Question for Adult Gamers related to Dark Souls/Demon's Souls

I'm currently struggling with this, and I'm wondering if any other adult gamers are experiencing a similar feeling, too.

As adults--jobs, families (maybe even kids), house maintanence, errands, responsibilities, etc. Can you justify buying a game like Dark Souls? I want it, it looks awesome, but even as I went into Gamestop to pre-order it the other day the rational part of my brain was screaming, "you know this game will be left two thirds, maybe half-way unfinished b/c at some point you will no longer be able justify the prospect of losing 2, 3, 4, or even more hours of your precious free time by losing all your XP/progress." Free time is like gold when you're an adult-- I don't care if you work the cashier register at Target or are a lawyer at a corporate firm.

I'm getting this game, but I already know how this purchase ends--with the game on my bookshelf teasing me until I can't justify any longer going back to it b/c they closed the server in 3 years. Anyone else? If you feel diferently, what's your reasoning? I love the IDEA of Dark Souls, but unless i give up on every other game for the next two years I see finishing it unrealistic. Just curious what you other adults think, maybe you disagree...?

It depends. For me, it's worth it. However, if you're not sure, go with a rent (if you can, since BB has gone in Canada, it's kinda hard lol).

Just how long do you think this game is going to take for you to complete, even if you can only apply 3 hrs a week to it?

I don't know. I enjoy spending my free time playing games. But I make sure I make time for other things too. It's just a matter of balancing responsibilties with playtime. I don't have any kids, so maybe it would be different it I did.

Just how long do you think this game is going to take for you to complete, even if you can only apply 3 hrs a week to it?

AdobeArtist

This has less to do with videogames and more to do about what you want to do on your free time. Everyone has free time whether its 1-2 hours a day or 8 hours a day and you get to select what you'd like to do with that free time. Some people play videogames, some people go to bars, some people play sports etc etc. Once you figure out what you wanna do then I think you can answer this on your own.

This has less to do with videogames and more to do about what you want to do on your free time. Everyone has free time whether its 1-2 hours a day or 8 hours a day and you get to select what you'd like to do with that free time. Some people play videogames, some people go to bars, some people play sports etc etc. Once you figure out what you wanna do then I think you can answer this on your own.

SRTtoZ

This has less to do with videogames and more to do about what you want to do on your free time. Everyone has free time whether its 1-2 hours a day or 8 hours a day and you get to select what you'd like to do with that free time. Some people play videogames, some people go to bars, some people play sports etc etc. Once you figure out what you wanna do then I think you can answer this on your own.

SRTtoZ

This has less to do with videogames and more to do about what you want to do on your free time. Everyone has free time whether its 1-2 hours a day or 8 hours a day and you get to select what you'd like to do with that free time. Some people play videogames, some people go to bars, some people play sports etc etc. Once you figure out what you wanna do then I think you can answer this on your own.

SRTtoZ

Enjoyment wise, when u pass a level, the enjoyment is more than any other game

[QUOTE="SRTtoZ"]

This has less to do with videogames and more to do about what you want to do on your free time. Everyone has free time whether its 1-2 hours a day or 8 hours a day and you get to select what you'd like to do with that free time. Some people play videogames, some people go to bars, some people play sports etc etc. Once you figure out what you wanna do then I think you can answer this on your own.

WhoaNellie32

There might be people like that...but some of us actually have more time than when we were kids. I am in that category because as a kid (middle school, highschool, college) i always went to school ALL day and then had afterschool activites, or sports or homework, tons of studying etc etc. Now a few years after college I am working and come home and can relax and do what I want. I dont plan on having kids anytime soon and I can see my GF anytime during the week or on weekends (and she watches me play games too). So right now in my life I have more time to do the stuff I love than anytime in my past.

Here's a real life example, right here-- My wife works weekends once a month as a night nurse. These weekends are predominantly free--save for the odd job here or there and watching over my two dogs. I have been playing gears of war 3 and leveling up like mad tonight-- up to level 20 now. It's not my favorite type of game (rpgs are), but its fun and I have something to show for my progress (level 20 and an achievement here and there).

I'm just saying in an ideal world Dark Souls is my exact type of game (one I'd eat up like candy 15 years ago), but I can't fathom losing the one weekend of freedom I get a month away from my wife because some Medusa witch lady sucked my soul out of me and made me lose all my XP after 3 hours of work. All of a sudden its 12:00 AM and I'm drunk and despondant. hahaha

[QUOTE="WhoaNellie32"][QUOTE="SRTtoZ"]

This has less to do with videogames and more to do about what you want to do on your free time. Everyone has free time whether its 1-2 hours a day or 8 hours a day and you get to select what you'd like to do with that free time. Some people play videogames, some people go to bars, some people play sports etc etc. Once you figure out what you wanna do then I think you can answer this on your own.

SRTtoZ

There might be people like that...but some of us actually have more time than when we were kids. I am in that category because as a kid (middle school, highschool, college) i always went to school ALL day and then had afterschool activites, or sports or homework, tons of studying etc etc. Now a few years after college I am working and come home and can relax and do what I want. I dont plan on having kids anytime soon and I can see my GF anytime during the week or on weekends (and she watches me play games too). So right now in my life I have more time to do the stuff I love than anytime in my past.

