Beyond this point lie the sentimental rantings of a crazed gamer. Some very minor poilers, as well. Be warned.

Tales of Symphonia.

I first bought the game new, at... Gamestop I think it was, many years ago, 200....5, I think. I played the game, and enjoyed it immensely, but, well, I was young, and kind of an immature dumbass back then, I admit and I didn't understand much of the plot. I got to a certain point, I think it was the Toize valley mines, and got stuck at the wall boss. I was underleveled and such. My motivation to play the game was killed, and it got shelved. For many years.

Fast-forward to 2012. I was dusting off one of my video game shelves, when I see Tales of Symphonia. Now, I'd thought back to wanting to beat the game several times, but never got around to it. Always had something taking up my time, didn't want to get involved in a plot-heavy RPG at the moment. But this time, I decided I could finish it. I mean, I'm 20 now, I'm an adult. So, I started the game, and started a new save.

The whole game... seemed different as an adult. I understood the game better, the plot, the mechanics. I started playing, and loved the game. I had to finish it. So I kept playing, and finally, at around 12:40 AM, September 15, 2012, I finally beat it.

The story... as an adult, I understand it. I mean, sure, I could have finished it back then had I had the patience, but I'm happy I finished it as an adult. Being more mature, I was able to enjoy the game more, and it just... felt better. I mean, now, it feels like a chapter of my childhood that had been interrupted has finally ended.

Now, I know may sound like I'm taking this way too seriously, but honestly, I don't think I am. I'm going to look at this philosophically. Finishing this game that frustrated me as a child has shown me that as a person, I've come far. I always bash myself for being stupid all the time, but... I did something I couldn't do years ago. That means I've at least gotten smarter, right?