Gaming teaches us that every failure is a stepping stone to success. Vasharal’s profile

Last Update: 26/12/2024
Joined: 21/09/2022

ABOUT ME

I’m primarily drawn to games for their stories, but I’m always open to trying out highly recommended titles or those known for great gameplay. When a game really hooks me, I go all in, aiming for 100% completion and unlocking all the achievements.


I often spend way more time than the average player, exploring every hidden detail, tackling side quests, and wrapping up all the achievements before finishing the main campaign. I don’t mind doubling the usual playtime if a game truly resonates with me.

That said, I rarely replay games after completing the story—unless the campaign isn’t the game’s main focus or it didn’t hold my interest in the first place.


I enjoy exploring a variety of genres, from Strategy and RPGs to Action-Adventure, Shooters, Simulations, and even sports sims. For game series, I prefer starting with the first installment, skipping sequels if I haven’t played the original. I like seeing where a game began and how it’s evolved, so I’m happy to dive into titles that are a decade or two old.


Other links:

TalePlay
Playing Appreciated
Play a game you won on SteamGifts

NEW YEAR - NEW PARENT


I'll beat my way through completion if I have to.

December didn’t go so well for my completions. I did beat a few large games, but nothing spectacular.
As some of you might know, I’ll be a dad soon, and my baby is due at the end of May. With that comes responsibilities, less time for gaming and completing, and who knows what other challenges.

So, I figured that with the last remaining 4 months, why not play games I really want, complete the unfinished ones, and not worry about any sort of challenge?
Who knows when I’ll be playing video games again after that.
So my plan is quite simple: complete unfinished games and experience the ones I’ve always wanted to play.
Simple, right?

We shall see!

On another note, my Game of the Year and Honorable Mentions are now updated and in my profile.

JANUARY - MARCH 2025


Unfinished Beaten Completed Backlog+ Library+ Wishlisted
8 9 6 ⇑ 7 ⇑ 10 ⇓ 905

Achievements Games Completed Average Completion Rate
⇑ 150 267 73%

Completed (267 Games)
Backlog (640 Games)

Yearly Challenge - Completed Games (7/30)

Completed this Quarter: 7

25% (6/24)
38% (9/24)
33% (8/24)
4% (1/24)

BEST SINGLEPLAYER THIS QUARTER

MOST EXCITING ADDITION

BEST MULTIPLAYER THIS QUARTER

WISH I PLAYED SOONER

- Giveaway | - Trade | - Gift | - Bundle | - Other DDP | - Consoles | - Curator | - Pre-Pirated

QUARTER BREAKDOWN

DECEMBER



The Month of Complete all Idle Games


Despite having intentions to complete some massive games, I ended up completing idle games that I spent way too much time to begin with.


Still very glad I have. I can't wait to stop seeing only Idle games being my top most played games on my Steam Reply.

Journey

Played: 1.8 hours | Achievements: 3/14
Very Short Completion
Adventure Co-Op Steam Unfinished

Only explored for a short time this game. I plan on returning to it. I do wanna complete this game at some point. I just hope I find the people to complete the rest of achievements with.

Heavenly Bodies

Played: 0.6 hours | Achievements: 3/25
Medium Completion
Physics Co-Op Steam Unfinished

Played this briefly with my wife. Had a lot of fun, but the game was difficult. She, unfortunately, gave up continuing the game with me, so I'm left with another unfinished co-op game on my to-do bucket list.

Rogue Legacy 2

Played: 101.4 hours | Achievements: 27/55
Very Long Completion
Roguevania Platformer Steam Beaten

Progressed a bit on the achievement side, but still got a long way to go it seems. Got distracted at some point as I was intending to complete this game with other games.

Yakuza Kiwami

Played: 36.5 hours | Achievements: 6/55
Very Long Completion
Action Beat 'em up Steam Unfinished

Progressed slightly in some areas, like side quests and mini-games, but didn't make a significant dent in the story.

DAVE THE DIVER

Played: 32.6 hours | Achievements: 21/43
Medium Completion
Management Adventure Steam Unfinished

Played this briefly with my wife. Had a lot of fun, but the game was difficult. She, unfortunately, gave up continuing the game with me, so I'm left with another unfinished co-op game on my to-do bucket list.

Balatro

Played: 5.2 hours | Achievements: 5/31
Very Long Completion
Roguelike Deckbuilder Card Game Steam Unfinished

Picked it up and always took 10-30 minutes to just do a few sessions. At first, the game didn't click with me. It still hasn't entirely. I have had a few amazing runs, but very few in between.It's hard to explain, but this game is addictive.

Archons

Played: 20 hours | Achievements: 10/12
Medium Completion
Bullet Hell Action Steam Beaten

Got this game from a developer and tried it out since I enjoy Bullet Hell. This is by far one of my favorite Bullet Hell games I've played in a while. It's difficult, but simple. I wish it offered more.

Assassin’s Creed® IV Black Flag™

Played: 63.7 hours | Achievements: 40/60
Medium Completion
Action-Adventure Open World Steam Beaten

After Ubisoft deciding to add finally achievements for Unity and Black Flag, I noticed that my DLC achievements plus a few others missed out ones, I had to do, so I picked it up and played a bit.

Dead Island 2

Played: 1.2 hours | Achievements: 1/59
Medium Completion
First-Person Adventure Steam Unfinished

Started this game and tried to play it with my wife. We beaten the original, so we thought why not. Sadly nausea due to camera movement made my wife stop, so I didn't carry on either. A pity. It seems like a decent game.

Biped

Played: 8.5 hours | Achievements: 10/15
Short Completion
Co-Op Puzzle Steam Beaten

Played this with a TalePlay friend. We laughed so much. It's a complicated game as you need to get used to walking, puzzles are tough and being patient with one another is ideal.

State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition

Played: 47.5 hours | Achievements: 60/153
Very Long Completion
Survival Open World Steam Beaten

After trying other co-op game, my wife and I finally decided to get back to this game. I beaten it in the past on the Microsoft Store, and decided to get it on Steam as well. Got hooked quickly.

Rusty's Retirement

Played: 42.6 hours | Achievements: 59/71
Very Long Completion
Farming Sim Idler Steam Beaten

Possibly the last Idle game I'll complete in 2025. I hope this won't mess up my Steam 2025 Reply as most idle games did that for me. Really enjoying this game. Highly recommend it.

Fallout Shelter

Played: 170.9 hours | Achievements: 35/35
Very Long Completion
Base Building Survival Steam Completed

After years of playing this on my mobile, I decided to put this Idle game finally to rest and complete it. I guess years of experience really help up in completing this, or the game isn't as complicated to 100%.

Leaf Blower Revolution - Idle Game

Played: 60.2 hours | Achievements: 24/24
Medium Completion
Idler Clicker Steam Completed

Another Idle game that was sitting in my unfinished pile of shame. Glad it was completed like the ones before and after.

