How to deal with Video Game Overload

[ScriptorFaust]

Hey everyone, just wanted to know how you are dealing with something I'd call Video Game Overload. It's been years since I felt like I can't decide on which game to play but ever since I finished Expedition 33, I somewhat fell into a hole. Two days ago I finished Black on PS2 and while it was a pleasant diversion, it didn't quite hit the spot I was hoping for. I actually prepared my ROMs to dive deeper into the Y2K PS2 fps era but it already lost me after playing some Killzone. On the side, I'm also playing the very first Far Cry, because back then I did not have a PC and I always wanted to know if the series was actually good at one point. I really like it but it's not something I'd pick up again if, let's say, I'm gone for a 2 weeks vacation and coming back home. And the list goes on: After CO:E33 I also started with Legend of Heroes, thought about trying Death Stranding.. you get the idea.

I know that in big part this is related to just how amazed I was -- and still am -- by Expedition 33. For a very long time, finishing this felt a bit like finishing a big jrpg like ff6 or Suikoden II 25 years go. Maybe I'm chasing that dopamine high and nothing comes close right now? I remember, as a kid, when I finished for example Front Mission 3, I just played through it again, until at some point I felt satisfied enough. Now, with less spare time and a truckload of games in the backlog, this doesn't work either.

In any case, is this feeling of "nothing hits the spot" something you already experienced yourself? Sorry for the somewhat rambling post. Just ignore it if you find it silly :D

 

[gwardojones]

All the time, especially with JRPGs. It's hard not to get invested in a good JRPG after spending all that time with it. Sometimes moving to a game that reminds me of that great game is a balm. Other times staying as far away from anything that reminds me of it is what's necessary. Either way, it'll pass. Give yourself some time to say goodbye to those characters and that world and you'll be ready for your next great adventure before you know it.

 

[Segadude113]

demos. try before you buy.

 

[Vexicrypt]

Yeah it happens, but I just remind myself that not every game was made for me and its okay for most of them to not hit the spot. I have other things to stress about, so if the game doesn't do it for me I just stop and move on. I tend to pick games depending on vibe I have at the time, trying them for an evening, then in the morning I think "do I come back to it or I'm not feeling it today?" and go from there. If I catch the same vibe and return to the game - cool, if not - whatever. Sometimes, however, games that I deside to give just a short look end up being exactly what I needed at the moment so I finish them and have a good time doing it. Its just random, it comes and goes I guess.

 

[ScriptorFaust]

Yeah, that seems about right. Going with the vibe does it quite often for me but hasn't worked out quite well lately. I do have to admit that I've been quite lucky the last year with the games I played and stuck with. I finished Persona 4, Persona 5, Metaphor Re:Fantazio and Clair Obscure, back to Back. Sure, I sprinkled in some shorter games here and there, like playing and finishing The Excavation of Hobs Barrow on my Steam Deck, but other than that, I rarely ever thought about what to play next. As you said, life is stressful enough to really think about what to play. I took on a new job this year and for that, I needed to invest 3 months of time to get a new certificate and such. It was quite nice to now think about which games to pick alongside. Now that I'm comfortable with my new role and having finished such a great game, I might just to re-learn going with the flow :D
In any case, good points.

 

[ThunderBoy]

demos. try before you buy.
View attachment 111313

I had very good time with Amid Evil.
I recommend it.

 

[Segadude113]

I had very good time with Amid Evil.
I recommend it.

indeed. excellent fps!

 

[Matricks]

I just get back to "modern" gfx games: Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, Wukong, Resident Evil 4 remake etc. to watch beauriful gfx is a good change to me.

If you can play ps3 Killzone 3 (in 3D), Uncharted 3 (in 3D) is Amazing refreshing exp.

 

[Izzy]

Hey everyone, just wanted to know how you are dealing with something I'd call Video Game Overload. It's been years since I felt like I can't decide on which game to play but ever since I finished Expedition 33, I somewhat fell into a hole. Two days ago I finished Black on PS2 and while it was a pleasant diversion, it didn't quite hit the spot I was hoping for. I actually prepared my ROMs to dive deeper into the Y2K PS2 fps era but it already lost me after playing some Killzone. On the side, I'm also playing the very first Far Cry, because back then I did not have a PC and I always wanted to know if the series was actually good at one point. I really like it but it's not something I'd pick up again if, let's say, I'm gone for a 2 weeks vacation and coming back home. And the list goes on: After CO:E33 I also started with Legend of Heroes, thought about trying Death Stranding.. you get the idea.

I know that in big part this is related to just how amazed I was -- and still am -- by Expedition 33. For a very long time, finishing this felt a bit like finishing a big jrpg like ff6 or Suikoden II 25 years go. Maybe I'm chasing that dopamine high and nothing comes close right now? I remember, as a kid, when I finished for example Front Mission 3, I just played through it again, until at some point I felt satisfied enough. Now, with less spare time and a truckload of games in the backlog, this doesn't work either.

In any case, is this feeling of "nothing hits the spot" something you already experienced yourself? Sorry for the somewhat rambling post. Just ignore it if you find it silly :D

AAA titles aren't all that. Might be the Let's Player side of me speaking but I want to have a reasonable session to where I'm making progress even if it's through power-leveling. I prefer satisfaction than just a rush. I play longer games, sure but I prefer something that makes a session worthwhile in progression than just for some high.

 

[bjork]

Finishing The Witness left me hunting for the next one of those, and nothing has quite scratched the itch. Sometimes I just fire up something completely different as a palate cleanser, like Mary Kate and Ashley Sweet 16 Licensed to Drive on Gamecube

 

[Snorlaxbelly]

I just play whatever I feel like playing, sometimes it's a JRPG, sometimes a horror game, sometimes a puzzle game like Puyo Puyo, I don't focus on finishing games too much unless I'm really enjoying myself. I just try and have fun and soak in the atmo, music, and great game design.

It also helps to take a break from games sometimes too, it's nice to have multiple hobbies, and interests, keeps things fresh.
I love gaming, but too much of a good thing can be a bad thing too, getting burned out is pretty common for any hobby.