Board 8 > Top 20 games I frankly have no excuse to have not finished

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3. Xenoblade Chronicles
Wii, 2010

In my original draft of this list, I had Xenoblade number one. It's my favorite game on the list and the one I enjoyed the most, I think. However, I did try to resume my playthrough once and remembered the HD version is coming soon, so I decided to wait for that. Honestly, the only issue I have with it is that the graphics are not good and it looks kind of... fuzzy? So while I have somewhat of an excuse for not beating it, as I'm waiting for the HD remaster (remake?), I should have beaten it before that was ever announced, so it's not really a valid reason.

I like how this game gives EXP for finding new areas, it's a neat mechanic to make exploring worthwhile. The environments are stellar too so exploration is top notch, and I like the unique nature of the world being two giant machines frozen in combat. The music is jamming and the characters are quite good, especially Shulk. Not much I can say negatively about it. I'm so psyched for the Switch release.

Bonus Question: Have you ever dropped a playthrough to wait for a remaster or remake?

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I dropped a playthrough because the announcement of an upport killed the fantranslation I was waiting on :(

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2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
3DS, 2013

The Zelda series is one of my favorites, and I have beaten all the mainline console releases from A Link to the Past through Breath of the Wild. On the other hand, I haven't beaten any of handheld games, and this was the only one I made any significant progress on. I thought this game was great and as a Link to the Past fan I appreciated the similarities and homages. I was also quite fond of the new mechanics and the whole hieroglyphics theme. It was easily one of my favorite games on the 3DS. So why didn't I finish it? I don't know, I'm really bad at finishing handheld games. For awhile it was nothing but Pokemon on my beated handhelds record until I went back and cleaned some of it up over the past few years. I'm really hoping to get back to this one soon, too.

Bonus Question: What's your favorite game that you haven't beaten?

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Weird, I'm typically a lot better about finishing my handheld games than my console games!

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1. Final Fantasy
NES, 1987

You could probably tell by the volume of FF titles on this list that I am a fan of the series. To go even further, it's my favorite video game series and it's not particularly close. I feel great shame in saying that Final Fantasy is my favorite series and the only one I haven't finished is the first one. I have beaten all the mainline titles from II through XV (as well as several of the spinoffs), after making it my mission to complete the series several years ago (hello again Tangy). Yet, I haven't beaten the one that started it all. I finished FFII back in 2017 and all that was left between me and glory was Final Fantasy I... and I still haven't beaten it. I own it on PSP and I don't dislike the game, but for some reason I just haven't gotten to it. I must have started close to 10 playthroughs, none of which made it very far. Maybe it's because I can't decide which classes I want. Maybe it's the lack of defined characters and a compelling narrative that I love in later Final Fantasy games. I feel like if this game had Tidus I would have beaten it by now!

I had to put this number one because it's the definition of a game that should be on this list. It's from a series I love, I like it well enough, it's not very long, I've played it several times and have access to it, it's old and I played it for the first time many many years ago, and, of course, I have no excuse to have not finished it yet!

Bonus Question: Which game do you feel most ashamed to have not finished?

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I didn't know XI even had a final boss!

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MZero11 posted...

Bonus Question: Which game do you feel most ashamed to have not finished?

FF7

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There aren't a ton of games I played and didn't finish. The ones I haven't I dropped for a reason, generally. A couple are even on this list - FFI and FFX-2! I have no intention of ever playing either again. There are a couple others like Grandia and Disgaea. With Disgaea I got up to the last boss, but I would've had to grind a bunch to beat it, which didn't seem fun to me.

Don't think I'd really count all the SNES and N64 games I rented as a kid.

I only got like 30 Shines in Super Mario Sunshine. It had some fun parts, but there was some real tediousness there too. That's one I wouldn't mind trying again someday, especially if it got a remaster or remake or something.

But yeah, I don't feel bad about not finishing any of them, really. They can stay unfinished forever.
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Bonus Question: Have you ever dropped a game because you couldn't beat a boss/stage?

So I actually just remembered a new version of my answer for this one. And it made me finally remember to check out this topic again. Sorry that I didn't stick around, and you've even gotten to a few games I have beaten/played, and even some things I'd list myself (like ToS).

But yeah, the biggest case of this, is also my dumbest entry. Castlevania: Circle of the Moon.

