Replay Value: Repetition, Ritual, and Improvement

In this video essay, games weirdo Amabel Holland explores why she tends to play only one faction or character in games that have several. Is there value in focusing on a narrow slice of a game’s decision space? How does repetition interact with memory, learning, improvement, and creative play? Games discussed include the board games Root and Lost Ruins of Arnak, and the video games Tekken 7, NetHack, and Celeste.
You can support Amabel’s video essays here:
patreon.com/amabelholland
SB Plays Games:
/ @sbplaysgames
Music by RYLGH:
rylgh.bandcamp.com/
VIDEO EXCERPTS FROM:
CuddleCore
/ @cuddlecore
Master of the Salmon
/ @masterofthesalmon
Bandai Namco Esports
/ @bneesports
00:01 Introduction
01:16 I. Only The Birds
04:53 II. Chainsaw Robot My Beloved
07:50 III. The Gender Politics of Headbutt Carnival
13:00 IV. Teaching Bears Karate
17:52 V. Memory Is Not The Same As Love
21:34 VI. Killed By a Housecat, While Helpless
24:28 EPILOGUE: Bacon With a Fried Egg On Top
25:56 CREDITS
26:11 Patreon Bumper

[@StuffByBez]

I loved the section about how memory is not equal to love. Thank you for sharing.

[@JoachimErdtman]

Lovely video!

[@DentedRazor]

Fantastic video. The sections about memory != love and playing for improvement really resonated with me.

[@biffybeans]

I love listening to your essays. I *love* them. But I feel like I’m fighting to hear you over the music in this one.

[@matthewmelissamakak2615]

I loved this video! Brilliant, funny, and honest

[@LadyLunarSatine]

The breakdown on fighting games reminds me of my sympathies for Ivy mains in Soul Calibur; some of her move inputs (like Summon Suffering) changed again and again with each sequel since SC2.
King (SNK woman) is one of my favorites from KoF/AoF.

[@luccacassandra]

Barnaby!

[@partymeeple5633]

5 minutes into this.. I'm I'm still struggling with the "only play the birds" thing.
Such a curious idea to ponder.

[@rowdy35967]

Hello, I don't know how I came across your channel, but I watched because of the Root meeples in the thumbnail. I am very different in regards to sticking with a single faction/character/thing, but that's not really what interests me here, and any complaints I might have don't matter because we don't know each other. What I wanna know is how do you pick your thing? If you're gonna play a game 50-60 times, how do you decide which option is right for you?