Replay value: a term used to assess a videogame's potential for continued play value after its first completion.
The fact that so many of us are still playing Skyrim speaks for the game as well as our ability to squeeze every last bit of fun out it. This is especially true for those who play without mods. Many games fall into the same category, like Mass Effect, Fallout, and Dragon Age which often, and unsurprisingly, come up in discussions here.
But what about non-RPG, non-open-world games? These games are usually more or less linear with comparably limited customization options and though they may have multiple endings or multiple-play unlocks, total time spent playing will likely be nowhere near time spent playing one of the previously mentioned games.
This is understandable, but as someone who milks single player games for all their worth, I'd like to know how much these same kinds of games are played by others.
What I'd like to know:
Rules:
My most played is Halo: Combat Evolved, with roughly 800 hours of unmodded play. Second is Dead Space 2, with roughly 200 hours.
I played Halo: CE as much as I did because it was the only game I owned for three years and I had dial-up which prevented online play.
Dead Space 2 is still very fun for me to play. I like most of what it has to offer and it has enough variety that I can change how I play to challenge myself. For example, not upgrading my suit or weapons, or using just one weapon. And every time I play, it's basically practice for Hardcore mode. Which might make me stop playing.
My first open-world RPG was Fallout 3, which I first played in 2010. The Gamestop employee laughed at me.
Isn't Brink the shooter that tried to implement free-running? I do like your list though. It's good to see what others are playing, especially when they're playing games that don't fit into open-world RPG, which I didn't want to define here because that's another discussion on it's own. I'd say Mass Effect fits though.
The AI was really bad, but in fairness the game wasn't meant to be played with AI, but rather with full teams of people. But it seems like with that in mind, they let the AI slump. That's probably not the only thing that hurt it, but it had a fantastic concept and interesting story, some really fun customization, and didn't do too bad with the free running.
open-world RPG, which I didn't want to define here because that's another discussion on it's own
Fair enough. Yeah, Mass Effect was definitely the first console RPG I played (beginning with ME2, actually). Before that, it was Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced (which is amazing).
Conflict: Vietnam. It had unlockable difficulties and I spent about two playthroughs on them. Even after beating the game on the hardest difficulty I played about 2-3 times after that :) It had that squad-based combat with the ability to individually control and position squadmates. It also had stealth elements and a decent-enough storyline.
Also, Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix if offline server against bots counts. I spent about a year playing against toughest bots in that game. Still gives me an edge over my friends when we get to play CoD 2 :)
Fallout 3 :)
My first open-world RPG was Fallout 3, which I first played in 2010. The Gamestop employee laughed at me.
Wish I had that kind of patience and willpower ... You get all the DLC, all the patches and a huge amount of mods for a fraction of the original price. So, let them laugh, I say.
- Your most played non-RPG, non open-world single player game(s)
The Thief series. I find myself coming back again and again. Also, Invisible Inc.
- How many hours/replays you have put into it
No idea, to be honest. Around 200, I guess.
- Why you played it as much as you did/do
Stealth is my favorite genre next to RPGs. I like to replay Thief because it gives you so many different options. Whether you use all your gadgets or try to ghost a level w/o any arrows or traps makes a huge difference. And since the levels are often very tricky, it can take several replays to find all the loot and see all the place has to offer.
Invisible Inc. is also stealth, but completely different to Thief. It's turn-based and tactical, reminds me a little of X-COM: Enemy within. What makes it even better is the gameplay depth: you can try out lots of different character combinations, gadgets and tactical approaches, and the levels are procedurally genereated, so no map layout is ever the same. One mission takes 20-40 mins, so I often find myself playing one or two missions before getting back to work or doing sth else.
- Your first open-world RPG
Morrowind, yay!