December - Is it that time of the year already!

Play

Wordle, Strands & Connections (Android)

Still playing these three games on a daily basis, Wordle streak is at 65 days! Connections is the tougher game of the three and my max streak is 37 days with 21 Perfect Puzzles & Strands is all perfect, 67 games played with 100% solved.

It Takes Two (PS5)

Very slow progress on this, always waiting for my co-op partner to be available. But I do like beating her at the mini-games

 

Lost Records Bloom & Rage - Tape 2 (PS5) - Completed

Continues from the first game with the girls reliving their memories and looking for closure. It's a telltale-like game with freedom to explore but does have the dreaded timer to pressure you into decisions.

Hole.io (PS5) - Completed

Sometimes the simple games are the most fun, perfect for a few minutes of gaming.

 

Of course I end with a Waterfall video from Pacific Drive which I started but just could not gel to it and enjoy.

 

December Gaming Plans

Hopefully some more time enjoying It Takes Two, starting and completing As Dusk Falls & Sword of the Sea (both of which are short games, according to HLTB) & deciding which of my physical games I start for Christmas?! I'll leave that as a surprise for next month's post!

 

Backlog

Digital Games (31) - No change including no new purchases!

PS+ Subscription (4) -  Reduced by 1, I completed Lost Records Tape 2, I did add Pacific Drive & Thank Goodness but then promptly took them off (see bin)

PS+ Monthly (20) - No change

Physical Games (12) - +1 in Dragons Dogma 2

Total = 67 Games

Shopping

Purchased Steamworld Dig 2 & Steamworld Build on digital & Dragons Dogma 2 on Physical (I had £10 bonus points to use on Game Collection), and yes I still need to play the first game! 

Want

Wishlist is reduced by 2 because Pacific Drive & Thank Goodness were added to Playstation Extra 

Bin

Trophies - I've now turned off all notifications for trophies to allow me to just enjoy games the way I want to and not have some tickbox exercise, it really helped me enjoy Lost Records Tape 2 not having to worry about collectables or pointless trophies.

Pacific Drive

I was curious about this but maybe it's the UI or playing with a controller I found it quite cumbersome and got bored of the crafting. It did have a waterfall in the game!

Thank Goodness You're Here

Another game that was on my wishlist and I'm glad I did not purchase, yes it's a comedy game but it's very crude comedy with sexual innuendos and yeah not for me, deleted!

 

 

 

 

 

Xbox 360 - "Happy 20th Birthday"

20 years old this year, Happy Birthday Xbox 360

 

 

The "Xbox 360" has a special place in our household; it was, and still is, the "best" console ever. I am outvoted by my five kids!

Around 2004/5 (PS2), I was done with console gaming and went back to the PC. In 2008, whilst browsing Gumtree, I came across a listing for an Xbox 360 with 20+ games for £240! which was a stupidly cheap price. Phoned up, and it was still available. The seller was leaving the country and could not take it with him.

Games included Halo 3, Burnout Revenge, Perfect Dark Zero, Gears of War, Mass Effect, Skate & Crackdown

I was partway through playing Bioshock on the PC (still haven't completed it!) and was gobsmacked by Halo & Burnout.

It was my kids' first "family console", sorry, Nintendo. My kids were 11, 8 & 6, and they loved Halo 3, Skate & the indie games like Keflings. It cemented the joy of local co-op gaming, started the "Claptrap Boys" (a group of friends that I played with every week), and I have played some of the best games ever on the 360

Notable Mentions (2008 to 2014)

Halo 3 - The best local co-op experience playing with my son & Halo 3 Forge mode kept my kids entertained for years! Duck hunt, anyone?

Fallout 3 - Bethesda at their best!

Shadow Complex - One of the best Metroidvania games I have ever played

Batman: Arkham Asylum - which I purchased for £1 from a car boot sale!

