Games that require multiple playthroughs

[CRTGAMER]

ICO for the extra unlocks. I played through NTSC, PAL and a third go.
Besides, so much fun to just explore the scenery.

See my ICO signature link.

[J T]

The Ripper but aside from Chistropher Walken there's no reason to even touch that game

Do you need any other reason?

[Pulsar_t]

The Ripper but aside from Chistropher Walken there's no reason to even touch that game

Do you need any other reason?

No But he's just a character and not the protagonist. For shame.

[Crystalis]

I played through every Quest for Glory game with every character class. It doesn't make much difference to the plot, but you can solve the puzzles different ways with different skills that different characters have. Those games are so good.

The games change so much with the different classes it's pretty much like playing a whole different game. Each puzzle is born again with each different class.

Playing Quest for Glory 4 as a Paladin is one of the most satisfying experiences I can remember.

[J T]

You know, honestly, the games with branching story paths and multiple endings that are supposed to have good replay value are games that I rarely play through multiple times. I often think I should replay them, but they are often so damn long to begin with, that I have little desire to go back through it all again, even if there is some stuff I missed. The games I replay are the ones that were fun to play in the first place, and they usually are shorter experiences too. It's mostly older Nintendo games that I will play through multiple times. Games like Contra, Ninja Gaiden, Bionic Commando, Metroid, Mario Bros. There are very few games released in the last 10 years that I have wanted to play through more than once. The exceptions to that are usually games with a retro style like Contra: Shattered Soldier or shmups... although, most of the shmups I like are so hard that I haven't ever beaten them a first time. I replay fighters too since those are just about improving your skill and the story is an afterthought. The only modern game I can think of that I really wanted to play again from start to finish were the Zone of the Enders games and that's because the play control was just pitch perfect. I've also returned to Shadow of the Colossus a few times, just because it is legendary.

[Lord_Santa]

Maniac Mansion

and don't bother with the NES version...

actually, don't bother with any version but the fan-remake

Maniac Mansion Deluxe:

http://www.gamershell.com/download_5988.shtml

try out all different combinations
I've only made it through with:
Michael, Bernie, David

there's many ways to solve the puzzles and many puzzles only given characters can get, etc.

don't ever read a walkthrough though, I *think* it'll ruin the experience

[the7k]

Red Earth.

Not only does the game have endings that depend on the character you choose, it also has endings that depend on how many continues you use, general performance, or ways you finish off certain bosses.

[Gamerforlife]

Red Earth.

Not only does the game have endings that depend on the character you choose, it also has endings that depend on how many continues you use, general performance, or ways you finish off certain bosses.

That game looks so awesome. I NEED to play it one day

As for my own picks

The Red Star has good replay. You have two characters that play completely different and you unlock a third character after beating the game who also has a unique style. Add in a rank system, an extra difficulty setting, a co-op mode and an arena mode that tests you with different types of enemy combinations and larger swarms than you'll find in the main game and there is plenty of reason to play The Red Star more than once

The Dynasty Warriors series has HUGE character rosters, tons of items to find and unlock, powerful weapons to acquire, stats to boost for your characters, story mode, free play mode, multiple difficulty settings within the option screen AND the stages themselves have different difficulty settings. On top of that, events can play out in a variety of ways in each stage based on where you go and what you do. One of the reasons I don't play these games anymore is because Koei constantly plumps out new ones when it is hard to find the time just to complete ONE installment.

Resident Evil 4 had GREAT replay value. It had a new game plus mode to let you keep upgrading Leon while also continuing to upgrade your weapons. Plus, you could unlock more powerful weapons for further upgrading. Running through Resident Evil 4 a second time and taking down ogres and bosses with one shot it very satisfying. Plus, the game kept track of your deaths and accuracy for perfectionists who wanted to do a perfect runthrough. You had Professional difficulty to try as well. Then you had Mercenaries mode, which was a lot of fun to play and try to get high scores and ranks and the more you played the more characters you unlocked and they were each very different from eachother making them all worth playing.

I agree that Bioware rpgs are good for replay. However, I rarely play Japanese rpgs more than once. Hardly any of them are interesting enough to warrant a second playthrough unless there is a new game plus feature. This is why I always go online to find out about missables or one time only items to watch out for before I start playing a japanese rpg as I have NO intention of running through it a second time so I get everything on the first playthrough

[Pulsar_t]

Red Earth.

Not only does the game have endings that depend on the character you choose, it also has endings that depend on how many continues you use, general performance, or ways you finish off certain bosses.

That game looks so awesome. I NEED to play it one day

MAME.

[martin31406]

Wow! Great feedback guys; thanks. I really like Giant Bombs's 'concept' feature; I wish more sites had this.