My Obsession with Achievement Hunting Is Ruining My Gaming Experience

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During the PlayStation 3 period, I didn’t focus much on accomplishments. However, when I finally secured my first Platinum Trophy upon completing Horizon Zero Dawn on my PlayStation 4, a wave of dopamine swept through me. It was satisfying. The allure of Sony’s cleverly designed Platinum Trophy pop-up, with its delightful ringing sound, was hard to resist. It tapped into something deep within me, and I found myself craving more.

Then began my achievement-hunting addiction — or, in PlayStation’s case, Trophy Hunting.

The Beginning

Initially, my deep-rooted passion for gaming didn’t stem from Horizon Zero Dawn, instead, it was sparked by the games that succeeded it. Games like God of War and Spider-Man drew me in because their trophy hunts were relatively simple – you just needed to play the game as intended and gather a few special items along the way. The experience was enjoyable and hard to resist, so I delved deeper into the PlayStation collection, finishing off Ghost of Tsushima and Horizon Forbidden West on my PlayStation 5.

But I wanted more.

The Fall

After finding out that FromSoftware’s Soulslike games offered a blend of difficulty and reward, I decided to dive into Dark Souls 1. If I managed to fully complete this game, my plan was to proceed to Dark Souls 3 (since Dark Souls 2 apparently doesn’t exist). With some spare time on my hands, I might even attempt Demon’s Souls. The thought of hearing the triumphant chime of the Platinum Trophy upon defeating a tough boss fills me with anticipation.

Little did I know, I was in for a reality check — I just couldn’t do it.

In Demon’s Souls, figuring out the tendency system was a frustrating puzzle. Despite doing everything correctly, I still found myself back at square one, needing to restart in order to maximize trophy progression. And oh boy, Dark Souls 3’s Vertebrae Shackles challenge was a struggle. If I had persisted, it might have driven me insane.

To clarify, let me assure you that I’ve mastered the art of GIT GUD. I completed Dark Souls 1, Demon’s Souls, and Dark Souls 3 normally, but when I discovered that the Platinum trophy grind was so grueling and disheartening, I paused and pondered: Is the effort truly commensurate with its value?

The Realization

My fixation on completing games perfectly transformed into an unwholesome habit. If a game didn’t allow for full completion, I’d just ignore it altogether. When the effort needed for a Platinum was manageable – such as in Astro Bot or Astro’s Playroom – I’d take it up. However, if it demanded endless grinding – like in the Yakuza series or Monster Hunter games – I’d flat out refuse to touch them.

I skipped amazing games entirely due to the fact that seeing “100%” completion next to them was overwhelming for me, causing numerous excellent titles to slip past my notice because the effort required for completing trophies wasn’t appealing enough.

And that’s the problem.

This problem was self-imposed and unique to me, as it hindered my enjoyment of video games. The source of this issue was my excessive preoccupation with achieving the Platinum Trophy, which would appear briefly in the screen’s corner upon success. However, the thrill of that brief moment paled in comparison to the 20-plus hours I invested in playing the game itself.

Essentially, this addiction has significantly altered my perspective on video games. I found myself justifying that completing a game at 100% was the only way to feel like I got my money’s worth, given its $60 price tag. Every hidden content within the game needed to be discovered and utilized.

Reflecting on my past gaming escapades, where trophies were mere milestones rather than the primary objective, I’m struck by a sense of nostalgia. It’s as if I’ve rediscovered a lost pleasure – the sheer joy of immersing myself in video games, not for accolades or achievements, but simply because they offer an escape and a world to explore.

The Growth (?)

Instead of viewing it as a duty or obligation, make it a source of joy when you play. Remember that achievements are not the primary goal; they’re just an added bonus each time you start a new game that requires significant investment of time to complete.

I’m thrilled about Monster Hunter: Wilds, even though getting its Platinum Trophy is known to be a grind due to the Gold and Silver Crowns. However, not being able to get them all doesn’t bother me. What excites me is the opportunity to play Wilds with my friends and experience the game I’ve been eagerly anticipating.

So now, I don’t care if I can’t finish a game 100% anymore. I just need to enjoy it.

It’s uncertain if that qualifies as progress, as the initial issue was rather minor, but remember, even small challenges are significant in the gaming community.

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2025-02-21 18:42