I've recently began seeing more and more games that release as several small "episodes" and quite frankly, I'm not sure how I feel about it. Call me old fashioned (in ways, I am), but I still like a game that feels complete right from the initial purchase. I can't help but feel like the developers are giving me a fourth of a game each time they break it down into different episodes like that. I get that they charge low prices and maybe even less than the average game in the end, but I'd rather pay $60 and get it all at once than pay $30 and get it in four parts. It just feels...off.

I don't think I'll ever be able to go through with buying a game in episodes/seasons unless one of my absolute must buys ends up that way (Mario, Zelda, Harvest Moon)...I don't know. What do you guys think? Sure it's cheap to buy, but it just feels lazy to me.

I don't really like these, I might buy a complete seaso and play that like it's its own game, but as for regular episodes, I just don't play them, i think it takes too much out of what could possibly be a really good game, and even though most people say that the wait between the games causes a lot of publicty, it can be really annoying having to wait every single time you finish an epiode.

Like with the Walking Dead, you started the game and wouldnt be able to even get the last part of it for more than 8 months. Just takes a lot out of what could be done.

Not much different than me releasing my fanfic's chapter by chapter as each one is refined and completed in my opinion. However, because of the nature by which games are played, I think that it is more convenient to just buy the whole thing.

However, one advantage in releasing games in "episodes" is it can build hype, and stress in the same way Star Wars the Clone Wars series did, increasing the fondness of the said series in my mind when I look back on it.

"I can't wait for the next part to come out!"

This, in turn, can make the makers more excited. When the likes come in and feedback to my latest fanfiction, it in turn makes me excited to post the next chapter. Mutual benefits.

Plus some games series already do this on a basic level. Look at Sonic.

First we had Sonic Adventure.

Then We had Sonic Adventure 2.

And then we had Heroes, which built off both games, and finally:

Shadow the Hedgehog. Which get's way too much hate for how good or bad a game it is. It's different to be sure, but from what I've seen and heard, it really isn't terrible.


My point being these four games build off of each other, even though they are complete stories in themselves.

Sword legion : Certainly a valid opinion, but I do see a difference between releasing a full game with a full game as it's sequel, and releasing partial game stroies as episodes. I just hate the idea of waiting months between episode one and episode two, and so on. It feels to me like the game was released before it was finished. I may just be impatient though.

Another issue for me is that I prefer physical copies to digital. There is simply no comparison to holding a disc in my hands and placing it in my game console. Digital games somehow lose my interest far more quickly, though I can't say just why. Episodes and digital go hand in hand, unless I'm mistaken and some are physical copies.

Still, I couldn't blame someone for preferring episodes. I suppose it's all a matter of opinion after all.

I agree with you, I just want a full game from the release, and one or two sequels. And I'm 11, Is that weird?

Agh, episodes. Don't even get me started. I'm STILL waiting for Half-Life 2: Episode 3, and Sonic 4: Episode 3. It's a cool idea in theory, but, each episode costs about as much, if not a little cheaper than an average video game. I know people release games in episodes so people have at least something while the rest of the game lies in development for a year or two longer. But I personally prefer to buy a full game the first time.

Mario is Missing: Episodes 1-3

Head to 15 cities to retrieve artifacts to save Mario...and the world! Each episode contains 5 cities that you can head to as Luigi and discover funny characters and trivia about the Earth! WAHOO! For a limited time, it's 10% off! Mamma mia! That's a spicy meat-a-ball! You can also buy DLC that lets you wear a Mario outfit as Luigi! Luigi will get more praise, less insults, and will finally be acknowledged by the world! Only $12.99 for you to feel appreciated!

A user of this : Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. Why not just finish the game before releasing any of it, and you won't need to release episodes to tide us over. lol

supernerd117 : My wallet suddenly knows how a cow feels. Hold up, I'll finish this reply in a few minutes. EA needs me, something about milking my wallet with more DLC...

imamonster : Yeah, you replied first yet somehow ended up last in my summon list. I don't know...long day.
But no, that isn't weird, just shows you're practical and patient enough to wait for a full product instead of screaming for more stuff to be shipped immediately. Just my opinion. No disrespect to those who feel differently. It's nice to see that I don't just feel this way because I'm old. xD

I think if it's done correctly, episodic games can be great. I couldn't imagine the walking dead any other way.
On the other hand, if it's done just to grab extra cash and is utterly pointless...Sonic 4...

Eirinn : I really hate those episodes! And what makes it worse is all most all of them are made by one company, "Tell Tale". I especially hate that stupid one about Borderlands, because first of all, the real ones are great, and also the main character seems so cool! But alas, it in the end will cost 60$ or triple the price of Borderlands 2!

Well, if it's done correctly, I think that episodic games are a good thing. It allows for more polish between sections in many cases, and can allow for cheaper overall prices. For instance, I agree with someone else here. I can't imagine The Walking Dead as being ANY other way.

Episodic games aren't really a new thing, though. Just look at the .hack games for the PS2. Those were episodic, but were released as full games in and of themselves, for full price. At least nowadays things can be cheaper. 

I think ifew a game is designed with episodes in mind, then they're okay. In a series like The Walking Dead, episodes worked perfectly. But I wouldn't want to see an immersion experience like metro I'd or something to get episodic releases because, hey, that'd suck.

SilverHyruler : Increased overall cost is part of what annoys me so much about the whole episode thing. That and as I said before, I want a full --and seamless-- game. I just hope they don't start breaking any of my series' into episodes.


Yunimori : See, I can't bring myself to like them in any way, but I understand that the market isn't about what I like and dislike, so me not liking it doesn't make it good or bad. I suppose as long as episodes are kept where they belong it doesn't really matter too much, but I don't want to see the majority of games going this way. For example I couldn't imagine Harvest Moon or Zelda "episodes" nor do I want to. lol