This game is not like riding a bike

[Wayward Vagabond]

I'll never be as good as I was when I quit. I'm not even half as good as I use to be. I'm sorry to say but you're doomed to blow balls at this game from now to forever

[Ryusei_]

I remember when I didn't suck at this game.

RIP

[woker-X]

Did you start using the R^3 engine?? I sucked at that engine when I first used it because it needs some configuration.
I still prefer Velocity engine to improve scores, and R^3 for MP.

[rushyrulz]

Originally Posted by Ryusei_

I remember when I didn't suck at this game.

RIP

Now there's a username I haven't seen in a while...

[Ryusei_]

Originally Posted by rushyrulz

Now there's a username I haven't seen in a while...

I come back every so often to check on things and remind myself that my fingers are too fat and lazy now to play like I used to.

[Untimely Friction]

In terms of bikes, when I dont ride a long time my balance takes a while, I turn like an idiot, and I cant ride no handed to carry shit easier, my bike riding skill is diminished until I practise a bit, but I can still ride the bike, and aim to exceed my past achievements and skills.

In terms of FFR/4K when I dont play a long time my PA falls off, my speed and control are usually wonky as hell, and I have no stamina to play shit easier, my keysmashing skill is diminished, but I can still play the keys, and aim to exceed my past achievements and skills.

I wholly believe due to the mechanics of muscle memory FFR and bike riding are rather comprable in terms of skill deterioration. Except riding a bike requires less of it so you get it back that bit faster, FFR is a repetitive motion in a wide variety of patterns. Pedaling is a muscle memory, maintaining balance is a muscle memory, and its also a stamina intensive activity that I can do longer after practise.

tl;dr you're underestimating the keysmash and not trying to get back into it for a long enough duration, and if your excuse is "I cant play as much as I used to" well as a result you WILL PLAY LESS, hiergo less practise less skill return, you all quit too fucking fast.

[drizzleRomanceGirl]

ugh when i lost my skill level from not playing for awhile, i couldn't stand playing worse than i used to when i really like the activity, so i usually play for three hours or more every day until i get better and better

usually by three-four weeks i'm at least as good as i was and sometimes better

it's probably easier to get back to your old skill level if you don't think about getting back to your old skill level and just try to have fun and try to play what is hard but not too hard

also maybe try to remember what you used to think of and do when you were at your old skill level

[drizzleRomanceGirl]

also it might help to set goals for yourself like unlocking skill tokens or trying to get a good score on a song you love

[Callipygian]

I just signed in after many many months of not playing. I'm always amazed at how quickly muscle memory kicks in again. Of course, after only 30 minutes, I still sucked, but it's enjoyable to watch me go from 15+ goods on a low 40s song to pretty much AAAing it and near-SDG'ing low 60s in just a short session after such a long break.

I agree with what some of you have said before, that the gratification of palpable skill increase is harder to reach once you (re-)attain a certain level. For me, that's one of the reasons why I tend to quit after having stabilized at my peak level for a while.