I just love getting back into and knowing solutions to specific puzzles it doesn’t take too long to complete, good-old Grim Fandango. The point-and-click classic tells a film-noir styled story of travel agent Manny Calavera and his journey across the Land of the Dead inspired by Mexican folklore. It’s a personal favourite and provides the perfect amount of nostalgic goodness every time I jump back into the title, and with the remaster this has become a lot easier.
Other titles that find their way back onto the console HDD when I should be getting through newer releases are the Uncharted series, as I love going over-the-top adventures with treasure hunter Nathan Drake. Not to forget parkouring across rooftops with Faith in Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, or testing with Chell in the Portal games, and going on a heroic journey with the Hero in Quest for Glory. Oh man, and discovering the mysteries of Cocytus with Boston Low and the crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis in The Dig, there are just so many great games out there how could you not want to go back and play them again?
Do you have any titles that you love jumping back into just to experience them once more?