Borderlands - The start of the "Claptrap Boys"

Assassin's Creed Games - They are still making them? Why am I still playing them?!

Limbo - A masterpiece of "indie" gaming

Skyrim - Bethesda at their best! It was all downhill after that!

Mass Effect Trilogy - Who knew that there would be a better sci-fi video game than Halo!

Red Dead Redemption - "Chef's kiss"

Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Will this IP ever come back alive?

Skate, Toy Story 3, Keflings, Geometry Wars, Forza Horizon, Walking Dead, Dead Space, Call of Duty Modern Warfare, Minecraft, Left 4 Dead, Braid, Trials, Peggle, Plants vs Zombies, X-Com, Puzzle Quest, Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons & lots more I can't think of at the top of my head & the kids are not around to chime in with their favourites.

So for the Khan household, the XBOX 360 is the GOAT & it is still set up so the kids can have a nostalgia trip whenever they want.

November - Autumnal Vibes

Play

Currently Playing

Wordle, Strands & Connections (Android)

Finally got a perfect with a video game category!

 

 

I'm enjoying playing daily Wordle, Connections & Strands. I've given up on Spelling Bee (requires in-app subscription to progress) & Pips (is pretty easy on the first two levels and Hard is difficult to play on mobile phone).

Hole.io (PS5)

A simple game where you start off as a tiny hole and have to eat things to get bigger, lol it's great fun! 

Balatro (PS5)

Back at this trying to crack the Purple Stake on the Yellow Deck!

It Takes Two (PS5)

I missed this off last month post but started this with Nemo, now I just need to get here attention off Simpsons Fortnite & Skate to get back to playing it!

November Plans

To play Lost Records Bloom & Rage Tape 2 & Sword of the Sea

Completed

Lost Records Bloom & Rage - Tape 1 (PS5)

Developed by Don't Nod (I do enjoy playing their games!), this is a story about four girls who go back to the town of Velvet Cove to relive the summer of 1995, will be starting Tape 2 soon.

8/10 

Messenger (Browser)

Gobsmacked that it runs in a browser, nice and short, 20 to 30 mins max with a handful of fetch-type quests, but lovely to explore.

Go play it https://messenger.abeto.co/ 

5/10 

The Invincible (PS5)

A video game adaptation of a science fiction novel by Stanislaw Lem, looks stunning; gameplay is mainly a walking sim type.

7/10 

Promise Mascot Agency (PS5)
For the first time in forever, I purchased, played & completed a game in the same month!

Really enjoyed this, it feels like a large-scale "Kairosoft" game with a funny cast of characters & a Yakuza story. This would not look out of place in a RGG Yakuza game.

8/10

 

Yet another Waterfall!

 

Backlog

Current Backlog

I have had a proper look through my backlog to remove games I have no intention of playing or have expired in the subscription service. 

Digital Games - 31 with new purchases inc Darkest Dungeon & Steamworld Dig 2.

PS+ Subscription - 5, I've added As Dusk Falls (looking forward to playing this story game)

PS+ Monthly - 20 (recently added Cocoon & Alan Wake 2)

Physical Games - 11 (no new additions)

Total  67 Games (Reduced by 25 from last month!)

Shopping

I've added a new Shopping page to the top, current total is £310.27!

https://www.gospvg.com/p/2025-shopping.html 

I upgraded Alan Wake 2 to the Deluxe editiion to get the DLC, purchased and completed Promise Mascot Agency in the same month!, Papa Quiz for £1.99 is something to enjoy with the family & Darkest Dungeon, I blame Abbas who was singing it's praises! 

 

Want

Current Wishlist is at 27 Games (added Paradise Killer) but I need to focus on the games above!

 

Bin

Nothing again, I think I'll remove this section going forward if nothing to add.

October - Once a gamer always a gamer!

Play

Dredge (PS5) - Completed

Once a gamer, always a gamer. I took a few weeks off gaming to rest & had a doctors/physio appointment for my RSI. Anyway enough of that and back to gaming, Dredge has been on my PS+ Subscription backlog for a while and I was keen to play it before it left the service.

