March 16, 2025 / 4 Minute Read

no time for games

After arriving five years late to the party, I finally decided to invest in a PS5. 

One of the first games I decided to test on my new console was Black Myth: Wukong, a fantasy RPG based on the Chinese mythological character of the same name.

I say the word “test” literally because initially, I only downloaded the two-hour free trial version. 

A little fun fact about me: I don’t like pressure. 

Another fun fact: I can be relatively impatient at times.

This deadly combination led to me making the rash decision of buying the full game only 45 minutes into my free trial.

If only I would have waited.

After about 30 more minutes of gameplay, I came to an impasse.

If you’ve played video games before, you’ll know that two-part boss battles are one of the most annoying aspects. For my non-gamers, that’s when a boss fight has two phases, often allowing the boss to regain a portion, if not all of his health, while unfairly leaving you with the scars from the first phase.

In short, it’s a way for developers to make a game harder.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve experienced my fair share of tough bosses in my years of gaming, but this one was different for two reasons:

• It was on the first level of the game. (Don’t laugh!)

• The game doesn’t allow you to adjust the difficulty.

I don’t know if I can ever remember playing a single player game without difficulty settings, but I think it’s utterly ridiculous!

As a game developer, why wouldn’t you try to make your game as accessible as possible???

Especially a game touted for its fantastic story!!!

Don’t they realize that many players just want to experience the plot without having to worry about the stress that comes with mastering a new combat system?

It seems as though the only benefit to this odd choice is an arbitrary sense of exclusivity and validation for consumers based on the fact that only certain types of players will be able to complete the game. Players who have mastered similar games in the past, or who have the time and resources to invest hours into upskilling.

And that brings me to the point of this article.

I’m currently 25 years old with a full-time job and a plethora of hobbies, one of those being video games.

For me, video games are supposed to be fun. When I sit down and pick up that controller, I want to escape from my stressors, not add to them. 

When I’m spending hours stuck on a single mission, it is no longer leisure. It becomes a chore, and I already work enough. 

You may be blaming me for being bad at the game, and honestly, that’s a valid critique.

However, at my ego’s expense, I’d like to reiterate that this impassable boss was located on the first freaking level of the game!! 

Imagine what the bosses will be like later on!

Even if I was able to beat the guy, I’d soon run into another even stronger boss and the cycle would repeat. 

I’d literally have to spend days upskilling, dying, and remaining stagnant for what?

To say that I beat a video game?

I’d much rather invest that time into other things.

For example, I’m currently trying to learn how to use a Microsoft tool called Power BI at my job in an effort to increase my value and utility.

You know, the job that provided me with the funds to buy the damn game in the first place?

While researching methods for beating that impossible boss, I came across numerous stories of players who mirrored my situation, voicing their regret for buying the game and even claiming to have returned it in some cases.

While I didn’t take such extreme measures, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t understand their vexation.

I’d like to clarify that I’m not blaming the game or insinuating that it’s a bad product. While the absence of a difficulty range is frustrating to say the least, I truly enjoyed my overall experience and I’m sure that if I made the commitment, I’d eventually finish and achieve some sort of satisfaction for my efforts.

I’m simply saying that satisfaction is not worth the sacrifice.

When you get to a certain point in life, you realize just how finite your energy is and how scrupulous you must be in investing it.

The truth is, I simply don’t have the ability to prioritize video games anymore.

I also lack the patience and hubris to get continuously demolished when I do decide to play them.

Perhaps I’ll return to Black Myth: Wukong one day. 

I might even beat it.

If I do, I’ll be sure to write about it!

Bye Chance.