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Sometimes, intentions changes.  We all come into different expectations when we encounter various situations.  With games, we expect to make progress or just want to have fun or work on our personal skill in the games we play.  Maybe a speed run is what we look forward to or working on a Japanese game with a FAQ.  So what happens when all this intention goes out the window and we play a game that’s just smooth sailing?
 
Take in a run through Contra for example.  Even without the code, you memorize the patterns and level layouts.  More than often this happens in replays and going through Contra with the intention of just having a great retro time may results in a smooth play through without dying and using your favorite power up.  It’s nothing bad to go through a game like that.  Smooth sailing game play doesn’t bring you to much frustration.  It just shows how good you are at a game.
 
A lot of 2D games can be blown through in minutes or a hour while a FPS play through might come out to 5-8 hours or smaller if the difficulty level is set to your preference and you know great strategies to blast through the levels.  RPGs, regardless on it being linear or COP (Choose Own’s Path) design, you can get through it quickly because you know everything.  So the smooth sailing is set in unless you have inescapable cut scenes.
 
Like Okami for example.  Your first play through can be up to 40+ hours depending on what you do.  Yet, your replay can be shorter by skipping something and smooth sailing taking place.  Knowing that you never get tired of it, getting through a game without any problems makes the replay better or worse depending on the context you take in.
 
Smooth sailing of a game provides a nice flow.  It feels nice to get through a tough level you encountered when you first played it (excluding some of the sonic games).  I know for me, playing a game a second time feels more easier and when I play it straight, it feels like I am on cruise control until I finish it or I get to a stopping point.
 
So everyone.  Play a game with all thoughts put aside.  Let that remembering moment come a little into play and get through it.  Smooth sailing all the way.