Cookie Clicker

Played: 441.5 hours | Achievements: 637/637
Very Long Completion
Clicker Idler Steam Completed

The second largest Idle game I've ever completed. Combining efficient active trophy hunting and a lot of wait, I can finally say I am glad this game has been completed.

AdVenture Capitalist

Played: 67.4 hours | Achievements: 31/31
Medium Completion
Idler Clicker Steam Completed

Like Fallout Shelter, this was another mobile idle game that was due for completion. Idk what got into me, but I felt like conquering idle after idle game.

Tile Cities

Played: 4.9 hours | Achievements: 9/9
Very Short Completion
Strategy City Builder Steam Completed

Got this for a cheap discount for just 90% off. Because I love city-builders, I gave this game a try. It's fairly simple to play, but complex to master. It takes a good amount of time to build up a massive city and maintain it.

Machinarium

Played: 5 hours | Achievements: 12/12
Very Short Completion
Point & Click Puzzle Steam Completed

A complex puzzle game that I am glad I picked up and played. It did require often times checking for hints as some things were not as intuitive or easy to find.

QUARTER BREAKDOWN

NOVEMBER



The Month of Try out New Things


Like October, this has been a big month for trying out new games from my backlog of games and actually tackling them one by one.


This whole thing took me to an interesting conclusion, which I shared on my YouTube channel. I'd like to apologize in advance for the massive block of games.

KIDS

Played: 0.3 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Sureal Casual Steam Completed

A very strange, albeit fascinating game. I initially discovered it through memes, and after trying it, I can definitely say it was a unique and pleasant experience.

The Graveyard

Played: 0.2 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Walking Simulator Psycological Steam Completed

Terrible "game". You basically waste 10 minutes of your life trying this game out. I don't recommend it. Idk why I had it in my library, but now it's done. It's slow, ugly and weird. Don't recommend it.

Dagon by H.P. Lovecraft

Played: 0.9 hours | Achievements: 6/6
Extremly Short Completion
Lovecraftian Visual Novel Steam Completed

Outstanding narrative performance. Exciting game. I initially tried it in VR, then completed it over Steam Deck. Tempted to try the DLCs and complete those as well. Really found the visual novel, despite minimal interaction fascinating.

THE CORRIDOR

Played: 0.5 hours | Achievements: 10/10
Extremly Short Completion
Psycologoical Comedy Steam Completed

This game has great humor and a unique way to test your patience and curiosity. I loved it every minute. If you love Stanley's Parable, this is one of the closest you can get in a short form.

Fun with Ragdolls: The Game

Played: 0.6 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Physics Sandbox Steam Completed

I liked this game. The humor and creativity is left to explore and do what you want but to be fair, it didn't sit well with me entirely. I quickly got bored after trying a few stuff in the modes and worlds created.

The Good Time Garden

Played: 0.3 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Physics Sandbox Steam Completed

I liked this game. The humor and creativity is left to explore and do what you want but to be fair, it didn't sit well with me entirely. I quickly got bored after trying a few stuff in the modes and worlds created.

Armor of Heroes

Played: 0.1 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Action Co-op Steam Completed

Armor of Heroes is a retro-style tank battle game for up to four players, featuring chaotic multiplayer modes and destructible environments. This game reminds me so much of Battle City from Sega Genesis.

Hook

Played: 2.9 hours | Achievements: 1/1
Extremly Short Completion
Puzzle Logic Steam Completed

Really enjoyable puzzle game. After completing it, I'm more than certain I'd love to play the sequel, so I wishlisted it.

The Looker

Played: 1.3 hours | Achievements: 10/10
Extremly Short Completion
Puzzle Exploration Steam Completed

Pretty smart puzzle game. Thinking outside the box is the ideal this to do when it comes to this game. Not too complicated puzzles, but some do require a bit of thinking. Humor and satire comments are present in this game.

Sunlight

Played: 0.6 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Experimental Walking Simulator Steam Completed

Hard to recommend or not recommend this game. It's a work of art, but it's a boring walking simulator if you seek gameplay out of it, seek elsewhere. I'd say, put your headphones on and experience this game blindly. It's fascinating as it is.

klocki

Played: 1.3 hours | Achievements: 1/1
Extremly Short Completion
Puzzle Logic Steam Completed

Like Hook, this is a small, pleasant to-look-at puzzle game. It will test your thinking quite a bit, but I found it a lot easier than Hook or other puzzle games I've played lately.

Knight's Path: The Tournament

Played: 3.2 hours | Achievements: 9/9
Very Short Completion
Souls-like Action RPG Steam Completed

By no means a perfect game, but I really liked the experience. I think a lot of work has been put in this game by the two developers that made this. I wish there was more to it than just combat. The story was interesting.

stikir

Played: 2.8 hours | Achievements: 23/23
Very Short Completion
Surreal Adventure Steam Completed

A strange, but unique adventure game. The developers did not hold back at making each moment unique and difficult to explain. You get to experience all sort of gameplay moments.

The Change Architect

Played: 0.3 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Interactive Fiction Visual Novel Steam Completed

It really doesn't offer anything unique except an interesting story that can have 2 endings depending on the decisions you make. One playthrough was enough for me to not want to see the other side. Not a bad game, but mediocre at best.

Necronomistore

Played: 0.5 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Simulation Adventure Steam Completed

The gameplay is boring, the art style is horrendous and the overall experience is something I don't recommend. Avoid this game as it's not offering anything of value. I had to push myself to complete it.

Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard

Played: 2 hours | Achievements: 6/6
Extremly Short Completion
Comedy Detective Steam Completed

After playing the first game and not liking it for the comedic childish style of narrative, I'm here to say that this game has grown on me ever since. Either I'm getting soft or the humor got better. I actually liked this more than I expected.

FATALE

Played: 0.8 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Indie Psycological Steam Completed

Very strange game. Seemed interesting, but really is the type of games that likes to waste your time and doesn't give you any indication what you must do until you figure things out on yourself. The ending was abrupt and strangely delivered.

The USB Stick Found in the Grass

Played: 0.1 hours | Achievements: 3/3
Extremly Short Completion
Investigation Detective Steam Completed

The game, if you wanna call it that was strange. I spoiled myself the codes with the guide because the game doesn't tell you anything and expects you to figure out. Easiest completion of my life.

Zenge

Played: 2 hours | Achievements: 1/1
Extremly Short Completion
Puzzle Casual Steam Completed

Great puzzle game. On the easier side as well. Really liked the art style for this game. Managed to fully figure it out without the need of guides, which is always a great thing.

