Relive Epic Moments in Your Favorite MMO!

One of the most frustrating aspects of playing live service games is the challenge of revisiting those moments that initially drew you in. While some games offer a New Game+ option or the ability to create a new character, many do not. After you complete a part of the story, it’s often difficult to go back. I can’t relive the thrill of Welt knocking me on the head with his cane in Honkai: Star Rail without starting a brand new account, and even then, the surprise won’t be the same as the first time.

So, what alternatives do you have? Of course, you can seek out the cutscenes online, but that lacks the immersive feeling you had during your initial experience, especially since they often miss the non-cinematic elements that contribute to the gameplay. You might as well just create a new account and start fresh.

That said, another option is to watch a YouTuber experience the game for the first time, which can also be entertaining. A friend and I frequently do this, particularly with YouTubers reacting to the opening cinematic trailers of Final Fantasy XIV. It can be enjoyable to see a stranger’s perspective on something you care about. Plus, you’ll need to find a streamer you can watch for a longer duration.

However, if you truly want to get as close to that original experience as possible, enlist a friend who hasn’t played the game yet. Seriously. Have them stream their gameplay to you via Discord, which allows you to catch their genuine reactions—whether surprise, disappointment, or anything in between. Although you already know what’s going to unfold, it’s still the best way to evoke that initial feeling of uncertainty.

Another advantage of this approach is that you get to bond over something you love, even if part of it involves watching them struggle for your amusement. After all, these are MMOs, and hardship is inevitable.