30 votes

If your games library disappeared, which games would you repurchase?

Imagine that your Steam account (or whatever other type of video games collections you have) gets permanently and irreversibly erased. Which of the titles you used to have would you then buy again without any hesitation?

43 comments

  1. [3]
    Tiraon
    Link
    Zero. I would dedrm what I had on disk and could since I paid for it already, be sad about the rest and be significantly less likely to bother "purchasing" files containing drm. But hypotetically...

    Zero. I would dedrm what I had on disk and could since I paid for it already, be sad about the rest and be significantly less likely to bother "purchasing" files containing drm.

    But hypotetically games from indie developers that could presumably use the support:

    • Creeper World series
    • Titan Outpost
    • Colony Ship
    • Defender's Quest 2 (assuming it gets released and does not dissapoint)
    • and probably others
    30 votes
    1. [2]
      Pavouk106
      Link Parent
      Wow, I totally agreeon Creeper World. I didn't even think I would one day stumble upon someone who knows these games! CW3 is my most played game by hours, surpassing even games like Oblivion...

      Wow, I totally agreeon Creeper World. I didn't even think I would one day stumble upon someone who knows these games! CW3 is my most played game by hours, surpassing even games like Oblivion Witcher 3 and Age of Empires 2 on my Steam account.

      2 votes
      1. Bonooru
        Link Parent
        There are dozens of us! CW has been consistently fantastic. CW3 is a good one

        There are dozens of us! CW has been consistently fantastic. CW3 is a good one

        1 vote
  2. hamefang
    Link
    My personal picks: Dwarf Fortress Valheim Skyrim Oxygen Not Included Minecraft (Java Edition) Terraria Stardew Valley Shapez

    My personal picks:

    • Dwarf Fortress
    • Valheim
    • Skyrim
    • Oxygen Not Included
    • Minecraft (Java Edition)
    • Terraria
    • Stardew Valley
    • Shapez
    18 votes
  3. [5]
    Protected
    Link
    I already paid for all of this, so I'd pirate everything that's not DRM-free on GOG or humble, and procure all the installers for everything else (I do keep an external hard drive with the...

    I already paid for all of this, so I'd pirate everything that's not DRM-free on GOG or humble, and procure all the installers for everything else (I do keep an external hard drive with the installers of DRM-free games).

    If you're asking to learn what I "still play"/has replay value, there's little I'd need in the short term (that costs money), and therefore little I'd have to pirate immediately. Beat Saber is one, Tabletop Simulator another, maybe Age of Empires 2. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth? Some simulators, like Cities:Skylines? Stuff like that.

    17 votes
    1. [4]
      kingofsnake
      Link Parent
      Age 2 - an absolute necessity. That said, did they update AoE2DE to do LAN multiplayer like they did to AoE3DE? Having no access to the servers would kill my reason for playing

      Age 2 - an absolute necessity. That said, did they update AoE2DE to do LAN multiplayer like they did to AoE3DE?

      Having no access to the servers would kill my reason for playing

      1 vote
      1. [3]
        Protected
        Link Parent
        When you reference LAN and servers in the same paragraph I'm not entirely sure how you expect the setup to be (I don't play AoE3), but I believe the last time I played the person hosting invited...

        When you reference LAN and servers in the same paragraph I'm not entirely sure how you expect the setup to be (I don't play AoE3), but I believe the last time I played the person hosting invited people over Steam. Did they remove the original ability to connect via IP address at some point?

        1. [2]
          kingofsnake
          Link Parent
          I'm not entirely sure as I saw the option for a LAN match when we played, but our team only played via the online service. I'd have to take another look, but I thought it interesting that the...

          I'm not entirely sure as I saw the option for a LAN match when we played, but our team only played via the online service. I'd have to take another look, but I thought it interesting that the option existed after all these years.

          I learned that lots of Vietnamese play AoE2 and that a distinct Civ was created for a super niche community in Vietnam. Because AoE3 is hardly a popular game, I wonder if the decision to add LAN for for some ultra niche group of longtime players who demanded it.

          1. mayonuki
            Link Parent
            I believe AoE1 is the popular iteration in Vietnam. They did kind of add AoE1 to AoE2DE through a DLC and that had the added Vietnamese civ, Lac Viet.

            I believe AoE1 is the popular iteration in Vietnam. They did kind of add AoE1 to AoE2DE through a DLC and that had the added Vietnamese civ, Lac Viet.