Aperture Hand Lab

Played: 0.6 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
VR Adventure Steam Completed

A simple, but hilarious VR game made by Valve. I believe it might be one of the very first prototypes. It was great being in the world of Aperture. Dialogues were great. Had to tweak my Meta Quest 3 to make some features work.

Townscaper

Played: 4.4 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Relaxing Building Steam Completed

Simple, yet relaxing building game. If you are stressed over a long day of work, boot this game up. Spend a few minutes to create something. It's very therapeutic.

Pilgrims

Played: 2.3 hours | Achievements: 45/45
Very Short Completion
Point & Click Card Game Steam Completed

This game took me by surprise. I didn't expect it to like it much because of the art style. I was wrong. It's a simple, yet effective adventure games based on experimenting and choices.

Crazy Machines 1.5

Played: 2.5 hours | Achievements: N/A
Very Short Completion
Puzzle Physics Steam Completed

Not a bad puzzle game, but the NPC kept yapping on and on and on. Yes, you can turn it off, but I wish it was by default less talkative. The game didn't age that well, but it was overall alright. Initially I played the 3rd game.

Ellisar

Played: 1.7 hours | Achievements: 12/12
Extremly Short Completion
Adventure Platformer Steam Completed

A simple puzzle platformer. It's unique in it's setting, but isn't really that interesting. It was an okay experience for what it had to offer. Nothing new to be honest.

The Lab

Played: 0.9 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
VR Adventure Steam Completed

A fun VR experience. I really enjoyed the slingshot section of the mini-games. Others are fun, but really aren't that well-polished or much to do.

Monument Valley

Played: 3.4 hours | Achievements: 19/19
Very Short Completion
Puzzle Adventure Steam Completed

Lovely puzzle game that I have been putting off for years. Glad I got to it. Initially I had in mind to play the sequel because it was in my Extremely Short Completion, but I thought they are tied up, so I started with this game.

Serious Sam: Kamikaze Attack!

Played: 3.9 hours | Achievements: 11/11
Very Short Completion
Action Runner Steam Completed

A strange one at best. Although I have played Serious Sam in the past, the classics, I have honestly enjoyed this game for what it was. It's not a complicated completion. Going on a grind to 100% doesn't require each level 3 bombs.

Gun Devil

Played: 2.3 hours | Achievements: 11/11
Very Short Completion
Side Scroller Shoot 'Em Up Steam Completed

Pretty good game considering it was so short and free. It left me thinking a follow up will be after this, but it seems not. Still, not a bad shoot'em up.

Monument Valley 2

Played: 2.8 hours | Achievements: 16/16
Very Short Completion
Puzzle Adventure Steam Completed

The story and the puzzles were a lot more interesting in my opinion. Not as hard as the first game, but definitely I enjoyed the story a lot more. Highly recommend this series. I love the way they tap into smart puzzles.

Watch Me Jump

Played: 1.9 hours | Achievements: 9/9
Extremly Short Completion
Adventure Visual Novel Steam Completed

Visually this game was abysmal. The story wasn't that great, but at least was pretty mature and different than anything else. Multiple secrets can be missed without a walkthrough. Luckily it was not a long game.

Defence to death

Played: 2.1 hours | Achievements: 8/8
Extremly Short Completion
Turn-Based Tactics Tower Defense Steam Completed

Not the most interesting tower defense I've played. It's visually outdated and very boring. It doesn't feel like there's a lot of effort put into making the game too balanced. Look elsewhere if you want a good tower dense.

Helltaker

Played: 2 hours | Achievements: 10/10
Extremly Short Completion
Puzzle Rhythms Steam Completed

Liked the art style for this game. The beginning of the game is well-paced puzzle game, but the boss fights are ridiculously tough and switch from a slow puzzle to a rhythm game that is extremely punishing. You will not be prepared for this.

Reminiscence

Played: 0.5 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Horror Time Travel Steam Completed

A fun horror game. Not something I'd likely say. The time travel elements made things interesting. I really feel this game took inspiration from IT from some reason. Be warned, has some jumpscares that got me.

Drones, The Human Condition

Played: 1.5 hours | Achievements: 9/9
Extremly Short Completion
Shoot 'Em Up Action Steam Completed

Found the game fairly frustrating. Still, not entirely easy to complete. Had a few here and there that I had to struggle with. It also expects you to grind for some achievements, so it's fairly boring as a shoot'em up.

Samorost 1

Played: 0.2 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Point & Click Adventure Steam Completed

After playing and enjoying Pilgrims I decided to try more games from the same developer. I liked it, but it doesn't offer a complex gameplay or a well-thought-out story. It's interesting.

Space Bear

Played: 1.5 hours | Achievements: N/A
Extremly Short Completion
Text-Based Adventure Steam Completed

Despite the visuals, this game got me by surprise. It has some hilarious humor, with well thought out dialogues, decisions that lead to different outcomes and overall a strange, but interesting story. I liked it.

QUARTER BREAKDOWN

OCTOBER



The Month of Short Burst Fire


Big month for small game completion. I have been on a roll and successfully beaten my yearly completion challenge and actually doubled it. It's crazy!


Moving forward, November and December might look just as full as October was. Very happy with my success, but man this submissions take a lot of work.

Table Manners: Physics-Based Dating Game

Played: 7 hours | Achievements: 24/24
Very Short Completion
Dating Sim Physics Steam Completed

Rough game on the edges. The physics control, although looking hilarious and fun, causes a lot of frustration. I am playing this in short bursts as the more time I spend on it, the more exhausted I feel.

Dollar Dash

Played: 9.4 hours | Achievements: 20/20
Very Short Completion
Action Co-op Steam Completed

Not the worst or best co-op. Nobody is playing this. HLTB misled me to think this was 2 hours less to complete. Very grindy and took me more than that. Luckily bots help with that.

Rogue Legacy 2

Played: 72.5 hours | Achievements: 20/55
Very Long Completion
Roguevania Platformer Steam Beaten

Although I never played the original, I can fully understand why people love this game. It's such an enjoyable game to play in quick sessions. Although you do need to grind a lot to get good and overcome bosses.

Yakuza Kiwami

Played: 36.5 hours | Achievements: 18/55
Very Long Completion
Action Beat 'em up Steam Unfinished

Great to have a return back to Yakuza. First thing I noticed is how little it feels that it has changed in terms of graphics and overall feel over Yakuza 0. It almost feels like Yakuza 0 actually did come first in development over this one.

TREE

Played: 0.5 hours | Achievements: 3/3
Extremly Short Completion
Casual Visual Novel Steam Completed

This game got recommended to me by a friend. Mentioned that the story is good. I got to the conclusion that the game didn't offer any kind of gameplay to justify liking this game and the story was not that touching.

TimeTekker

Played: 0.4 hours | Achievements: 6/6
Extremly Short Completion
Action Shot'Em Up Steam Completed

Because of TREE and this game I decided to go on a completion spree and complete as many very short games as possible. This game had gameplay, but it was not as enjoyable and rather simplistic.

