JoJoestar Personally, I would never view it as “second class.” Getting games later these days is often better period. The unfortunate truth is a majority of big AAA title games are released with issues or unfinished in some way. Even if a game does come out with out any issues, there will likely be DLC that will then cost you more later…. Whereas, if you wait you can eventually pick up a “Deluxe,” “GOTY,” “Platinum,” “Director’s Cut,” or “Complete” edition of the game later and pay considerably less than the cost of the base game at launch AND get all of the DLC, etc.
I picked up the Platinum Edition of the first Dying Light game for $6. If I had bought that game day 1 and all of the DLC full price, it would have cost $280.00! But even if money were no object, playing through a game day 1 means you will likely be missing a good number of patches that could fix all kinds of issues with games, and expand on them.
The likely 2022 GOTY Elden Ring patched in additional questlines that were unfinished at launch. The launch day players likely missed characters and their questlines playing through the game, and would only get to experience them if they replayed it later after the patch.
In the case of Returnal, I’m pretty sure there were a number of people that returned the game because you couldn’t save your spot in the middle of a run and turn off your PS5. Eventually they patched it so you can save where you are and no longer had to commit to playing through a 2-3 hour successful run all at once in order to progress in the game.
Personally I think it’s dumb to care so much about playing games day 1. Day 1 players are paying more to do QA work for the later players who will pay less lol.
All that being said, I do sometimes buy games day 1. But it’s very rare for me. Maybe once a year or less. I did buy Elden Ring at launch and play it day 1, but I’m a player that plays through all Fromsoft games multiple times. There are a lot of people who do not like to replay games… And I get that. There are games that I do not want to replay too- and not because I don’t like them. I love Persona 5. But I’m just not interested in committing another 120 hours or whatever just to see what they added in the Royale version of the game. Maybe someday, but I’ve got a hundred other games to play first.
Anyway, I’m getting long winded with this rant. I do get excited about new games, but I think it’s smartest to basically be a year behind with buying and playing them. That way, you can learn more about what kind of game it actually is, how it plays, and how people responded to it, while also getting a “fully” patched version of the game potentially with DLC and pay much less for it. I would argue that this approach is in no way putting you in a lower class of players, because you will be the one get to play the more premium experience.
**Just to note- I am pretty much only talking about AAA here. Indie Devs need and deserve your support day 1. That usually isn’t asking as much, because indie games generally won’t be priced at $60-$70 anyway.