            1 vote
  4. [3]
    ShamedSalmon
    Link
    Halo: Combat Evolved: I bought it for Xbox and a second copy for LANs, then again for the Anniversary in 2011, then MCC in 2014, then MCC in 2019. So what's one more time? The Elder Scrolls III:...
    • Halo: Combat Evolved: I bought it for Xbox and a second copy for LANs, then again for the Anniversary in 2011, then MCC in 2014, then MCC in 2019. So what's one more time?
    • The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind: I have also bought this for Xbox, then later on GoG, and then again on Xbox One Backwards Compatibility, for the nostalgia, but OpenMW is the future.
    • The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay: A third one I got on Xbox, then again in Assault on Dark Athena for 360, and finally on GoG over a decade ago when it was still available.
    • Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: I know, I know, there's a theme here, but it was such a great experience on Xbox that I couldn't help but buy it again on GoG.
    • Metal Gear Solid 2: I bought Substance back in the day for—you guessed it—Xbox, then I bought it again in the HD Collection, and once more when it came to GoG, but now I just use RPCS3 to emulate.
    • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2: I bought it for Xbox (starting to sound old). When I had a PSP, I used to play a homebrewed rip of it on the go. Now I emulate it on Xemu.
    • Half-Life: I fell deeply in love with this game and it's expansion packs. Of all the games on this list, it's the only one that I purchased just once, because my Platinum Pack CD keys were redeemable on Steam. Now I play through Xash3D FWGS.
    • Quake: I bought it on CD in the early 'oughts, then later on GoG through a sale. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat! Addicted to the sound of that Ironwail!
    • Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire: I had it on N64, then bought a copy on GoG when it arrived there. I'm hoping this game gets some good decompilation treatment as I'd love to play it with a controller again.
    • The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: Everybody remembers their first love, right? I bought the gold cart for N64, then when it came to 3DS some fourteen years ago, I bought one just to play it on the go. No regrets. If I had to buy it again just to play on Ship of Harkinian, I would.

    In light of this, it may come as little surprise that I also enjoy watching reruns, lol!

    10 votes
    1. [2]
      joeglen
      Link Parent
      I've already bought Morrowind 4 times (original on PC/CD; original+2 expansions on PC/CD; GOTY on Xbox; Steam), so what's it hurt to buy it a fifth time?

      I've already bought Morrowind 4 times (original on PC/CD; original+2 expansions on PC/CD; GOTY on Xbox; Steam), so what's it hurt to buy it a fifth time?

      1 vote
      1. ShamedSalmon
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        We make a special trip just for you, same low price!

        We make a special trip just for you, same low price!

        1 vote
  5. [2]
    NonoAdomo
    Link
    Factorio Monster Hunter: World (Probably replace with Wilds after that comes out) Kerbal Space Program Stellaris Helldivers 2 Not much, just games that I feel comfort playing. Now if we add on to...
    • Factorio
    • Monster Hunter: World (Probably replace with Wilds after that comes out)
    • Kerbal Space Program
    • Stellaris
    • Helldivers 2

    Not much, just games that I feel comfort playing. Now if we add on to my Switch, then we have:

    • Balatro
    • Slay the Spire
    • Pokemon (Pearl, Sword, Violet, in whatever order I feel like playing them again)

    PS5?

    • Armored Core 6
    7 votes
    1. dotdev
      Link Parent
      I'm sorry to inform you of this, but Balatro is on PC as well. Enjoy the grind again!

      I'm sorry to inform you of this, but Balatro is on PC as well. Enjoy the grind again!

  6. [6]
    JCPhoenix
    Link
    Minecraft, even though I haven't played in over a year. Hitman World of Assassination Rimworld Satisfactory Banished Timberborn FFXIV (all expansions) Eve Online, even though the client is free...
    • Minecraft, even though I haven't played in over a year.
    • Hitman World of Assassination
    • Rimworld
    • Satisfactory
    • Banished
    • Timberborn
    • FFXIV (all expansions)
    • Eve Online, even though the client is free and I haven't played in a year.
    • Planetside 2, even though the client is free and haven't played in over a year.
    • Stellaris
    • Final Fantasy XII, even though I have the original PS2 version, a Switch release, the PS4 release...
    • And a few other JRPGs that I haven't yet finished/started, which is a long list.

    Think that's where I'd start.

    6 votes
    1. evacuee4178
      Link Parent
      Timberborn is where it’s at!!

      Timberborn is where it’s at!!

      2 votes
    2. [2]
      Macha
      Link Parent
      Honestly if my FFXIV account went away, I'd be done The story I was hooked on was wrapped up in EW and redoing the story (especially arr, endwalker and dawntrail) would be a daunting enough...