PLANETS AT WAR

Played: 0.4 hours | Achievements: 50/50
Extremly Short Completion
Action Clicker Steam Completed

Poorly executed game. Very bland and with a story that wouldn't appeal to anybody. Aside from decent graphics, it had nothing to offer.

Devil's Kiss

Played: 0.7 hours | Achievements: 1/1
Extremly Short Completion
Action Clicker Steam Completed

Confusing and weird story with horrible writing. The cast of characters were absolutely abysmal and not likable at all.

Zup! Bundle

Played: 43.4 hours | Achievements: 18237/18237
Extremly Short Completion
Puzzle Physics Steam Completed

Aside from Zup! S and Zup! 9 all the other Zup's have been completed. It was one of the largest series I've ever done, but was worth it. Some puzzles were quite challenging.

qop Bundle

Played: 14.3 hours | Achievements: 2,037/2,037
Extremly Short Completion
Puzzle Casual Steam Completed

Like Zup! series, I went straight to this one and daily completed at least one. I really liked it. The puzzles were complex. Great achievements and felt rewarding completing this series.

Coffee Talk

Played: 6.5 hours | Achievements: 24/24
Very Short Completion
Visual Novel Relaxing Steam Completed

I didn't expect much form this game, but to be fair, I really enjoyed the dialogue and the character. After completing this game, I really felt the need to play the sequel. Which luckily I have, but will do in the near future.

UpBoll

Played: 0.7 hours | Achievements: 14/14
Extremly Short Completion
Bullet Hell Point & Click Steam Completed

Despite its simplicity and lack of full-screen support, this game was pretty fun. Did it in a few sessions, but was able to complete it in a short time.

Pixplode

Played: 1.1 hours | Achievements: 63/63
Extremly Short Completion
Puzzle Casual Steam Completed

Despite its simplicity and lack of full-screen support, this game was pretty fun. Did it in a few sessions, but was able to complete it in a short time.

Death in the Water

Played: 0.4 hours | Achievements: 5/5
Extremly Short Completion
Action Hunting Steam Completed

Bare-bone experience. Not too difficult on a mouse and keyboard, but challenging on the Steam Deck.

Over The Phone

Played: 0.4 hours | Achievements: 3/3
Extremly Short Completion
Visual Novel Dating Sim Steam Completed

Thought it's gonna be an interesting game with some twisted story. It turned out to be a incomplete and strange one.

MANDAGON

Played: 0.7 hours | Achievements: 5/5
Extremly Short Completion
Platformer Puzzle Steam Completed

This game has a pleasant art style and a rather interesting world. I wish it was more complex and the scope of the game a lot bigger.

The Ramp

Played: 1.9 hours | Achievements: 12/12
Extremly Short Completion
Skateboarding Sports Steam Completed

As a Tony Hawk fan, this game was pretty fun to play. Not too complex, but had some difficult achievements to get and took me a few good minutes to pull it off.

Distant Space 2

Played: 1.9 hours | Achievements: 150/150
Extremly Short Completion
Shoot'Em Up Arcade Steam Completed

This game reminded me so much of the classic shoot'em up I used to play as a kid, Space Invaders. It was rather difficult during boss fights, but acceptable during other levels.

Bubble People

Played: 1.1 hours | Achievements: 19/19
Extremly Short Completion
Hidden Object Point & Click Steam Completed

Was probably the first of its kind I've ever played. I believe I tried other Hidden Objects, but had more detective stuff in nature, this was rather simplistic, but fascinating.

Press Any Button

Played: 1.7 hours | Achievements: 5/5
Extremly Short Completion
Interactive Fiction Experimental Steam Completed

I found this game rather fascinating. I didn't like the gameplay as much, but the story or conversation was rather interesting.

LET'S CLOSE THE YEAR IN STYLE


I'll beat my way through completion if I have to.

To top off the last months of the year, I've decided to continue one of my new favorite franchises of all time: Yakuza.
Getting to revisit well-known places, characters, and similar gameplay mechanics feels like the perfect comfort food.

I do hope to have enough time to complete this, as the last time I played Yakuza 0, it took me almost six months to finish. I don't want to make the same mistake and extend this game, so I started a few days early in hopes of seeing it through to the end in three months.

My second largest game is Rogue Legacy 2. I don't think I'll be able to complete both of them, but we shall see.
I also want to relax with Dave the Diver at the end of the year.

I've got some other relaxing titles up my sleeve that are focused around tables. </center>

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2024


Unfinished Beaten Completed Backlog+ Library+ Wishlisted
9 6 67 ⇑ 33 ⇑ 103 ⇓ 915

Achievements Games Completed Average Completion Rate
⇑ 21,338 259 72%

Completed (260 Games)
Backlog (642 Games)

Yearly Challenge - Completed Games (93/30)

Completed this Quarter: 67

92% (66/72)
1% (1/72)
6% (4/72)
1% (1/72)

BEST SINGLEPLAYER THIS QUARTER

MOST EXCITING ADDITION

BEST MULTIPLAYER THIS QUARTER

WISH I PLAYED SOONER

- Giveaway | - Trade | - Gift | - Bundle | - Other DDP | - Consoles | - Curator | - Pre-Pirated

QUARTER BREAKDOWN

SEPTEMBER



The Month of Large Completions


Although I did not touch new games this month, I certainly crushed two massive games this month. Specifically Forza Horizon 4 that took me a good 200 hours to complete. Quite happy with my progress this time around.


That being said, I get to now move to the next and last quarter this month where I will tackle some interesting games I'm looking forward to play and complete by the end of the year.

Forza Horizon 4

Played: 201.7 hours | Achievements: 178/178
Very Long Completion
Racing Open World Steam Completed

Very happy with this completion. I did find eventually the perfect car for me to complete the most difficult drift zones, the Hoonigan Ford Mustang. Excellent drift car. I kinda miss playing the game now that it's done.

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

Played: 46.8 hours | Achievements: 39/39
Medium Completion
Action-Adventure Souls-like Steam Completed

Had a great time in the game. Really enjoyed the story. It was a bit tedious on the backtracking part where I had to revisit planets over and over again to get every chest, secret and other collectibles. Other than that, great time!

The Bible

Played: 324.4 hours | Achievements: 152/152
Very Long Completion
Text-Based Faith Steam Completed

Made a lot of progress this month going through the New Testament. Completed it and practically "beaten" the story. I'm left with some Catholic bible chapters which I had to revisit in the Old Testament. Glad to have completed it this month.

Table Manners: Physics-Based Dating Game

Played: 2.9 hours | Achievements: 10/24
Very Short Completion
Dating Sim Physics Steam Unfinished

Rough game on the edges. The physics control, although looking hilarious and fun, causes a lot of frustration. I am playing this in short bursts as the more time I spend on it, the more exhausted I feel.

