Long games can be fun, but sometimes too much of a good thing can wear on you. Our World is Ended, may just be teetering on that edge.
The Oxymoronic Cool Guy
What’s up backloggers! You see what I did there? I tried to showcase my cool guy-ness by saying hello in a cool guy way. Because everyone know what to expect when they’re talking to a cool guy. Or in this case reading what a cool guy is writing. And that my friends, is cool stuff. Unless of course, me saying such a thing is oxymoronic in nature simply due to the fact that I called attention to it. In which case maybe I’m not a cool guy and I’m just trying to seem like one? Or maybe I am a cool guy and I just don’t know it, but I say such things to fortify something that I already know, but only subconsciously. Anyways, my head is starting to hurt from all of this cool guy philosophy, so I'll let you all be the judge of that.
But there has been more than just cool guy antics going on in my head these passed few days! In fact, I’ve been pondering another combination of phrases that seem to be at odds with each other and happen to be much more on topic. That particular combination is - “I’m having fun with this game” and “this game is too long”. More specifically, I’m having difficulty reconciling my feelings toward Our World is Ended. On one hand, I’m enjoying the game, it’s interesting and funny with an intriguing story, albeit wrought with anime tropes. But on the other, after seeing how long the game is projected to be, I’m more than wavering on my motivation to complete it.
How Long is Too Long
You see, when I first started Our World is Ended, I thought it would be a quick and easy 10ish hour game, that I could play on the side. Kind of pick it up here and there, when I have a few minutes to spare. It is a visual novel after all, which is more akin to reading a book or a graphic novel, except it has animations, sounds and the occasional interactions. And nothing against visual novels either. Actually, I quite enjoy them. They’re perfect for turning off your brain and enjoying the ride.
But coming on the 10 hour mark, I started to get worried. Especially since it didn’t seem like the story was going anywhere. I was still in that “let's introduce the characters and the world they’re in” phase. Then I resolved, it must just be a bit longer than I expected. Maybe 15 or 20 hours. I could handle that. I mean, I was already about half way through, if that was the case. Unfortunately though, I was wrong. After doing some research, it turned out that Our World is Ended is estimated to be a 40+ hour game!! FORTY HOURS! My world fell apart. I was lost. I didn’t know what to do with myself.
In all honesty, I can only handle so much dialog when there’s no action to pad it out. And just so my conscience is clear, I’ll repeat myself, I have nothing against visual novels. But this was becoming a little too much. Even for me. So, after pacing around my house, much to my wife's despair, I had to come to a decision. Ultimately, I have other games to play and although I would really like to finish Our World is Ended, I think I’ll just have to put it to the side. Not drop it, mind you. Just put it on the back burner.
Maybe what I’ll really do is actually treat it like I was reading an actual novel or comic book series. In that, I’d just casually page through it just before bed, until I fall asleep. Which translates to me playing it for about 10-15 minutes and then waking up the next day with a Switch on my face covered in drool. And then, maybe if I finish it within the next couple of years, I’ll let you all know how it goes.
Books Are Good and So is This
I will say this though, I am still enjoying Our World is Ended. It may have had a slow start and a little too much exposition, but now that I’m getting into the meat of the story, I can’t wait to see what comes next. The characters are just as ridiculous as they were in the beginning and with more and more tumultuous situations arising, it’s fun to see how they handle it. And who knows, if it picks up even further, maybe I will finish it sooner than I thought. Then I’ll be able to give it my full honest review.
But for now, I think I’ll be setting my focus on the other games I have on my “Now Playing” list. Those being Celeste and Lapis x Labyrinth. Which happen to be exactly the types of games I’ve been in the mood for!! Celeste is scratching that challenging platformer itch, and Lapis is tickling my obsessive loot grinding tootsies. And believe you me, you’ll be hearing more about them as the days roll by.
103 is a Strictly Non-Palindromic Number
Well my friends, I think that’ll do it for today!! I gotta admit, visual novels are a tough beast to cover. They’re definitely a niche genre with very little “game” to showcase. But they can be fun if you temper your expectations and go in knowing full well what you’re getting into. Tacking on a 40 hour playtime though, that’s a pretty tough pill to swallow even for a lightweight VN fan like myself. Though, I will admit, it has been a while since I’ve actually played one, so I may be way off base. What I should actually do, is play another one some time, just to compare.
Until tomorrow backloggers, have a great rest of your day!!
Currently Playing
Our World is Ended (Switch)
Celeste (Xbox One)
Lapis x Labyrinth (PlayStation 4)
Total Backlogged Games: 721 ...talk about too much of a good thing!
Total Completed Games: 27 …a nice round pill I can swallow!!
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