Having trouble getting back into RPG

[DrJohnston]

I've been having a hard time getting back into Xenogears.

I have about 40 hours into the game, and I want to continue. I am playing it on an emulator because my PS1 is overseas. I brought my computer for repairs, and if took about a week. Obviously, I was away from the game for that time. I've done this before (EarthBound), and it may be because of my habit of binge gaming.

Now, two or so months later, I want to pick it back up. A big problem is the actual emulator running the game poorly in terms of graphics. The game acts up around Sargasso Point. Will see if I can get back into it...

What's the best way to get back into a game after a hiatus?

[BoringSupreez]

Just start over.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Start over.

Or if you're trying to "get back into" RPGs, you may want to start with something lighter than Xenogears.

[DrJohnston]

Starting over 40 hours of gameplay sounds a bit ridiculous.

[Gunstar Green]

Unfortunately you're probably never really going to get back into it without restarting since you put it down for so long. It's a problem a lot of people face with RPGs, including me, who never finishes them because of this exact reason.

RPGs just aren't pick-up-and-play games that you can revisit easily. It's like reading half of a book then putting it down for a few months and trying to pick up from where you left off.

And Xenogears is especially bad. It's one heavy game.

[J T]

If you're just lost because of storyline, read walkthrough or wiki page to catch up on the plot.

If you're lost because of gameplay, you might need to start over, but try watching some youtube "Let's Play" videos or something to remember your fighting techniques. I have this problem with all my Shin Megami Tensei games. I stop playing them and forget that if I come back months later, I'm not going to remember which spells and which demons work best under which conditions. There's too much complicated strategy.

[DrJohnston]

JT's reply seems to make more sense. I'll try watching some "Let's Play"s. =]

[shmuk]

I think that the best you can do is either start over, or watch the cutscenes up until the point you reached.

[Nemoide]

Or just keep it on your shelf, grumble about it, let about a decade go by, and finally break down and re-start the game.

[Octopod]

Or just keep it on your shelf, grumble about it, let about a decade go by, and finally break down and re-start the game.

This is what is going to happen to me with Skyrim.