August: A Second Chance
It’s time to give some games from our backlogs a second chance.
The main emphasis is on games we’ve put on our Won’t Play lists - try going through that list again and see if you’ve changed your mind about any of those games. Are you willing to give any of them another chance at impressing you? If you’re not sure if any of those games are worthy of your time you can always ask other assassins for advice on what to play!
If your Won’t Play list contains a small number of games, you can participate by playing games from the Unfinished category that you’ve abandoned more than 2 months ago.
To participate, reply to this post and tell us which games that fit the monthly theme you’re going to play. You can also post a link to your Won’t Play list and have other members of the website offer their thoughts on which games would be deserving of your time.
Please use the following (or similar) format to make it easier for me to keep track of everyone’s progress, but feel free to add any extra thoughts about the game(s) to your post!
name of game 1 | achievements obtained | playtime this month | unfinished/finished
name of game 2 | achievements obtained | playtime this month | unfinished/finished
name of game 3 | achievements obtained | playtime this month | unfinished/finished
total: | achievements obtained | playtime this month | Number of games finished
Have fun!
Challenge me
The newest edition of the monthly Challenge Me is available here: click.
FAQ
Do I have to participate in this month’s theme?
No, as with every theme, these are merely suggestions for anyone who is unsure about what to play next. If you already have a battle plan for your backlog and/or don’t like this month’s theme, you’re free to ignore it.
What happens if I don’t participate in the monthly theme?
Nothing.
What happens if I play all of my unfinished games this month?
Your backlog will be a much smaller place.
I don’t have any unfinished games - I’ve beaten everything I’ve started.
Really? well that makes one of us… I salute you.
I already finished my entry can I play another?
Go ahead - the goal is to reduce your unfinished games list. The more you can play the better.
I’ve nearly beaten a game can I still use it as my entry?
Of course!
Skanda you buli
I just want you to play some of the awesome games you tried abandoning in a cardboard box in a forest! Is that too much to ask? :sab
I went on to stalk your lists. It was a mistake.
Borderlands 2
Why must you hurt me like this?
https://www.backlog-assassins.net/comments/p3a3lw8
:sob:
I don’t like FPS games either, but Borderlands 2 is great, especially if you have someone to play it with. EXCUSES
Go try subnautica, you monster!
I, too, will probably mostly do unfinished. I recently went through my “Won’t Play” so it’s pretty up to date and I can’t play for a reason/half of them are alt versions. Though the biggest one that shouts to me that I should try is Bad Rats shudders. Also Crazy Taxi was a bad port, but I just searched up some mods that seemed to fix some of the issues, so might give that one a go too as it looks fun.
Yep, Crazy Taxi was the only Won’t Play and the rest were Unfinished - even if zero achievements I’d played them for at least one hour previously. Overall I enjoyed what I played and am happy to have finally gotten back to a few of these which I’d been meaning to continue on since foreeever (cough Life is Strange cough).
| Game | Achievements | Hours Played | Status |
| Dead by Daylight | 18/107 [+17] | 26.9 hrs | Multiplayer / “Beaten” |
| Crazy Taxi | 5/12 [+5] | 2.8 hrs | Beaten |
| Puzzler World | 14/14 [+14] | 2.6 hrs | Completed |
| Hidden Folks | 6/6 [+4] | 1.8 hrs | Completed |
| Life is Strange | 60/60 [+18] | 4.5 hrs | Completed |
| Poker Night 2 | 9/18 [+3] | 1.5 hrs | Currently Playing |
| Total: | +68 | 40.1 Hours | 5 Finished |
This is a very good ‘tough love’ monthly theme - it’s hard, but necessary to REALLY help clear your backlog.
I’ll have to think about how much I’ll participate - maybe a game or two. I’m pretty stubborn when it comes to games I don’t want to play! If I don’t like it, I’m donezo
Last month. Didn’t really finish anything, but progress is made. :3
My Won’t Play list mostly consists of horror games……which I really really don’t want to play. blank eyes stare
But well, I mean, hmm……maybe I could give it a try? ;-;
Perhaps start with DISTRAINT since I am contemplating on playing it and it is a horror game that I used to just throw to the Won’t Play list and shout NOPE.
| Game | Achievements | Playtime | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| DISTRAINT: Deluxe Edition | 16/16 | 2 hours | 100% completed |
| Total: | 16 | 2 hours | 1 |
I recommend The Last Door from your won’t play. I just finished it and fair warning, it had a few jumpscares but other than that it’s a really solid P&C ;)
Well, when I read your review I was like: welp, glad I didn’t play it.
But I mean, I mean, idk. ;-; This monthly is hard man.
By a few jumpscares, like, how few do you mean? And on a scale of 10 how scary is the game?
I might consider it if I didn’t get too spooked out after playing DISTRAINT, but we’ll see……
Well depends on your scary scale. For me it was like a 6 or 7, but Puzzle Agent is a zero, and you found it scary, right?
