Replaying Games: The Joy of Rediscovery
What makes people replay games? A lot of people do it – we all have those games we go back to time and time again – but why? What are the reasons that make some people replay games?
There are a number of reasons that can compel us to replay games, whether it’s for a new perspective on the story, to discover secrets we may have missed, or to just have fun all over again. Some games are designed with replayability in mind, whether that’s through multiple endings, choice and consequence, or even collectibles and hidden items. Some users prefer to replay older games or classics with sentimental value, while others enjoy the atmosphere of certain games so much that they can’t help but replay them.
The Enchantment of Familiarity
Some people find it hard to explain, but they just enjoy replaying games. It’s kind of like watching your favorite movie over and over – sure, you know exactly what’s going to happen, but you still enjoy it.
It’s not really a response to anything specific in the game, it’s just fun. It’s also a very common thing for games to have multiple endings, or for the choices you make to impact the story, so there’s often a reason to replay, but even when there isn’t, it’s still fun in its own way.
Rediscovering the Wonders
Some games are designed with replayability in mind, or are so big that there are always things to see and do that you haven’t seen or done before. It’s similar to finding a new gun or item in a game, but on a much larger scale. Games like Resident Evil and Devil May Cry are made to be replayed, while others like Fallout 4 are so big that you may not have seen or done everything even on your second playthrough. For some, this is a draw, while others prefer to move on.
Action role-playing games often prioritize the endgame experience over the story, and a lot of people enjoy experimenting with new builds and discovering new strategies, which can be more difficult in the early stages of the game.
The Allure of Atmosphere
Sometimes, you just want to enjoy the atmosphere of a game. Games like Journey and Celeste are designed with replayability in mind, but many other games – like Super Mario Bros. and Nier Automata – have such a distinctive atmosphere that you just want to experience it again.
The Call of Nostalgia
If you had a favorite game as a kid, maybe you’ll want to play it again. People often look back on childhood games with rose-tinted glasses, but it’s also not uncommon to find that your old favorites actually hold up.
Not All Games are Meant to Be Replayed
For others, replaying games is just less appealing. Some games are designed to be played once, or are more focused on the story than the gameplay. Either way, there’s no real reason to replay a game that is either unappealing to play over and over again, or is just not designed for it.
It depends on your mindset. If you’re playing a game to see all the story, then replayability can be important as you may have missed parts the first time around. If you’re playing a game to enjoy the gameplay, then replayability might be less important – you’ve already enjoyed that part of the game.
It’s all subjective – some people like to move on, while others want to relive their favorite game over and over again, and that’s okay. Games like the Resident Evil series are designed with replayability in mind, while others like Ori and the Blind Forest are not – it all comes down to your personal preference.