Yakuza Kiwami

Played: 11.8 hours | Achievements: 6/55
Very Long Completion
Action Beat 'em up Steam Unfinished

Great to have a return back to Yakuza. First thing I noticed is how little it feels that it has changed in terms of graphics and overall feel over Yakuza 0. It almost feels like Yakuza 0 actually did come first in development over this one.

QUARTER BREAKDOWN

AUGUST



The Month of Galactic Trials, Classic Smiles, and Holy Miles


Did not make the biggest waves in progress, but I sure was busy playing games. Started a few that I'm really happy to share have impressed me, like Jedi Fallen Order. It was a good month overall, but I wish I would have completed more games. Been working hard on several large games that are listed below.


Gotta give credit to Lengray for inspiring me to consider changing my quarter breakdown as it was too long and possibly annoying to scroll through. I hope it's okay to take the frame layout and use it for future monthly breakdowns.

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series

Played: 24 hours | Achievements: 25/25
Short Completion
Adventure Platformer Steam Completed

Never played the original, but when I won this game via Steamgifts, I instantly knew I was in for a treat. I wasn't wrong. It was a game with a lot of charm and great both on the Steam Deck and on PC.

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

Played: 19.1 hours | Achievements: 12/39
Medium Completion
Action-Adventure Souls-like Steam Unfinished

First time playing a Star Wars game in a very long time. The cinematics and visuals were stunning, and I liked that the game didn’t require playing on the hardest difficulty for completion.

The Bible

Played: 219.1 hours | Achievements: 51/152
Very Long Completion
Text-Based Faith Steam Unfinished

Although, I'm far from being done with this, I'm enjoying and slowly trimming down bit by bit. The Trivia are really difficult to get unless you study the Bible well or use guides.

Forza Horizon 4

Played: 150.1 hours | Achievements: 127/178
Very Long Completion
Racing Open World Steam Beaten

Very happy with this completion. I did find eventually the perfect car for me to complete the most difficult drift zones, the Hoonigan Ford Mustang. Excellent drift car. I kinda miss playing the game now that it's done.

QUARTER BREAKDOWN

JULY



The Month of the Weird, the Gloom and the Vroom-Vroom



TANDEM: A TALE OF SHADOWS


July I suddenly joined Play Or Pay Event as I've been absent from it for over 6 months now. With that, I have been given quite an interesting list of games to play. From which Tandem is from. It's an interesting puzzle game that really has some interesting charm in it.



That being said, it was an easy and fast game to complete with some challenging puzzles, but not too difficult.

8.5 hours
✪ 4,063

“To cast a shadow is to create a place where light cannot reach, and in that darkness lies the power to reshape the world..” - Haruki Murakami

Sum-Up

In-depth analysis further down.

🟩 Pros 🟥 Cons
• Creative light and shadow puzzle mechanics. • Visually stunning, dark Victorian aesthetic. • Challenging puzzles with satisfying solutions. • Repetitive objectives. • Flat voice acting and weak story. • Occasional visual bugs, especially in cinematics.
🟨 Bugs & Issues 🔧 Specs ⚙️ Settings & FPS
Encountered minor stuttering during cinematics and a few visual glitches. These didn’t ruin the experience but did break immersion occasionally. • CPU: i7-12700K • RAM: 32GB DDR4 • GPU: 3080 10GB • SSD: NVMe SSD • RES: 1440p Settings: High FPS: 60-75
🌌 Content & Replay Value The game can be completed in around 8-9 hours. It’s a focused experience, but the repetition limits its replay value.
💵 Is it worth buying? Yes, if you enjoy puzzle-platformers with creative mechanics. Consider waiting for a sale if the story is a priority for you.
🎮 Steam Deck Compatibility Runs well on the Steam Deck with no significant performance drops or control issues.

🧾 Verdict: Decent

Tandem: A Tale of Shadows is a creative puzzle-platformer with visually captivating design and solid mechanics. However, its repetitive structure and weak story hold it back from greatness. It’s still worth playing if you’re a fan of the genre.

In-depth

⚔️ Gameplay & Exploration:

Tandem: A Tale of Shadows offers a unique dual-perspective puzzle experience. Emma’s top-down world and Fenton’s 2D side-scrolling environment are intertwined, with light and shadow being the key to progressing. The mechanics are well-implemented, but the puzzles can become repetitive as the objectives remain largely the same across levels. The game’s world design is imaginative, with each region bringing something visually new and interesting.

🏆 Completion:

Not a difficult game to complete, but it does have several achievements that can be missed each level, but with a guide, you can easily find and get to the ones you missed.

Hours to fully complete the game: 8
Achievements: 24/24
Playthroughs: 1
Difficulty: 3/10
Steam Hunter Points: ✪ 4,063

🏞 Visuals & Presentation:

Visually, the game excels with its dark Victorian atmosphere. The environments are rich with detail, and the animations are generally smooth, though some minor bugs detract from the overall experience. Cutscenes have stutter both on Steam Deck and PC. The art style fits the eerie, fairy-tale vibe perfectly, enhancing the game’s mood.

🔊 Sound & Voice-Acting:

The sound design is atmospheric, with subtle music and well-crafted sound effects that deepen the immersion. Unfortunately, the voice acting falls flat. Emma’s lines lack emotion and feel stilted, making it hard to connect with the story.

📖 Story & Writing:

The narrative is one of the game’s weaker aspects. While the premise is intriguing, the delivery is lacking. The story doesn’t build much tension, and the voice acting does little to elevate it. The plot feels like an afterthought, serving more as a backdrop for the puzzles.

🧵 Length & Difficulty:

The game offers 5-8 hours of content, with some challenging puzzles toward the end. The difficulty is balanced, offering a satisfying progression curve. However, once you’ve seen the core mechanics, the novelty wears off quickly, reducing the replayability.

⭕️ Verdict:

Tandem: A Tale of Shadows delivers a unique puzzle experience with inventive mechanics and a strong atmosphere. However, its repetitive gameplay, lackluster story, and stutter bugs prevent it from reaching its full potential. It’s a good pick for fans of puzzle-platformers, but might be better enjoyed during a sale.



THE HEX


The second game I managed to pick right after was this strange be-it-all kinda game that really took me by surprise with it's story. To be honest, I found it hard to believe not enough people talk about this game.



Yes, artistically it doesn't look much, but all the other aspects are stellar!

17.5 hours
✪ 5,156

"This place... it’s a graveyard of ideas, where abandoned concepts rot away in the dark." - The Hex

Sum-Up

In-depth analysis further down.

