how do you guys choose games that you will play?

[Unassuming_Spook]

I put more time looking into what game I want to play next vs. actually playing games. It's sad because I get into a mode where I have to really think it over until something sparks. I was never able to just instantly pick up a random game and play it. It gets bad when I'm trying to choose an RPG.

What usually happens is I scroll through a huge list of games until an idea hits or just a title catches my feels.

 

[Fietto!]

I let destiny lead.

 

[shaggi]

I choose a genre I'm feeling like, then search for games in that genre until one catches my eye. Then I play that game for a while to see if I like it. If I do, I play longer; if not, I go back to searching.

 

[4C374552A1CA2638]

I have a list. Whenever a game I want to play crosses my mind, I write it down. Then when I'm done with whatever I'm playing, I go to that list and... play something that's not on it. :|

I should probably play the oldest titles on there first or trim the list, but where is the fun in that?

 

[gabbooo]

My trick involves how I build my collection (and also prune my collection from time to time). I have pretty decently difficult OCD, and my collections are a pretty major thing with that. so I need a way to differentiate between games I like, and games my OCD demon wants me to have for insane reasons.
Anyway: I start by not having a bunch of similar games. because, for example, if I want to play something similar to the PS1 Tomb Raiders, it's better to have 3-4 options than 12.
The way I filter the options down is what I call the 2 folder method:
I imagine 2 folders, literally labeled 1 and 2. Folder 1 contains all the games I absolutely love. 2 contains everything else.
next I go to folder 2 and further sub divide. games I'm actually interested in playing, trying, whatever, all go into sub folder 1. sub folder 2 gets everything else. I then just don't bother with the sub folder 2 games at all. my collection ends up being made from the folder 1 and sub folder 1 games.
sub folder 1 games need to have a concrete reason to go there though. so no "well, I like that series" or "I liked this when I was 12" or "this one is popular" or any of that. because that's not good enough. If I can't think of a real reason, it's not worth it.
being able to articulate why you like games, and also be honest with yourself (and in my case recognize OCD thoughts vs sane ones) is vital for this method to work
I also keep all my roms and PC games in seperate, labeled folders, so it's much easier to do this with 40 neo geo games, 60 NES games and 80 PS1 games than it is with everything all at once

as for picking what game to play, it's all about steps. go from big to small. make decisions.
so what am I feeling troday? fun, engrossing, shooting, what?
ok, fun. what's fun? Racing, platformers, tetris clone?
platformer. so which series? crash. sonic, mario, DK...
yeah, DK. so 1, 2, 3, land, returns or tropical freeze?
Then you're gonna have to just decide. but this is where filtering helps. so lets say you dropped land, Freeze and 3. now you only have to pick between 1, 2 and returns. which is much easier.

your method is interesting, i think i should try sorting games by genre too, and with it filtering the games that i feel the most in playing.

 

[ArchienineArchienine's icon]

Just i see a game from something, i play it and if i like it, i try similar games or the entire saga.

 

[TinRattler]

Randomly I just pick a game

 

[Skellerick]

My bucket list, my mood, and switching between genres and franchises to avoid fatigue

 

[KenaiPhoenix]

Ngl I struggle for a while every friday.

Then I realize Im wasting so much time by just deciding so I just pick whichever comes to mind. If I dont feel like it I just hope to the next one.

 

[Verde_]

I usually find the games I play randomly online. If the music is cool and the gameplay looks interesting, I try it.