Here's a real life example, right here-- My wife works weekends once a month as a night nurse. These weekends are predominantly free--save for the odd job here or there and watching over my two dogs. I have been playing gears of war 3 and leveling up like mad tonight-- up to level 20 now. It's not my favorite type of game (rpgs are), but its fun and I have something to show for my progress (level 20 and an achievement here and there).

I'm just saying in an ideal world Dark Souls is my exact type of game (one I'd eat up like candy 15 years ago), but I can't fathom losing the one weekend of freedom I get a month away from my wife because some Medusa witch lady sucked my soul out of me and made me lose all my XP after 3 hours of work. All of a sudden its 12:00 AM and I'm drunk and despondant. hahaha

WhoaNellie32

Dude what's this topic about? For all that adult in you, you sure cry like a little girl about things. ****

Zelgadiss

That is exactly my case, with job and other things, not to mention other games i really want to complete as soon as possible (Zelda SS) i know that maybe i won't even see 2/3 of Dark Souls...however, i really want to experience the game, you know the atmosphere, the combat, the unforgivable nature of the game and who knows, maybe i will finish it, maybe not, but i don't wan't to be left out, even if i ended playing no more than 10 hours, i want to enjoy my time with it...or hate every second of it.

Here is the thing. I don't have a lot of time either. I am only buying one game. Dark Souls. That will be my only game and I will probably be playing it for a year at least.

As an adult gamer, when I played Demon's Souls I felt a lot of nostalgia for the old days--the way games used to be. Challenging. I think it is naturally more appealing to adult gamers because it isn't made for the instant gratification crowd like every other game.

Sure it can chew up some time, but every other game seems to too. As an adult, you have to have some outlets. If you find that gaming effects the other parts of your life detrimentally then don't do it. But, we should all hopefully have a little time for recreation.

This is a game too that seems fitting to be played in small hour chunks. A game like Skyrim will be a time vampire, its pretty damn huge. In Demon's souls, I could play for an hour or two and accomplish something. Even if you don't get far, you learn something that can be used the next time you have some free time.

Also, the difficulty of Demon's souls was greatly exhaggerated. If you ever got stuck, all you had to do was invite some people for coop and then it became super easy. Its tough at first in single player, easy as hell during coop. I bet Dark Souls is exactly the same.

I'll add: don't be worried about the whole difficulty thing. A lot of it is hype to sell the game. Its hard, but not as hard as some other games out there. If you get stuck, group up or read online about the method for kills a boss you are stuck at.

Judging from what you said, Dark Souls sounds like a perfect fit for you.

That is exactly my case, with job and other things, not to mention other games i really want to complete as soon as possible (Zelda SS) i know that maybe i won't even see 2/3 of Dark Souls...however, i really want to experience the game, you know the atmosphere, the combat, the unforgivable nature of the game and who knows, maybe i will finish it, maybe not, but i don't wan't to be left out, even if i ended playing no more than 10 hours, i want to enjoy my time with it...or hate every second of it.

madsnakehhh

That's pretty much my case with it as a whole. I simply don't have time to be losing tons of progress just because I died. I love challenges but honestly this sounds more tedious than fun.

If you are strapped for free time just skip it. Games like that are overrated imo unless you have a lot of time to sink into it. Even then I'll prefer a meaty story over contra gameplay. There are bound to be other releases this year that won't require so many restarts so you may want to hold off for those.

If you are strapped for free time just skip it. Games like that are overrated imo unless you have a lot of time to sink into it. Even then I'll prefer a meaty story over contra gameplay. There are bound to be other releases this year that won't require so many restarts so you may want to hold off for those.

Whiteblade999

If I'm gonna spend my time playing a geame then why not with one of the best out there like Demons Souls and Dark Souls.

People act as if they ain't ever got any time. If you ain't got any free time than you must be doing something wrong. If somebody enjoys playing games than forget about talking to friends or that Facebook crap, toss your cell phone out the bloody window.

In my expierence most people who claim they have no time spend a bit too much time with their friends or socialising when all they should be doing is spending time with their woman and their kids. Then play some game. But then again I am the kind of guy who never gave two craps about friends and I've always been more family and relationship oriented.

Just play the game, enjoy it. But don't forget about your wife and kids either.

It's no different from playing through a big turn-based JRPG, the time is just used up in a different way, and for some people, it takes a lot less time than one of those traditional JRPGs.

you dont have to rush on finishing it, and by the time you finish it, all the other games that you missed out should be very cheap by then... so go play dark souls first before other games, :)johnlennon28

[QUOTE="Whiteblade999"]

If you are strapped for free time just skip it. Games like that are overrated imo unless you have a lot of time to sink into it. Even then I'll prefer a meaty story over contra gameplay. There are bound to be other releases this year that won't require so many restarts so you may want to hold off for those.

DragonfireXZ95

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"][QUOTE="Whiteblade999"]

If you are strapped for free time just skip it. Games like that are overrated imo unless you have a lot of time to sink into it. Even then I'll prefer a meaty story over contra gameplay. There are bound to be other releases this year that won't require so many restarts so you may want to hold off for those.