🟩 Pros 🟥 Cons
• Genre-blending mechanics that keep gameplay fresh.
• Dark, engaging narrative with deep meta-commentary.
• Intriguing and well-written characters.
• Atmosphere that ranges from eerie to intense.
• Some mechanics can feel unpolished.
• Lack of voice acting, which could enhance character depth.
• Visuals, while fitting, aren’t consistently standout.
🟨 Bugs & Issues‎ 🔧 Specs ⚙️ Settings & FPS
The only bugs I encountered were the ones intended to crash your game and get an achievement out of it. • CPU: i7-12700K
• RAM: 32GB DDR4
• GPU: RTX 3080 10GB
• Storage: SSD
• Resolution: 1440p
Settings: High
FPS: 60+ Stable
🌌 Content & Replay Value The game’s unique narrative and genre-blending make a single playthrough memorable. Limited replay value, but discovering all secrets and story nuances could push you for a second run.
💵 Is it worth buying? Yes, especially if you enjoy narrative-driven games with experimental gameplay. Worth full price for fans of Daniel Mullins’ work.
🎮 Steam Deck Compatibility Runs smoothly with consistent performance. The pixelated and hand-drawn visuals suit the Deck’s screen size well.

🧾 Verdict: Excellent

The Hex is a genre-blending, narrative-driven indie gem that offers a mind-bending story and creative gameplay. It excels in delivering a unique experience despite some visual roughness and the absence of voice acting. A must-play for fans of experimental indie titles and meta-commentary in games.

In-depth

⚔️ Gameplay & Exploration:

The Hex stands out by offering a different genre for each of its six main characters. From platforming to turn-based RPGs, each gameplay style is a reflection of the character’s backstory, tying narrative and mechanics closely together. The constant shift in playstyles can be jarring but also keeps the experience fresh and unpredictable. Exploring the tavern itself, where you learn about the dark pasts of these characters, ties all the genres into a cohesive, intriguing story. The gameplay can be rough around the edges, but that’s part of the game’s charm as it plays with expectations.

🏆 Completion:

The Hex isn’t a particularly difficult game to complete, but it does have some missable achievements tied to specific events and secrets in each section. Some will close your game and others will require you to replay chapters if you've missed them. However, with a guide, you can easily track down the ones you might miss on your first playthrough.

Hours to fully complete the game: 17.5
Achievements: 28/28
Playthroughs: 1
Difficulty: 4/10
Steam Hunter Points: ✪ 5,156

🏞 Visuals & Presentation:

While The Hex is mostly pixelated and hand-drawn, the visual style effectively sets the tone. It’s gritty, atmospheric, and fits the game’s dark themes. The visuals shift with each genre change, providing variety. While they may not be stunning in every moment, they serve the story well and enhance the overall eerie vibe.

🔊 Sound & Atmosphere:

The sound design is excellent at setting the mood—whether it’s light-hearted and quirky during platforming or unsettling during the more intense moments. However, the lack of voice acting is a noticeable drawback given how rich and complex the characters are. You do get by the end of the game a little bit of voice acting done by Daniel himself, but that's about it. Despite this, the ambient sounds and background music do a good job of immersing you in the world.

📖 Story & Writing:

The narrative is where The Hex truly shines. The game’s story is a clever critique of game design and the industry, told through the tragic lives of six flawed characters. Each character’s backstory is gradually revealed, exposing dark, twisted elements that add depth to the game’s meta-commentary. The writing is sharp, humorous, and deeply unsettling at times, which makes it hard to forget long after you’ve completed the game.

🧵 Length & Difficulty:

The game takes about 17.5 hours to complete, depending on how much you explore and engage with each character’s story. Difficulty varies with each genre segment, but it’s generally accessible while still offering some challenging moments. The hardest part is often adapting to each new gameplay style quickly.

⭕️ Verdict:

The Hex is an exceptional narrative-driven game with innovative genre-blending mechanics and rich storytelling. It’s not without flaws—some gameplay sections feel rough, and the lack of voice acting limits the emotional impact. However, the unique concept, compelling characters, and engaging story make it a must-play for those who love indie games that push the boundaries of conventional design. If you’re a fan of Pony Island or enjoy games with meta-commentary and experimental styles, this is one to pick up—preferably during a sale if you’re unsure.



FORZA HORIZON 4


After hearing that another racing game is getting delisted, that being Forza, I decided to hop on it and start my journey on completing it. It's a long game, but I set my priority straight and focus on what's first important, weekly tasks that were required. I have to say, that the first time I picked it up, the game felt extremely overwhelming in the amount of content.



For some, this is great, but when you don't understand anything and feel pressured by time, this becomes a burden. Luckily I figured out my phasing and eventually got to the bottom of it and figured out what I must do.



Games Completed this Month


ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST


On a Race to Complete this Quarter.

And we're off with a new quarter in which we find out that Forza Horizon 4 is getting delisted and with it the possibility to get 100% completion, so guess what's going to happen? Yep. I'll have to play it forcefully to not miss my chance on this amazing game. Although it can be played offline afterwards, some achievements are locked based on some events that can only be obtained in a short time.

I hate to say this, but if it keeps going like this, we're going to have every year 1-2 games that get delisted that have such game models aka games of service where even if you paid a little or got it for free you'll still feel ripped off. Where's the game preservation we keep getting promised by Xbox?

Oh well, that's all my rant for today and for this quarter. Time to get those achievements and mark this incredible game off my backlog once and for all.

Because of this sudden change, I've had to create and edit a few things in this quarter and going forward. Pausing games for whatever reason to refocus on what's important or imminent. I can always get back to the games I've not finished. Oh and, reduce the scheduled games because I might as well put myself in a grave because of so many stuff to do.

JULY - SEPTEMBER 2024


Unfinished Beaten Completed Backlog+ Library+ Wishlisted
6 6 4 ⇑ 33 ⇑ 94 ⇑ 948

Achievements Games Completed Average Completion Rate
⇑ 499 174 62%

Completed (88 Games)
Backlog (569 Games)

Challenge - Completed Games (22/30)

Completed this Quarter: 6

25% (4/16)
38% (6/16)
31% (5/16)
6% (1/16)

BEST SINGLEPLAYER THIS QUARTER

MOST EXCITING ADDITION

BEST MULTIPLAYER THIS QUARTER

WISH I PLAYED SOONER

- Giveaway | - Trade | - Gift | - Bundle | - Other DDP | - Consoles | - Curator | - Pre-Pirated

QUARTER BREAKDOWN

JUNE



The Month of I can't Believe I Completed this



MELVOR IDLE


I have to admit, this game was by far not on my schedule of completion any time soon, but after spending so much time in it, I finally hit completion on this game. It was an incredible journey and I am not sure if I'd be willing to pick the DLC's and continue form there.



For now, I'm left with Cookie Clicker, another Idle game waiting to be completed, but that's a game for December.

