# Which games give you the most re-play value? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 15, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242 "2012-06-15T15:18:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/21 "2012-06-16T09:34:03Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Do you mean the cave with the Legendary Deathclaw? Yes. That was a triumphant moment. šŸ˜ƒ > > As for how I spent that much time in it, I played through the first time and went for the independent ending. Then I did a second run-through on hardcore mode and did the NCR ending. Then I did an abortive third run-through that I ended early because I was playing for the Legion and realized pretty early on that playing for the Legion sucks. Iā€™m currently in the middle of what may well be my final go (I actually havenā€™t played for a couple of months, but Iā€™ll get back to it later on this summer), in which I am attempting to visit all areas and complete all available quests. I also got the DLC add-ons. The cave is easy compared to the eastern shore. If you look on this map: [http://wikicheats.gametrailers.com/images/6/65/Fallout\_new\_vegas\_large\_map\_with\_grid.jpg](http://wikicheats.gametrailers.com/images/6/65/Fallout_new_vegas_large_map_with_grid.jpg) it is approximately located from N10 to N13. Never been? I hear thereā€™s some good loot. I tried to go a few times but it was just too difficult. ---
**Author:** ![Tarwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de0a6/32.png) [@Tarwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarwater)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/22 "2012-06-16T09:48:27Z")
Fallout 2 by a significant degree. Iā€™ve poured so much time into that game. I started another character just the other day, actually, and my experience (in terms of story, especially) is already significantly different from my previous playthroughs. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/23 "2012-06-16T10:24:02Z")
So far **[Torchlight](http://store.steampowered.com/app/41500/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1)** seems pretty nifty. Steam has a **[Torchlight II](http://store.steampowered.com/app/200710/)** preorder pack available which includes Torchlight as a bonus, as well. Torchlight II looks like it is going to be even better than Torchlight! As far as a world building game, do you have **[Dungeon Keeper II](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeon_Keeper_II)**? (The first Dungeon Keeper is awful, mind.) You can find it on [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com), if you are interested. Games I reach for over and over would be Diablo, and Diablo II Lord of Destruction. ---
**Author:** ![MJinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MJinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJinks)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/24 "2012-06-16T10:35:56Z")
looking at my list of currently installed games I often replay: Xcom, Theme Hospital, Space Empires IV, Sins of a Solar Empire, Age of Empires II, Supreme Commander, Diablo 2, Titans Quest, Arcanum, Fallout 2, Elderscrolls games, Deus Ex, Minecraft, Heroes of Might and Magic III, Silent Hunter IV, The Guild 2, Mount and Blade, Civ V, X3 Terran Conflict and The Sims 3. If I had to pick one of them to replay over and over it would have to be Space Empires IV. Itā€™s a 4x space strategy game with a huge tech tree, a focus on customisation and is easily modded. > [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > The cave is easy compared to the eastern shore. > > If you look on this map: [http://wikicheats.gametrailers.com/images/6/65/Fallout\_new\_vegas\_large\_map\_with\_grid.jpg](http://wikicheats.gametrailers.com/images/6/65/Fallout_new_vegas_large_map_with_grid.jpg) > it is approximately located from N10 to N13. > > Never been? I hear thereā€™s some good loot. I tried to go a few times but it was just too difficult. If you have stealth itā€™s actually quite easy because you can kill everything before they spot you. A few stealth boys if you mess up are nice too. As for the loot: A suit of Remnant power armour on a corpse near the highest concentration of deathclaws. The best armour in the game. Youā€™ll have to find the helmet somewhere else though. ---
