Not long. For the typical modern game that lasts hours on end, I might give it an hour or two. If I find it mechanically frustrating or it otherwise doesn't click with me, I'm not going to continue with it.
For example, Mass Effect was obviously well-received by most, but I personally couldn't get into it. The combat just felt clunky and generally not fun. The world itself looked great, the story seemed like it could be interesting, but I just wasn't having fun, and that fun factor, which for me derives almost entirely from gameplay, is the most important part of a game. I have an online friend who raves about how great ME is, and I finally played it after he badgered me about it enough, but after I told him I dropped it because it bored me, he said something along the lines of "Once you get your level high enough it plays a lot better." Sorry, but I'm not going to go through an entire RPG just because it might finally start getting good 20 hours in. I just don't have the patience.
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In accordance to the VGC forum rules, §8.5, I hereby exercise my right to demand to be left alone regarding the subject of the effects of the pandemic on video game sales (i.e., "COVID bump").
