If this isn’t a solid representation of my gaming style…I don’t know what is.

 

2023 ended with the obsession of my favorite gaming genre – open world.  I played several hours of Ark Survival Ascended, Starfield, more Ark, sprinkled with a little Disney Dreamlight Valley, Smallworld and Hogwarts Legacy.  On to 2024 and my obsession hasn’t changed, but the games sure have.  Let’s see what random titles I’ve been interested in lately and take a look at what I’m excited for in Q2 and beyond.

Is this really a surpise?  I think everyone has heard of Lethal Company by now.  Technically this game released in October 2023, but I’m still playing it because it’s THAT fun.

I’m not sure its “one-man-band” dev, Zeekerss, was ready for the viral effect it had on the gaming community, but it continues to entertain.  With the infinite number of mods that are being utilized and the shear amount of creative content it has provided for players, it’s no wonder this game is still a favorite.

The moons are simple, yet terrifying.  The concept is simple, but almost gets lost in the hysterical comedy of the “great assets” succumbing to their untimely death by dead girl, then realizing everyone on the team is dead and you all just got fired by the company. Choatic, hilarious, fun.

It recently grabbed the 2023 Steam Award for Better With Friends and I couldn’t agree more.  If you haven’t played this yet, grab a few friends and prepare yourselves for laugh out loud jump scares and make sure to ring the Collection Bell SEVERAL times.

I am no pro gamer.  If I’m in a squad, I am not that jack of all trades, good at everything type of player. I like contributing a single skill that I can manage and execute well and with precision.  This game let’s me do that.  I can be a Scout and I can be the best Scout with the best grapple gun and illuminate our cave with the light of a thousand suns so we can get the mission completed.  Expect me to have an OP Scout and level 1 everything else in this game.

A top-down single player game was released earlier this month that is sure to entertain, as well.  Find Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor here.

FOR KARL! (I still don’t know who that is…)

Ok. Now I implied in the beginning that my gaming style can get a little wacky.  Hear me out…open world is arguably my favorite genre, but I didn’t come up with “PointeAndClick” because I really liked giving every key and button a hotkey assignment (and yes, there IS supposed to be that extra ‘e’ in pointe, but we can discuss that later).

I found these games by pure accident while perusing the Steam Store and niching down to the genres I enjoy.  I enjoy cozy, point and click puzzle games.  These games are so nice to explore and allow myseslf a break from the labor intensive grind that open world games are known for.

Cat Search is quite literally that – you’re searching for hidden cats in a side scroller and it’s great. And I 100% the game in 23 minutes. AND…it’s free!

A Little To The Left is an organization puzzle game and scratches that itch to tidy while also procrastinating actual real life chores.  I also love that they’ve included “Daily Tidies” so even when you’ve finished the game – you’re not finished.

It’s nice to have a couple quick puzzle games in my back pocket for those days I just want to game and chill.

big map to explore, bosses to defeat, base building, cute pets and I can play with my friends!  And I’m definitely no expert in the gaming field, but this game just seems so…clean.  It’s fun, it’s pretty, it’s entertaining and I don’t see myself letting go of this game any time soon.

Currently I’ve progressed over 100 hours in game and I’ve reached the point where I can’t spoil much for myself – so I’ve turned to the Paldex to enhance my playing experience.  My latest favorite tool is the breeding calculator that I used to breed my OP Fenglope Athena.  My next project will be to breed better workers and find an amazing setting for my third and final base build.

This game has made headlines, both positive and negative press, but for me this game will suck me back in like a toxic relationship every time.  Just like Ark (…Ark 2 is releasing this year), just like No Man’s Sky (…Hello Games has Light No Fire coming).  I need more computer space!

There is definitely space for many games to have been on this list, but these just happen to be the games I enjoy playing at this time.  Several other games are sure to entertain and I may decide to pick them up eventually:

• • • • • Helldivers 2 – Arrowhead Game Studios
        • Skull & Bones – Ubisoft
        • Nightingale – Inflexion Games
        • Myth of Empires – Angela Game
        • Garden Life – Stillalive Studios
        • Pacific Drive – Ironwood Studios
        • Enshrouded – Keen Games
        • Robin Hood Sherwood Builders – MeanAstronauts

I’m also super excited for the rest of Q1 and already have several 2024 (and some I’m thinking will be 2025) titles wishlisted.  Some titles include:

• • • • • Ark 2 – Studio Wildcard – TBD
        • Alone In The Dark – Pieces Interactive – March 20, 2024
        • Honeycomb: The World Beyond – Frozen Way – Q3 2024
        • Fantastic Haven – Piece Of Cake Fabulous – Q2 2024
        • Critter Cove – Gentleman Rat Studios – Q2 2024
        • Reveil – Pixelsplit – March 6, 2024
        • Viking City Builder – Titan GameZ – TBD
        • Another Crab’s Treasure – Aggro Crab – April 25, 2024
        • Botany Manor – Balloon Studios – April 9, 2024
        • Light No Fire – Hello Games – TBD

To name a few…

I want to know what you’ve been playing.  I want to know what you’re excited for.  I want to know what gaming genres you enjoy.  Give me all the good titles past, present and future.  There’s so many wonderful games out there, and I want to see the gems!  Happy Gaming!!