Comments on: Metroid Prime remains, and the question of “beating” games

By: Xenoblade Chronicles is over, and I’m…happy? | United We Game

Xenoblade Chronicles is over, and I’m…happy? | United We Game — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 17:04:54 +0000

[…] induced controller-flinging rage. I stopped playing the game for a bit and I thought about that post I had written about beating games. Did I really have to beat the final boss? What did I really have to prove, after all? I […]

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By: Gamers and games: The subjective relationship; or, Metroid Prime just didn’t “do it for me.” | Recollections of Play

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 02:40:01 +0000

[…] Time with Metroid Prime: Recap and Update Metroid Prime remains, and the question of “beating” games Metroid Prime: Throwing in the Towel and Final […]

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By: Metroid Prime: Throwing in the Towel and Final Thoughts | United We Game

Metroid Prime: Throwing in the Towel and Final Thoughts | United We Game — Thu, 21 May 2015 17:01:18 +0000

[…] past February, I was tired, and I was tired of continually losing to this formidable foe. I then questioned my future with the game, and put it on the backburner for […]

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By: We need more etecoons and dachoras in games | United We Game

We need more etecoons and dachoras in games | United We Game — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 18:01:40 +0000

[…] been on something of a Metroid kick lately. Between writing about Metroid Fusion and Metroid Zero Mission on my own blog and […]

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By: cary

cary — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 13:52:51 +0000

For me, it really depends on the game and how invested I am in it. For example, right now I’m playing Batman: Arkham Origins, and I feel really compelled to complete all the game’s sidequests because they add little bits to the story. As you said about completing extra objectives before getting to the end — I really want to do that with this game. But I’m also trying to finish Super Mario 3D World, and there it’s just a matter of beating the game without getting all the collectibles, because I can always go back for them in a second run. The compulsion for “everything” just isn’t there.

It is tough when you get immersed in a game without a true ending. You mentioned Super Smash Bros., and lots of fighting and driving games are like there. If you wanted to, you could just play and play with no end in sight! Can you even get 100% complete in games like that, I wonder?

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By: duckofindeed

duckofindeed — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 02:46:23 +0000

I consider a game beaten when the final boss is defeated, but I don’t really consider it finished until I’ve gotten 100%. I really feel like I need to “beat” every game I get and get as close to “finishing it” as possible, though finishing it is often the motivation I need to play the game a second time. I beat it on my first go, then, I make it worth replaying because I’ll try to get 100% on my second try. Thus, it drives me nuts when I play games like Super Smash Bros because there’s no way to beat it, and finishing it is very difficult and will take all meaning out of ever playing it again. It’s a predicament.

I understand losing the desire to beat the final boss in Metroid Prime. I like doing side quests and collecting all the, well, collectibles, but once I reach a final boss, I lose all motivation to bother with any of this. I have to make sure I complete such extra objectives before reaching the ending, or I won’t want to do it.

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By: cary

cary — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 10:45:47 +0000

You may ramble on as much as you like, I don’t mind. 😊 I’ve no reason to argue — you make vary valid points. And really, the notions being discussed here revolve around personal ideals. You’re right in saying that finality can vary depending on the genre. I like the idea of “I’ve seen enough;” that’s about how I feel with Bayonetta 2. Unlike with Bayonetta, which I turned right round and played again after beating it once, because it was simply that amazing, I had seen enough of Bayonetta 2 in one playthrough to be happy with the results. Maybe I’ll play it again on a harder difficulty, but I won’t be upset if that doesn’t happen.

Besides, I’ve got a Metroid Prime to deal with! Though if Echoes is harder than the original…well…I guess I’ll have to hope for the best! (And be happy I have an extra controller in case my current one should meet with, uh…an unfortunate accident.)

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By: veryverygaming

veryverygaming — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 17:44:35 +0000

That was an unforgivably bad joke, Cary (I laughed).

Anyway, thank you for a thought provoking post. I’m looking at a huge backlog of half-beaten and never-played stuff and wondering about this very question!

Typically for me if it’s a narrative driven game I consider it over and done with when I’ve seen the end of the story, credits and all. I’ll only very rarely go back to a game after that, unless it’s to replay it from scratch. It’s why in an RPG or Metroid Prime game I usually try and deal with any outstanding sidequests/collectible hunts before the “point of no return” i.e. the final boss. Often those games will let you reload a save before that point, so you can collect all the goodies even after you beat the game, but seeing the credits usually has such an air of finality about it I will only rarely want to return and do more.

There are exceptions though, like with the 3D Mario games. Beating Bowser with 60 stars in Mario Galaxy 2 felt more like the start of the game than the end. I understand that for others beating Bowser might feel like enough, but I couldn’t resist continuing. If I didn’t enjoy the game in the first place though, I probably would’ve been OK with calling it quits after Bowser (and I recall when I was young playing Mario 64, beating Bowser was definitely enough). Enjoyment and commitment definitely play a part in determining what “beating the game” looks like – is it 100%, credits, or simply “I’ve seen enough”.

There are also those genres in which the replayability isn’t tied to a story mode in the same way as other games. Fighting games, shmups, puzzlers, racing games for instance. They may have a story mode of sorts but it’s kind of by the by. With those kinds of games I play them by ear.

Anyway sorry for the ramble here, I didn’t intend to leave a blog post in the comments section here! In conclusion, it’s all subjective. If you’re not feeling to beat the final boss in Metroid Prime, just leave it and move on to 2. I have to wonder how you’ll find Prime 2, if the final boss in Prime is giving you a headache… from what I remember (not a lot admittedly) it’s the bosses in 2 that make it that much harder than the first game. 3 was easier I think.

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By: cary

cary — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 16:15:12 +0000

Do Australians use the word “taeb” then? (Cause it’s backwards…and counterclockwise…and not in line with our seasons…and quite possibility the worst joke in the world. I’m so, so sorry.)

I do like the notion of adding the word “done” to my gaming lexicon. “I’m ‘done’ with Skyrim…for now…” Makes total sense.

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By: cary

cary — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 16:12:03 +0000

Right, that’s a fine way to look at it, and quite similar to my own view. Once I see THE END, the game is beaten. And maybe I’ll beat the game again, and find more stuff along the way that I hadn’t before. I guess, in a way, I have achieved close to 100% in some games, just not in the span of a multiple rather than single playthroughs.

I appreciate your enthusiasm concerning Metroid Prime! But you make it sound easy. :P My poor, old hands and brain just can’t handle all the switching between guns and intricate timing. But…maybe if I have just the right amount of coffee and chocolate, it’ll be a piece of cake.

And now I’m hungry.

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