Replay Value

As I mentioned briefly the other day, I completed Mass Effect recently. It was probably one of the best gaming experiences I've had in a while. So much so that I kind of want to play it again. However, that's only really one of the reasons. The main reason is actually the achievements, many of which you can't get in a single play through because they either refer to the difficulty level or abilities that only certain classes can get. Those make up a good chunk of achievements available in the game, in fact.

You can add to that the fact that there's a slew of dialog choices I didn't see my first time through because they're attached to the renegade alignment, which is opposite the way I went the first play through. It might be interesting to see some of the dialog that comes up when I choose those options, if I can even bring myself to go that route.

I notice quite a few games lately (or maybe its just the games I'm playing?) have higher than usual replay value. Fable 2, Fallout 3, Mass Effect. I thought the achievements in Mass Effect were very well done, and the desire to get more in that game is probably pretty high on my list of reasons to replay the title (ditto for Fable 2, as well).

Given the price of games these days, it is commendable that higher-than-average replay value be incorporated into the experience, by whatever means.