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December Update – Game of the Year 2024

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Playing Now

Football Chairman 2 & Suika (Android)

After what feels like forever I am back playing on mobile! I got a voucher from the Play Store and use it to purchase Football Chairman 2. 

Rohan Rovers are currently in Division 2 and fighting for promotion.

Another mobile game that I've been playing is Suika a simple game like 2048 where you join fruit together to challenge for a high score.

Kaito Files (PS5)

I've completed Lost Judgement and purchased the Kaito Files DLC in the recent Black Friday sale, it's a short 4 chapter story but thankfully has no sidequests and you can get stuck into the story.

 

Playing Complete

Lost Judgment (PS5)

Back with Yagami and Kaito on another detective adventure, I do enjoy the slower pace of these games and the addition of the skateboard makes traversal around the map much easier. I complete some of the sidequests but soon got bored of these and just focused on the main story. I've nearly caught up with the RGG games just Like A Dragon Ishin left to enjoy & the release of Pirate Yakuza next year.


Shopping/Playing Next

With 30% Black Friday offer I renewed Playstation Plus and managed to get the offer to double stack until December 2026.

For once I did not purchase any Physical Games at all during the sales.

After Kaito Files I'm going to take a bit of a break to catch-up on some films/tv shows I want to enjoy and then will start Spider-Man 2 over Christmas.


Game of the Year 2024

Excluding Fortnite/FC 24 & my return to mobile gaming it's been a bit of a poor year for completing games with only eight games completed but I enjoyed kicking of the year with Assassin's Creed Mirage, a much shorter game not filled with the usual Ubisoft bloat.

Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth had a great story especially Kiryu's. Like always these games have a stack of side content that just eat the hours away.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake also had a stack of side content but went for the ubisoft formula of copy/paste all over the map and I soon gave up on this to just enjoy the main story which was a a bit of a rollercoaster but not bad for a remix.

I expected Dave the Diver to be a short indie title but how wrong was I when I completed the game over fourty hours later! 

Banishers Ghosts of New Eden was my surprise of the year and way better than I was expecting with a great storyline and satisfying combat. 

Miasma Chronicles was an X-Com style strategy title by the developers of Mutant Year Zero and whilst the story is pretty much boring the combat was enjoyable especially with the various skills at your disposable.

I manage to catch-up also on both the Judgment games whilst reusing the assets of the Yakuza games, RGG introduces new characters in the form of Yagami an ex-lawyer & Kaito an ex Yakuza who form a detective agency. It is a much sower format than the Yakuza games but both games have a main plotline that slowly unravels to reveal it's secrets.

Assassin's Creed Mirage (PS5)
Yakuza Like A Dragon - Infinite Wealth (PS5)
Final Fantasy 7 Remake (PS5)
Dave the Diver (PS5)
Judgment (PS5)
Banishers Ghosts of New Eden (PS5)
Miasma Chronicles (PS5)
Lost Judgment  (PS5)

Yakuza Infinite Wealth is my game of the year just because of how RGG managed to connect Kiryu & Ichiban stories together and fill the game with so much varied side content that you never get bored. A special mention also to Banishers Ghosts of New Eden (PS5).

December Update – Game of the Year 2024

Posted on Written by

 

Playing Now

Football Chairman 2 & Suika (Android)

After what feels like forever I am back playing on mobile! I got a voucher from the Play Store and use it to purchase Football Chairman 2. 

Rohan Rovers are currently in Division 2 and fighting for promotion.

Another mobile game that I've been playing is Suika a simple game like 2048 where you join fruit together to challenge for a high score.

Kaito Files (PS5)

I've completed Lost Judgement and purchased the Kaito Files DLC in the recent Black Friday sale, it's a short 4 chapter story but thankfully has no sidequests and you can get stuck into the story.

 

Playing Complete

Lost Judgment (PS5)

Back with Yagami and Kaito on another detective adventure, I do enjoy the slower pace of these games and the addition of the skateboard makes traversal around the map much easier. I complete some of the sidequests but soon got bored of these and just focused on the main story. I've nearly caught up with the RGG games just Like A Dragon Ishin left to enjoy & the release of Pirate Yakuza next year.


