Reviewing game experiences is a tricky business. Often times, my opinions about a game change and shift over time. I’ve found that more often than not, I really need some time to step away from an experience to see what sticks and what ultimately fades away in my mind.
For instance, I reviewed Heavy Rain several months back, and while I enjoyed it, I did have some strongly negative feelings about how the game unfolded at the end. Oddly enough, now that I look back on it, I find myself feeling more positive about it overall, and actually dying to go back and play it through. I know this happens for me in the opposite way sometimes as well. This happened after Metal Gear Solid and more recently, Alan Wake. With both of those, my initial impressions gave way and I now look back much less fondly on them.
So what about you guys? What games have grown on you over time that you didn’t like as much at first? What games did you feel more negatively about over time? Go!
I really enjoyed Heavy Rain and Final Fantasy XIII, but looking back, I kinda love them. I miss playing them. *sigh*
The only ones I can think of is the Half Life Episodes. The first time I played any Half Life game was with the Orange Box. I played HL2 first obviously and was amazed. But after playing the episodes straight after, I was left a little disappointed. Looking back now, and thinking of it as one entire experience, the episodes really weren’t that bad. Really the only thing they had going against them was the length. It was more Half Life, which is just fine with me.
(Obligatory plea for episode 3 to be released)