Beaten In 2026 (you knew it was coming)

[AceAerosmith]

1.God Of War II (PS2) 01/21/26 - I wish I could say I enjoyed this game.

[Az]

I wish I could say I enjoyed this game.

As someone who has only played this series for probably 15 minutes, why didn't you like it?

[AceAerosmith]

As someone who has only played this series for probably 15 minutes, why didn't you like it?

First, let me say, I am not good at video games but I love them. I've lost a lot of skill with age (55) and I've got a slight touch of arthritis in my button pressing hand. That being said, I've always felt that so many games have a level that takes the game from being fun to just a chore/nightmare. GOW2 had many of those levels: the collapsing columns level where you had to jump to one column/platform while spinning around, multiple medusas in a hallway you can't back out of, obscure puzzles, the battle with Zeus, etc. I hate when a game wastes my time making me do things over and over. I know some of this is my fault with my aging reflexes but when I have to go to an online guide to see what I AM DOING wrong or what hint I'm missing, I sort of lose interest. If I beat a game and have no desire to return to it due to the level of anger it inspires in me or not wanting to put myself through the torture of a level I found frustrating, then, to me, it wasn't an enjoyable experience. And, I'm running into a lot of games that I just want to end sooner than they do as well. I don't need a game to be 50 hours or hold my hand the whole way but I want it to be fun. This game wasn't fun to me. It's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[calthaer]

And, I'm running into a lot of games that I just want to end sooner than they do as well. I don't need a game to be 50 hours or hold my hand the whole way but I want it to be fun. This game wasn't fun to me. It's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

I really wish they made shorter games these days - games that could be beaten in something around 3-10 hours. I'd happily pay $15 for a tight 3-hour game that is consistently enjoyable. What was that Halloween game...Costume Quest. Perfect length. Subnautica? Amazing. Loved the "Shadowrun Returns" series.

What I do see more of is games with variable play where a "run-through" or session lasts about that long...and then you unlock more things for future sessions. Slay the Spire, The Last Spell, Griftlands, Deep Rock Galactic, Loop Hero, Dead Cells, Into the Breach - "Rogue-lites" or whatever they're called. I'm generally OK with these but I do burn out after a certain # of runs and rarely unlock everything...but I do have a certain amount of fun with it.

[AceAerosmith]

I really wish they made shorter games these days - games that could be beaten in something around 3-10 hours. I'd happily pay $15 for a tight 3-hour game that is consistently enjoyable.

This. I'd pay $20-$30 for a game that was solid front to back. A lot of people shit on The Order:1886 for its length but I fucking LOVED that game. Fun weapons, great action, and plenty of story in a compact, tight game that clocks in under 10 hours. I listen to a multiple gaming podcasts and hear them say great things about a game that peaks my interest but as soon as they say it can be completed in 50 to 100 hours, I'm like "Fuck that!". I looking at you, Baldur's Gate 3. After slogging through Assassin's Creed Valhalla (100 hours+) wishing it would just end, I have lost all interest in games that long.