1713.1 hours
✪ 16,307

A true Idle RPG story

Sum-Up

In-depth analysis further down.

🟩 Pros 🟥 Cons
• Offers a large variety of crafting and gathering
• Simple to use and non-distractive
• Pleasant interface
• Works well through cloud save both on mobile and desktop
• For an idle game it's rather addictive
• None I could find
🟨 Bugs & Issues‎‎ 🔧 Specs
☑️ Never had any.
🔲 Freezing, Hanging or Crashing.
🔲 Graphics Glitch.
🔲 Gameplay Defect.
🔲 In-game Purchase.
🔲 Audio Problem.
🔲 Text Problem.
🔲 Save Glitch.
• CPU: i7-12700K
• RAM: 32GB DDR4
• GPU: 1060 6GB
• SD: SSD
• RES: 1440p
Content & Replay Value Melvor Idle is an Idle RPG game that was created by the same developers who created Runescape. It's a casual, relaxing and surprisingly enjoyable experience that is going to keep you up for hours. At this time of this review, I can say that I've got over 150+ hours of gameplay my time spent on my phone isn't recorded on Steam, but without a doubt, this game will probably be one of the top performers when it comes to hours spent.
Is it worth buying? Yes. Although it comes at a price I'd normally not pay for a mobile or idle game, after considering a couple of times and trying it out, I got to the conclusion that it's worth it. I've spent well enough time to justify my spending idling and non-idling. I recommend getting this game directly through Steam as you can find it at a better price than on your mobile device and link your mobile with it afterwards.

Verdict: Very Good

For an idle game this has been enjoyable to say the least and probably by far one of the best Idle games I've played or let's say idled in a while.

Melvor Idle is a feature-rich, idle/incremental game combining a distinctly familiar feel with a fresh gameplay experience. With over 20+ skills that you can craft/idle this game will keep you busy. In the game you also have a combat system, that is rather simple. All you have to do is equip a sword, bow or staff and fight your way through monsters.

⚔ Gameplay:

Rate: ★★★★☆

Melvor Idle has a rather simple, yet effective crafting and combat mechanic. Pick the profession or work you wish to do and see what the requirements are, and let the game just run. It's very simple and maybe sounds rather boring, but I am telling you, there's something about this game that makes it so much fun.

You can build your own way and there's no pressure whatsoever.

View Screenshot

😄 Fun:

Rate: ★★★★☆

Although I can't say Idling is fun, it's something about this game that makes every moment spent interesting. I have had my moments of "AHA" with it when I figured out what I am supposed to do.

🏞 Visuals:

Rate: ★★★☆☆

Has a pleasant interface, but could do with some work on some areas. If you like minimalistic interface this game will satisfy that need.

I would personally like a fantasy art style but that would beat the whole UI and require adjustments.

View Screenshot

🔊 Sound:

Rate: N/A

This game has no sound, so you can play or run it anywhere without having silly noises disrupt you. I like that.

📖 Story:

Rate: N/A

This is a Sandbox Idle game, so you make your own story however you like. It has no campaign, but a simple tutorial to follow.

🧵 Length:

🔲 Short
🔲 Average
🔲 Long
☑️ Unlimited

This is an idle game, so I don't think it has an end-goal, or at least I hope it doesn't. What I can tell you is that you're required to max out all your crafting and profession to level 99, which takes a while. Maybe then you can consider putting it down and if you wish start all over, but I don't see the point.

🧩 Difficulty:

☑️ Easy
☑️ Normal
☑️ Hard
🔲 Brutally Hard
🔲 Impossible

This game is rather easy to play. The only reason why it has so many difficulties is because of the combat. You have to get yourself a lot of money to support yourself with food in combat automatically, which you'll buy from the store. Until that happens it will be difficult to consider idle combating easy. You constantly have to keep an eye for your character so it won't die. If you die, you lose an item, which isn't much of a big deal.

⭕Conclusion:

Melvor is an excellent Idle game, that encapsulates the RPG very well. If you're looking for a nice and complex game, for your Steam and mobile, look no further.

This game is easy to follow up and playing it is as easy as pie.



GHOST OF TSUSHIMA: DIRECTOR'S CUT


After completing the base game and the DLC for this game on PS4 I am very very happy to get my hands once more on PC. It's by far one of my favorite PS "exclusive" games. Revisiting the world made me appreciate and love this game even more.



Although I put all my effort to complete it, the Multiplayer section is the most tedious section of the game, forcing you to grind it. So, I'm left to leave it in June as Beaten for now, but working on getting it completed.

189.9 hours
✪ 7,486

"We must fight with honor Jin!" - Lord Shimura / "Honor died on the beach!"- Jin Sakai

Sum-Up

In-depth analysis further down.

🟩 Pros 🟥 Cons
• Unique and fun samurai combat. • Beautiful world, with outstanding visuals. • Great representation of Japan and its history. • Interesting characters and story. • Good exploration without holding your hand. • Good port, with fairly good keyboard and mouse controls. • Added multiplayer with cross-play is a fine touch. • Noticed some bugs here and there related to settings. • Enforcing PSN accounts on players to play Legends. Limiting access to so many countries.
🟨 Bugs & Issues‎ 🔧 Specs ⚙️ Settings & FPS
Sometimes stutter problems occur during playthrough if I alt-tab a lot. Required to restart game to make the game run smoothly. • CPU: i7-12700K • RAM: 32GB DDR4 • GPU: 3080 10GB • SD: SSD • RES: 1440p Settings: High - Ultra FPS: 70-75
🌌 Content & Replay Value A lengthy and expansive open-world game with lots of stuff to visit, interact with, and explore. It offers a New Game + mode, and the game can be completed in 60-120 hours, depending on each playstyle.
💵 Is it worth buying? Yes. Unless you have this game bought on the PS4/PS5, I'd say this game is well worth the money it asks.
🎮 Steam Deck Compatibility Set FPS to 30 and Graphics to Low/Medium this game can run quite well on the Steam Deck.

🧾 Verdict: Excellent

Ghost of Tsushima immediately became my favorite open-world game from Sony. It does so many things right and can go toe to toe with my favorite franchise where you play as an assassin. In fact, I really think it succeeds where that franchise didn't in recent years. It's a gorgeous-looking game and runs, for the most part, as I expected on PC. I think picking this game will not disappoint you.

In-depth

⚔️ Gameplay & Exploration:

Ghost of Tsushima is an open-world action-adventure game where you play as a samurai trying to redeem his land from Mongol invaders. You are given a diversified range of combat styles, from swordplay capable of countering enemies to bows, grappling hooks, and stealth elements. Progression in the story and helping out the people of the land provide you with cosmetics and gear to upgrade your stats for weapons and armor.