      Honestly if my FFXIV account went away, I'd be done
      The story I was hooked on was wrapped up in EW and redoing the story (especially arr, endwalker and dawntrail) would be a daunting enough experience never mind unlocking and clearing all the random things like eureka etc. over the years. I don't have the time I did in 2014 - 2018 especially for MMOs.

      1 vote
      1. JCPhoenix
        Link Parent
        I wouldn't mind doing any of the expac content again, even if it would require a lot of time...but I would definitely buy the "skip ahead" thing for ARR. That is such a slog. It's like $10-20 and...

        I wouldn't mind doing any of the expac content again, even if it would require a lot of time...but I would definitely buy the "skip ahead" thing for ARR. That is such a slog. It's like $10-20 and gets the character to Lvl 60 and at the start of HW.

        But if that didn't exist, I'm with you. No way I'm doing ARR again. No thanks!

    3. [2]
      ThrowdoBaggins
      Link Parent
      Oh no, you’ve named pretty much all the ones I was going to, plus a few extras! That means you have good taste (from my perspective) and therefore I really should try the others that I was mostly...

      Oh no, you’ve named pretty much all the ones I was going to, plus a few extras! That means you have good taste (from my perspective) and therefore I really should try the others that I was mostly convincing myself that I could skip out on...

      Specifically, I haven’t played Hitman but I’ve enjoyed watching other people play it, and Timberborn was another one I was keeping an eye on but haven’t played yet. I guess I’ll pop them back on my Wishlist and pick them up when I have the money.

      I haven’t played Eve Online or FFXIV but I think Star Citizen and Elder Scrolls Online scratch those respective itches.

      The only ones that come to mind that you haven’t listed would be Terraria, Astroneer, and Eco. Maybe something like Just Cause (2 or 3) for silly mayhem, and FTL because it would be great fun to start over from nothing and unlock all those ships again.

      1 vote
      1. JCPhoenix
        Link Parent
        \o/ I love Hitman. I don't play a whole lot of action games, but when I do, I love stealth games. Hitman tops it, but the Splinter Cell series, and Deus Ex HR/MD are probably my favs. Though Deus...

        \o/

        I love Hitman. I don't play a whole lot of action games, but when I do, I love stealth games. Hitman tops it, but the Splinter Cell series, and Deus Ex HR/MD are probably my favs. Though Deus Ex doesn't have to played stealth.

        I have Terraria, but I've never played. And Astroneer has been on my wishlist for awhile now, just never pulled the trigger. I'll have to try both!

        FTL I have played and yeah it's a great one, basically the first roguelike I ever played, but I haven't played it in years. One game the reminds me of FTL that I did played in the last year, though it's a card-based game, is Cobalt Core. I also tried another called Crying Suns, which reminded of FTL, specifically because you really can't/shouldn't go backwards. Gotta collect resources and upgrade your ship and all that, but the combat is completely different. It's more RTS than anything.

  7. thereticent
    Link
    Answering for my kids (whose happiness is my happiness): Geometry Dash Celeste Minecraft Java Portal Portal 2 Cookie Clicker (the one I don't enjoy)

    Answering for my kids (whose happiness is my happiness):

    Geometry Dash
    Celeste
    Minecraft Java
    Portal
    Portal 2
    Cookie Clicker (the one I don't enjoy)

    5 votes
  8. Pavouk106
    Link
    Wow, that's a really good question! Games I would love to have in no particulate order (and not taking in inspiration from others, so I'm intentionally "forgetting" some I wouldn't come up with...

    Wow, that's a really good question!

    Games I would love to have in no particulate order (and not taking in inspiration from others, so I'm intentionally "forgetting" some I wouldn't come up with myself):

    • Jagged Alliance 2
    • OpenTTD (this is free)
    • Age of Empires 2
    • Morrowind
    • Final Fantasy X
    • OG GTA San Andreas
    • Gran Turismo 4 (if we count consoles)
    • NFS Underground 2
    • Half-Life 1
    • Conflict: Freespace (Descent: Freespace in US)
    • Zachtronics games (only puzzle/thinking ones)
    • FTL: Faster than light and Into the breach

    There are certainly others I would buy again, but these are the ones that immediately sprung into my mind.

    Oh! How could I forgot Stardew Valley! And Talos Principle! I would buy those two immediately!

    5 votes
  9. [5]
    X08
    (edited )
    Link
    I'll go with my all-time favorites starting in early childhood, since they hold the most emotional value to me, in no particular order (hopefully chronologically): Wacky Wheels - Combat Racing...

