Lunar Threads

While I like to think that I have all the time and money to spend on video games, reality likes to kick in my doors and whip it's bum at me while making obnoxious whooping noises. As a result, I often find myself going for the shorter, less time consuming games. Sure there are some games that I like to complete and get achievements for (Modern Warfare 1 and 2 both being the only ones I have completed) I still enjoy the games because they can be completed in a few hours if you're not all for being a completionist. Oh sure, there once was a time that the longer a game was the better it was in my opinion. The last time I completed something that was time consuming was Final Fantasy 10 and that was years ago. As I grew older and began having more responsibilities the time suddenly shrank. It makes me stop and look around at my surroundings and wonder what the devil changed.

What about the rest of you, which do you prefer? The scenic route or the shortcut?

I like the longer games. I just can't play so many of them. I'll probably stretch out Dragon Age over a couple of months, like I did Neverwinter Nights 2 last year.

On the other hand, I also like games that are short, or which don't have any real concept of progress at all. (The former: New Super Mario Bros. The latter: Team Fortress 2.) And I probably will end up playing them about as much.

It was certainly easier for me to get into really long games back when I had more free time. Still, I don't like my games to be too short or else I won't feel like I've gotten very good value for the money I spent unless I got the game for cheap.

But in an abstract sense how long I want a game to last does depend on the game itself. Ideally a game should end right at that sweet spot where having played it felt like a satisfying experience but I'm still left wanting just a little more. I always find it a little sad in a way when a game overstays its welcome just a little and the final few parts of the game start to feel like a chore.

Portal to me is one of those games that may have been too short for it's own good. Sure it was the most enjoyable three hours I've ever had with my computer since the invention of internet pornography, but perhaps it was a bit too short. I do agree though, being just long enough to not overstay its welcome is a rather unsteady platform to walk for a game. It's going to come down to personal preference. I do like to get my bang for my buck, but I don't want the game to become a life long partner for me.

I like that analogy.

I like a combo of the both.. I'd like a long detailed game that I can buy and really drag out like Fallout 3, but I also love renting a fast game and beating it within like 2days.. lol