Too many damn games!

On 11/20/2013 at 09:45 AM by TheMart22

I haven’t blogged in a while so here we go.

So, I’m in a pickle. A good pickle I guess but still a pickle. In what could very well be the definition of first world problems, I am at a point where I’m having difficulty choosing a game to play and for what system. In my head, the system is nearly taking preference as I want to balance the number of games I’ve left to play on each.

My problem stems from the fact that every game I really want to get into is a time sink. For the PC, I’m currently moving between Civ V, KOTOR2, Football Manager 2013 and Fallout: New Vegas; for the PS3, I’m currently playing Arkham Asylum (again), Ni No Kuni and want to start Kingdoms of Amular (as well as get back into Skyrim); and for the Vita, I’m playing Persona 4 Golden as well as whatever just releases on PS+ (just finished Sine Mora).

Combine this decision making process with the new consoles releasing, the continuous influx of games from PS+ and Steam sales and it gets overwhelming pretty damn quickly. I don’t really like the idea of having too many games in a backlog so I really should just stop buying games but dammit there are far too many great games out there to experience.

PS+

Is too many "free" games really an issue? Probably not....

In order to alleviate some internal stress, I’ve already decided to wait a full calendar year at a minimum to get the PS4 on the grounds that MGS5 and the next Dragon Age are my reasons for getting it.

For some silly reason though, I have to play the latest console even if the games I play typically are not new releases anyway. It’s definitely dumb but when I play my PS3 now, I can’t help but feel that it’s lost its shine and appeal somewhat. It’s obviously a mental issue as I’m still really enjoying the PS3 backlog I’m working my way through but the thought of buying another PS3 title (Gran Turismo 6 is on my Christmas wishlist) is off-putting.

I’m wondering if anyone else finds themselves in a similar circumstance with so many games this gen left to play but feeling somewhat lethargic about the whole thing with these new consoles releasing. Its honestly almost as if my brain feels there is now a timer to finish all my existing gen titles. It’s a completely illogical feeling but I’m having trouble shifting it. I may have to start listing the games I currently own in an order I want to play them in so I don’t constantly just sit and try to balance in my head the games on each system left to play.

Let me know what everyone thinks. I already know its senseless but would like to hear if anyone else feels somewhat the same.

Thanks and later doods!

transmet2033

11/20/2013 at 10:00 AM

I completely understand the feeling of consoles loosing their shine. What I decided to do was clean objectively look through my games and decide which one I actually expect to finish. I then cleaned out my backlog of all the games that I honestly do not see myself playing. Then I finished up playing the games that I actually wanted to finish. Now I am sitting with an empty place under my TV because I packed up my 360 last night because I am done with it.

TheMart22

11/20/2013 at 01:09 PM

That's much easier said than done but most definitely the way to go.I've already given up on playthroughs on Final Fantasy XIII-2 and XCOM Enemy Unknown. I think at the moment my problem is that I can't see myself finishing any of my games. I need to prioritise what I want to complete and take it from there. Fair play to you for packing up the 360 already

Coolsetzer

11/20/2013 at 11:26 AM

I understand that. Seven years of backlog can do that to you. My suggestion is to just prioritize your focus to the game you most want to play, then do that. Don't think about those other shiny games still wrapped in packages waiting to be played. When you are finished with the game, either by beating it or becoming too bored, move onto the next. It should move pretty quickly after that. Play games to have fun, don't have fun to play games, if that makes any sense.

11/20/2013 at 01:10 PM

Yeah you're right. One at a time is the way to go and when I lose interest in a game to simply move on. It'll take some getting used to but it's not like I paid full price for any of my games anyway. Thanks for putting this in context

F1r3inth3H0L3

11/20/2013 at 11:51 AM

I have that same feeling when I play my PS3, that it is not the most cutting edge and there is something "better" out there. My PS3 backlog is ridiculous:

Skyrim, Bioshock: Infinite, Dark Souls, Final Fantasy XIII/XIII-2, God of War Ascension, Tomb Raider, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Darksiders 1/2, All of the Assassin's Creed games past 2...literally like 40 games!

