I have friggin had it...

[EvilCabbage]

When are we going to get some long lasting games for the PS2?

In the last month, I have spent countless dollars on games, that I have completed in under 10 hours, with absolutely no incentive to play again.

What the hell is going on ? What happened to all the classy, quality games that kept me glued to my screen for weeks?

[Glenn]

They take too long to produce, cost too much, and don't allow either you or some kid's parents to keep hemmoraging money for the titles.

As an example, I keep playing Half-Life and all the mods I've download for it. This suits me. I don't feel the need to go through game titles like water. And I'm very judicious about the games I do buy. This is *NOT* what gaming companies generally want out of their customers.

You know the console companies make money on the software and *NOT* on selling the consoles themselves? And they've long since figured out that making playable/fun games is a lot less profitable in the long run than producing less playable shorter games. Then they got people to do this by touting the "eye candy" aspect of the games. Have you noticed that is always the talk about these games (does it use this new drawing technique, how many pixels per texture, etc, etc) is always based on the picture or some factor of realism and not how fun the games are?

And this speaking from someone who played (and still would play if my Atari was in working order) games with things represented by blocks and simple 4 color drawings for hours upon hours on end. I'd sit and blow away "asteroids" for several hours just to see how many times I could "turn over the score" before my game was over (my record is 12. ).

Even with Half-Life, the playability (which indeed was there when I started) was lost once I finished the game and learned what to expect. I play any of the games I have now maybe once in a great while, except when I've had them stowed away long enough or when one really comes along that *DOES* interest me.

Currently, my PC gaming thing is NFL Blitz 2000, and I've become quite good at it, IMO.

Thoughts?

[Cobra]

I'm happy with mine. I'm more than content to play Metal Gear Solid 2 over and over and over again, but that's just the sort of person I am, I guess.

Here's what I've got so far, and my brief thoughts on each (replay-wise)

MGS2 - love it, play it over and over to get all the dog tags.
Capcom vs SNK2 - like any fighting game, it's a blast if you have a bunch of friends over to play it.
Smackdown - Was super fun at first until I unlocked everything. Even on difficult, it's still too easy to win. Again, it's fun if you have a bunch of friends and a multi-tap.
Grand Theft Auto 3 - excellent, I've played this game for hours on end, without even completing a mission. I just have that much fun running around the city wreaking havoc.
Legends of Wrestling - suprisingly, better that Smackdown IMO. Cool reversal system, actually presents a challenge. Not much in terms of match modes, but great for wrestling quality. Plus RVD can do the Van Daminator - how can you not love it?
Tekken Tag Tournament - just finally got it last weekend, and it's pretty cool. Haven't tired of it yet, but it'll happen sooner or later. Typical fighting game formula - it's fun if there are lots of people playing it. But then again, Tekken Bowl mode is pretty addictive on it's own.

Also, even though I don't own it, Tony Hawk 3 is frickin' awesome. I've played that till like 4 in the morning with a bunch of friends, and you don't even realize how much time has passed.

[thirdfey]

Want to mention some of the games you have?

Gran Turismo 3 has been keeping me away from my MCSE studying for a couple weeks.

[Spork]

What about Final Fantasy X? I got that for xmas and I'm addicted to it.

[Danrak]

If you want a long playing game I'm think you will have to go with fantasy games like Baldurs Gate 2. Supposed to be 40+ hours of game time. I know I beat Alien vs Preditor 2 as a preditor in about 10 hours.

[Draggar]

[quote]Originally posted by EvilCabbage:
<strong>When are we going to get some long lasting games for the PS2?

In the last month, I have spent countless dollars on games, that I have completed in under 10 hours, with absolutely no incentive to play again.

What the hell is going on ? What happened to all the classy, quality games that kept me glued to my screen for weeks?</strong><hr></blockquote>

And people wonder why I still like my Atari 2600 and Nintendo (the old one, and not the Super Nintendo). A lot of the games don't end, you just try to beat your high score!

Although I do like playing Super Mario Cart on the N64 with my Sis-in-law and her BF...

[ephmynus]

[quote]Originally posted by Glenn:
<strong>
And this speaking from someone who played (and still would play if my Atari was in working order) games with things represented by blocks and simple 4 color drawings for hours upon hours on end. I'd sit and blow away "asteroids" for several hours just to see how many times I could "turn over the score" before my game was over (my record is 12. ).
</strong><hr></blockquote>

It's funny that you mention that because I just pulled out the original Final Fantasy the other day and have been playing it non stop for a week. I love that game.

[Quiet Thunder]

Hey, how much more long lasting can you get in a single game than with Final Fantasy X? I'm like 45 hours through it, and aren't even half way through it. Then, on top of that, you have all the side quests to try to complete. Yea, they can add several hours each. GTA3 is also another game that'll keep ya glued to the screen for weeks on end. I know some games tend to get old after a while, but I think it depends on the player more than the game. Some people just have smaller attention spans. I know a game is addicting and great, when at 11pm I say I'll turn it off, then I look up and it's 2 am and I still want to play. Just want to get this next item or fight this next battle, then I'll turn it off. Riiiiiight. :-) Now I remember why I almost overslept for work today. hehehehe.

[Renée]

Too bad you're not into sports games. That's the ultimate in never-ending variants and differing results. My husband just killed a day and half setting up his team in Madden and playing practice games. Season 1 hasn't even started yet...

[Wayward Clam]

I play strictly PC games, but I have to recommend anything by Sid Meier for this... I have just recently installed Civilization III and am about a dozen hours into my first game... and I still have yet to discover any kind of technology!!!

[Chris_MacMahon]

for me there will always be the old fav's...Doom, and Doom II, Wolf3d (the original), SPear of Desitny, and of course solitare.

[Dr.J]

And I'm still playin Doom, Doom 2, Duke Nukum,
etc. But being a newlywed, (you know)
Not much time for new games!

[*SlyVenom*]

Hey EC they just released final fantasy tactics as a greatest hits (for ps1). If you don't have it I would definateley recomend picking it up. It is the only game I've spent more than 2 months of solid playtime on. There is just so many possibilities with it. If you don't mind the chibi graphics used for the characters

[EvilCabbage]

[quote]Originally posted by thirdfey:
<strong>Want to mention some of the games you have?

Gran Turismo 3 has been keeping me away from my MCSE studying for a couple weeks.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Well, at the moment Ive only got GTA 3 (now banned by the classification board, *******s...) I have gone through, Silent Hill 2, Baldurs Gate, HalfLife, Gran Turismo 3 (man.. that sucked..) & Tekken Tag. With these games costing between $85 - $100 AU, im getting pissed off pretty damn fast.

Final Fantasy X is definately on my "to get" list, but it isnt out down under for a while yet, as with Capcom VS SNK