**Author:** ![Stowed\_Bob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stowed_bob/32/3312_2.png) [@Stowed\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stowed_Bob)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/25 "2012-06-16T11:27:11Z")
Baldurā€™s Gate 2. I come up with excuses like classes Iā€™ve yet to play, mods I havenā€™t tried, or gimmick run-throughs (use only the least popular NPCs in my party) to justify starting just one more game. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/26 "2012-06-16T16:44:40Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > The #1 selling point for me is their replayability. I dislike buying a $60 game, burning through it in a week or two, and then it sits on a shelf forevermore (hence I usually steer clear of RPGs or anything else with a linear plot). Iā€™m guessing youā€™re the sort of person who doesnā€™t read novels or watch films over and over again as well. Iā€™m just the opposite of that :). I love reimmersing myself in the same stories multiple times. So RPGs that are fun are among my most replayable games. But strategy games take the prize. Civ II, MOO2, EU II/III and maybe Crusader Kings are probably the joint champion time-wasters. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/27 "2012-06-16T16:59:08Z")
My World of Warcraft account had over a year of actual playtime. Not how long itā€™s been active but the actual amount of time i spent on it. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/28 "2012-06-16T17:26:16Z")
Xcom is the game for me. Iā€™ve played through it every few years and it still holds up. I also enjoy playing through games like NVN2, or other RPGs like Fallout mentioned above. The Console game that Iā€™ve played through the most though? Hands down- Twisted Metal 2 multiplayer. The whole series is great for playing through with a friend, thatā€™s just been our go to game of choice. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/29 "2012-06-16T17:41:19Z")
Roguelikes, by their nature, if you enjoy playing them once, youā€™re liable to enjoy them again, due to their lack of plot (so no ā€˜oh, Iā€™ve done this scene a dozen timesā€™ thing), and random maps (so itā€™s essentially a new game every time). Nethack, of course, is the classic, and itā€™s free, both the ascii and tile graphical versions. But, if you have a Steam account, Iā€™d recommend Dungeons of Dredmor, a totally silly graphical roguelike. How silly? It has items such as the meatwand and the enemies making Fight Club references. (Itā€™s also cheap, though not free.) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/30 "2012-06-16T17:47:15Z")
Civ2 Colonization Railroad Tycoon 3 Robotron: 2084 ---
**Author:** ![Hennessy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hennessy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hennessy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/31 "2012-06-16T19:26:29Z")
I catch myself starting up a new game of Super Mario RPG every few years, absolutely loved that game while none of my friends or family could understand it (RPGs)ā€¦ That and Secret of Mana 2 ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/32 "2012-06-16T20:28:55Z")
> [@Hennessy](#): > > I catch myself starting up a new game of Super Mario RPG every few years, absolutely loved that game while none of my friends or family could understand it (RPGs)ā€¦ That and Secret of Mana 2 One of the only Final Fantasy-style RPGs I could stand. Yet I rented it and got hooked instantly. I wonder what makes it special. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/33 "2012-06-16T20:47:41Z")
Never get tired of Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time. The acrobatic movements and 3rd person view make it more dynamic than most other games, and the levels are just perfect every time. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/34 "2012-06-16T20:54:33Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > How do you know youā€™ll replay a game for years before you buy it? Me, I like sim games and world building games so I tend to buy those but sometimes they donā€™t click with me-- Black and White being one such game. Another was Spore. Iā€™m still holding out hope that theyā€™ll make a Spore spin-off that builds on the first two parts. Some games are just of a nature that once youā€™ve played them, thereā€™s no point in playing again. The CSI games are an example. Almost completely linear, and the object is to solve a series of puzzles. Once you know the solutions, there is no game for you anymore. Other games may have multiple solutions, and allow a limited number of replays with different challenges. And some games, like NetHack, as previously mentioned, or many of Sid Meierā€™s games have a definite beginning and end, but are generated at random, so playing again results in a new experience every time. Maybe not indefinitely, but for a reasonably long time. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2012, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/35 "2012-06-16T20:58:24Z")