I think there was like 4 or 5 maximum, and i’m really really bad with jumpscares.
Yeah, I found it quite scary. Maybe a 3 to 4 if you’re marking it on a scale of 10, since I think it’s unwise of me to play and finish it at night so it turned out scarier. ^^;
eeeeeee
how was puzzle agent scary :scream:
saying as someone who’s a wuss with horror
Personally I found the game like a 1-2 on the scary meter minus at the end there was a jumpscare that really got me.
I’d say if you’re interested in it, you’d know early on if you find the atmosphere too scary. It is very pixelated artwork, so I found that took away most of the scariness to me. The other suggestion would be turning down/off the sounds if that’s what would scare you, since you can just read the text.
Thank you for the sound suggestion! That made me able to push through the game. I think it’s cuz I’m the kind of person that sinks into games easily, whether it be story or atmosphere(thus why it’s quite easy to make me cry with games), so it’s extra spooky for me to play horror games. ;-;
You’re welcome! I know what you mean, I’m the same way. I heard people say Layers of Fear wasn’t scary but I was so immersed throughout, therefore insanely anxious and jumpy to say the least haha. But that’s what I love about it (for better or worse), being totally transported inside of another world.
Love pixel art, but that seems to be the biggest “barrier” for me staying in the present. Though once you mentioned it, got me thinking how much the sounds added to the atmosphere, it was really vivid. If all else fails no point forcing yourself and who knows, your tastes/tolerance may change in the future. :) If you do play…enjoy!
I don’t like horror games either, but Year Walk from your list I wouldn’t actually consider “scary”. It has maybe one or two moments which are somewhat scary, but as for the rest, it’s just the atmosphere that is spooky.
I’ve thought long and hard and I’ve decided that yes I don’t plan on playing anything in my wont play list-
gooooood day skanda :3<
OK, I may actually give this month’s theme a try.
I’m looking for some extremely brave individuals, who have the courage to venture into the vast land of despair and horrors, otherwise known as my “won’t play” category (located here). If you find anything you believe I should give a second (or first, in some instances) chance, let me know and I will - unless they are on the “Nope” list, then, well, nope :)
I do not guarantee I’ll complete your pick, but I will give it an honest attempt. Thanks in advance!
I highly recommend One Finger Death Punch. It’s super easy to learn (two buttons) and highly addicting.
Other then that I’ve heard Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.1 Onikakushi is good, although I’ve never played/read it.
Hover is pretty fun but only really if you have a friend to play with. The parkour and style is really cool but there is a lot holding it back. Mainly the story/missions.
You gave me some motivation to attempt this month :P
Thanks for reply! I’ve played One Finger Death Punch for a few hours, until it got repetitive to me. But I feel like giving it another go. Never played Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.1, I don’t remember, why I’ve binned it - will check :). As for Hover, it didn’t “click” for me - it seems to be a fun game, yet it’s too chaotic for me, too many neon lamps and other things made the area extremely hard to navigate, and when you need to get somewhere ASAP (which is usually the case), it becomes frustrating rather than enjoyable. So I’ll pass, sorry.
made the area extremely hard to navigate
I 100% get you. My friend and I took like 20 hours to beat the game because we could never find eachother or the objective and not until the end did we realize there was a button to find stuff. Even then it was difficult. Hopefully you have fun again with One Finger Death Punch, but since it can be repetitive, don’t feel obligated :)
You have several games I really enjoyed (I’d give a 4 or 5 outta 5 rating):
Layers of Fear - A lot spookier and more engaging than I expected
Little Inferno - I guess you’d know early on if it’s for you or not, but found it really charming.
Sanctum - One of my favourites, FPS/tower defense hybrid. Some might get bored by singleplayer? But I’ve enjoyed alone and with friends.
As for harder, restart-a-bunch games, Super Meat Boy and BIT.TRIP RUNNER were loads of fun and addicting, if not rage inducing at times. The latter I didn’t find too bad until the later levels, and has really catchy music.
Thanks for reply!
Layers of Fear - I’ve never played it, no idea why I’ve binned it - will check :)
Little Inferno - I’ve played a bit, I remember it being quite enjoyable. Will try again.
Sanctum - from what I remember I’ve got quite far, then got bored - I should still have my save somewhere, perhaps I’ll manage to finish it this time - beaten the sequel after all :)
Thanks - adding all three to my “second chance” list :)
No problem, hope you find something that pleasantly surprises you. :)
That’s a long list, but there are only two games on it that I’ve finished, and only a couple others that I’ve played but not finished.
The two that I’ve finished are Sparkle 2 Evo and Woodle Tree Adventures. It looks like you’ve played Sparkle 2 Evo enough to know if you like it– it’s more of the same. And I played Woodle Tree Adventures with/for my kids, so they were entertained. I thought it was okay. It looks like you just idled it since you didn’t unlock any achievements? Anyway, I’m not saying you shouldn’t miss it…but just it wasn’t bad if you like the aesthetic and an average-at-best 3D-platformer.
