The grown-up gamer's guide to finishing what you start
A 90-hour game and a 90-minute evening don't mix. Here's how to pick games that fit the life you actually have.
When you were 13, a game that took 100 hours was a gift. Now it's a commitment you'll abandon by the second weekend. You're not a worse gamer. You have a job and probably kids.
Look up the length first
Community sites track how long players take to finish games, from the main story alone to 100 percent completion. Checking that number before buying is the single best habit for a busy player. A 12-hour game you finish beats a 70-hour one you quit.
Favor games that respect short sessions
- Frequent save points, or saves anywhere.
- Levels or runs you can finish in under an hour.
- A clear reminder of where you were when you come back after a week.
Wait for the sale
Unless you'll play it on launch weekend, waiting a few months usually gets you a cheaper price, patched bugs and every opinion you need about whether it's worth it.
Keep a backlog of one
Buying games you won't start turns a hobby into a guilt pile. Pick one, finish it or drop it on purpose, then pick the next.
