Guides & Cheats
There are only a few life experiences as bittersweet as losing a game when you’re so close to winning. That instant between success and failure in which accomplishment seems so near yet so far and a storm of feelings ensues; frustration, let down, and maybe a little bit of motivation. This is especially soul-crushing if you lost the game by a hair’s breadth. This guide discusses the psychology of near wins to explain these emotional responses and motivational drives.
The Psychology and Emotion of a Near Win
Near wins are uniquely soul crushing because they magnify the loss. When we almost win but don’t, it can be very disappointing. This is because we feel like we were so close to succeeding. Unlike when we clearly lose from the start, almost winning makes us feel like we could have done it if we had just tried a bit harder. This makes us feel frustrated and sometimes even angry.
Why We Get Angry When We Almost Win
The frustration-aggression hypothesis explains why near wins make us angry. According to this theory, when we can’t achieve a goal, we inevitably become frustrated and aggressive. This can show up in gaming situations as resentment towards yourself for having played poorly or resentment towards the game for being unfair. For example, losing a vital jump in Cuphead, or dying at the hands of a Dark Souls boss after hours spent grinding the same path, invokes a feeling of helplessness and rage.
The odd part is that all frustration does not lead to aggression. Revising the hypothesis, Leonard Berkowitz hypothesized that it is strong displeasure that sets into motion aggressive impulses. If that failure seems intentional or socially unacceptable (for instance, being unable to make a play due to a glitch), the emotional response becomes amplified.
Do Near-wins Boost Motivation?
Near wins make us angry, and that is true, yet they can also light a fire of motivation. Studies show that if we come close to succeeding at something, it makes us even more motivated to succeed the next time. That happens because near wins activate our motivational energy without gratifying it, which forces us to go after other rewards. For example, if someone loses a close match in a competitive game, he or she may be more driven to practice better skills or take on greater challenges.
This injection of motivation shines a light on the paradoxical nature of near wins; they can be at once demoralizing and motivating. I have actually felt this duality myself when playing hard games such as Cuphead. When I get my butt kicked by a boss, I kind of play better the next time around.
Games Known for “Near-Win” Moments
There are some games out there that are infamous for making players think they are very close to victory just to have it cruelly ripped from their grasp. These moments are built to test the temper of players and their limits.
Cuphead
Studio MDHR’s Cuphead is a game known for its tough and unforgiving gameplay. It challenges players with fast-paced action and a steep learning curve, where even the smallest mistake can lead to failure. Many players experience moments where they are close to defeating a boss but lose due to one wrong move. This can be particularly frustrating because the game forces players to start the entire level over after failing.
What makes Cuphead unique is its ability to turn frustration into motivation. Each defeat teaches players valuable lessons about enemy patterns and strategies, encouraging them to refine their skills. Personally, I’ve found that while losing in Cuphead can be maddening, the eventual victory feels incredibly rewarding—a testament to the game’s clever design. Even when you lose the game multiple times, the lessons learned from those attempts can be invaluable.
Dark Souls
Dark Souls from FromSoftware is also popular for near-win moments. Unlike Cuphead, where you start over the instant you fail, Dark Souls offers a chance to continue the journey to fight for, “another day.” But that chance comes at a high price; such as lost progress or resources. It will make players feel almost capable of taking down bosses or clearing challenges, but the game makes sure they will sometimes come a bit short.
But what makes Dark Souls stand out is its need for strategy and patience. Success comes from wise observation and planning rather than through brute power. I so frequently replay the same parts of Dark Souls, thinking I can do it with just a little more effort.
Competitive Games
Online multiplayer competitive games such as League of Legends, Overwatch, and battle royale games also generate a high number of near-misses. For example:
- It is heartbreaking to lose a League of Legends game after effectively winning all game until a single team fight.
- Since victory was one kill away, it hits extra hard when being eliminated as the second-last player in battle royale games like Fortnite.
Such games increase the emotional stakes by having humans who are much less predictable than AI as opponents.
What Makes a Near-win More Demoralizing Than a Loss
Outright losses are often easier to endure because there is little room for hope or expectation. However, the problem with near wins is that they generate a false sense of power over situations—they cause failure to sound like a personal shortcoming rather than an inevitable outcome.
Perception of Control
Players tend to put the blame on themselves for losing after being so close to winning, balming themselves from missing a few opportunities. The perception of control amplifies guilt and self-blame. For instance:
- Players might replay the moment over and over in their heads as they missed a final shot in a sports simulation game.
Another example is Cuphead. This game has situations where players might wonder if their timing was wrong, or if they chose the wrong moves.
In both cases, the feeling that you lost the game due to a personal mistake can be particularly disheartening.
Heightened Emotional Investment
Near wins also evoke stronger emotional responses because they represent missed opportunities rather than outright failures. The closer we come to achieving something, the more invested we become emotionally—making loss harder to accept.
How Players Cope with Near Wins
Coping with near wins requires resilience and perspective. Here are some strategies I’ve found helpful:
- Focus on Improvement: Viewing near wins as learning opportunities rather than failures can help shift your mindset from frustration to growth.
- Take Breaks: Stepping away from a game after repeated losses can prevent burnout and allow you to return with renewed focus.
- Celebrate Small Victories: Acknowledging progress—even if it doesn’t lead to immediate success—can boost morale and motivation.
This mindset is crucial when you lose the game but still manage to achieve something significant.
Conclusion
Losing after coming close to victory is an experience that resonates deeply with gamers and non-gamers alike. Whether it’s missing out on a promotion at work or falling short in a competitive match, near wins challenge us emotionally and psychologically. They test our resilience while offering opportunities for growth and motivation.
Games like Cuphead and Dark Souls exemplify how near-win moments can be both maddening and rewarding. By pushing players to their limits, these games teach valuable lessons about perseverance and self-improvement—lessons that extend far beyond gaming into everyday life.
Ultimately, while near wins may sting at the moment, they remind us that success is rarely linear—and that every setback brings us closer to achieving our goals.
Discover how football VR games can improve performance. And don”t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest guides.
Sources:
- www.psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/antisocial-behavior/frustration-aggression-hypothesis/
- www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/narrow-misses-can-propel-us-toward-other-rewards-and-goals.html
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5663799/
- www.sabr.org/journal/article/recorded-games-of-frustration-win-expectancy-and-the-boston-red-sox/
All images are AI generated with canva.com
If you are a games' lover and have writing skills, you can share your articles with us and we will publish them in our blog https://vgamerz.com