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April 2024 Update – The weather today is "Cloudy"

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Playing NOW

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (PS5)

So much more content to this game compared to Remake, lots of side activities including an addictive card combat game "Queens Blood" and suttle changes to combat with co-op abilities.

Taking it open-world lets you explore more of the areas either on foot or on a chocobo. It uses the "Ubisoft" Tower formula to scan the area for activities which range from combat missions to excavation & lifestreams which unlock the area lore. 

You have a nice recap at the beginning to remind you of what happened in the first game before the story begins & it moves along at a rapid pace. I'm 30 hours in at the moment and have just completed Costa Del Sol.

Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2 (PS5)

The new season "Myths & Mortals" brings along quite a few changes with thuderbolt strikes & wings that let you soar into the sky and then crash down on an enemy.

The Season Pass has a Greek Mythology theme & includes Cerberus, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Zeus & Hades skins. The Mid-Season skin is Korra from Avatar The Last Airbender.

 

 

I've mainly playing on solo this season because Nemo has not purchased the battle pass, I guess she wants to take a break from the game. Hopefully I can tempt her back for the odd session.

My Fortnite Playlist below including some Victory Royales, Boss Fights & the new Thunderbolt & Wings gameplay.

 

The Floor is Lava also made it's return, just a shame you can only play it with a squad of four players. I've being mostly playing solo with no fill & still managed to get in the top 10 on quite a few occasions.

I've not gone back to play the Lego Fortnite mode and waiting for the season reset for Rocket Racing.

Playing Complete

Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 1

I enjoyed the new Lego Fortnite & Rocket Racing modes but the Solid Snake Skin was the highlight for me this season.

Like A Dragon - Infinite Wealth

This game should come with a warning that it will eat into your life, truly a massive game that I sunked many hours into enjoying. The Sujimon & Dondoko Island mini games were both very addictive and just shows the work RGG Studio have put into ensuring the game offers new experiences for Yakuza fans.

The main plot does not disappoint with Kiryu & Ichiban teaming up together to explore Japan & Hawaii. I won't spoil the story but just to say I really enjoyed the Kiryu memories storyline.

Already a contender for Game of the Year.

Playing Next

Truthfully I'm not sure maybe Spiderman 2 but I've also not played the Xbox in a while so maybe something on gamepass?

Playing Backlog

Spiderman2
Judgement
Lost Judgement
Outer Wilds
Shadow Tactics
Like A Dragon Ishin
Sea of Stars

Playing Future
Quite a bit on my list but I'm not planning on purchasing any more games at the moment & just enjoying what I already own.
 
Midnight Suns has been added to PS+ so I will certainly give it a try.
 
Star Wars Jedi Survivor was on sale recently but I avoided purchasing because I expect it will come to GamePass soon.
 
Starfield - I should at least give it a try, it is the reason I purchased the Series X console after all!
 
Star Wars Outlaws - I know, I know it is a Ubisoft game & I'm sure will have lots of copy/paste features from other titles but it's Star Wars!
 
Metal Gear Solid Delta - Not sure it will be released this year
 
Death Stranding 2 - I'm expecting more Kojima-ness, I enjoyed the first game even if I was a bit confused by the plot!
 
Balatro - Poker Themed Roguelike
 
Banishers Ghosts of New Eden - The latest game from Don't Nod where you play as a ghost hunter.
 
Pacific Drive - I'm curious but will wait for a PS+ or Gamepass release
 
Eiyuden Chronicles Hundred Heroes - Spirtual succesor to Suikoden
 
Sandland - Akira Toriyama Open world vehicle combat RPG
 
Rise of Ronin
Open Roads
Dave the Diver
The Plucky Squire
Baldurs Gate 3
Cyberpunk 2077
Shadow Gambit Cursed Crew
 

March 2024 Update – Dondoko Crossing

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Playing NOW 
Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth (PS5)
Lots to explore and enjoy, it really is an infinite game. I need to stop getting distracted by side content and focus on the main campaign.

Fortnite (PS5)
After the TMNT mini-pass, I've not played this much and just waiting for the new season now.

Playing NEXT
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has been delivered but I won't be starting it for a while, I expect I'll still be playing LADIW for most of March.
 

Playing BACKLOG
I've reduce this list a fair bit to just focus on games that I want to play, time is limited so I need to be more selective.

Spiderman 2
Judgment
Lost Judgment
Outer Wilds
Shadow Tactics
Like A Dragon Ishin  
 
 

February 2024 Update – Ichiban goes to Hawaii

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Playing NOW

Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth (PS5)

Easily my most anticipated release this year, Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth does not disappoint. Back with another adventure with Ichiban & Kiryu also decides to tag along.

It took me a while to get familiar with the turn-based combat after enjoying all the previous action based games since Ichiban's first game. It has a nice quick smackdown feature similar to the Persona "All Out Attack" where you can wipe out lower levelled enemies with a press of the L2 button.

The mini-games are as always great timesinks and I am enjoying Sujimon & Dondoko Island.

Fortnite (PS5)

A mid-season update has dropped a TMNT (teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) mini-battle pass which unlocks a shredder skin, I have also completed the Solid Snake challenges and unlocked the skin.

 

Playing COMPLETE

Assasins Creed Mirage (PS5)

I enjoyed this shorter experience than the previous games & the focus on stealth combat and tools is my default playstyle.