BrunoBRS

[QUOTE="BrunoBRS"][QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"] Contra gameplay? Are you serious? It doesn't even have gameplay remotely close to Contra. :|DragonfireXZ95

There was a time where i could beat Contra without the code yay me :D

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"][QUOTE="BrunoBRS"] he means difficulty-wise :roll:madsnakehhh

There was a time where i could beat Contra without the code yay me :D

[QUOTE="madsnakehhh"]

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"] Except it's easier than Contra. A lot easier. Contra was pretty much only beatable with the lives code. Otherwise, it's impossible for almost anyone. Demon's Souls was easy however.DragonfireXZ95

There was a time where i could beat Contra without the code yay me :D

[QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"][QUOTE="madsnakehhh"]

There was a time where i could beat Contra without the code yay me :D

Elann2008

As an adult with various financial and time constraints, I actually value a game that has longevity more than ever. I can see what you are saying, but I'm not gonna leave in incomplete just to move on to something else.

Even if I did move on, I would still come back to it.

[QUOTE="AdobeArtist"]

Just how long do you think this game is going to take for you to complete, even if you can only apply 3 hrs a week to it?

WhoaNellie32

OK. But reading into your OP that the game might be left unfinished because of limited time, I don't think that really holds true. Very very few games are the 200 hour odyssey's like the Bethesda games (all depending on how many of the plentiful side quests the player takes). And even if it does last for 40-50 hrs, that is still finite.

The point I was getting to, that even as an adult with loads of responsibilities and limited time to play (as am I), what ever time you can allot, be that 5hrs or 15 hrs a week, there is no reason to conjecture that this game will remain unfinished. In fact, if you are really into this game, you will se it through to the end, whether that takes a week or 4 months. And then like many other gamers, you can move on to the other abundant offerings in this generation.

Just apply some commitment to the task and you'll get there, regardless of life's responsibilities. And just to note, I didn't mean "task" to imply that a game is a chore that one needs to do out of obligation. Just more along the lines of seeing your own goals through. And if it's a passion and an experience you can absorb yourself into, you'll hardly notice the time set aside for it :)

Just. Go. For. It. :)

I'm currently struggling with this, and I'm wondering if any other adult gamers are experiencing a similar feeling, too.

As adults--jobs, families (maybe even kids), house maintanence, errands, responsibilities, etc. Can you justify buying a game like Dark Souls? I want it, it looks awesome, but even as I went into Gamestop to pre-order it the other day the rational part of my brain was screaming, "you know this game will be left two thirds, maybe half-way unfinished b/c at some point you will no longer be able justify the prospect of losing 2, 3, 4, or even more hours of your precious free time by losing all your XP/progress." Free time is like gold when you're an adult-- I don't care if you work the cashier register at Target or are a lawyer at a corporate firm.

I'm getting this game, but I already know how this purchase ends--with the game on my bookshelf teasing me until I can't justify any longer going back to it b/c they closed the server in 3 years. Anyone else? If you feel diferently, what's your reasoning? I love the IDEA of Dark Souls, but unless i give up on every other game for the next two years I see finishing it unrealistic. Just curious what you other adults think, maybe you disagree...?

WhoaNellie32

Oh man, i can relate to your post and you have no idea to what extent. I'm afraid of this game, because i know deep down that at some point if i get stuck for too long and things get stressful at work i'll lose the desire to spend my scarce free time playing a game that is punishing and stressful in itself too. It took me months to bring myself to complete my first (and ONLY) Demon's Souls playthrough, with dark souls, it could take me even longer in the best case scenario, if i didn't manage to finish the game at some point it'd be a shame really but not much can be done except hope.

[QUOTE="Zelgadiss"]

Dude what's this topic about? For all that adult in you, you sure cry like a little girl about things. ****

WhoaNellie32

Maturity at its finest. Well done sir.

On topic: I agree with you. Games have to be worth it to me nowadays. Time is the most precious thing we have, you cant buy more and its always fleeting.

[QUOTE="Elann2008"][QUOTE="DragonfireXZ95"] Yeah, was a time. There was a time I could beat a lot of old nintendo games like that, however I can't anymore since I don't remember any of the levels. :(DragonfireXZ95

If your looking for brain stimulation and strategy why not just play a strategy game? Demon's Souls barely takes any strategy at all.

For those gamers that value their time, I recommend games where you can save often. This will assure your hard work (:P) wont disappear after suddenly dying from combat or bad decision making.

For the rest of the games where you can only save at the beginning or the end of a stage/episode/level, I suggest you stay away from them. If not, prepare to be frustrated and/or stressed by them when you realise that you have to do the whole stage/episode/level again and again.

But the most important thing is: Value your time first. 8)

dark souls much live demons souls i can imagine initially giving me some headache, but there is a certain point where youll become strong enough, or skilled enough or whatever that your deaths will start to become less and less, until you reach the point where youll be able to take on the final boss, the learning curve with demons souls was the hardest thing, but once you learned how to approach the game, it was very doable