Games nowadays don't seem to be able to hold me in awe and rapture for very long. When they do have that initial impact I'm finding that instead of finding myself totally immersed and unable to put the game down I'm rather bored and disappointed. I don't find myself excited to move on to the next dungeon...
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I haven't put much time into it (being responsible for other things needing to be done) but my time with the game has been amazing.
There are few games that have a replay factor and those are the kind of games I am looking to get. I do not want to pick up a game that after a single play-through I get bored or complete it entirely (unless it was THAT FREAKING GOOD)
most games today probably aren't pushing longevity because they are looking to see what they can pump out as DLC for that game.
That MP also is a factor in many SP games lengths these days. Some games do come with MP, and thus give players more for there buck...
I love long lasting games, dark souls demon souls being two prime examples these days... If the games stay fun, and fresh, and do not get repetitive, they evolve with new environments, characters, story, and do not do the old re-trace your steps trick over and over agaon to add longevity,add new twists in game play, new boss battles, add new weapons or items, keep you wanting more, then I love the idea of long lengths, I much rather play a great/fantastic game more than turning to a so so game for my game time play sessions...
I forgot about the MP/SP debate roflao. Some do multi-player correctly and others as stated by many other people is that it feels tacked on which isn't good whatsoever. It depends on how involved they make the multi-player, whether it was mostly SP or MP centered or anything else haha. I am not even going to start up about that! :P
I have never played any of the Dark series as of yet because I only own a 360 and I haven't sat down on the console in a long time. I was looking into picking up Dark Souls on PC but right now I'm pushing my money towards other stuff.
It depends on the pacing of the game. There have been times I do not mind the re-trace your steps or any of the other things you mentioned being the same (get to use a weapon or an item more) and bosses returning (if it makes sense) for example. JUST DO NOT MAKE A HABIT OUT OF IT. :P
I agree with everything you say about it though, you just need to keep the person who's playing moving forward and either wanting to find a way (or new ways) to use what they have or discover new items, mechanics, area or anything along those lines.
In older games they have you going back and revisiting places and there being something new going on. I guess I am used to doing some repetitive things (life is repetitive :P). In a game though, if you can balance the repetitiveness and keep new things thrown in now and then it'd do well also. But...like I said...don't make a habit out of it :P I can't stress that enough.
Sorry, I think I'm ranting and going to start confusing people.
I honestly don't mind them as they might give you a reason to clear through the game again or who knows what. It depends on how they implement them though and what kinds of them there are :S. It's just something that shouldn't be considered part of the game like you said about promoting replay value.
I'll add you to my friend list...Cya around
CrimsonessCross...
And you're added :D
Cya around as well Nature.
The pacing and upgrading on your first playthrough were done very well and when you finish the game you not only carry over what you earned but unlock fun new weapons and costumes. I have easily played through it more times than any other game.