I could never beat the first boss because it was my first Castlevania and I basically thought I had to save the throwable items more. Could never beat the wolf just using the whip. Now I'm just waiting for my chance to nominate it for GotM to push me after beating it.

MZero11 posted...

I started up FC again and made it maybe halfway through but for some reason I just can't get into it. I think I'm just not a big fan of Estelle and Joshua.

I, too, don't like Estelle or Joshua after finishing the first game. Joshua for pretty major different reasons. Are you also not liking any of the side cast? They, and the music are pretty much the reasons I was able to push through the game. Plus like, a lot of the fun little things like talking to chests after opening them. Funny little things this series does right.

MZero11 posted...

Bonus Question: Have you ever bought a sequel before finishing the prior games?

Yes, I don't even know how many things I've done that with though. Pretty sure I bought Neptunia Re;Birth 2 while playing the first, and got 3 before I finished 2 (though after I finished 1, so not really game(s). Also Saints Row stuff, I own 2-4, never played the first, and haven't beaten 2 or 3 (but have played). I need to beat 3.

MZero11 posted...

Bonus Question: Have you ever played a game 10+ years after you originally intended to?

As someone who typically doesn't have the money to buy games as they come out... I definitely play games far later than I intended to. Though I don't know if I have a specific example of this as I'm not sure of some time frames. I don't remember when I got to Radiant Dawn after playing Path of Radiance, for example. That could have been a difference of 7 or 8 years. Well, ask me when I get to play Link Between Worlds, we'll see if that's been waiting 10+ years, ahaha~

Now onward to page two.

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WickIebee posted...

I, too, don't like Estelle or Joshua after finishing the first game. Joshua for pretty major different reasons. Are you also not liking any of the side cast? They, and the music are pretty much the reasons I was able to push through the game. Plus like, a lot of the fun little things like talking to chests after opening them. Funny little things this series does right.

I actually like quite a few of them, especially Olivert. The problem is they seem to come and go a lot so it's hard to get attached. Maybe that changes later on in the game? I do love the music too and the series formula (I loved Cold Steel, after all)

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MZero11 posted...

Bonus Question: Have you ever dropped a playthrough to wait for a remaster or remake?

Nope. I've only stopped myself from buying a game because of an upcoming remaster or remake.

MZero11 posted...

Bonus Question: What's your favorite game that you haven't beaten?

At this point... Banjo Kazooie. A game I really have wanted to go back to, but I can only hope Microsoft and Nintendo can come to an agreement with what to do with Rare. I haven't played it since my brother traded the game since it was his system. I couldn't really beat it anyway back then and enjoyed other things more, so it wasn't the biggest consequence until far later in life for me, when I realized how much I wanted to play and beat the game.

MZero11 posted...

Bonus Question: Which game do you feel most ashamed to have not finished?

Scrolled through my Steam list, since it had to be something someone bought for me, and Divinity 2 sticks out. It's something I was playing with Scarlet and Ermine (latter of which bought it for me) and my internet would crap out so much we had to quit. It's been updated, which is something we waited on, and ultimately at this point the only thing we're waiting on is me to have my own internet, since I'd pay for something better. Which takes a while since I need to be working but I keep being lazy... So yeah, being ashamed the most about this definitely fits the bill.

That question happened to appear on the third game of this list I've beaten, Final Fantasy. The only main series Final Fantasy I've beaten (and I've started... 6 more of them). I have it through the GBA collection, and just chose to plow through it. Maybe it was easier for me since the other game I played at the time wasn't great narratively or beaten. Hell, still haven't finished FFTA, maybe I should try to do that. Sometimes playing through something with someone else can help, so if you need me, as it could push me through a few games too, maybe I can help... ahaha~

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MZero11 posted...

I actually like quite a few of them, especially Olivert. The problem is they seem to come and go a lot so it's hard to get attached. Maybe that changes later on in the game? I do love the music too and the series formula (I loved Cold Steel, after all)

One of the main things, is if you want to try being attached despite their limited involvement, is to remember that their first appearances are tidbits of their character. You will get more of them throughout the series, and I don't even think I'm spoiling by saying that.

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Yeah I don't doubt that, it's just tough to stay interested in the meantime. I plan on getting back to it soon though

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WickIebee posted...

Sometimes playing through something with someone else can help, so if you need me, as it could push me through a few games too, maybe I can help... ahaha~

Sounds good if we find something we both need to beat!

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