It's been a heck of a week and the holidays don't seem like they're going to slow down anytime soon! But still, there's time for games.
What I've Finished:
Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru (Game Boy, 1992)
I have a proper write-up for this coming in the next week or so if the holidays don't end me. But for now, I'll say this: If any game deserves the word "Charming" thrown at it, it's this one.
Pokemon Gold (Game Boy Color, 2000)
Being my favorite Gen, I started replaying this a couple of weeks ago just to relive it. The music still holds such joy for me, and while it's definitely missing a ton of the quality of life features I would really enjoy later on, there's still enough here to really love. I had a bit of a fun moment when I realized the postgame in Kanto was not nearly as big as I remembered it being, but it was still a great trip down memory lane, either way.
Shadows Over Loathing (PC, 2022)
This surprised me last week with a sudden, out-of-nowhere drop and I basically binged it heavily all week whenever I had time with my PC or Steam Deck. If you enjoyed West of Loathing, this game is more of the same, but with 1920s gangsters and eldritch horrors than wild west and cowboy necromancers.
I absolutely enjoyed it, and it has what might be my favorite take on a stable time loop ever. I won't go into much detail due to spoilers, but I really enjoyed it, and was frustrated in the most fun possible way.
As easy RPGs go, this is probably one of the most genuinely funny series I can think of off the top of my head. I may do quickie write-up for it later, just to give the full shape of my enjoyment of it.
The Convenience Store (PC, 2020)
A tiny horror game by developer Chilla's Art (Who seems to make nothing but Tiny Horror Games and I quite appreciate that) that I played with an audience of discord friends who got to watch me freak out about the various happenings centered on a grainy, rainy night shift in a japanese convenience store. It will take up 1-2 hours of your time, depending on how many endings you want to go for. I recommend it! It was a great time. Scared me silly.
Spaceplan (Android, 2017)
I dove back into this clicker game because I recommended it to someone and I remembered how great the music was in it. It's an all around silly game that can be completed in a day or two rather than the infinite ascension most clicker games go with. I recommend giving it a try, it's fun!
Still Playing:
Final Fantasy XIV (PC, Ongoing)
The Sage-march came to a brief halt as I binged Shadows Over Loathing, but will resume again until I hit cap. Then I'll probably drag my Machinist up, next. After that? Who knows!
Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age (PC, 2020)
Still chewing slowly through this. Like FFXIV, this received the backburner treatment as I was throwing every hour I had in that slot at Shadows Over Loathing.
Paused But Not Forgotten:
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games (PC, 2017)
I ended up setting this down properly because I'm not sure I have the brainspace for something so cerebral right after its predecessor. But I want to return to it. When I have the brain for puzzles again.
Newly Begun:
Cookie Clicker (Android, 2020)
Now hear me out. I just need to get the clicking out of my system. Spaceplan reminded me how much fun and idle/clicker game is and I just. Gotta click some cookies, man. Just let me have this.
Yakuza 3: Remastered (PC, 2021)
So far I've loved the Yakuza series. I started with Zero (Fantastic place to begin), beat Kiwami 1, thoroughly loved Kiwami 2, and now I've decided I want to check out Yakuza 3. Since the remasters are all available on PC now, I just started it there. Right away, I can feel that this is a PS2-ass PS3 game. One of the ones that was handed the spec sheet for the next generation of console and went "Yeah, okay. Make it bigger and look better, but otherwise do the same thing." and knocked it out of the park. I'll have more thoughts on this later.
Stalker: Anomaly (PC, 2018)
#####Mod for Stalker: Call of Pripyat (PC, 2009) Every now and again I hear the siren song of lonely wandering in The Zone and I was passed along a recommendation to try Anomaly with the Old World addon. I've been finding it quite enjoyable to roam around, do some tasks, and overall just try to survive in The Zone. No game really scratches the itch of hiking through frightening wastes with only a sniper rifle for security.
Looking forward:
Dwarf Fortress (PC, December 2022)
DWARF DWARF DWARF DWARF HAIL TO THE KING BAYBEE