    I'll go with my all-time favorites starting in early childhood, since they hold the most emotional value to me, in no particular order (hopefully chronologically):

    5 votes
    1. [2]
      CptBluebear
      Link Parent
      I only ever owned the demo of Wacky Wheels. That didn't really bother me, I could play that game over and over and over. Occasionally there'd be an additional level available and I never could...

      I only ever owned the demo of Wacky Wheels. That didn't really bother me, I could play that game over and over and over. Occasionally there'd be an additional level available and I never could figure out what the trigger was for that level.

      1 vote
      1. X08
        Link Parent
        A nice extra challenge from what it sounds like! It was my very first boxed game my parents bought for me when I was like, 5 maybe. Glad you got to experience it, the music is forever stuck in my...

        A nice extra challenge from what it sounds like! It was my very first boxed game my parents bought for me when I was like, 5 maybe. Glad you got to experience it, the music is forever stuck in my mind ;D and the Youtube channel Jay Foreman/Mapmen occasionally uses it as background music which causes me a lot of guilty joy.

        1 vote
  10. DFGdanger
    Link
    I think I would just re-buy whenever I felt a strong desire to play one of them. There are a lot of games in my digital library that I love, and like the feeling of "owning" even if I don't play...

    I think I would just re-buy whenever I felt a strong desire to play one of them. There are a lot of games in my digital library that I love, and like the feeling of "owning" even if I don't play regularly, but I don't think I would immediately re-buy those games "without hesitation" if they were lost.

    So... probably Slay the Spire, Balatro, or Celeste would be the first one I'd get a craving for. Someone mentioned Halo MCC which I think would be another strong candidate, however it has been quite a while since I booted that one up. Along the same lines, maybe Duck Game.

    4 votes
  11. trim
    Link
    Dark Souls Dark Souls 2 Dark Souls 3 Bloodborne Elden Ring Monster Hunter 4U Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate Monster Hunter Rise Monster Hunter World Minecraft That's it, that's all I'd need.

    Dark Souls
    Dark Souls 2
    Dark Souls 3
    Bloodborne
    Elden Ring
    Monster Hunter 4U
    Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
    Monster Hunter Rise
    Monster Hunter World
    Minecraft

    That's it, that's all I'd need.

    3 votes
  12. moocow1452
    Link
    If I lost all access to my games libraries, I’d probably would revisit a lot of games through YouTube. I don’t actually play that many games anymore. More fun setting them up in my opinion.

    If I lost all access to my games libraries, I’d probably would revisit a lot of games through YouTube. I don’t actually play that many games anymore. More fun setting them up in my opinion.

    3 votes
  13. Wafik
    Link
    Probably just Total War Warhammer 3, because then I would have to buy all of the other games and DLC again to have everything. Small fortune, especially buying it all at once. I have over 990...

    Probably just Total War Warhammer 3, because then I would have to buy all of the other games and DLC again to have everything. Small fortune, especially buying it all at once.

    I have over 990 hours in as well as over 426 hours in the second game.

    I would want to get other games back eventually, or just pirate them. But the amount I have played these games... I guess I have a problem.

    3 votes
  14. herson
    Link
    Assuming you're only asking for digital games: Dark Souls 1 Dark Souls 3 Doom64 Elden Ring Half-Life 2 Metal Gear Rising1 Nier Replicant ver sqrt(1.5) SimCity4 Deluxe Yakuza 0 1: I have a physical...

    Assuming you're only asking for digital games:

    • Dark Souls 1
    • Dark Souls 3
    • Doom64
    • Elden Ring
    • Half-Life 2
    • Metal Gear Rising1
    • Nier Replicant ver sqrt(1.5)
    • SimCity4 Deluxe
    • Yakuza 0

    1: I have a physical copy for xbox, but I would prefer playing it on PC.

    3 votes
  15. 0xSim
    Link
    The Binding of Isaac. The perfect roguelite IMO, I've been playing it on and off since the original flash game, and I'll probably still play it in 20 years, even though I'm not a good player. Dead...
    • The Binding of Isaac. The perfect roguelite IMO, I've been playing it on and off since the original flash game, and I'll probably still play it in 20 years, even though I'm not a good player.
    • Dead Cells. Second best roguelite, but more skill-based.
    • Diablo 3, on the Switch. Diablo 3 is perfect at what it offers. It's just dumb fun, and it works offline and couch-coop on consoles.
    • Deep Rock Galactic. Probably the only multiplayer game I'd rebuy.
    • Pokemon SoulSilver (Nintendo DS). Peak Pokémon, I have the original cartridge. Doubt I'll play it again but Pokémon Silver is a very high point in my childhood gaming memories, and the DS remake still feels modern enough today.
    • Bloodborne (PS4). Probably won't ever launch it again either, but you can be sure I'll rebuy it in a heartbeat if a good port ever comes out on PC.

