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Finishing A Game’s Story: How Important Is It To You, Really?

To some, finishing a game and seeing the credits just doesn't matter.

For others, they strive to complete every game they purchase; seeing those end credits is an essential part of the experience.

So, into which category do you fall?

Times have changed, of course. When I was a kid, saying you completed a video game was a huge feather in your cap, because many games were borderline impossible to finish without the help of a code or two. Then, games got easier and before long, racing through a campaign just to see the ending wasn't quite so taxing. On top of which, with the gigantic expansion of our virtual worlds, those credits hardly meant the experience was over.

For me, it depends on the type of game. If it's a linear-driven game like Uncharted , I do have to finish but once I see the credits, it's over. I rarely care about all the collectibles or different modes. As for open-world games, if I get into them, I tend to want to do everything I see on the map. The credits don't mean the end but even so, I don't consider the game finished until I see the story's ending. Call me old-fashioned if you wish.

How about you?

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tes37
tes37
9 years ago

If I like the game, I usually want to play through to completion. Collecting everything is something I do if I'm not ready to stop after seeing the credits roll.

newchef
newchef
9 years ago

i have to finish a game if i start it, i dont remember the last game i didnt finish. I feel weird if i go on without finish

Beamboom
Beamboom
9 years ago

Seriously? Wow.
I'm impressed!


Last edited by Beamboom on 1/15/2015 3:11:31 PM

cLoudou
cLoudou
9 years ago

Yes, when I buy a game I have the full intention of beating it, unless the game is so bad or not in my taste. The ending however doesn't indicate how good the the game is. For me the journey and characters are vital to the experience. The ending is there for closure for when I'm truly done with the game…or that I'm ready for a New Game+.

AMERICANSHEEPLE
AMERICANSHEEPLE
9 years ago

Having just platinumed DAI last night I would have to say both. I was never really a trophy collector until I actually looked at my trophies and noticed how close I was/wasn't to100% completion. If I only have a few to get then I figure WTH I might as well do it. But if I have a lot to collect or if I have to complete online or multiplayer quest or missions to be 100% complete, then I'm usually like "screw this" I did enough. I'm good.

Vivi_Gamer
Vivi_Gamer
9 years ago

If I do not complete a game, it usually means that I have lost interest with it and disregarded it – which for me is essentially the worst I could say about a game. The story is the backbone to the interactive experience. It's what make a game memorable to me.

However, I don't believe every game should have a heavy focused story. Best example is Sonic. ever since Sonic has become 3D they've bombarded the players with awful dialogue and exposition which is just unbearable. I was content with the Megadrive (Genesis) Sonic games where you had a basic introduction, a few moments of interaction with the villian and then a conclusion. There was a basic premise which held the game through.

Broady
Broady
9 years ago

Same here, play most games for the story. A good story keeps you interested in the experience and wanting to know what happens next.

Axe99
Axe99
9 years ago

Definitely – there are very, very few games I don't complete. Usually if the gameplay or story doesn't hold up, or it's set at a difficulty setting beyond my abilities (which I don't mind for games like the Souls series, which are marketed as hard, but it can be frustrating when it's just because the devs didn't give the balancing enough thought).

Solid Fantasy
Solid Fantasy
9 years ago

YES! It actually sucks sometimes because this rule applies to games I don't even like. Once I start something I have to see an end to it. This can make PS+ service a pain in the ass sometimes.

Which reminds me. I made it to the ending credits of Soul Sacrifice… With out really defeating the last boss. It seemed almost Nintendo hard and since the credits came in after I gave up / died does that mean I sort of won? Not really sure and can not deny that it still doesn't eat me up inside thinking about it.

bldudas1
bldudas1
9 years ago

I play games for their story, and I have to finish them.

Finish, as in seeing the ending and credits. I don't drive myself crazy trying to get every collectable. If I do, great, if not, no big deal.


Last edited by bldudas1 on 1/15/2015 7:36:34 AM

EMax
EMax
9 years ago

The story (most of the times) is the most important aspect of the game for me. I would play a crappy game just to get to the end, if the story interests me. These days, though, the storytelling feels a bit flat as opposed to the past. I mean, the limitations were there, but developers had to find creative ways to sell their story. Everything looks pretty now, and it could be because my taste has become a bit more refined, but stories in games feel so uninspired and bland. There are gems out there, but I think that the industry could only benefit if the standard of writing improves, matures and is kept at a high level.
I can't leave a game though unless I see the end credits. I call it old school completionist syndrome.

FAREEZ
FAREEZ
9 years ago

I finish a game to see what will happen to the main character, especially with a game with great story like the last of us and mgs game…

Shauneepeak
Shauneepeak
9 years ago

For massive open world games like Skyrim or something I don't really care all that much and tend to simply get lost having fun if I put in enough hours to get my money's worth I am fine with that. However if it is a purely story driven game like Uncharted, God of War, Last of Us, etc. OFC I will finish the story.

