LudumData

Replay Value – Best Web Games

[raw] LD25LD #25 18. Dec 2012 · 22:37 UTC · 4 days after compo start by Suese · 7

After Ludum Dare it would be easy to just game the rating system and ‘rate’ 100 games every night. However, I prefer to give each game the same amount of time I would hope others would give mine.

Let’s be honest, most entries are not replay-worthy, but replay value is the utmost important factor. Let’s also be honest: Games with outstanding graphics get more and better ratings across every category. I think that’s a shame because replay value is what makes the all-time greatest video games so legendary. Replay value really aught to be the second-to-top category, just under overall.

So here’s a list of games I’ve played so far that made me want to play again, and in some cases again and again. In my mind, these games fit in the true winners circle.

Trolls: Where the Sun Don’t Shine


I found myself wanting to get a higher score, to push myself. It’s amazing how such a simple title can be so addictive.
Click here to play

Plane of Misery


Although the timing is short, this game is a real gem. I couldn’t stop laughing at the mere premise of the game, and the gameplay itself was fun. Okay I admit the puzzle timer was way too fast but that didn’t stop me from trying this game over about 10 times.
Click here to play

Heroes are so Annoying!


Okay, so when I beat the game it was over; No more replay value. However, it took a couple tries to get it right. If only this title had random dungeons, I would sit here and play for hours.
Click here to play

Of the 43 games I’ve played and rated, these three gems are the only entries that made me want to play for longer than 5 minutes.

Good job.

Comments

18. Dec 2012 · 22:47 UTC
I’m always happy to come across game lists like this, especially ones that are curated for replayability. Thanks!
18. Dec 2012 · 22:54 UTC
It’s nice to see people appreciating and recognizing little games with that valuable trait. :)
Gjarble
18. Dec 2012 · 23:19 UTC
While it’s good to see such an emphatic substance-over-style statement, I would like to point out that entries not designed for replaying are not necessarily bad, especially in the case of story-based games, which usually don’t lend themselves well to replay (yet can become “legendary” as you say on the strength of the story alone). However, I agree with you that capturing and holding the player’s interest is an aspect of game design often overlooked in LD entries, and in more arcade-style games, this typically manifests itself through replay value. I think the “Fun” rating category is meant to be a more general version of this statement to account for different styles of gameplay (thankfully, IIRC, studies have shown that it’s the category most strongly correlated with success… though closely followed by Graphics).