What Happens When a Rare Game’s Identity Meets Its Affordable Re-Release on Steam for $20?

One day, I cheerfully paid $170 (along with shipping and import duties) for a brand new edition of Ys: The Oath in Felghana For my reliable Windows XP system. Was this price high? At the moment, it definitely seemed steep, yet I had no qualms about buying it. This was simply the price for an uncommon, niche, and thought-to-never-be-localized (at least as far as we were concerned) Japanese computer-exclusive title from those days—either I coughed up the money or let go of the opportunity.

Without the allure of scarcity, do these games still provide the same satisfaction when purchasing and playing them?

In the far-off year of 2005, all of Falcom’s PC collection—from ancient titles like Ys to newer ones such as Zwei—were merely costly and obscure oddities that piqued very few interests among the general public. These games could be found either through minuscule specialty sites online or by contacting someone who had connections with another person. The embossed, large-format packaging along with additional goodies like soundtrack CDs seemed exclusive, which in turn gave me a sense of exclusivity—a feeling perhaps driven by superficial reasons. However, after investing significant time, funds, and energy into acquiring these items, I was rewarded with genuinely one-of-a-kind experiences.

Due to Steam, my past expensive buys now appear utterly absurd—it’s as though they were unbelievable. It has been quite some time sinceFelghanawas justanotheractionRPGon astorefilledwiththem, often discounted to thepriceofacupofcoffee.

This represents the ultimate frightening yet thrilling challenge for any limited-edition game. Deprived of their rarity, prestige among collectors, and dedicated fanbase, they must face the harsh judgment of mainstream audience sentiment. Do these titles retain their appeal once bought and played purely for enjoyment rather than for some additional value or status?

Reevaluating rarities

Suikoden 2 is among the more recent titles to get this kind of attention, and it has certainly provided an exhilarating journey for Konami’s cherished RPG. The game has garnered acclaim far and wide, making it seem as though it was instantly appreciated upon its English debut; however, initial responses to its English version were somewhat lukewarm.

As we all know, RPGs focus on storytelling and character growth, which is where S2 really fails to deliver. — Reviewer Eric Mylonas from Gamefan magazine scored it 70 out of 100.
Although Suikoden II isn’t considered an outstanding game nor a significant technical milestone, it remains highly enjoyable and should please most RPG enthusiasts. — RPGFan.com, 80/100

These subtle beginnings laid the groundwork for an iconic gaming legacy. By the time word began spreading and everyone became aware of what they had overlooked, most of the available English-language editions—always scarce—had been purchased, causing resell prices to skyrocket. Questions about pricing often surface on forums, occasionally even making headlines. for personal reviews , and dedicated fansite Suikosource has an entire forum category dedicated to buying the games, with topics going back decades. There's no escaping the fact that before last month, owning Suikoden 2 took serious commitment and a lot of money.

Thanks to the HD Remaster the game is easier to buy and play than it ever was when it was new, and the general mood is one of relief and gratitude. Variants of "Thank you Konami for bringing back my childhood game!" Common occurrences include largely favorable remarks centered on the gameplay itself. Typically, this RPG remake enjoys a joyful conclusion, despite requiring additional refinement within its updated package. Its current acclaim, even with a steep cost, mirrors decades of positive feedback. The title stands out as enjoyable; meanwhile, characters such as Luca Blight remain villainous, and quests involving Clive continue to challenge players. Additionally, strategies for winning cooking competitions are being widely shared, reminiscent of an era long past.

A brief examination of some other equally delightful oddities quickly uncovers comparable joyful feelings:

One Ninja Five-O review reads "Finally, my favorite GBA game comes to steam, and i dont have to pay thousands for a copy" , sadly not even a slight exaggeration of the cart's current resale price.
Radiant Silvergun gets a "I've heard about this game for a long time. After finally getting to play it, I can happily say it lives up to the hype!"
Umiharo Kawase, the inaugural title in what might be the sole fish-centered puzzle-platformer series globally, is The most enjoyable experience for elevating my blood pressure with another declaring it "Harder than Dark Souls."

Occasionally, simply being skilled and accessible is sufficient to complete an older game.

Cheap n' (un)cheerful

When titles such as these are made available on Steam for $20, they essentially get a new lease on life.

However, this isn’t always the case. Gimmick, an NES platform game renowned primarily for its high cost and late release long after interest in NES platformers had waned, has garnered mixed reactions. Some view it as a masterpiece, while others see it as merely a dated artifact from earlier times. It more or less relies on whom you inquire. , with contemporary perspectives influenced by more accessible and budget-friendly iterations of the game generally leaning towards the unfavorable side. Still, at least everybody concurs on this one point: it’s not an easy endeavor. More than 70% of GameFAQS users The multi-format gaming site that seems destined to survive longer than we do gave it an "Intense" rating, with the second most common choice being "Challenging." Yikes.

Judgement Silversword Received a mostly favorable reception into the contemporary age, though this doesn’t capture how remarkably rare and excessively expensive the original WonderSwan version was (as of writing, the lowest-priced used physical copy listed on eBay for the game goes for over $2,000). Generally, people enjoy playing it. It’s satisfactory. Pleasant enough. A completely acceptable choice at $4.99.

These muted compliments are as precious as any amount of enthusiastic praise, because they can only happen when these games are taken out of their ever-shrinking retro bubbles and given back to everyone. The pressure is off, for the game and the person playing it. The game doesn't have to offer a religious experience to be worthwhile. Nobody has to make a snap decision to grab a copy because it's available in infinite supply at a fixed price. Being fun (or annoying) for a bit can be enough now there are no carts to produce, aging hardware to maintain, region locks to circumvent, or import charges to cover.

What occurs when titles such as these hit Steam for $20 each, devoid of the (often overwhelming) narrative surrounding their importance and must-play status provided by historical context?

They get to be honored once more. Performed for the initial time anew. Misinterpreted again. Despised once more. Rendered common again. Suggested afresh.

Above all else, they have the chance to experience life once more. These concepts are debated and analyzed across various online platforms where veteran gamers share their time-tested strategies with appreciative newcomers. Old grievances and challenging obstacles from past experiences find validation through current players—who agree that certain parts were absurdly illogical and unfairly difficult, leading many to abandon the game out of frustration. Memories from childhood excitement evolve into thorough examinations of underlying motifs, transforming casual post-school competitions into intense virtual races against the clock conducted over the internet.

You cannot assign a value to that.

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