Sometimes it is hard to remember when I first picked up a game controller, or really anything at all from my childhood. I am still quite young so it is surprising to actually take a look back in my life and think how far away things look.
I have recently become married. We have our own place and we pay all of our own bills. I have a steady job and go to work. And with being married children loom in our future. With all this it is not hard to lose site of the proverbial inner child.
Video games, once so much of my life, have waned into a once in a while quick hobby; all too short to ever get the true satisfaction of playing a game. Sure, I purchased Zelda 64 when it came out, but I still have not defeated Ganon. Not enough time to defeat the evil bill collectors to even worry about saving Hyrule.
However, as a true gamer, the gaming blood refuses to die. And instead of looking at games from a 'boring' adult perspective, I can now play with more intelligence and wisdom and still keep the enthusiasm of a 14-year-old.
Just a few weeks ago I ventured into a game store, a place where I had not been in, let alone spent money, in quite a long time. I bought three games; Railroad Tycoon 2 since the first is still one of my favorite games. Worms 2, since hey, Worms 1 was a blast to play and Myth, due to all the publicity it has gained.
And once I loaded up the games, my life slowed down, it was warm in the house, not too hot, and not too cold. It was perfect. The soft hum of the CD drive giving the game a whirl. It was great. It was fun getting lost into these games. And all three games have Internet capabilities, and since I am blessed with a free T1, I have been battling worms, working the stock market and fighting The Fallen against live people, good fortune when compared to most AI routines, and general fun all around.
It was actually my wife who in a sense shown me the light of what playing video games is all about. Just watching her play, not to conquer King Bowser, defeat Kefka or try to get as many points as possible. She plays for fun, and it is a joy to watch, just like it used to be a joy to do. But there are the times when she gets nitty gritty into Mario Kart 64, cussing and ready to throw the controller and than pulling a last second victory and letting out a whoop. You can tell she is having fun.
For the first time in literally years, I have sat down and worked my way through a game and I am about to beat Worms 2, without codes or cheats. Myth will be next and I will continue to just sit back and grow my railroad empire. Zelda is again coming along nicely. And soon maybe I will play the first 6 Final Fantasy games again.
Whichever game it is, it will be nice knowing that I can again sit down and tune out the world and be pulled into the World of Ruin or where ever I decide to be. Maybe I will cuss at the screen, or even toss a controller in frustration (with a pillow strategically placed of course). Whatever happens, it will be for the love of the game.