**PC game** : Civ II or Civ IV **Board game** : Fields of Fire or Up Front ---
**Author:** ![Enuma\_Elish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5e9695/32.png) [@Enuma\_Elish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enuma_Elish)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/36 "2012-06-17T00:35:31Z")
Biggirl - I hope you havenā€™t given up on Runescape! ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/37 "2012-06-17T00:45:43Z")
GalCiv II Civ IV Thief (any of them) Hitman (any of them) Dominions 3 (multiplayer only - solo is shit) Heroes III/V GTA:Vice City Every other game, I play through once and call it a day. Maybe the \*Witcher \*games oughta count, but I still only played each twice for each major path. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/38 "2012-06-17T04:49:37Z")
> [@Enuma\_Elish](#): > > Biggirl - I hope you havenā€™t given up on Runescape! I do go back every now and again. What I really want to do is advance in mining and, for some reason, I hit a brick wall every time. I do enjoy building the cooking skill. But dang, do I get tired of running back and forth across the landscape trying to get the crap I need. This goes for many of the skills I enjoy in Runescape. It just gets tiring running from one place to another gathering resources. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/39 "2012-06-17T05:21:23Z")
Star Control II. I seem to go back and replay it every few years. Tons of replayability there. I love, love love it. Itā€™s free too! Just search for Ur-Quan Masters. Canā€™t recommend it highly enough. Red Alert 2 also got tons and tons of play time from me when I was younger, with mods and online play. Warcraft 3 as well. Lots of time spent with mods, custom maps, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2012, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242/40 "2012-06-17T05:28:59Z")
> [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > So far **[Torchlight](http://store.steampowered.com/app/41500/?snr=1_7_7_151_150_1)** seems pretty nifty. Steam has a **[Torchlight II](http://store.steampowered.com/app/200710/)** preorder pack available which includes Torchlight as a bonus, as well. Torchlight II looks like it is going to be even better than Torchlight! As far as a world building game, do you have **[Dungeon Keeper II](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeon_Keeper_II)**? (The first Dungeon Keeper is awful, mind.) You can find it on [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com), if you are interested. Games I reach for over and over would be Diablo, and Diablo II Lord of Destruction. I have Torchlight and played it a bit but just couldnā€™t get into it like I did the Diablo Series. I might reinstall it and try again once Iā€™m done playing Diablo 3 (if Iā€™m ever done, that is). I _totally_ agree with Dungeon Keeper II. I still find myself muttering under my breath, ā€œGet me out of this hellholeā€ at random moments. > [@Tamerlane](#): > > Iā€™m guessing youā€™re the sort of person who doesnā€™t read novels or watch films over and over again as well. Iā€™m just the opposite of that :). I love reimmersing myself in the same stories multiple times. So RPGs that are fun are among my most replayable games. Iā€™m a re-reader of favorite books, but I canā€™t replay a game that is the same from beginning to end. I think games engage a different part of my brain, and theyā€™re no fun to play if I already know the whole story. > [@Doug\_K](#): > > Some games are just of a nature that once youā€™ve played them, thereā€™s no point in playing again. The CSI games are an example. Almost completely linear, and the object is to solve a series of puzzles. Once you know the solutions, there is no game for you anymore. > > Other games may have multiple solutions, and allow a limited number of replays with different challenges. > > And some games, like NetHack, as previously mentioned, or many of Sid Meierā€™s games have a definite beginning and end, but are generated at random, so playing again results in a new experience every time. Maybe not indefinitely, but for a reasonably long time. Very well stated. My favorite and most replayable games involve exploration and/or the finding of objects or places or events that are randomly generated (and thus potentially novel). I also appreciate games that let me build something (like a city or a civilization) or completely control the events that occur (like in the Sims). Some later posts in this thread require that I add Titan Quest (though its expansion sucked) and the Thief series to my list. Thiefā€™s replay value was a little different for me. I played it a lot because it had the best atmospheric stealth elements Iā€™ve ever encountered. I donā€™t remember anything about the plot at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-games-give-you-the-most-re-play-value/625242.md?page=3)