While a lot of people here on PlayStation LifeStyle are fortunate enough to actually be paid to finish games, that doesn’t mean it’s super cushy job. And by “finishing,” I don’t mean getting the Platinum, but just actually getting to the very end.
For every Chandler Wood that gets all the Trophies from a single game, there’s someone like, well, me, that has a hard time finishing every game that lands on their console. Why? It depends on the individual, but for this Now Loading, I asked the PSLS crew to chime in and share what motivates them to finish games. Curious? I know you are! Check our responses below.
What’s your motivation for finishing video games? Is it because you spent money on it? Just pure joy at getting through to the end? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s get this discussion going!
Got a Now Loading suggestion? Let us know via email or in the comments and it might be featured in the next Now Loading.
Now Loading is a recurring staff-driven feature where PlayStation LifeStyle discusses anything video game-related under the sun (yes, even non-Sony platforms).
Essential Reading:
- Now Loading…Have You Pre-Ordered a Nintendo Switch?
- Trophy Theory: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Online Trophies
- Is God of War II Still Great 10 Years Later?
Now Loading... Completing Games
-
Now Loading... What Motivates You to Finish Games?
-
Tyler Treese
It varies from game to game. Ideally, a game will have that je ne sais quoi that'll make me want to finish it. Take something like Yakuza 0, where the story was so thrilling that I didn't want to put it down. I had to see Majima and Kiryu's story to the end (or I guess the beginning in this case). Other times it'll come down to me enjoying the mechanics to where I don't want to stop playing like in Rez Infinite. The burden rests on the game to compel players to continue investing their time.
-
Zarmena Khan
I pay for them. That's reason enough. I typically do my research well and know what I'm getting when I go to spend my hard-earned money so it's rare that I buy a game which sucks enough for me to not finish it. I force myself to not buy a new game until the one that's in my console is seen to the end.
-
Martin Patiño
So I can slowly whittle down my humongous backlog of games. Which usually proves futile because I buy more games than I can finish.
-
Michael Briers
To see a story through to the end, providing it hooks me in. Resident Evil 7 is the last game I finished, and I would argue that there's always something satisfying about reaching the credits. Not only do you feel a sense of accomplishment, but you're also able to judge the game fairly and discuss it with friends.
-
Chandler Wood
Finishing a game puts a mental check mark next to it for me. Usually what I decide to play is something that I want to play, so the story, world, and set of accomplishments tend to be motivation enough. Sometimes it's just the challenge and being able to say I did it. Of course all too often anymore, it's simply the fact the I got the game for review. I'm also trophy obsessed, so an incomplete trophy list tends to drive my motivations to some level.
-
Keri Honea
I hate not finishing games, because I don't like not finishing what I start. It takes a lot to get me to not finish a game, like the controls have to be terribad, the story is boring, and/or I'm not having any fun at all. Sometimes reviewing gets in the way of finishing titles I start for fun, which I blame for my constant twitch.
-
Alex Co
This is a toughie for me since I play a lot of games, but I rarely finish 'em all. A game has to be super compelling from the get-go for me to give it a lot of time due to the nature of my job.
It's not even a genre thing, either. I've completed Dragon Quest Heroes (almost every side quest too!) and it took me a while, which is odd since I sometimes have a hard time finishing games that can be finished in less than 10 hours.
I think to me it's a matter of the story, and opening few chapters and how they're presented. This is one area where games like Uncharted or Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time excel in; they transition from one chapter to the next in a seamless way that you don't feel that "stopper" portion where you think, "Oh, I'll put the controller down now since this part is done."
It instead dives into "Oh! One more cave and then I'm done!" and we know how that snowballs.
I kinda want to say I finish games based on how well they're designed, but that might be a lie. I finish games when I have time and if it's compelling enough that I'll stick to it rather than play with my kids or watch movies.
-
Mack Ashworth
As I rent most single-player titles, I have no issues with leaving a game unfinished and swapping it for something else. If the pacing is off, and I grow bored, it gets sent back. However, I will do my very best to finish the main questlines and get a solid feel of what the game is about, as my job pretty much demands it!
If a game keeps me entertained, then I'll see it through to the end. I have pretty high standards, though...