Exploration is done seamlessly by the use of the wind, which slowly guides you to points of interest that you can visually see from afar, like burning villages, tall buildings, and other landmarks. The world can be traversed by horse or on foot, and later on by teleporting to points of interest.

😄 Fun:

This game has been the only PlayStation game I 100% completed without having to look at tutorials or guides. I was just drawn into it. After four years of waiting, the game feels and plays just as fun as I remember it.

🏞 Visuals & Presentation:

This game is a visual artistic treat. It offers so much detail in the world that it's impossible not to take a few steps back and capture some screenshots. The visual aesthetics of the game aim to take as much as possible a fictional yet realistic approach to feudal Japan. From the clothing to the buildings to the landscapes, it is, in my opinion, a success.

The game offers a vast range of filters to modify your experience and enjoy the game however you like.

🔊 Sound & Voice-Acting:

One of the most relaxing open-world games to explore, for the simple fact that the music is not intrusive, is representative of the world it is in, and enhances immersion. Sound effects are great and match the style perfectly.

Voice acting is excellently choreographed. Although I like to play this game in Japanese with subtitles on, I believe the voice acting in English is just as good.

📖 Story & Writing:

The main plot of the game focuses on Jin Sakai, a fallen samurai in battle who is trying to defend his land and country from the Mongol invasion. Your journey is mainly straightforward as you transform into the character known as the Ghost, and your gameplay actions have little influence over how the story ends.

The writing is well done, with a great representation of the period and characters from that period. Each decision Jin makes leads more and more to a satisfying ending.

🧵 Length & Difficulty:

It's a lengthy game. It can take a minimum of 25 hours to beat the game and up to 120 hours to complete it at the most relaxed pace possible.

The game can be difficult, especially in the very beginning as you learn how to counter, dodge, and position yourself. Lethal difficulty makes for a more realistic and fun experience where not only the aggression of the enemy increases, but also the lethality. On the other hand, you deal more damage to balance things out. It's a great balance of risk and reward.

⭕️Verdict:


Ghost of Tsushima is an excellent game that offers a richly detailed and immersive open-world experience. From its breathtaking visuals and non-intrusive music to its well-crafted story and engaging combat mechanics, the game excels in every aspect. Whether you are exploring the vast landscapes, enjoying the meticulously designed period elements, or navigating the challenging yet rewarding combat system, the game consistently delivers. Its ability to captivate players without the need for external guides speaks volumes about its intuitive design. Overall, Ghost of Tsushima stands out as a top-tier PlayStation title that is well worth your time.



A STORY ABOUT MY UNCLE


I was very excited to try this game out despite the fact that many reported that the game is a hit or miss. I am sad to say that I resonate with a lot of people giving this game a negative review. I do not recommend it sadly. The story and gameplay didn't do it for me.



Despite all that, I'm glad I tried it out. This was a win from the Non-Official Steamgifts Magazine, so expect to hear a detailed review on this if you love to read their magazines.

16.0 hours
✪ 7,042

"You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong." - Sue Fitzmaurice

Sum-Up

In-depth analysis further down.

🟩 Pros 🟥 Cons
• Unique grappling mechanics.
• Heartwarming narrative with a touching conclusion.
• Engaging, non-violent gameplay.
• Fairly smooth first-person platforming experience.
• Some platforming sections can be frustrating.
• Relatively short game length.
• Limited replay value.
🟨 Bugs & Issues‎ 🔧 Specs ⚙️ Settings & FPS
I encountered a bug where the character occasionally clips through platforms, causing unintended falls. This mainly happens in certain high-complexity areas. • CPU: i7-12700K
• RAM: 32GB DDR4
• GPU: 3080 10GB
• SD: SSD
• RES: 1440p
Settings: High - Ultra
FPS: 60-75
🌌 Content & Replay Value A short but sweet experience with a somewhat memorable story. The game can be completed in 4-6 hours, and while it doesn’t have extensive replay value, the journey itself is interesting.
💵 Is it worth buying? No, unless you enjoy narrative-driven platformers. Do get it on a discount if you wanna experience it.
🎮 Steam Deck Compatibility The game runs well on the Steam Deck.

🧾 Verdict: Mediocre

A Story About My Uncle is a unique and interesting first-person platformer game. Its unique grappling mechanics, interesting world, and soft-touching narrative create a fairly okay experience. Despite its short length and occasional frustrating sections, it might be a great pick for those that are fans of indie games and narrative adventures. I do wish it offered more world varieties.

In-depth

⚔️ Gameplay & Exploration:

A Story About My Uncle is a first-person platformer with a strong focus on exploration and movement. You play as a young boy searching for his missing uncle in a fantastical world filled with floating islands and mysterious creatures. The core gameplay revolves around a grappling hook mechanic that allows you to swing through the environment with ease. The controls are tight and somewhat responsive, making the platforming feel fluid and satisfying if you understand what you're doing.

The world is designed with exploration in mind, offering multiple paths and secrets to discover. The visual design is intriguing, with each area feeling fantastic and out of this world. While the platforming can be challenging at times, it can be rewarding when you master the mechanics and navigate through difficult sections.

😄 Fun:

The game is was somewhat frustrating at times, but can be fun for those who enjoy movement-based gameplay. The feeling of swinging through the air and chaining together jumps is entertaining at first but can easily lose its charm due to lack of complexity.

🏞 Visuals & Presentation:

The game is not visually impressive, despite having vibrant colors and imaginative environments. Each level is interestingly crafted. The art style perfectly complements the fantastical setting.

🔊 Sound & Voice-Acting:

The sound design is fairly good, with a soothing and atmospheric soundtrack that enhances the sense of adventure. The voice acting is more on the amateur side, and possibly the least enjoyable part of the game, but I like that the game was fully voiced.

📖 Story & Writing:

The narrative is one of the game's weakest points. It follows the journey of a boy searching for his uncle in a magical world, uncovering secrets, and learning about his uncle's past along the way. The writing is heartfelt and touching, but the end does fall short and kinda all the sudden.

🧵 Length & Difficulty:

The game is relatively short, taking around 4-6 hours to complete. However, it does take more to reach completion and master the game's mechanics. The difficulty is well-balanced, being able to play and beat it without much of a challenge, but can become brutally challenging when striving to complete the game. There are some tricky platforming sections, but they are manageable with practice and patience.

⭕️Verdict:


A Story About My Uncle is a unique first-person platformer with imaginative world-building and a heartfelt narrative. While the grappling mechanics are innovative and fun, the game is hampered by its short length and occasional frustrating sections. The visual presentation is decent, but not exceptional, and the voice acting leaves much to be desired. The story, though touching, doesn't quite deliver a strong ending. Overall, it offers an okay experience for fans of narrative-driven platformers, but it may not be worth a full-price purchase. Consider picking it up during a sale if you're interested in its unique mechanics and heartfelt story.



Games Completed this Month