[merylsilverburg]

Ooh, I hope my title didn't confuse anyone...

Anyway, I just wanted to ask everyone what game(s) they've played that they became so totally obsessed with. As in, what games made you so obsessed/addicted that when you take a break and go outside for a walk, for example, you thought you saw one of the characters hiding in the bushes () or something. Hehe, I hope at least someone experienced moments like these.

If you're still confused, here's my example:

Back in 1999/2000 when the Sega Dreamcast came out, I bought the game "Shenmue." I was so addicted/obsessed with this game that it literally had an effect on my mentality.

Close to the end of the game, Ryo has to take a bus and travel to the docks for his job. Now, since the game is so realistic, there were actual bus schedules to go by. If you missed the bus, you would have to wait for it to come around again (which took about a few hours in the game).

Well, the one time that the game really took a toll on me was when I was in high school. I was in Biology class and we were having a study hall/free time thing where everyone could either goof off or do work. I was sitting there, just doing some homework, feeling tired, when I looked up at the time and saw it was almost 11 AM (in the game, this was a time where the bus comes by). Seeing the time, I nearly had a heart attack - I was gonna miss the bus!!! I (seriously) nearly leaped outta my seat, ready to grab my bag, and run out the door! But then, I realized what just happened and I just sat there, laughing my ass off and feeling sheepish.

The same thing happened to my sister ('cause she was watching me play the whole game). She was at work and just waiting to take a customer's order, when she looked out the window and saw a bus drive by. She told me she freaked out and nearly ran out the door to run after the bus. Again, she realized what happened and she also laughed her ass off and felt so stupid.

Okay, so that's just one example from me. Now you guys.