Topic: What’s your favorite part of a game that hardly anyone will see because they didn’t make it far enough into the game to reach it?

I’m guessing only 25-30% of gamers reach the end of the games they play. Can you think of any cool levels or areas in PS5 games (or PS4, PS3, VR, etc.) that you absolutely LOVE and no one knows about it because it happens late in the game after many people have given up and stopped playing?

I’d love to get a good discussion going on this topic, so toss out some games and examples and let’s talk about some awesome game levels that not many people know about. Thanks!!

Where on earth did you pluck this figure from do you honestly believe 70% of all gamers never complete games?

When I'm playing DDR with blindfold and successfully get Full Combo.

@Max_Headroom I don’t think it’s that random a number. Have a look at the trophy lists for some of your games; Horizon Forbidden West, just two thirds of people who tried the game even made it to the Daunt and only 30% completed it.

I played Marvel’s Midnight Suns earlier this year and the last mission on that was quite different and really cool but the ending of the story felt pretty undercooked. Someone on Reddit suggested that developers know lots of people don’t get too far into the game so make the start the most exciting and if you have to rush to finish the game then whatever.

Don’t know how much truth there is in it but it sounds plausible.

@jgrangervikings1 IF I don't reach the end of a Game, its usually down to the Story, Characters and/or Game design - something that doesn't make me want to keep playing.

Its a bit like watching a 'new' series on TV - you watch the first few episodes and decide whether or not its worth the time sink to you or something 'better' is available. It doesn't matter if the final 2 episodes are the best in the Series, if the rest is mediocre or doesn't appeal, you probably won't spend the 'hours' of tedium to get to that Episode. It's the same with games - at least for me.

If the main character, for example, irritates me in some way (like constantly talking or extremely generic), that may stop me playing further. If the story is generic, dull and/or predictable, that may stop me playing further. If the game-play sections aren't particularly fun and/or repetitive, that may stop me playing.

I've stopped playing 'critically' acclaimed games because for one reason or another, they didn't keep my interest long enough to 'finish' as I moved onto something more interesting or 'fun'. I've also played some 'average' rated games to the end too.

As all Gamers are different and have different preferences, I am sure that some of the reason games aren't finished is purely down to the fact that the 'game' didn't appeal or keep that gamers interest beyond the first 2-3 chapters. Some may well be waiting for patches/fixes and then get new games and forget about the older games too, but there are many reasons why Gamers may not finish games and its not always the way the game was made...

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@Max_Headroom I literally gave you an example where 30% completed the game.

Again, using GoW:R, seeing as you mention it, 85% of people get the trophy for beating the bear and 45% for beating the final boss.

28% have the trophy for completing the main story in Cyberpunk, 15% beat Like a Dragon, 34% finished FF7R.

Where on earth did you pluck this figure from do you honestly believe 70% of all gamers never complete games?

I take back my earlier comment, having done a little research it would appear i am in a huge minority in that I do finish most games, according to some sources the figure for gamers not finish games may be as low as 10% - 20% this came as a huge shock.

Video games are enjoyed by millions of people around the world. The one thing that most of these gamers have in common is the failure to finish games. Industry experts estimate that a new game will only be completed by 10 to 20 percent of its players. These are the four main reasons most people do not finish video games.

https://eu.indeonline.com/story/news/2020/06/27/why-most-peop...

Those 4 main reasons are missing a big 5th reason. The player that quit before finishing did not like the game, and with that reason having main reasons why a game was not liked. Life is too short to be playing a game I don't like.

Trophy data collected can reveal if a game was completed, how far progressed if not completed, and if replayed to get trophies that need replays to aquire.

I only posted the link to give credit to the quote i used from it i never read the full article.

Sonic adventure 2 green hill zone secret level unlocked by A ranking all stages

@Max_Headroom It takes poise to admit when you’re incorrect, something we don’t often see on the internet. Props, buddy. 👍🏼

And the article there brought out some valid points, but I think a large part of the current issue is the advent of subscription services. The barrier to start a game is so low with these services, and so it’s common to see the completion rate and the platinum rate plummet when a game goes on GP or PS+. I think that a lot of gamers will start up games as a trial of sorts, and never get more than a couple hours into it. It’s a lot easier to give up on a game when you didn’t actually pay for it (in the traditional sense). I’m usually pretty good about not starting games that I don’t have a commitment to, but even I have abandoned a few of my PS+ games at the first distraction or difficulty spike. The latest victim was Death’s Door, which was a game I was enjoying, but after a handful of hours I found myself drawn to other games more. So I am one of the 85% who didn’t finish the game.

It’s a problem that worries me about subscription services. It will inevitably affect game design. When pondering the question — “What’s most important: a strong opening, a strong middle, or a strong ending?” , it’s clear that going forward developers will probably focus most of their efforts on making the start of a game the most compelling and polished and we’ll get more and more lackluster endings, since most players never see the end.

