How to start gaming again after a long absence
Does it really make the heart grow fonder? Or make the skills get worse-er?
Some weeks we’ve got all the time in the world, wading through video games at our leisure. Other times, responsibilities mount, different hobbies take precedence, and suddenly we’ve lost track of the last time we played a damn good game.
If you’ve been living the latter and need some tips to get reacquainted with your favorite pastime, look no further:
Play something different
Get into a game that’s outside your go-to genre. Subscribers to PlayStation Plus and Xbox Games Pass have access to a wide library of free games, and various summer sales are constantly popping up across consoles and PC.
If you usually go for first-person shooters, try an adventure game, or load up a city-building sim. By breaking out of your comfort zone, you might develop an interest in new ways to game.
Stick to one game
Digital downloads often present the problem of too many choices, but it’s also easier than ever to find out more about a game. Narrow down your choices by doing a little digging: find a game that piques your interest and commit to it. Get started by searching “Top 10 [insert genre here] Games” or even just “Best Video Games of 2023.”
Note the ones that interest you most, check out some reviews, then make your choice. Let your instincts guide you and then stick with it.
Throw a party
Get crazy and invite a friend over. We’re talking a sitting-next-to-each-other on the couch invite. Pick up a co-op, side-scrolling brawler or a split screen shooter, or invite a handful of friends over and play a party game.
This is a great way to reconnect with games while getting in some face time with friends. When you’re on a busy schedule, efficiency is key. It also keeps your gaming time manageable, as you have a clear start and end time to your activity. So when your friends leave, you can get right back to working/studying/cleaning/crying/sleeping…whatever it is that’s keeping you from your hobby.
Go old school
Whether it’s actually playing an old school game on that system that’s been sitting in your drawer for years or picking up one of the many new pixelated games that harkens back to those sweet times, there’s something satisfying about playing classic games. They’re often simple to play and difficult to master, with bite sized levels that you can fit in during a lunch break or at the end of the night.
Wait a little longer
Sometimes, we just have too damn much to do. Trying to game when your schedule’s overflowing can lead to unnecessary frustration and missed deadlines. Check your calendar, mark when the tide subsides, and schedule in some game time when you have the time to game. Like nurturing a relationship, anticipation and planning go a long way toward success.
Rekindle the flame
There’s nothing like diving into a good game after a boatload of life hits you in the face. Whether it’s diving headfirst into a massive take-over-your-life virtual world after completing some major life event, or just kicking back with some friends and playing Mario Party, it’s worth rekindling the flame after a long absence.
Now go pick up a controller…after you’ve done your chores.
 | A guest post by
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