Playing NEXT
After Infinite Wealth it will most likely be Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. My aim for this year is to focus first on games released in 2024 that I want to play, if nothing is available then I will go back and look at my backlog.

Playing BACKLOG
These are games I already own that I really need to find some time to enjoy.

Starfield
Spiderman 2
Judgment
Life is Strange
Sackboy
Lost Judgment
Outer Wilds
Shadow Tactics
Disco Elysium
Empire of Sin
Bioshock Collection
Dragons Dogma Dark Arisen
Like A Dragon Ishin

Game of the Year 2023

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God of War Ragnarok - Custom PS5 Cover Art : GodofWar

It's been a busy year for gaming, starting off with The Gardens Between & my catch up of the Yakuza games is completed with Song of Life. Then back to the open plains with Aloy before catching up with Kratos & Atreus. When I decide what to play after completing a game I like to mix genres and also play some shorter indie titles after completing a longer game. Thus next came Lego Builders Journey, Lost Words & Dodgeball Academia.

A return to form for the Final Fantasy series in 16 with some great Eikon battles & then an adventure in the potterverse with Hogwarts Legacy. Old Mans Journey & Dysmantle kept me busy during August before I picked up a XSX console and Gamepass & scrapped my own rule of one console per generation.


The PS5 then took a break whilst I went on a gamepass playing spree in Unpacking, A Short Hike, Quantum Break, Venba, Halo Guardians/Infinite, Vampire Survivors, Gears 4 & 5. Gamepass offers day one releases and not just on first party games but also selected third party & I got to enjoy Jusant & Like A Dragon Gaiden.Forager then kept me busy for a while before the storm that was brewing for December arrived & swept everything aside to announce the new Fortnite, a multiverse of games now included Rocket Racing, Festival & Lego Fortnite.

2023 GOTY - God of War Ragnarok, I love a game that has a great story & God of War Ragnarok does not disappoint. The Father/Son relationship is put to the test with the arrival of Odin. The gameplay carries over the previous game with some suttle changes but it is the story that kept me glued to the controller. God of War was released in 2018 & then 2022 for Ragnarok, hopefully we do not have to wait too long for the next game in the series.

Special mention also to Final Fantasy 16 which had some truly epic Eikon fight sequences and is easily a showcase for this genertation. I also throughly enjoyed Quantum Break which I only started due to a GamePass weekly challenge and then could not put down. Last but not least the Indie games with Venba, Jusant, A Short Hike & Lost Words being great gaming experiences.

The Gardens Between (PS5)
Yakuza 6 Song of Life (PS5)
Horizon Forbidden West (PS5)
God of War Ragnarok (PS5)
Lego Builders Journey (PS5)
Lost Words (PS5)
Dodgeball Academia (PS5)
Final Fantasy 16 (PS5)
Hogwarts Legacy (PS5)
Old Mans Journey (PS5)
Dysmantle (PS5)
Unpacking (XSX)
A Short Hike (XSX)
Quantum Break (XSX)
Venba (XSX)
Halo Guardians (XSX)
Halo Infinite (XSX)
Vampire Survivors (XSX)
Gears of War 4 (XSX)
Gears 5 (XSX)
Jusant (XSX)
Like A Dragon Gaiden - The Man Who Erased His Name (XSX)
Forager (XSX)
Lego Fortnite (PS5)

December 2023 Update

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Playing NOW

Persona 5 Tactica (XSX)

It's got mixed reviews but I'm enjoying it. I've not played a turn based xcom like game for a while (last was in 2021 Mutant Year Zero).

Forza Motorsport (XSX)

I've played the tutorial section and first cup but have not been back to it since Persona 5 Tactica was released. I expect I'll be playing this very slowly over 2024 in small bouts.

 

 

 

Playing NEXT

Assassin's Creed Mirage (PS5)

I managed to pick this up cheap £15 on facebook. I've not touched the PS5 since I purchased the XSX late August this year. I know I'm going to miss the XSX quick resume feature already.

 

Playing FUTURE

Starfield (XSX)

I think this needs a little bit longer to cook, reports of memory leaks/crashes, I'm going to a wait a while longer.

Spiderman 2 (PS5)

Not purchased it yet, will wait now until I've completed Assassin's Creed Mirage.

Baldur's Gate 3 (PS5)

Again not purchased, with the physical version being released in 2024 I'll wait for now, also you never know Microsoft may splash the cash and make it available on gamepass

Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth (XSX)

Probably the only game I'm going to buy on day one in 2024.

Cyberpunk 2077 (XSX)

With the complete edition releasing soon will definitely be playing this in 2024!

Star Wars Jedi Survivor (XSX)

The XSX is now my preferred console for multiplatform releases because of quick resume. I was hoping for a decent Black Friday deal but will wait for the inevitable gamepass release.

Other titles on my wishlist are

Midnight Suns

Metal Gear Solid Collection 1

Shadow Gambit - Cursed Crew

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

 

Playing Backlog

In no particular order I own the following I still want to play.

Judgment

Life is Strange

Sackboy

Persona 5 Strikers

Lost Judgment

Outer Wilds

Shadow Tactics

Disco Elysium

Empire of Sin

Bioshock Collection

Dragons Dogma Dark Arisen

Like A Dragon Ishin