Shopping/Playing Next

With 30% Black Friday offer I renewed Playstation Plus and managed to get the offer to double stack until December 2026.

For once I did not purchase any Physical Games at all during the sales.

After Kaito Files I'm going to take a bit of a break to catch-up on some films/tv shows I want to enjoy and then will start Spider-Man 2 over Christmas.


Game of the Year 2024

Excluding Fortnite/FC 24 & my return to mobile gaming it's been a bit of a poor year for completing games with only eight games completed but I enjoyed kicking of the year with Assassin's Creed Mirage, a much shorter game not filled with the usual Ubisoft bloat.

Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth had a great story especially Kiryu's. Like always these games have a stack of side content that just eat the hours away.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake also had a stack of side content but went for the ubisoft formula of copy/paste all over the map and I soon gave up on this to just enjoy the main story which was a a bit of a rollercoaster but not bad for a remix.

I expected Dave the Diver to be a short indie title but how wrong was I when I completed the game over fourty hours later! 

Banishers Ghosts of New Eden was my surprise of the year and way better than I was expecting with a great storyline and satisfying combat. 

Miasma Chronicles was an X-Com style strategy title by the developers of Mutant Year Zero and whilst the story is pretty much boring the combat was enjoyable especially with the various skills at your disposable.

I manage to catch-up also on both the Judgment games whilst reusing the assets of the Yakuza games, RGG introduces new characters in the form of Yagami an ex-lawyer & Kaito an ex Yakuza who form a detective agency. It is a much sower format than the Yakuza games but both games have a main plotline that slowly unravels to reveal it's secrets.

Assassin's Creed Mirage (PS5)
Yakuza Like A Dragon - Infinite Wealth (PS5)
Final Fantasy 7 Remake (PS5)
Dave the Diver (PS5)
Judgment (PS5)
Banishers Ghosts of New Eden (PS5)
Miasma Chronicles (PS5)
Lost Judgment  (PS5)

Yakuza Infinite Wealth is my game of the year just because of how RGG managed to connect Kiryu & Ichiban stories together and fill the game with so much varied side content that you never get bored. A special mention also to Banishers Ghosts of New Eden (PS5).

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  
 
 

Yakuza Like a Dragon (PS5) – Completed Review

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I have not played any of the previous Yakuza games, so why was I interested in this game?

Because I enjoy turn-based RPGs, proper turn-based not like the Final Fantasy 7 Remake classic mode!

Yakuza Like a Dragon ticks all the right boxes for a great RPG, first it has an enjoyable cast of characters from Ichiban your main protaganist to Nanba a homeless guy who has a complex backstory. I played with the English voice-acting and it is very good.

Each character can be assigned a job which will give them a wide array of skills, these jobs can be changed when you want but it is probably best to stick with one through the game so you can level up the job rank. Each rank upgrade will reward you with better stats and may unlock new skills.

Most important on the RPG checklist is the story because this is what will keep you interested to carry on playing, Like a Dragon's story will throw a few surprises and is inter-linked with a wide-array of characters from Family Patriarchs to leaders of various factions. 

There are also many sidequests which will see you helping the residents of Ijincho with their problems and you will also be introduced to some of the mini-games from Can-Collecting to Dragon Kart.

Whilst walking around Ijincho, Sotenbori or Kamurocho you have many distractions from Shops, Restaurants, Casino's to Arcades which give you the oppurtunity to enjoy some classic Sega Games including Space Harrier, Out Run & many more. There is also a workshop which will allow you to upgrade certain weapons but be warn getting the materials for later upgrades will require you to grind either Dungeons or the Battle Arena.

My only gripe was the RNG involved in getting the Honk-Honk characters to appear on the map, after a few hours of trying I gave up to enjoy finishing the story.

Overall it is a great RPG to enjoy with an engaing story and loveable cast of characters, I am hoping the developers stick with the turn-based combat for the next Yakuza game & bring back Ichiban and his gang.