    There are other games I'd rebuy later, but if I had to give a list "rebuy now!", this is it.

    3 votes
  16. Rudism
    Link
    Probably just whatever game I was actively playing at the time and maybe whatever's next in my backlog (right now that would be Watch Dogs Legion and Red Dead Redemption 2 respectively). As much...

    Probably just whatever game I was actively playing at the time and maybe whatever's next in my backlog (right now that would be Watch Dogs Legion and Red Dead Redemption 2 respectively). As much as I like to think I will when I impulse buy during Steam sales I very rarely go back to games I've already finished with, so I don't think I could bring myself to buy any of that again.

    If Nintendo deleted my games library I'd just throw my Switch in the garbage and that would become the last console I ever bought.

    2 votes
  17. skybrian
    Link
    Probably just Ozymandius since I still play it sometimes.

    Probably just Ozymandius since I still play it sometimes.

    1 vote
  18. elight
    Link
    Rimworld Helldivers 2 Nova Drift (Itano circus of missiles makes me happy) Project Zomboid (yep, I'm sold on this crazy crazy "game" now) Noita Valheim Murder Simulator^H^H^HBlade & Sorcery...
    • Rimworld
    • Helldivers 2
    • Nova Drift (Itano circus of missiles makes me happy)
    • Project Zomboid (yep, I'm sold on this crazy crazy "game" now)
    • Noita
    • Valheim
    • Murder Simulator^H^H^HBlade & Sorcery
    • Homeworld Remastered (because the mods are amazing)
    1 vote
  19. teaearlgraycold
    Link
    I only really play two games, so them: Minecraft DayZ

    I only really play two games, so them:

    • Minecraft
    • DayZ
    1 vote
  20. Aran
    Link
    Scrolling down my Steam library and Nintendo eShop titles... I'm trying to curb my gaming time (not because it's a problem; just have upcoming life events) so I'd probably just want the games I...

    Scrolling down my Steam library and Nintendo eShop titles... I'm trying to curb my gaming time (not because it's a problem; just have upcoming life events) so I'd probably just want the games I occasionally pick up and get sucked into for a week or two, then drop (rinse and repeat after a few months). So that would be...

    • Factorio
    • Final Fantasy VII (my first non-handheld video game... I replay maybe once every few years)
    • Skyrim... nostalgia and I only play on the Switch
    • whichever Monster Hunter game I'm playing at the time (RN that would be Generations Ultimate)
    • Theathrythm Final Bar Line

    I'm sure there are a few farm sim or indie titles I'd rebuy just because of (usually) lower price tag and supporting the devs, like Stardew if I feel the itch (though I don't get that into it as often as the above)

    1 vote
  21. shu
    Link
    I would miss many games and remember them fondly, but there are only two I would have to own again: Factorio with DLC and Noita.

    I would miss many games and remember them fondly, but there are only two I would have to own again: Factorio with DLC and Noita.

    1 vote
  22. Pixlbabble
    Link
    Halo Master Chief Collection HL2 Assetto Corsa The 3 Batman Arkham Games Bioshock

    Halo Master Chief Collection
    HL2
    Assetto Corsa
    The 3 Batman Arkham Games
    Bioshock

    1 vote
  23. Starman2112
    (edited )
    Link
    I don't actually play most of the games I own. The only ones I would repurchase immediately would be Stardew Valley because I want to support my favorite dev, and Titanfall 2 because I want to...

    I don't actually play most of the games I own. The only ones I would repurchase immediately would be Stardew Valley because I want to support my favorite dev, and Titanfall 2 because I want to support my favorite game. After that, I would either buy or pirate anything I have a hankering to play

    FTL, Crypt of the Necrodancer, and KSP would probably be reobtained pretty quickly

    1 vote
  24. crulife
    Link
    At this point, I'd probably just drop the PC architecture and go for a Playstation or a Nintendo. Or I might stop gaming altogether. My vast Steam library is probably holding me as a kind of...

    At this point, I'd probably just drop the PC architecture and go for a Playstation or a Nintendo. Or I might stop gaming altogether. My vast Steam library is probably holding me as a kind of hostage right now.

    1 vote
  25. PossiblyBipedal
    Link
    I have only one. And that's Dragon Age Origins. It's the only game I've replayed over and over and wouldn't mind replaying again still.

    I have only one. And that's Dragon Age Origins. It's the only game I've replayed over and over and wouldn't mind replaying again still.

    1 vote