Like you, the only PS4 game that is a must-have to me is Metal Gear Solid V, which is also coming to PS3. So I will continue to play the games above, try out the PS4 at my friends and see if I want to upgrade. I really wish the PS4 was backwards compatible, that would be very nice and convenient...

11/20/2013 at 01:14 PM

That is a serious serious backlog. Wow. For me, even though MGSV is coming out on the PS3, I want it on PS4 as I feel it will be the full proper experience as intended. I agree with you 100% on the backwards compatibility, it would certainly reduce that internal "timer" i'm feeling to get through my mess. Enjoy the next ten years working through that backlog!

goaztecs

11/20/2013 at 01:36 PM

Well having a bunch of games that need to be played is always a good problem. I would approach it to where you play the one(s) you really want to play first. The PS+ games, just download them and play them later. As for the new games, if they're not stuff you really want to play at that moment, wait a bit. They'll drop in price by the time you do want to play.

This is how I go about playing games...of course if something is free on the tablet, then that jumps to the head of the line. Mount Backlog is huge for me, but I'm slowly knocking games off one at a time.

11/20/2013 at 02:58 PM

I already wait for the price drop but it's the sales that kill me. Oh and agreed, having a bunch of games to be played is always a good problem haha. I think I just need to step back, prioritize and enjoy! That means Persona 4 first followed by Kingdom of Amular for now I think

KnightDriver

11/20/2013 at 02:53 PM

I just started moving some of my must-have games to next gen because they are being released on the new systems like Assassin's Creed IV (which I hear has vast graphical improvements). That should postpone my need to play them until I get the new systems. I still have to play Fire Emblem Awakening, Shin Megami Tensei IV, God of War Ascension, Dragon's Crown and Muramasa Rebirth which are all on my table still shrink wrapped. ACIV can wait 'til next year.

11/20/2013 at 03:03 PM

For me, i'm pretty good at just waiting for the price drop. Other than Gran Turismo 6 which will be Christmas gift from someone in my family most likely, i'm good to wait it out. I'm going to keep track of PS4 releases over the next year or more so I know what i'll enjoy the most when I finally go next gen. I'll probably just dump the "must-haves" into an Amazon wishlist and see where I stand come console time

11/20/2013 at 03:14 PM

I have GOT to fix my mail issues because Amazon is awesome. It would be realy cool to create a wish list and then check for sales. I would love that.

11/20/2013 at 03:52 PM

Yeah that's what I do basicly everyday. It's almost turned into a habit. Works a treat and I can use it as I reminder for games that somewhat interest me also. I use Amazon quite a lot so it makes sense. We just moved from an apartment to our own house so it makes receiving packages all the easier

daftman

11/20/2013 at 06:32 PM

It's been so long since my backlog was under control that it's almost hard to remember what it was like to not have gobs of unplayed games. Sometimes I have a really hard time deciding what to play. For me it's important to just be playing something because otherwise I'll become paralyzed by indecision and won't play anything, and that just lets the backlog grow. However, I still enjoy enjoy these current consoles. I'll upgrade, of course, but probably not for a year.

11/21/2013 at 08:10 AM

Yeah this indecisiveness is what kills me the most. The new me is going to take it one at a time so hopefully that helps. I've been playing nothing but Persona 4 all week.

BrokenH

11/20/2013 at 06:41 PM

I'm fine to exist in the past until I catch up. lol. I already promised myself I'd get a 2DS and PS3 before even considering a PS4. The PS3 has so many good exclusives I missed out on getting it is totally worth it I think.

11/21/2013 at 08:13 AM

Yeah the PS3 catalogue is pretty amazing when you look back at it and only getting better with releases in the next 6 months. I am happier to wait due to the price drop of games obviously so in reality I just need to get over the fact that it's not the right time for me to upgrade and continue to enjoy the PS3. Ugh, first world problems

NSonic79

11/27/2013 at 03:36 PM

Try not to sweat it too much. Just buy the game and you can get aroudn to it eventually. It's not like it'll vanish or dissapear if you don't play the games you bought soon. Consider it adding to your collection. I have yet to play some of the games I own but figure I'll get to all of them eventually, I'ms ure I'll be playing as I'm wheeled to the old folks home.

11/27/2013 at 05:56 PM

haha indeed. This is dangerous advice to give during the Steam sales...

PixlBit