5 Video Games You Need to Play Twice to Understand

Sometimes playing a game just once is not enough, especially when dealing with a complex title. And if you’re anything like me, you sometimes find yourself playing video games without understanding all the nuances and underlying mechanics. Perhaps you play on Easy mode to make things a bit more bearable, or maybe you just power through so you can get to the good stuff. 

Similarly, as more video games flock the market, developers come up with more ways to keep players engaged with the same titles even after completion. That said, there are some video games that just require more than one playthrough if you want to understand everything going on. Here are five video games that you need to play twice to understand.

5. Bloodborne

Starting off our list of games you need to play twice to understand is Bloodborne. The first time you play Bloodborne will always be confusing and downright overwhelming. This is thanks to the continuous series of defeats you face while still clueless about the game’s dynamics. Anybody who has played this part knows if given a second chance, they would not let it happen again. Therefore, going back to the start of the game, this time with enough combat experience, can be pretty satisfying; instead of taking the initial beatings, it is you who will deliver the fight. 

Of course, this only works to your advantage because the game lets you keep all your gear and blood echoes acquired from the previous playthrough. Otherwise, you would have a tough time even with the second play. That’s not to say you should expect the game to be a walk in the park the second time; there will still be some challenging aspects, such as health and damage intensity. Which is a good thing cause nobody wants a game that’s too easy; where’s the fun in that? 

4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Even without the need for understanding, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is just one game one would replay just for its awesomeness. However, aside from the multiple playthroughs the game offers, there is one more reason why you would need to replay Wild Hunt. And it comes in the form of a complementary mode that developers threw in at the last minute—an irresistible addition to fantasy fans and fans of The Witcher series alike. 

The challenges you face going first will be based on the level at which you completed the campaign. Fortunately, you will be able to carry along with all your gold and most of your gear. What you will have to leave behind, however, is your Gwent collection, which allows you to face more challenging tournaments. Besides, playing the game again allows you to move more confidently since you are aware of the various beasts you may face; as well as how to defeat them quickly. It definately had to make an appearance in this list of games you need to play twice.

3. Pathologic

Pathologic is one of the most depressing and, need we say, immersive games on the list. Still, it’s not a game you can just play once and be done with. This is due to its complicated gameplay and its varying degrees of difficulty. The narrative does not seem to be that complex. However, the game still manages to leave you with a bunch of question marks once you are done. Pathologic features three playable characters, and you can pick either one. Regardless of your choice, the storyline remains the same. 

The game is set in a remote town afflicted by a mysterious illness known as the sand plague. The strange inhabitants of the town are the most unhelpful NPCs you will ever come across as a gamer. Aside from constantly lying to you and throwing you off any leads you may have gathered; they also make everything totally confusing. Having two other playable characters does not help much either, as they can mess up your objectives when you’re not playing as them. Playing this game the second time is more relieving since you can see past all the previous obstacles and finish your mission faster and more effectively.

2. Journey

Next, we have Journey, a much more impactful game. The narrative is pretty simple, and the gameplay pretty straightforward. You control a figure wrapped in a robe across the vast desert toward a distant mountain. Along the way, you will meet various travelers who you can assist, and they can return the favor; however, you cannot interact via text or speech. It is only after finishing do you realize that those other travelers who appeared to be AI-controlled NPCs were actually other players. This revelation is often overwhelming and just makes you realize the uniqueness of this title.

Playing Journey a second time helps you appreciate the anonymous strangers you share your adventure with. The game has always received praise for its artistic auditory and incredible visuals. But most importantly, it’s ability to create moving relationships among players. Knowing you were not alone in the pilgrimage you just took is what creates the emotional impact that most players experience with this game. Since its release, Journey has won several awards and been nominated for various others. 

1. Neir: Automata

You can never experience any dull moments playing Neir: Automata. This is because of the constant action thrown your way at every stage you play. The game features multiple playthroughs, which open additional events in the already complex story. Having multiple playable characters does not necessarily help make the storyline more apparent. In fact, it’s the main cause of the game’s complexity in terms of narrative. Fortunately, you can put all the pieces together and fill all the plot holes by playing all the different playthroughs available.  

For instance, the actions of one of the characters may enable another character to achieve a certain goal. Therefore, you may just be compelled to go over the game repeatedly, to experience the story deeper and deeper. Once you complete one campaign, you unlock another, which another character takes over as the basis of a whole new event. This aspect of the game makes Nier: Automata one of the most outstanding video games.

What are your thoughts of our list of video games you need to play twice to understand? Share your pick with us in the comments below or over on our socials here!