Banky A
Banky A
9 years ago

The dream is that a game is so good with such longevity that ya just don't want to finish it. Advancing in the story is just another step to unlock more of the good stuff 😀

For j/RPG's, I always get strange emotions when backtracking through towns right after finishing the game (either post-game or returning to final save point endgame state after beating story). It's like "Hey townspeople, shouldn't you be celebrating. You don't even know I saved the world, oh that's cool".

It's not fully bittersweet, it's quite indescribable for me. Just so strange.

Finishing games is important! I'm a sissy so I need to fully commit and be prepared for a change of feelings towards the game world. If you didn't do everything you wanted to do before the first completion then the motivation may be lost.

The motivation and feelings will kick back after starting New Game+ but ain't nobody got the time for that until one year later at least :O

Beamboom
Beamboom
9 years ago

"The dream is that a game is so good with such longevity that ya just don't want to finish it."
-> For me, that game was Fallout 3. When I came close to the end I was desperately hoping the story would take a surprising turn and I'd discover I was only half way or something. 🙂

big6
big6
9 years ago

Yeah, once I start a game, I have to finish it. It would take a lot to get me to quit it completely. I mean… I even finished Hitman:Absolution, and that game almost made me break my controller, ps3, and tv cuz it was so annoying and frustrating! lol

Then there are games like the MGS series that are so good, you don't want it to end. And when the credits roll and music plays, I'm reflecting on all the things I did in the game, and it gets a bit emotional sometimes…

xenris
xenris
9 years ago

I used to have to beat my games in the order I purchased them and wouldn't play my next game until I completed the previous one in my back log.

I also used to force myself to play the sequels even if I didn't fall in love with the first one.

I was OCD a bit.

Then I got into Platinuming games, which lasted about a couple months or a year.

These days though, I jump back and forth between games although I find its hard to enjoy them as much when you do it like that and sometimes you forget the story.

If I buy a game for full price I force myself to see the credits no matter how much I like it.

I think in recent memory the only games I haven't beaten are RAGE, Drakengaurd 3, and Enslaved. Although I will go back to Drakengaurd once there is a drought, although with it being 2015 I don't know if there is going to be a drought lol.

big6
big6
9 years ago

Enslaved was the first game I started, but quit playing. Normally, I finish everything, but Enslaved was just too crappy.
The movement sucked. Each level was too formulaic, like how they do a slow pan of the level when you first enter it. So each level felt like an individual stage, like a Mario game, rather than a cohesive unit that formed the story. Plus the story wasn't gripping at all.
I was actually surprised the reviews for this game was somewhat positive.

xenris
xenris
9 years ago

I couldn't get over the frame rate of the game. I tried it because I heard the story was good but it didn't really hook me.

Also the weird filters and motion blur in the game I would get bloodshot eyes when I played it…true story.

coverton341
coverton341
9 years ago

Unfortunately, my personality type demands that I finish everything I start. Couple that with the fact that my time available to do such is quite limited and you see why it's unfortunate. I bounce in between quite a few games because of it.

On the issues of having extremely expansive worlds, I too find myself playing well past the credits to do everything if I am invested in the game. AC:Black Flag: going and collecting all the ship bits and crap, although I stopped because I can't kill those damn elite ships. Got one or two but the two left just ain't happening. Diablo 3: Had to platinum it, because I was just so close. TLoU: I can play that game a hundred times and not be bored of it. Any Souls game: what can I say, I'm a disturbed masochist.

There are those games that I just won't replay though, and I probably won't even do 50% of the available things to do because I just don't care enough. Any CoD game that I play gets taken to completion, but only on the lowest difficulty and only to see the end, although I haven't played one of those since Modern Warfare 2 I believe.

So, yeah, it matters a great deal to me to finish a game to the credits, but the amount of time I actually dedicate to the game greatly depends on my personal enjoyment of it.

big6
big6
9 years ago

Someone told me the 'trick' to defeating the elite ships is to sail up to them as fast as you can from behind. And stick to its tail, so he can't shoot at you.
Then you can just pick away at him, until he blows up. =)

Rachet_JC_FTW
Rachet_JC_FTW
9 years ago

i'd like to say i'm much the same although i have grown up in a different time period to alot of you in some part cut from the same tree and i do like finishing games and in some cases being able to say i've maxed it out depending on what there is to do but yeah i'd like to say i've finish or clocked a game i do i sorta think well i don't feel as much of achieve ment and pat of the back i just feels goo knowing you've finished that game you've done it.

happy gaming

Nerull
Nerull
9 years ago

Pretty much the only games I don't complete the story for are those that have unreasonable difficulty spikes or just plain don't hold my interest.
I hate hunting down hundreds of collectables and trying to get 100% syncing in AC games, but usually I do all the side stuff.

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