My goal this weekend was to play lots of Alan Wake. And until today, I had not achieved it. As I am wont to do, I was distracted by any number of things over the weekend. You know how it goes: wives, martial arts, fantasy books, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, bike rides, saving the world… That kind of stuff tends to get in the way of the most well intentioned gaming.
However, today I finally sat down with Alan Wake and managed to knock out 3 and a half chapters (out of six) in one 4 hour sitting. While I’m not going to rave about the game and say it was the greatest thing anyone has ever played ever, there’s certainly something to be said about how engrossed and entertained I was. The fact that I sat there for 4 hours straight is a pretty big deal.
The more I thought about it, I’ve actually done that a handful of times in the last year, thanks to other great single player stories like Mass Effect 2, Uncharted 2, Heavy Rain and of course Red Dead Redemption. It made me curious to ask you guys what some of the most engrossing single player games you’ve played in recent memory? What really captured your attention and kept you glued to your seat? Go!
MAN. I really wanna play Alan Wake…
Recent memory’s most engrossing game: Fallout 3. I seriously laid in bed and thought about what quest I would do the next day after work. Pretty big deal.
Seems like all I talk about these days – Red Dead Redemption. Popped it in around 11 pm, expecting to indulge until maybe 2. Started feeling sleepy after a bit, so I got up to stretch and check the time – 4:30. Then I had the horrible realization that I had been confusedly thinking it was Friday night, when it was in fact Thursday. 1.5 hours of sleep pretty much killed any late-night gaming for the weekend, but it was worth it.
Mass Effect definitely, Red Dead, and Alan Wake all were great. Just wait until you go through the last three chapters, it becomes even more engrossing. Also I think you’re close to my favorite part. Two words: Anderson. Farm. I think you’ll know why it’s my favorite after you play it.
In recent memory, definitely Fallout 3. I mean hands down. When a game not only ruins your outdoor social life but also your Xbox LIVE social life, it’s doing something right. lol Red Dead Redemption comes close, but FO3 just immersed me so much more.
I’m excited for Fallout New Vegas because I’d love to get lost in another Fallout game.
Ditto Fallout 3. I should just sell every other game I own because if I put Fallout 3 into the ps3, it isn’t coming out anytime soon.
I sat down to play it for an hour or so last night and played for three times that long. I have a huge stack of games that I haven’t even played yet and a few that I’m already a good ways into, but the only game I can even think about playing right now is Fallout 3, even though I’ve already beaten the main quest. There’s just still so much left to do, what with the DLC and all the side quests. It’s probably the best value I’ve gotten out of a game since Neverwinter Nights and Morrowind. I actually own Oblivion as well, but knowing how engrossing Morrowind proved to be and considering what’s happened with me and Fallout 3, I’m actually scared to start playing it; that would be like being hooked on cocaine and heroin at the same time.
Fallout 3 for me as well.Thinking about that game is fun. And New Vegas will probably contribute to the F’s i’ll get first semester.
Fallout 3, Oblivion and Red Dead.
And FF XIII, actually.
Man theve all been named haha Alan wake I have to say I played straight through, couldn’t stop. It was
by far the most engrossing game in recent memory for me, but mass effect 2 and red dead were such sweet spots for me as well.
Currently: Red Dead Redemption
Recently: Stalker: Call of Pripyat, God of War 3, Mass Effect 2, and GTA4 Liberty City Episodes (waited for it for PS3 since it was first launched as an xbox360 exclusive)
Ditto on can’t wait for Fallout New Vegas. Loved Fallout 3.
I couldn’t be torn away from Uncharted 2 during my first playthrough. This was bad as there was a lot of work to be done around the house: cue my dad and I arguing over how important “5 more minutes” is (I must NOT miss any dialog whatsoever). The worst was during the final fight with Lezaravich. Slammed door + already strained tensions = bigger argument. Repeat with MW2’s multiplayer. And Heavy Rain.
The game that made me plonk my ass down the longest was Far Cry 2. Over the 9 day mid-term break not even CoD4 tore my friend or myself from that game.
I don’t know what it is about Assasin’s Creed 2. I just rented the thing and probably played 6 hours straight. I just couldn’t put the thing down.