Unfurl

26 December 2023 | S23E15-E26
So I have been lazy with updates, especially with endless games I’ve played a lot in-between all the story games, but never marked as beaten/completed, or games I’ve replayed throughout the year. Now that the New Year is almost here, I thought an update is finally due. Well there they are, in no particular order, thanks for Steam’s year in review for reminding me what I’ve played…

Half-Life 2

Hades

Outstanding
45.0 hours
16 of 49 achievements

An absolutely fantastic game, it renewed my interest in rogue-like games (I don't recall which game made this interest wither away). I was very late to the Hades-hype-train and yet I am very glad I jumped on it in the end.

Half-Life 2

The Oregon Trail

Acceptable
9.3 hours
14 of 83 achievements

I have never played the original and was always interested due to multiple media references to the game (e.g., B99). Can't say this remake was fantastic but it was fun, I'm looking forward to playing it more somewhere down the line.

Half-Life 2
Replay / Humble Monthly/Choice

Spellcaster University

Exceeds Expectations (unchanged)
40.8 hours
19 of 20 achievements

I decided to replay this for an achievement which only unlocks if you play it on a specific day…never finished the walkthrough on that high difficulty, as I recall I'm at the very end of it…might fire it up to complete it fully :)

Half-Life 2
Humble Monthly/Choice

House Flipper

Exceeds Expectations
25.1 hours
5 of 86 achievements

This is my ultimate "I'm too stressed after work but want to play something nonetheless" game. There's something about painting walls and vacuuming cockroaches that I find soothing.

Half-Life 2
Humble Monthly/Choice

Surviving Mars

Exceeds Expectations
98.6 hours
22 of 80 achievements
Half-Life 2

Against the Storm

Outstanding
109.7 hours
32 of 59 achievements

Recently out of early access, an absolutely FANTASTIC game. It has everything I like, maybe aside from a tragic story (although it has a tiny bit of that too). A rogue-like city-builder strategy game…what's not to like.

Half-Life 2

The Tenants

Acceptable
31.7 hours
50 of 86 achievements
Half-Life 2

Cartel Tycoon

Exceeds Expectations
40.3 hours
no achievements

I thoroughly suck at this game yet I really like it. I don't know why I dropped it, will probably come back to it in no time…

Half-Life 2
Humble Monthly/Choice

Before We Leave

Outstanding
59.3 hours
25 of 56 achievements

A game where an Excel sheet is required to keep track of stuff, and I love those.

Half-Life 2
New DLC / Humble Monthly/Choice

Surviving the Aftermath

Acceptable (unchanged)
266.5 hours
72 of 74 achievements
Half-Life 2
Humble Monthly/Choice

Stellaris

Outstanding
135.7 hours
47 of 174 achievements

This game…what the hell. I remember multiple friends recommending it to me and I never picked it up until this year, and wow, it's stellar (I'll see myself out)! Should I also start watching TV series my friends recommended me?

Half-Life 2
Replay / New DLC

Cyberpunk 2077

Outstanding (unchanged)
418.2 hours
52 of 57 achievements

Last but not the least, my lovely Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty. That DLC was…wow. I was then obsessed with the game once again, finishing it again with all the endings but slightly different build, and I'll do it again. Couple years back CP77 removed its brother Geralt from my No. 1 game spot and I doubt any other game will top it soon.

skanda

Should I also start watching TV series my friends recommended me?

Only if they’re recommending The Expanse.