Boss Rush Banter: What is a Game Series You Keep Buying but You Hardly Ever Play?

Over many years, I have acquired a decent amount of games, both digital and physical, that usually I pick up on sale. I would even pick-up multiple games in a series only to end up playing them for a short period, or worse, not at all. I had to wonder why I was picking up something I intended to play only to let it ferment in its own personal plastic coffin. I’m sure finding time to play has ultimately been the biggest factor on my gaming journey.

After playing catch-up on titles like Metal Gear Solid 4, Bioshock, and Fallout 3 on my PlayStation 3, I acquired Assassin’s Creed. Now, I tried to like the game, but I really did not enjoy it. When my friend offered to lend me Assassin’s Creed II after he had beat it, I was reluctant, but I gave it a chance. Here lies the point in the series that caused the spiral.

You see, I ended up really liking the second game, and when the following year’s Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood released, it was absolutely amazing and is still my favorite. It is one of the only two Assassin’s Creed titles I have completed out of only five I’ve played. Here is the path I ultimately took:

In order, I played the original, then II, then Brotherhood. I picked up the Sony PSP and played Bloodlines, and lastly, I played Assassin’s Creed III on the Wii U. However, I still have not played all the other ones I had purchased, which was a telltale sign I should stop buying new iterations of the franchise until I play them. Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate was the last one I bought. Now, people have told me that Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla are some great examples of the games in the series, but when I look at the games in my backlog, I must compose myself and issue some self-control.

Has this ever happened to you? Have you fallen in the collection trap or purchased something that you intended to use but ended up abandoning? What series puts this kind of purchasing spell on you? Which Assassin’s Creed game is your favorite?

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