Which is sad, because some of my best gaming memories are the jaw-dropping finales — The Last of Us, Bioshock Infinite, Red Dead Redemption. Probably my favorite ending of all time, which is only seen by 24% of players, according to trophy data, is the true ending of Nier Automata. It requires several playthroughs and although each time offers a slightly new experience, it can drag a little in the middle. But it really is worth it for that unique ending.

It's a well known thing that most players don't finish games. I've always been astonished by the stats, honestly. I can't see my trophy data right now but I'm sure the last time I looked it up only something like a third of players had progressed past Father Gascoigne in Bloodborne - the first mandatory boss you fight. Outrageous stuff.

I finish pretty much every game I play and it takes a special level of rubbish usually to make me walk away. Either that or I stop playing really early if I can tell I'm not in the mood for it and then I'll (probably) go back later. Doom Eternal is a recent example of this. I know I'll play it but when I tried I just wasn't feeling it at all.

But once I'm into a game and I've been playing it for hours, even if it takes a turn for the worse, if I'm really frustrated or bored I still persevere. I'm not sure who's the bigger fool, really.

Anyway, regarding late bits in games that most players don't see...

I think the "secret" ending to Cyberpunk 2077 is wonderful. It's not majorly different to some of the other endings available and I won't spoil the exact nature of it, but I think it's the best ending in the game, and the one that makes the most sense for who I thought V was based on the decisions I made etc.

I also think a lot of people probably gave up on Kingdom Come Deliverance because it was so fiddly and complicated, but it's got a great story and I think it all builds up to an excellent climax that most players will never see.

And given how long Final Fantasy XIV is, and the subscription, and the amount of effort required to finish the story and its multiple expansions, it's sad to me that a lot of people won't get to experience the best parts of the game. The base game is fine, good even, but with each expansion the story gets better, the lore more in depth, the places you visit more fantastical, and the characters more endearing. If you've got six or seven hundred hours spare to see it through until Endwalker then I highly recommend it.

@johncalmc I didn't know about that secret ending on my first play through. I set my character up for it the second time through but just kept getting destroyed as I hadn't got to the highest level seeing as I'd left plenty of the minor side stuff that time round. And it sends you soooo far back if you mess up so I never managed it. A very good shout for this thread though.

@Th3solution I don't know that Sub services will necessarily make much of a difference overall. Of course you have many more that will perhaps try the game because its not cost them anything, but once they start playing, its not that different to whether you bought Day 1 or picked it up dirt cheap in a bargain bin. If it doesn't appeal 'more' than other games you could be playing, chances are you'll move on regardless - and if you enjoy it, more likely to finish it.

The main difference is that those willing to buy at launch when the game is at its most expensive are most likely to be 'fans' of the IP/Dev so more likely to finish. Those less certain if its for them, may well wait for Sales or Sub services, and of course you'll get some that would never of bought anyway just trying it for 'free' just because its free. But if the game appeals to that gamer, they are enjoying the game-play etc, they will keep playing.

The thing is that games are constantly releasing and with Backwards Compatibility, there is also a MUCH larger library of games competing for gamers time. Why waste your time playing something you aren't enjoying when you have thousands of others available from the past decade - many of which are 'cheap' if not 'free' on a Sub service.

Literally playing Bravely Default just now, a game which actively tries to make players quit but enjoying more and more of the unfolding story. I doubt many made it to the final chapter.

@Max_Headroom @Th3solution I noticed that article mentioned Dark Souls at the end as an example of a game that most people may not complete. I find it funny that I have completed most of the SoulsBorne and a couple of Soulslikes, (God of War PS4 - If that counts, & Fallen Order) but have struggled with "easier" games due to the introduction of random twiddly game mechanics later in the game or random difficulty spikes, or odd maps or whatever, it's mainly a mechanic issue though, or alternatively, it's because of the 'Hot New Game' issue.

@colonelkilgore commented on this before too, and, whilst RPGs are generally my forte, I generally think that it's a case of different people being good at different games.

@nessisonett It's interesting. The fairy at the beginning of the game flies up to you in a fourth wall-breaking moment and tries to make you promise to play the game until the very end... and then it springs that second half on you as if to test your resolve lol.

In fairness, the reward is one of the best climaxes I've seen in a JRPG to date.

@TheBrandedSwordsman It’s a paradoxical result, but quite true that completion rates and platinum rates for the From games are higher than many “easier” games. It is probably related to the fact that the Souls games attract a more dedicated gamer who knows what they are in for and relishes the long commitment. The platinum rate for Bloodborne is currently 6.7% and defeating the last boss is at 25%. Similar numbers for Dark Souls with 9.3% plat rate and 30% completion rate. Meanwhile my Life is Strange 2 platinum is actually more rare at 5.2% as are many of my platinums like Gaurdians of the Galaxy (3.5%), Miles Morales (6.3%) and Astro’s Playroom (4.8%), which are all exceedingly easier, from a skill standpoint.

Souls fans are a dedicated breed, for sure.