Stubbornness can be an admirable trait in video games, for when players refuse to give up in an impossible situation. There are limits to a healthy version of stubbornness and an unhealthy version. Video games should never cause physical harm to players or anything or anyone else around them.
8 Best Games You Should Take Your Time Playing
It can be tempting to rush through these awesome video games, but they're much better when savored slowly over time.
It’s okay to throw in the towel sometimes, even if players feel invested because they spent all that money on a game. Games are expensive, and some players feel obligated to finish them because of that. But, for the safety of mental health and others around, it’s okay to put the controller down and walk away for these reasons. It's also okay to return, but let's get into it.
When The Glitches Ruin Your Game
From Saves To Bugs
Getting an anticipated game can be exciting, but not every launch is a good one. For example, in recent memory, Cyberpunk 2077 had a disastrous launch as the console versions, like on PS4, barely ran. The textures were low quality, and there were bugs aplenty. Fans who had managed to buy a PS5 got to play a better version with their PS4 disc or digital download, but there were other problems that arose.
It would frequently crash every 15 minutes of gameplay. When something like that happens consistently, it’s time to put the game down for a while until a patch fixes things. Other bad launches include Fallout 3 and Assassin's Creed Unity, which were plagued with bugs from glitching into walls to melting faces. Thankfully, all of these games corrected themselves, and hopefully, players, at the time, knew enough to put these games aside.
Sometimes, The Challenge Is Not Worth It
Don’t Git Gud, Git Gone
The Soulslike community is strong and willing to put themselves through heck just to finish a game. A game like Dark Souls is deeply rewarding, from the loot players can find to the bosses they tackle. As Dark Souls and other FromSoftware games became more popular, other developers took a chance at making their own Soulslike.
Best Feel-Good Games
Looking for a low-stress game to get the dopamine flowing? These feel-good games are sure to do just that, and they're great for co-op as well.
The Nioh series and Lies of P are two good examples that Soulslike fans enjoy. It’s not a genre for everyone, as these bosses can be brutal, and losing progress through the loss of EXP-like points can be demoralizing. It might be fun to join a genre that a lot of hardcore players enjoy, but if something becomes more like a chore than a gaming experience, it’s time to throw in the towel.
When You Become Too Addicted
Is That Sunlight?
Even the best games can have negative sides to them if players get a little too obsessed. For example, there were stories around the time World of Warcraft was at its peak that players started to ignore everyday life. They weren’t functioning as family members, going to work, or even treating their own bodies right.
When a game becomes too addictive, it’s time to turn that experience off. Other MMOs are good examples too, like Final Fantasy 14, but smaller games can also lead to unhealthy addictions like Hades. “One more run” is something roguelike fans can often say with a game like Hades, and before anyone realizes it, the sun has come up.
When Your Backlog Is Growing Too Large
Stop Replaying The Same Game
For some players, gaming can become an obligation. When they see a new game people are talking about, they may pick it up with plans to start playing it eventually. However, becoming too engrossed in one game can lead to that new collection of games being added to the dreaded backlog. 2025 already has some standout hits like Monster Hunter Wilds, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Donkey Kong Bananza.
Any one of those games alone could be finished with a 100% completion rate, but playing any game too much, even in small healthy doses, can also be a problem. So, players should move on after completing a game with the bare minimum amount of content finished. That is, if they want to stay up to date on the latest and greatest games. If they don’t, then there’s no need to buy so many new games.
Financial Reasons Beyond The Initial Cost Of A Game
Don’t Become A Whale
The First HD generation between the PS3 and Xbox 360 gave bigger platforms to free-to-play developers. Over the past several decades, free-to-play games have become more and more prevalent. It’s great that there are free games to play out there, and with so many different gameplay styles too. Pokemon Go is a great adaptation of the franchise that gets players out of their houses to go on walks.
Best Relaxing Games For Anxiety
For gamers who get stressed when a video game cranks up the difficulty, these relaxing games are perfect for easing feelings of anxiety.
Fortnite has become a multiplayer institution for friends. Finally, Genshin Impact offers a huge open world to explore. All of these games can be fun, but there are microtransactions that some people willingly buy into, which is a negative. Between buying items or skins, it won’t take long to take up a debt, so just be wary of how much is being spent. Moreover, it’s best not to buy anything at all, and if the temptation arises, maybe it’s time to move on.
When You Stop Having Fun
It’s As Easy As That
The most obvious sign that it’s time to stop playing a game is when it stops being fun. If something is not releasing those endorphins anymore, then it might be time to ask some questions. “Am I enjoying my time with the game?” “Why am I playing this to begin with?” Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is another great game from 2025 that is a chill courier experience, but thanks to the repetitive gameplay, it may get old for some fast.
Elden Ring is one of the most inviting Soulslike games so far, but that too has its challenges. Even a multiplayer game like an entry in the Call of Duty franchise can start to feel stale after the hundredth round of Domination. Don’t just play a game to play a game and pass the time. Players should value every second they have, no matter the age.
Lost Games You Cannot Play (Legally) Anymore
You may own these games, or you may remember them, but unless you're ready to cut some shady corners, they can no longer be played today.