Games that you've just given up on

[jfe2]

I unearthed my GBA collection recently and came across a few games that I had put quite a bit of time into, but for various reasons had never actually beat. One of these games was Sonic Advance, which I had played into the 5th Zone, but given up on after many failed attempts to advance further into the game.

Today, however, I decided to try playing through from the beginning, and I actually ended up beating the game. This kind of lit a fire under my ass and inspired me to possibly try finishing a few other games that I had abandoned in the past.

Kirby & the Amazing Mirror for the GBA is a fun game with excellent control, but it's non-linear style was a bit confusing to me. Instead of coming off as a Metroid-like experience, it becomes a bit of a mess trying to find your way to the next area. Maybe it was just me, but I had a real hard time trying to figure out where I was going here, and ended up just quitting about 30% in.

Another game I had a hard time finding motivation to finish was Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, also for the GBA. This was probably my least favorite Castlevania game out of the handheld bunch, but that's not to say its a bad game. I just found the twin castles to be a bit confusing in this one. I felt like I was near the end of the game, when I hit a point where I couldn't access the other side of the castle that I needed to get to. I scoured both castles a few times over and couldn't find anything that would allow me to advance further into the game, so I eventually just cut my losses and moved on.

Fallout 3 for the 360 is probably the one that hurts the most. I put a ton of time into that game, but started playing WoW with some friends at work and completely abandoned it. After finally stepping out of my WoW-induced coma, I couldn't find the motivation to go back to Fallout 3. I really enjoy playing that game, but at this point its been well over a year since I've played. Perhaps after I finish Dragon Age: Origins I'll try to pick up where I left off in that Fallout 3.

To this day, it really bothers me that I never finished these games. While a few of them weren't the best games I ever played, they were fun, and I feel like I can't play the next entries in their respective series until I do actually finish them. Weird, I know, but that's how my brain works I guess.

Does anyone want to share any similar experiences they may have had? Have you ever given up on a game due to boredom, difficulty, getting lost, etc.?

[Hobie-wan]

System Shock. Tried 3 or 4 times to start the game. Hated running out of ammo, being shot by turrets, and using the wrench on the monkeys and zombie cyborgs just pissed me off. I couldn't find a good combination of skills that let me make satisfactory progress.

Bioshock. Started over 3 or 4 times on this as well. The last time I think I made it a bit past the submarine incident. There's a lot of things I like, but something I don't that keeps putting me off.

Demon's Souls. Hated HATED the control scheme. Spent more time making a character than playing the game. But at least it is happy with Niode now.

Beyond Divnity. I liked the first game, but something about this one rubbed me the wrong way, other than the 'jam pencils in my ears' craptacular voice acting.

Evergrace. This was my first PS2 game along with Gradius 3/4. Sure it wasn't a great game, but I was playing it anyway. With both of the characters sides, I got stuck at 'puzzles' where you had to change all your items to blue. The problem is that there's a blue, dark blue, and an aqua blue between the items. Sometimes there's multiple choices of blue for individual items. You have to pay to change item colors and I spent a long time doing that, then running back to the dungeon and never got past either of them.

Rygar (PS2). Blasted flying demon battle floating up in the sky. Finally beat that bastard only to be thrown at the Giant Wall O Monster™ without a chance to heal. Gave up at that point after dying a few more times.

Robotech Battlecry. I hate protection missions. They always suck. Gave up at the mission where you have to protect the 5 shuttles launching from the canyon.

[newt42]

Gex 3: Enter the Gecko: PS1
I really wanted to like it. It started out very strong for a 3d platformer, but everything just got too damn annoying and difficult. Lots of ridiculous obstacles, and having to start everything in a level over every time you die. I couldn't enjoy it after getting the first 20 remotes. Constant episodes of frustration toward the end.

Megaman & Bass: GBA
Too damn hard. Once I play more Megaman games, I'm gonna go back and beat this son of a bitch...

Ninja Gaiden: NES
I don't think I have to explain this one. The impossible gap in level 6 that you cannot get past without using a glitch did it for me. It's a pretty awesome game, but damn.

[AmishSamurai]

the first Legacy of Goku game. Anybody who's played it would know why.

[Dylan]

I hate to say it, but I can't motivate myself to finish the Half-Life games. I appreciate a great story and atmosphere, but the actual gameplay always felt kind of bland.

Disgaea 2 is another one, after I got to the last battle with Laharl I just gave up. Every single enemy on that map jumps like 300 levels, with Laharl sitting in the middle and at twice the level of my strongest character. I might just use the Nekomata glitch later to continue the game. It always feels weird to say this having beat the first one.

[CRTGAMER]

Gamecube Space raiders.

I think its a hypnotizing trick, I don't think there is an end to this game.

I shoot and shoot and shoot and shoot, nothing changes ...........

[alienjesus]

man, i have to agree on ninja gaiden. I still cant beat 6-2.

otherwise, i tend to either beat most of my games or stop playing them early on because I've been distracted by another game. I do fully intend to get back to them....

eventually...

[Kebo]

Battletoads (NES): They came...from behind... (I seriously don't think I could ever beat this game even if I dedicated my life to it)

Ikaruga (Gamecube): Never beat the final stage and never have gotten around to trying it again. I suppose the prospect of infinite continues means I have no real excuse not to do it. I don't have the Gamecube version, only the XBLA, and for some reason I'm less compelled to play that version.

Pokemon Diamond (DS): I tried to get into Pokemon, but I just can't. Fantastic concept, great selection of creatures, I just feel the combat is too slow, too hit or miss. I like many small actions rather than a handful of big ones. Something more along the lines of Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI...but all wrapped up in a Pokemon battle.

Quake 4 (PC): Played about 10 minutes of the campaign. Realistic marines? I wanted Quake 2 style; big, bald, steroid-filled ape men that have awkward grunts and jumps. Maybe I'll go back to it one day, but it felt like the Quake style was sucked right out of it.

Viewtiful Joe (GC): I find this game amazing yet frustrating and annoying. I have some kind of fear of playing it now. I feel like if I don't make progress in it, I wasted my time, so I don't even bother turning it on.

[aeon]

Star Soldier, NES: I hate star brain.

Dragon Spirit, PC Engine: I had seriously logged so much time into this game trying to beat it, I could get to stage five before dying. The next levels become very tough, but it's the final level thats truly torturous. I love the game, but I gotta give it some time.

Metroid Prime, GC: I Enjoyed the game, but somehow lost interest in it awhile back. Perhaps I will pick this one up again.

House Of The Dead 2, Dreamcast: Impossible. The first person who beats this game Arcade style with the Starfire blaster and stock lives/continues will get a serious jumping high five from me, 80's style with a freeze shot midair.

[the7k]

Just about every RPG, with very few exceptions. Even many of the ones I loved, I can't force myself to finish. As someone once said, the average RPG is only good for the first 5 hours - after that, it's just hopping from one town to another, grinding all the way to a generic, sappy ending.

Another that I gave up on was SAW. I borrowed it so that I could write a review on it, yet it was so utterly putrid, that I couldn't even get through half of it. Worst game I played in a long while.