 

It is a nice short indie title where you steer a boat around collecting fish/loot to sell and use that cash to upgrade your boat. There is a main quest that has you collect trinkets for a mysterious man (all is revealed in time).

 

Be careful when going out at night & always make sure you get your sleep! 

 

Lost Records Bloom & Rage Tape 1

 

From the makers of Life is Strange (which is still on my backlog) Don't Nod this is a story about four girls who reunite 27 years later after spending a summer together in 1995

 

It is not a game that can be played in small chunks due a checkpoint system so I'm only really paying at weekends to ensure I can complete a story section.

 

Wordle

I've heard about it but I've only gotten into this from the kids mentioning it, it is part of my daily routine now to spend a few minutes completing or on a couple of occasions failing and not guessing the correct word.

 

I play on the New York Times games app & thus have also been enjoying Pips (Domino puzzle game), Spelling Bee, although this only let's you play up to the solid rank before promoting the subscription. Connections which I'm really bad at! & Strands which I do enjoy. 

 

 

Backlog

I've purchased a few more games in Shadowrun Trilogy & Shadow Warrior Trilogy both were recently on sale and on my wishlist.

Current Backlog

Digital Games - 44 (added six with Shadowrun & Shadow Warrior Trilogy)

PS+ Subscription - 16

PS+ Monthly - 24 

Physical Games - 11 

Total  95 Games

October Targets

- Don't buy anymore games!

- Carry on playing shorter length games with Sword of the Sea next 

 

Want

Current Wishlist is at 27 Games (added two in Harmony - The Fall of Reverie & Tactical Breach Wizards)

 

Bin

Nothing for September, I enjoyed my time off gaming catching up on TV shows.

September - RSI Pains

Play

Fantasy Life I (PS5) - Completed

I should have quit playing this game on the first button-tapping mini game, it just aggravated my RSI pain.

 

Thus for now I have taken a break from gaming & catching up on some TV shows, if you have not watched already I would strongly recommend Shogun (Disney+) & The Penguin (Now TV/Sky)

 

Backlog

I have not purchased anything else, I did spend a bit of time moving from the google spreadsheet over to Backloggd to track what games I have to play.

Want

Nothing

Bin

Mohsin spent a bit of time taking the PS5 controllers apart to fix the stick drift issues, thank you kid.

Fantasy Life showed the lack of disability features in some games are very poor.

August 2025 - It's going to be a takedown!

Yes I've watched K-Pop Demon Hunters!

Play

Fantasy Life I (PS5)

It's been a while since I have played an Animal Crossing/Stardew Valley style cosy game. Fantasy Life I has many different classes from fishing, combat to crafting.

 

 

 

Ghostwire Tokyo (PS5) - Completed

 

The last few boss battles were a bit challenging but completed last month, there were still many activities left on the map but I am not a fan of the Ubisoft style of filling a map with icons.

 

Backlog

Shopping

Added Fantasy Life I & Indiana Jones & the Great Circle.

I spent a bit of time sorting out my PlayStation Library into Subscription, Monthly & Purchased games. Currently sitting at 93 games!

I'll focus on the subscription games before they leave the service.  

Want

A few more titles added to my wish-list in Promise Mascot Agency & Thank Goodness you're here.

Bin

Stick drift, one of my PS5 controllers has started to drift.

July 2025 - It's too hot to play video games!

Play

Ghostwire Tokyo (PS5)

You can fight the supernatural with Wind, Water or Fire attacks, but I like the stealth approach with the bow. It does have mild jump scares, but overall, it's fun to explore Tokyo. I also like there are lots of pets in the game.

Like A Dragon Ishin (PS5) (Completed)

I enjoyed this very much; always a good feeling playing a RGG game, and the Wild Dancer style is so much fun.

