Comeback Scr 1

Addiction is a strong word, but that's how many would describe their need to play one single game time and time again. A title that you've never really been able to put down, something that your mind always wanders back to, whether it's because you're bored and unsure of what to play, or because you simply enjoy it so much. It may be the backbone of your entire gaming library, or it could be a guilty pleasure – it doesn't matter as long as you know that it's there, waiting patiently for your inevitable return. We've gathered several of Push Square's staff to tell us all about that one game that's always bringing them back for more.

Comeback Scr 2

Sammy Barker, Editor

I've been instructed not to write about Shenmue II here – even though it's my real answer – so I'm going to talk about Super Stardust HD instead. I've always been the type of gamer that's constantly looking for the next thing, but Housemarque's cylindrical shooter kept me occupied for an entire generation. I've lost count of the number of times that I've blasted my way from Lavae to Segomo – and sometimes back again. It was PlayStation 3 comfort food for me, and my obsession has persisted with the PlayStation 4 and Vita versions as well. When a game's accessible and instantly gratifying, it always has more chance of bringing me back – and the Finnish developer's arcade blaster, in my opinion, is the gaming equivalent of crack.

Comeback Scr 3

Robert Ramsey, Associate Editor

There are a few games I find myself coming back to regularly. On the PS4, for example, it's Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition that always pulls me back in with its cursed loot-based gameplay loop. But there's only one title, or rather, one series, that's always occupying part of my mind, and that's Mass Effect.

When Mass Effect 2 first arrived on the PS3, I played it solid for about a week until I had seen and done everything – then I started it again almost immediately. I repeated this cycle about twenty times before Mass Effect 3 came out, and then I did the exact same thing with the sequel. BioWare's trilogy simply never fails to capture my absolute attention, no matter how many times I've slogged through the entire thing. And when it all gets remastered for the PS4? You'll probably never hear from me again, but at least I'll be well prepared for the actual real life arrival of the Reapers.

Comeback Scr 4

Graham Banas, Reviewer

There are several games that I make a point of playing through at least once a year, every year, like Alan Wake and Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast. Unfortunately, neither of those have enjoyed PlayStation releases, which left me wondering if Sony's consoles even had a game that I just couldn't stay away from.

After doing some heavy soul searching, I discovered that that distinct pleasure goes to the original Medal of Honor. In my youth I was fascinated by World War II (I still am for that matter) so I found that being immersed in the game's incredible graphics (hey, it was a long time ago) and its world was astounding. I have the PSone version downloaded on my PS3, and I find myself breaking it out every year or so to bask in what I still think of as a game with great level design and fun (though very dated) gameplay. Plus it was one of, if not the very first, video games that I ever played, when I was the ripe old age of seven.

Comeback Scr 5

Joey Thurmond, Reviewer

There's something about the eerie, solemn theme that plays in the menus of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare that sends chills up my spine. Not only because it's a hauntingly memorable song, but also because it brings up many memories I have with this influential first-person shooter, which introduced me to the joys of online multiplayer gaming, and the Call of Duty formula that's made the franchise a world-renowned success. I've played its epic campaign several times (even beating it on the Veteran difficulty) and have logged countless hours of heart-pounding multiplayer matches, some of which brought me together with friends that I'm still close with today. And all of that effort to get Red Tiger camo for a couple of weapons? So worth it. If the servers weren't in the terrible, hacked state that they're in now, I'd still be jumping back into this game due to its nostalgic, timeless appeal.

Comeback Scr 6

Simon Fitzgerald, Reviewer

The game that I just keep returning to after becoming tired of other titles is The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth on the PS4. When I first tried this title, I thought it was really short, difficult to get used to, and the lack of a tutorial and information about how to play frustrated me, but it also gave me a challenge: to learn and adapt my playstyle in order to defeat the game.

After lots of attempts, I completed the release and thought that was it, but no: I was very wrong. Once the game's over, it unlocks more bosses, more enemies, extra levels, characters, and items, completely refreshing the experience. The main appeal is the randomly generated dungeons that create a completely unique experience each time that you play, giving you that great sense of adventure every time. I have put hundreds of hours into this, and still haven't beaten every boss or tried out all of the items, but I always return to this rather dark but brilliant indie game with a grin on my face for more.

That's enough from us, but what's the one game that you always end up coming back to? Are you playing it right now? How often do you boot it up? Tell us about your gaming mainstay in the comments section below.