The Backlog Check-In Vol. 462: 11/7/26: Football Manager 27 Edition

[jfissel]

Casualties: Unknown (PC) – November 9
Dreadmoor (Early Access) (PC) – November 9
Neo Junk City (PC) – November 9
Ashes of the Singularity 2 (PC) – November 10
Australia Did It: End-of-the-World Railway Defense Business (PC) – November 10
Football Manager 27 (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, iOS, Android) – November 10
Hard West 2 (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S) – November 10
Hillthorn (Switch, PC, Android) – November 10
Just Dance: Decades of Hits (Switch 2) – November 10
Nocturnal 2 (PC) – November 10
Raccoin (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2) – November 10
Shrek 2 Remastered (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch, PC) – November 10
Super Monkey Ball Triple Pack (Switch) – November 10
Tanuki: Pon’s Summer (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch, PC) – November 10
The House Dreams Along With Them (PC) – November 10
Vampire: The Masquerade – Oaths and Ashes (PC) – November 10
Warhammer Survivors (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, Switch, PC, iOS, Android) – November 10
Castlebound (Switch 2, Switch, PC) – November 11
Hope in the City (Xbox Series X/S, PC) – November 11
Prinny Party: Going Overboard! (PlayStation 5, Switch 2, Switch, PC) – November 11
Springs, Eternal (PC) – November 11
Wall World Strategy (PC) – November 11
9 Kings (PC) – November 12
Barbie Rewind (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch 2, Switch, PC) – November 12
Fakin' It XL (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – November 12
Fat Goblins (PC) – November 12
Harold Halibut (Switch 2) – November 12
Hazard Level (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – November 12
Metaphor: ReFantazio (Switch 2) – November 12
Moomin: Midsummer Madness (Switch 2, Switch, PC) – November 12
Noble Fates (PC) – November 12
Pikmin 4 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy (Switch 2) – November 12
Shadow of the Road (PC) – November 12
Sonic Pico Park (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch, PC) – November 12
Amazing Slot Survivor (PC) – November 13
Derelikt (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) – November 13
Drawquarium (PC) – November 13


Finished: Nothing

Now Playing: God of War Ragnarok - Valhalla DLC

Added to Backlog: Nothing

Current Backlog: 34 games

Valhalla isn't my fav setup, but I'll probably go a little further. Hard to get back into a game where all the moves are unlocked and you're trying to remember the combat specifics. It's different when you gradually learn skills over time playing the game as things feel more natural and you have time to understand everything.

[canedaddy]

A lot of games this week. Pretty sure you made up half of them.


Played recently: Once Upon a Katamari

Finished: nothing

Added to backlog: nothing

I'm really enjoying the time I've had so far with the latest Katamari, but it seems like my gaming time is drying up. I used to stay up late, but that gets harder when you're old. Maybe I've hit the wall and it's over??

[isthatallyougot]

I'm really enjoying the time I've had so far with the latest Katamari, but it seems like my gaming time is drying up. I used to stay up late, but that gets harder when you're old. Maybe I've hit the wall and it's over??

It's funny because I was just recently thinking about how gaming (& life) patterns change over time. This thought arose because of how much I've fixated on OOTP over the past few years. Even though I played it a ton prior, it didn't consume most of my gaming time for such a lengthy stretch. And then I thought how I used to play much more cutting edge stuff and gradually began to be more focused on low-fidelity and older titles; and how I shifted from exclusively console to exclusively PC. And I used to read and comment on message boards other than this one, and I haven't really done that in ages either. Getting old comes with all sorts of changes, I guess. I should make time for some more variety on my gaming plate, and I have played a fair bit of different titles this year, but not like in the past. I guess as long as you're having fun, it doesn't really matter though. I feel no angst about not being *current*, but I do miss the variety when I get sort of stuck. And I have no problem staying up late, generally, but I have taken a couple of naps this weekend, lol. That's unusual for me, but man did they feel so good. I just died to the world and woke up like a newborn, ha.

[jfissel]

A lot of games this week. Pretty sure you made up half of them.


Played recently: Once Upon a Katamari

Finished: nothing

Added to backlog: nothing

I'm really enjoying the time I've had so far with the latest Katamari, but it seems like my gaming time is drying up. I used to stay up late, but that gets harder when you're old. Maybe I've hit the wall and it's over??

Titles this week are clearing the way for the big one next week.

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no, and it ain't over now.

[canedaddy]

I guess as long as you're having fun, it doesn't really matter though.

Yeah, I've come to terms with that. If I play a lot less and find myself rolling katamaris in the Wild West while everyone else is playing Zelda and GTA VI, it's all good.

And I have no problem staying up late, generally, but I have taken a couple of naps this weekend, lol. That's unusual for me, but man did they feel so good. I just died to the world and woke up like a newborn, ha.

I detest naps. They always make me feel horrible the rest of the day.

Titles this week are clearing the way for the big one next week.

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no, and it ain't over now.

[isthatallyougot]

J. your title highlighting Football Manager reminds me that it is a series I really want to get into as well. I've got the 2013 version in my backlog, and like most all sports management sims, you're fine playing an older version most of the time. I've only dabbled a little in it, though, because I'm afraid it will become like my OOTP obsession. I can't have TWO such obsessions, ha! I also have Pro Strategy Football 2023 in my backlog, another sports management sim that would engulf me.



What I really love about this one is that you can design your own plays - something Madden had briefly in the ps1 days. (I don't think they ever brought that feature back?) So if you're one of those X's and O's chalkboard guys like I am, you can really get into the strategic depths and be a mad scientist. And of course there are tons of mods that allow you to play with real teams and players, present and past.

[jfissel]

J. your title highlighting Football Manager reminds me that it is a series I really want to get into as well. I've got the 2013 version in my backlog, and like most all sports management sims, you're fine playing an older version most of the time. I've only dabbled a little in it, though, because I'm afraid it will become like my OOTP obsession. I can't have TWO such obsessions, ha! I also have Pro Strategy Football 2023 in my backlog, another sports management sim that would engulf me.

What I really love about this one is that you can design your own plays - something Madden had briefly in the ps1 days. (I don't think they ever brought that feature back?) So if you're one of those X's and O's chalkboard guys like I am, you can really get into the strategic depths and be a mad scientist. And of course there are tons of mods that allow you to play with real teams and players, present and past.

The manager games are interesting, I just don't know if I'm the audience for them. I can definitely see why they have followings though.

[argyle]

Games added: Nothing, I think

Last week: Hrm. Trying to remember last week. I know I played Balatro and a little Crimson Desert, but I don't think I'm in the mood to dive back into something that big again right now. Fired up Bloodstained again, and I'm playing that now.

This week: So yeah, Balatro and Bloodstained.

We're moving off of one of our campuses, and it's a nightmare. I don't think the powers that be around here have ever even heard the word "planning." Thankfully, tomorrow is a holiday.

[isthatallyougot]

The manager games are interesting, I just don't know if I'm the audience for them. I can definitely see why they have followings though.

Yeah j, I think it's a genre that either generates fanatical passion or indifference - not much in the way of between states. Not everyone finds playing what amounts to spreadsheets with some sizzle that interesting. I get the disconnect for those who find the appeal lacking. One of the positives for the aging demographic is the fact that the need for hand-eye coordination is eliminated. I still love twitch games, but genres like this allow for continued engagement with the hobby for those who can no longer do the finger gymnastics. Of course there are other suitable genres too, like turn-based RPGs, visual novels, etc.