As Rev. Anthony said in the explanation for this month's theme, replay value is something developers tout (mostly) to move product. "Game X has Y hours of gameplay! Buy now!"

The sad truth is in the day and age of multiple consoles, an avalanche of titles and hundreds of thousands of cyber-words written about games, it's nearly impossible for me - the modern gamer - to go back again and again to a favorite title, for fear of falling out of touch.

Hit the jump to find out why nearly no game keeps me coming back for more.

When one thinks about it, "replay value" is a pretty odd concept. I mean authors don't claim that their novel offers endless re-readings and only the rarest films warrant multiple viewings. But for games replay value is something that is not only a perk - it's a necessity.


I know your multi is good, but Fallout 3 is coming!

Some of the hottest games right now - Rock Band, CoD4, Halo 3, 95% of Wii titles, GTAIV - offer a lot of replayability. Gamers and developers aren't dumb. If a title is fun and can be played with friends almost endlessly, it will sell well. The advent of online play has only magnified the importance of replay value. In an ideal world a game would be so fun, so replayable, that one would never need another game again.

That will never, ever happen.

I chronically can't finish games. When I buy a new title, I play it almost obsessively, as I think most gamers do. But as I reach the end and new releases are on the horizon, I stop. Quit. Can't do it. Happened with God of War, Shadow of the Colossus (for shame!), Mass Effect, and many others. I plan on finishing them someday, but who knows.

What does that have to do with replay value? I think it's the fascination with the new. We all love to talk with each other about the hottest game - if it sucks, if it's awesome or if it's totally overrated. By all accounts, TF2 has the "best multiplayer evar!" but I have little desire to play it as I wait with baited breath for Fallout 3, Dead Space, Left for Dead, Spore and RE5.


Will you keep me coming back for more?

This isn't to say I don't love multiplayer games. I was a Halo 2 fiend and I enjoy the third installment quite a bit. I also love Brawl and Castle Crashers will be awesome once the online is fixed/I can play locally with friends. But I interpreted this month's topic as what game will you play forever or at least have played a fuckton over the years and I don't think that title exists for me.

I recently got SoulCalibur IV to review. I enjoy the series and looked forward to playing it. But after only a few weeks, I am already bored with it and thinking about Goozexing it to build up points for the aforementioned titles due soon. The multiplayer was fun enough. I felt the need to get some of the less ridiculous achievements. I unlocked all the characters. But like many a game before it, I fear it won't see the inside of my 360 tray for much longer.


If hypnotic jubblies can't keep me coming back, what can?

So while devs try and add side quests here, a lame multiplayer aspect there to make it easier for gamers to justify that $59.99, maybe what they should focus on is crafting more unique experiences. Because that new, sexy game is always on the horizon.