The married and parenting life has many positives, but hours on end of gaming time is not among these positive perks. There comes a time in life when one comes to the sad (tragic really) realization that there are some beloved games that one will never be able to play again to their completion.
It is not that we can’t finish said games, if we put our minds and (little) available time to it, it is likely that we could. But more like, “I could play so-so game again, but that new hot game is out, and I rather play that one instead.” Or, “I started playing (for example) Final Fantasy VIII again, and I lost interest 2 hours through. I am just going to play the new God of War game instead.” Etc.
In my case, as I said above, time for gaming is in limited supply, and I am likelier to play something that I have never experienced before, than a game that I have already experienced from beginning to end (sometimes multiple times), and thus, know its story telling ending.
Here are the five games that I would most like to replay, but know in the bottom of my heart of hearts, that I likely won’t ever play again. Maybe I just need to cut down on my Skyrim play time at this point. It is embarrassing, the game is nearly 12 years old…at some time I must lay it to rest.
5. Final Fantasy VIII
Why I would like to replay it:
This one I have tried to replay from beginning to end on numerous occasions, including on the recent Nintendo Switch Remaster. But the farthest that I have to gotten into the game’s storyline is 10 hours before quickly moving or continuing to play a newer game.
Back in 1999, I hated the Junction system with a passion, and felt that the storyline was weak, especially Squall’s weird relationship with Rinoa. I want to play it again in order to see if getting older has changed my view on this game.
Why I will likely never play it again:
Well, I am 38. I have maybe 30 more years of gaming if all goes well, but the older I get, the less time in my hands I have for playing. So, engaging in Final Fantasy VIII again, a game that took me about 80 hours to complete during my teenage years, seems like a strange way to spend the few precious hours gaming that I have in the week.
I like new games, and I have to review some of them, and thus, Final Fantasy, which I didn’t love back when I was 15, doesn’t seem to be a game that I would stick with for a prolonged and consistent period of time again.
4. Xenogears
Why I would like to replay it:
Perhaps not the greatest, but certainly the most ambitious JRPG story ever told. I still listen to its Mitsuda composed soundtrack now and then, and find it to be as brilliant today, as it was a quarter century ago.
The game’s graphics certainly look good enough with the PS2’s texture smoothing function on, and the game’s anime scenes are still top notch stuff. I consider myself a bit of a graphics “whore”, but outdated visuals wouldn’t be the reason why I wouldn’t replay the game again. I still think Xenogears look good enough; given its age.
I would like to replay Xenogears again, because I know its story, but I have forgotten a lot of important bits and parts of it, and I guess the plot is convoluted enough that perhaps I missed something during my earlier play throughs.
Why I will likely never play it again:
Over the last quarter century, I finished this game twice. Both times, it was a long 70-80 hour endeavor. Because the story is so convoluted, this isn’t a game that should played in small chunks over a prolonged period of time. It is game that requires commitment.
Being that I am so invested in newer games, I don’t think that I can dedicate myself completely to Xenogears for a consistent amount of weeks (or months) in order to finish it with a good understanding of its amazing plot. This would defeat the initial reason for wanting to replay the game in the first place.
3. Grandia
Why I would like to replay it:
Unlike Grandia 2 which is a relatively short, and easy romp which I have replayed about 5 times now, the original Grandia is a massive epic quest that I have only finished once (though I have play through chunks of it post that initial playthrough).
I have fond memories of Justin and Feena’s adventure, but over the last 20 years, I have forgotten most of its plot and important storyline bits. This is why, I often think about the game, and the temptation of taking that old PS1 game for one final spin, has always lingered in the back of my mind.
Why I will likely never play it again:
As much as I might have enjoyed my one (and only) full Grandia playthrough, I do remember one thing about the game; it was hard. True, my old teenage self fought on like good trooper through hours of incessant grinding, and confusing mazes. But the older I get, the more that I despise having to grind for prolonged periods of time in games (the exception being Dark Souls for some strange reason).
Unless, my kid wants to play some old games once he gets older (Grandia would seem like a good tale to get a 8-10 year old started on JRPGs) I don’t see myself ever playing my copy of the game again.
Either way, I have always preferred Grandia II over the first entry anyways.
2. Skies of Arcadia
Why I would like to replay it:
There should be a question mark on this one…if a proper remastered version were to be released by Sega at some point, Skies of Arcadia would get a purchase from me, and a playthrough.
There are times where I find myself daydreaming about taking Vyse, Aika, and Fina back to the skies, in search of treasure and adventure. This a game that seems tailor made for Xbox Achievements and PSN Trophies. Skies of Arcadia is perhaps, along with Final Fantasy IX, and Suikoden III, the best turn based JRPG that I have played since the turn of the millennium.
Why it is likely that I will never play it again:
Sega has all but forgotten this IP, and booting up my old Dreamcast copy is not something that I necessarily look forward to doing anytime soon. Skies of Arcadia might be, along with Final Fantasy X, the greatest JRPG of the 2000s, but the Dreamcast version had a high amount of random battles that made a bit a drag at times, even back in its heyday.
Like all of the other games on this list, Skies of Arcadia is a long game (about 50-60 hours), and it is heavy on grinding. So, unless Sega ever remasters this title, it is likely that I will never find the time to replay the game again for a full playthrough.
1. Suikoden III
Vastly underrated, Suikoden III is rarely, if ever, mentioned alongside the other games on this list. However, Suikoden III is not only my favorite Suikoden, but my favorite PS2 JRPG of all time. While I did finish the game two decades ago, I never got all of the 108 “stars” (characters), and I would like to replay its touching, and meaningful war tale once more.
Like Skies of Arcadia, this one hasn’t been remastered, but unlike Sega’s classic, Suikoden III did not require as much grinding (at least as far as I can remember), and I enjoyed its combat greatly. But mostly, I enjoy its storyline and the use of the “trinity sight” system which allowed me to see the war, and its implications from opposing sides.
Why it is likely that I will never play it again:
It is a PS2 game, and it is a long one as well. Suikoden III joins the Skies of Arcadia “if they are remastered I will play again” club. However, this game is one that I might, some years down the line, make an effort to boot up again on my old (somewhat noisy) PS2.
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Curious why you think you won’t be gaming in your 70s. What else will you be doing?