The Backlog Check-in Vol. 350: 9/14/24: Final Fantasy XVI (PC)/God of War Ragnarok (PC)/Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (PS4)

[Phaseknox]

Played: Second Life

Finished: Nothing

Playing: ?

Added: Nothing

Games releasing this week
American Truck Simulator - Arkansas
Aura of Worlds
Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - Reforged
Bzzzt
Cricket: Jae’s Really Peculiar Game
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster
Dragon Spirits 2
Dros
Enotria: The Last Song
Everspace 2 - Titans
Fairy Tail: Beach Volleyball Havoc
Fera: The Sundered Tribes
Final Fantasy XVI
Frostpunk 2
Ginka
God of War Ragnarok
GT Manager 24
Hands of Necromancy II
Just a to the Moon Series Beach Episode
The Karate Kid: Street Rumble
Keylocker: Turn Based Cyberpunk Action
The Last Shot
Loddlenaut
Marko: Beyond Brave
Monument Valley: Panoramic Edition
Moonless Moon
No Case Should Remain Unsolved
The Plucky Squire
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown - Mask of Darkness
Sammy Jukes: Twin Lakes
Starstruck: Hands of Time
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Touhou Genso Wanderer: Foresight
Train Sim World 5
Train Yard Builder
UFO 50
WWE 2K24 DLC 4: Global Superstars Pack

[argyle]

Games added: Yars Rising

Last week: Finished Atlas Fallen (all achievements), played Cursed to Golf and Planet of Lana

This week:{/b] More of those last 2 - with Atlas out of the way, I can't imagine not finishing off Lana this week. After that, I'm not sure. I was thinking of picking one of my "spooky" games to play next since it's getting to be that season. But who knows.

Atlas was a very good AA game, enjoyable all the way to the end. Even had a reasonable final boss that didn't introduce brand new mechanics into the game and wasn't super hard for no reason. I have some small issues with the game, but the good definitely outweighs the bad.

Cursed to Golf is a very good 2D golf-puzzle game. I've had it for the Switch, but I snagged it for the PC from Amazon's free Prime games last week and figured it was a good game to play at work in my downtime. I was right, it's plays perfectly with mouse & keyboard and so far is a LOT of fun.

[isthatallyougot]

I finished Kaze and the Wild Masks 100%. There's a handful of achievements remaining that are related to speed running the levels and some other things I don't care too much about. But in terms of the game proper, it was *really* fun to 100%. I think you said you don't remember why you put it down argyle, but for me, it was a good time.

I also jumped back into my 2nd character in Morrowind. I still want to play that game even after so many hours and a completed run that was close to 200 hours, so it surely does something right. I've got some complaints, but if you enjoy the general ES formula (from IV & V), I see no reason why anyone wouldn't also find this compelling, assuming they can look past some of the jank and rough edges.

And I'm in year three of my Legend Bowl franchise. I beat the Chiefs 49-35 in a shootout in Super Bowl I and beat them again 32-7 in SBII. I'm really proud of how my defense played in that one. I held the Chiefs to a single first down, 50 yards of total offense and the only touchdown I gave up was on a kick return. I started on the default difficulty (PRO) for season 1 and for year 2 I bumped it up to "Veteran". I was 14-2 in year one and even better @ 15-1 in year two. This season I bumped it up to "Superstar" difficulty, and I'm 8-0 and #1 in the power rankings. The only difficulty past this is "Legend", and if I win my third consecutive title this season, I'll bump up the challenge to the max. I don't think it's an "easy" game to be clear, but for an experienced NFL / sports gamer, you might need the maximum challenge. It's looking that way for me. The one thing I *LOVE* is that this game DOES NOT CHEAT to make up for programming deficiencies and/or artificial challenge, ahem Madden, ahem. The fundamental are *SO* solid, and it has no qualms about allowing the player to read defenses pre-snap and adjust to what the computer is doing. It's not going to pull any funny business during plays, and I really respect that approach.

[jfissel]

Finished: Nothing

Now Playing: Astro Bot, Layton's Mystery Journey (3DS)

Added to Backlog: Nothing

Current Backlog: 44 games

Made a lot of progress in Astro Bot. And I am glad I didn't have one of the levels spoiled for me - it was such a great callback to a series that doesn't get talked about much anymore.

[argyle]

I finished Kaze and the Wild Masks 100%. There's a handful of achievements remaining that are related to speed running the levels and some other things I don't care too much about. But in terms of the game proper, it was *really* fun to 100%. I think you said you don't remember why you put it down argyle, but for me, it was a good time.

Oh it was definitely fun, I probably just got sidetracked by something - it happens.

J, I saw a video that I think probably showed the game level you're talking about - the

DisplayCollapse view

Ape Escape

level? That did look really cool.

[crimson_tide]

Hey. School just ended for the day. Taking a minute. Hope all's well friends! Also, why is Jedi Survivor on PS4? That's weird. Anyway...

Played: Exclusively Hi FI Rush on the Steam Deck. I loved it until I didn't. Goddamn Korsica and her bull**** ...still mostly enjoying it aside from stupid Korsica existing. It is the most PS2 game in years by far!

Beat: Stupid Korsica. Who is stupid.

Bought: Nothing. The school year has started in earnest this time so I am already grading and preparing for testing and the whole shebang from the word go. The kiddo and I have not made it to MVC Collection. Yet. We'll get there.

I am going to get at least some focus on this Steam Deck backlog. So I am just sticking with one game. Right now it's Hi Fi Rush. I really do like it but it's starting to feel a bit ready for it to end. Mostly because Chai is just really stupid and the gag has worn way too thin. Oh and Korsica can suck the fattest part or my ass and choke on it.

I wanted to finish off the Mega Man classic games but the Legacy Collection 2 refuses to boot on my Steam Deck which is a real bummer. I might start the X games after I finish Hi FI Rush and try to get back to SMT3 (got frustrated with the structure izzy and needed to try something different but going back in soon )

[jfissel]

J, I saw a video that I think probably showed the game level you're talking about - the

DisplayCollapse view

Ape Escape

level? That did look really cool.

That one was fantastic, but it's not the one I'm talking about. There are 5 extra special levels, one at the at the end of each world.

[argyle]

That one was fantastic, but it's not the one I'm talking about. There are 5 extra special levels, one at the at the end of each world.

Ah, that's really cool - I'm curious what the one is you're referring to now.

I finished Planet of Lana last night - amazing game all the way through. Highly recommended, definitely has that Ueda vibe. I hope they release it physically, it's one I would really like to own. A very special game.

So now other than Cursed to Golf, my plate is basically clear. Gotta decide what to start next - I'm thinking maybe something short-ish, one of the many in my Switch backlog perhaps. A ton of candidates there.

[jfissel]

The Astro Bot platinum is in the books! I did not think it was going to work out since some of the challenge levels are very difficult...including the very last one where they throw everything at you in a much longer level than the other ones. Took me at least an hour to beat with many attempts getting about 90% of the way.

[canedaddy]

Astro Bot makes me REALLY WANT a PS5.



Played recently: Outriders DLC, We Love Katamari REROLL

Finished: Outriders DLC

Added to backlog: Dying Light, Owlboy, Castlevania Anniversary Collection, Tom Clancy's The Division, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, We Love Katamari REROLL

Current backlog: 46


I finally did manage to beat Outsiders and the DLC solo. That game really hit the spot. Highly recommended for the looter shooter inclined.

I couldn't decide what to play next and had Katamari sitting there so I had to jump in. Perfect palate cleanser game and great lift for those who are in a funk (not that that applies to any of you ).