Replay value

[1] Factors that can influence perceived replay value include the game's extra characters, secrets and alternate endings.

Dynamic environments, challenging AI, a wide variety of ways to accomplish tasks, and a rich array of assets could result in a high replay value.

[citation needed] A game with a linear plot will typically have a lower replay value due to the limited choices a character can make.

For a traditional book the reader will read it from start to finish, and should they choose to re-read it the plot would remain constant, thus offering the same experience the second time around.

For example, the game Diablo allows the player to choose one of three character classes: warrior, rogue, or sorcerer.

The Final Fantasy instruction manual even gave the player ideas for different types of parties (well-balanced, heavy magic use, combat-oriented characters, etc.).

For example, Dungeon Crawl at this moment employs 22 races and 23 classes, allowing a total of 654 race/class combinations (although about a dozen of them are disallowed due to in-game race/religion constraints).

It is unlikely that a player will "collect" every possible member on their first attempt, so they may choose to play through the story again in order to acquire the full cast.

In Castlevania III, the hero Trevor Belmont can choose which path he takes to Dracula's castle.

[2][3] The first two Resident Evil games featured two main scenarios, each with its own protagonist, supporting characters and scripted sequence of events.

In the first two paths Indiana Jones leaves alone depending to complete mission basses on either thinking (wits) or fighting (fists) whereas in the third Sophia (team) tags along.

Another example appears in the game Blade Runner, where Ray McCoy has to decide where to head and with precise timing events might occur otherwise an alternate path then must be taken.

PlatinumGames are famous for this, games like Bayonetta and Metal Gear Rising Revengeance have easy-to-play but hard-to-master gameplay that encourages players to try and get the highest scores possible.

For instance, in Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, the drow ranger Drizzt Do'Urden is an unlockable character.

Other examples of unlockable content can include art, music, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and interviews with a game's producer, artist, or voice talent.

Electronic Arts' games based on The Two Towers and The Return of the King feature many different unlockables of this nature.

As the player progresses through the game, he can view production stills from the movies, concept art, and interviews with some of the actors.

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories features a 'Revers/Rebirth' sub-scenario that differs from regular gameplay and centers on a secondary character Riku rather than Sora.

Likewise, the 'Separate Ways' mini-game of Resident Evil 4 has the player take hold of Ada Wong, whose path intertwines with that of the game's protagonist, Leon S. Kennedy.

During the course of the adventure, the player will need to make decisions (such as choosing whether to save Nightcrawler or Jean Grey) or complete certain tasks (like stopping a group of mutated soldiers from destroying a computer that holds research on the Legacy Virus).

After completing the game, Uatu the Watcher will give a glimpse into the future and tell the player what the consequences of his or her actions are.

Because of the multiplicity of outcomes, unlockable features and the canonical blurr, these alternate endings are considered to enhance replayability.

To unlock the Kingdom Hearts secret ending, one must complete the game 100% by fulfilling all mini-game sidequests and collectables, beating all tournament enemies and locking each world's keyhole.

Grand Theft Auto IV features two endings, where Niko Bellic is asked by his associate Jimmy Pegorino to strike a deal with his bitter enemy Dimitri Rascalov or exact revenge on him.

The outcome of the war in Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction depends on the player's current standing with each of the game's factions.

Due to the limits of AI behaviour and the appeal and challenge of playing against friends, multiplayer is also often considered to increase the lifespan of a game.

Both the inability to replay missions and a lack of multiplayer activities proved damaging to Mafia II, a game with high expectations.

Other games, such as the Assassin's Creed series have a secondary objective that may be difficult to complete, but necessary for additional elements to be unlocked.

Many Japanese RPGs include a New Game+ mode which lets players replay the entire game using select items or abilities from their first play through.