How to get back into gaming
How to get back into gaming
In the past year gaming has lost its appeal for longer than 10-15 minutes. I tend to quit and switch to YouTube or other activities. The game that keeps me engaged is Fortnite. When playing with friends, I’d like to return to playing more often because I have five days a week with nothing else to do.
There isn’t a straightforward solution. It depends on your personality and the kinds of games you enjoy now. What caught your attention before may no longer match your current interests. The most helpful advice is to discover games that truly resonate with you. Consider exploring titles you hadn’t thought about in the past, as they might fit better now.
It would be tough if you're not curious about what kinds of games you enjoy. Discover the genres that catch your interest—FPS, RPG, Action, Strategy, Adventure, Puzzle, Pixel, MMOs, Sim, and more. You can pick single-player or multiplayer options. To rekindle your gaming enthusiasm, try exploring fresh genres and titles that match what you care about. That’s the response I can offer.
I understand, even though story-driven games aren't usually my preference, they can be enjoyable occasionally just for a change. I really enjoyed Nier Automata, especially the narrative, although 3D action-adventure titles are more my style. Generally, I prefer a more fast-paced, arcade-like feel—like in Resident Evil or fighting games, where skill and mechanics take center stage. City Shrouded in Shadows was a different experience but had a solid story and plenty of action. I’m also hooked on Overwatch right now; it shifts the focus to strategy, mechanics, and progression, similar to Resident Evil in its own way.
Explore games outside your usual preferences. It doesn’t have to be the same—just as I used to enjoy multiplayer FPS and racing games when younger, you can try new genres. Many people switch hobbies or step away from gaming altogether.
I noticed I find it easier to begin new games when they're shorter. Shorter experiences feel less daunting and don't demand a big time investment before you're ready. Some quick games I really enjoyed include What Remains of Edith Finch (~2 hours), Stray (~6 hours), Return of the Obra Dinn (a puzzle game, around 13 hours but not that long), Limbo (~2.5 hours), Deviver us Mars (7.5 hours), plus classics like Outer Wilds, Firewatch, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, and Dredge. Most of these are walking simulators with light to engaging gameplay. Titles such as Edit Finch and Firewatch act more like interactive storytelling tools, delivering quality without pressure. Overall, they offer a low barrier to entry, are perfect for casual play, yet still provide memorable experiences.
I understand why gaming feels dull these days—it's often about companies prioritizing profit over fun. Their anti-cheat measures seem pointless and disruptive to our systems. I've grown less active online lately, used to enjoying classic games on affordable platforms. You might explore old consoles or emulators; the Metal Gear Solid series brought me the most joy as a gamer back then. Good luck!
It's surprising you bring up such a topic. Your mind needs to be shaped differently if you don't enjoy games. Second, if you dislike games, what makes you play them? Video gaming is often seen negatively, especially in my background, and there are countless other ways to engage with life. Or maybe I'm just thinking outside the box.