BTW I love that avatar, the little fluffball! :3
I’ve played Sparkle 2 Evo, got bored somewhere in the middle - as you’ve said, it’s more of the same down the road. As for Woodle - odd case, I remember playing it (though most probably not finishing) and I have no idea why I’ve got no achievements for it - perhaps they were added at a later date? Anyway, I feel like checking the game again, so it proudly joins my “Second Chance” list :) Thanks!
I’m quite late to the party but here are some games that I’ve played on your list that I’d like to recommend:
Hacknet: A pretty neat hacking game. I enjoyed it quite a lot(since I study computer science), but perhaps someone with less knowledge in that field will have some learning to do. Although they did do a quite visualized interface so I think there won’t be much issue.
HOARD: Played the demo on PS3 way back when it first came out on there. Really liked it, so that’s why I got it on steam. Still haven’t played it myself(shame!) but if it’s the same as on PS3 then I’d definitely recommend it.
Insurgency: Actually quite a nice PVE FPS(I’m not sure if there’s PVP, but I only played PVE). It has a similar feeling as L4D where maps and spawning points are some what fixed, so there’s quite a bit of learning to it. Also idk why but it gives me a more realistic military shooter vibe(unlike CSGO and such).
Not a problem, the more the merrier :)
- Hacknet - I’m afraid it’s definitely not my cup of tea. I’ve played Hacker Evolution series, and frankly after the initial novelty wore out they were boring to death for me. I don’t know how similar Hacknet is, I’m going to try and check myself, though if the learning curve ends up being too steep, I’ll probably drop the game. Still - off it goes to the “Second chance” list :)
- HOARD - I’ve played a bit, stopped after it became repetitive.
- Insurgency - from what I’ve read it’s multiplayer only, which I very rarely play (apart from MMORPGs, that is, and even then mostly solo). Moreover, I’m not fond of modern warfare settings - especially if it tries being realistic. Sorry :(
Ok, time to post a chart:
| Layers of fear | 41% (11 of 27) | 4 hours | finished (beaten) |
| Little Inferno | — | ~ 2 hours | finished (completed) |
| Woodle Tree Adventures | 100% (8 of 8) | ~ 2 hours | finished (completed) |
| total: | achievements obtained :19 | playtime this month: ~ 8 hours | Number of games finished: 3 |
I’m willing to take some suggestions. I know there are a lot of games on my “won’t play” list that people love/are really popular. I have my reasons for not playing them though whether they aren’t my preferred genre or I couldn’t get into them. Either way, I’m willing to try!
Here is my won’t play list. I might not get to any suggestion but I’ll give it a shot :)
Not sure how much slow walking bothers you, but I enjoyed Beyond Eyes more than I expected. Beautiful and relaxing, it’s just certain parts (particularly the very beginning and near end) felt overly slow, but the story explains that and makes you appreciate it more. It’s very much a walking sim tho.
Disco Dodgeball is a lot of fun! Not sure if you have any friends who own it, but I’d def say it’s worth a shot. I enjoyed solo vs. bots, local co-op and online mp (though the players are generally good in that, we held our own. There’s powerups and stuff to make it easier, is kinda like the Battle maps in Mario Kart and customisable)
Also Sid Meier’s Pirates! is an oldie, but a goodie! If you don’t mind the older style combat/movement it’s a cannon blast to play. :)
I think the slow walking is why I stopped playing. I’d go the wrong way, and then take ages to get back on track. I’ll give it another go though since I did love the art!
I don’t have any friends that play Disco Dodgeball but it does look like fun. Not sure why I had it on the list. I’ll give it a try! Thanks for the suggestions :)
I too had to backtrack at the beginning, also near the end there’s a (location:) beach pier bit that I got a bit frustrated with and stuck, used a guide to figure out which direction I had to go in, after seemingly revealing everything. Just a heads up, that one part wasn’t transparent to me.
You can feel free to inv me to play some if you see me on and would like company. :)
cool thanks!
sorry I saw your message and totally forgot to reply!
This comment was deleted over 6 years ago.
| To the Moon | 1/1 | 4 hours | completed (unfinished for years) |
| Bioshock: Infinite | 48/80 | 8 hours | beaten (stopped playing more than 2 months ago) |
| Robo Roller-Derby Disco Dodgeball | 8/76 | 4 hrs | finished |
| Beyond Eyes | 3/10 | 2 hrs | finished |
| Mindless Running | 9/19 | 3 hrs | finished |
| The Grandfather | 0 | 40 min | finished |
Great theme! I’ll go with the unfinished games as I have less than 10 items in my won’t play (mostly stuff I can’t remove from my steam account and that are broken/definitely not my stuff) while my unfinished category gets highly neglected.