There are a few games I will tell you I loved, then have to admit that I haven’t actually finished.
I can tell you what I enjoyed about them and I’ll probably recommend them to you. Just don’t ask me about the ending…
Having ADHD, liking a game doesn’t always mean I’ll keep playing it, but I can’t blame all of those unfinished saves on that. Sometimes I’ve just had enough, or I’m in the mood for something else. I’m also a firm believer of if you aren’t enjoying something, stop! Move on to something else and keep having fun :)
Anyway, here are five games I really loved but haven’t finished. Yet.
Wanderstop
I loved the artwork and the story in Wanderstop, and I also liked how slow and steady it was, but I reached a point where I felt I’d played enough.
I’m finding this one quite hard to explain! Nothing put me off, I liked the pace, so I don’t want to make it sound as though I got bored waiting for something to happen. I just didn’t feel like carrying on at the time.
I’ll go back when I want something slow with an emotional storyline. Pushing myself through it purely so I can say I’ve finished seems completely against the point of the game!
Loddlenaut
I put about 5 hours into Loddlenaut before putting it down. Discovering the Loddles was really satisfying, but I also really enjoyed the movement - it feels so smooth! I could happily spend ages zipping about under the sea.
Eventually, it did get a bit repetitive for me though and I’d had enough. Actually I don’t even think I consciously had enough, I just didn’t load it up again.
I can see myself dipping back into this game quite easily, though, when I want to chill out it would probably suit me better than trying to keep going for hours.
Minami Lane
I played this for a few hours while travelling, and it was so easy to follow even when I was distracted. I loved the artwork, the upgrades and the funny NPC dialogue. It’s such a lovely game and I really love the dev team.
It was a bit too simple to keep me wanting more once I was home, though. I enjoyed playing it on the journey, then didn’t feel much urge to pick it up again afterwards.
I’d happily return to it if I was ill or really tired. Sometimes something simple is what I need, especially when I haven’t got the energy to work much out.
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist
I really want to give this another go. The artwork appealed to me straight away, and I loved the story and how much depth there was to the characters.
About four hours in, though, I was tired of reading dialogue. There’s only so much reading I feel like doing in a game before I need a break, even when I’m interested in what’s happening.
I think this might be one for the winter when I’ve got some downtime and enough headspace to settle into the story. I want to pick it up because I’m in the mood for a narrative game, rather than start it and push myself through it, if that makes sense.
ILA: A Frosty Glide
Oh, I loved ILA! The movement mechanics, the story, the colours, the artwork. Everything was absolutely spot on. Unfortunately, it absolutely drained my Steam Deck battery!!
I wanted to keep playing, so this is mostly a case of sorting out where I can sit comfortably with the Deck plugged in. I’ve had mixed success docking it to the TV, but I might try that again.
I really want to get this one played this winter. Of all the games here, this is the one where I know exactly what’s stopping me, and it should be fairly easy to fix!
Looking at this list, “games I abandoned” sounds a bit harsh and not entirely true either. I’m still interested in all of them, even if I don’t feel like playing them right now.
I’d like to finish them, but I’m also happy with the time I’ve already spent playing. If I never get much further in Loddlenaut, I still had those five hours swimming about and finding Loddles, and I enjoyed myself.
I don’t think you necessarily need to see the credits before you’re allowed to say you loved a game. How many of us have seen Stardew’s credits?! (Only 1.8% of players have unlocked “Perfection” achievement on Steam!)
What’s a game you loved but never finished? Would you go back, or do you feel you’ve had enough?