 

Balatro (PS5) (Completed)

 

I'm done with this, I've completed as many decks as I can It's an addictive game, and I've spent enough hours with it already. 

 

Backlog

Shopping

Added more purchases to my backlog! in Atomfall, Like A Dragon Pirate Yakuza, Tiny Tina Wonderlands & Claire Obscur.

Want

I enjoyed the many not E3 showcases and added more games to my wishlist.

Bin

I need to stop buying more games, although I am at least playing on a regular basis.

June 2025 - I completed two games in a month!

Play

Like A Dragon Ishin (PS5)

I did not know this was a remake of a 2014 PS3 title, I'm enjoying the new setting and the game play is the familiar yakuza style.

As always I am distracted by the side content, this time fishing & gardening. 

Balatro (PS5)

The addiction is real, I've completed the first few decks but trying to manage the digital crack and have left it alone to enjoy Ishin.

Robocop Rogue City (PS5) - COMPLETED

I enjoy this janky action shooter and even went and got the last few trophies for the platinum.

 

Road 96 (PS5) - COMPLETED

Completing two games in a month! A miracle I know!

This is what happens when you avoid huge open world games, Road 96 is a procedural indie game that has you helping teenagers escape from a politically charged country.

Backlog

Shopping

Purchased two physical games in System Shock & Star Wars Outlaws.

Want

I'm not interested in the Switch 2 but looking forward to the many Not E3 showcases this month.

Bin

Nothing, the bin is empty

May 2025 - Finally completed Cyberpunk 2077!

Play

Phantom Liberty (PS5)

I completed Phantom Liberty and finally waved goodbye to Cyberpunk 2077. After 220 hours of gaming it was finally time to move on from Night City.

Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe (PS5)

I need to take a break from long timesink gaming and returned back to the indie scene and enjoyed and completed The Stanley Parable.

 

Robocop Rogue City (PS5)

Next up I recently started Robocop Rogue City which has an old school shooter feel including janky voice acting & character animation.

Backlog

Shopping

Nothing purchased in April, now that I have finished Cyberpunk I can focus on my backlog and I'm specifically looking at games that can be completed in less than 50 hours. I need to try and avoid timesink games.

 

Want

Great reviews for Clair Obscur Expedition 33 and I hope to enjoy this at some point during the year.

Maybe Oblivion which was shadow dropped, I have never played this game. Skyrim is my only elder scrolls game.

PS+ games for May have been announced and I'm looking forward to playing Balatro. What did I just say about timesinks?

Bin

Games coming off PS Plus subscription service, I wish all additions had at least a year or they clearly show when they are leaving the service so you can decide to start playing or not.

April 2025 - I have finally finished Cyberpunk 2077, well sort of!

Play

Cyberpunk 2077 (PS5) 

After exploring every nook and cranny of Night City & enjoying the multiple different endings. I've finally completed Cyberpunk 2077 and got the platinum.

Except ...

Phantom Liberty (PS5)

I have gone straight into playing the the Phantom Liberty DLC.

One annoyance I did have with the game is in place it it very dark and there is no brightness setting or torches in the future?!

Backlog

Shopping

£23 spent on a pre-owned Metaphor ReFantazio

PlayStation Plus (To Play)

Yet another game I want to play in Robocop was added.

Want

I have no interest in the Switch 2 but interesting to see the RRP of games increasing with Mario Kart World (the obvious spiritual successor to Burnout Paradise)

Bin

Lack of time to gaming, I'm always too busy doing something else

March 2025 - Yes I am still playing Cyberpunk 2077!

Play

Cyberpunk 2077 (PS5) 

I have gone past the 100 hour mark in this game now, I have fully decked our Gold Tier Cyber Implants and I still tend to default to using hacking skills and stealth combat, usually by hacking a camera and using that to take out nearby enemies preferably by explosive devices. 

I am focusing on increasing my Solo & Shinobi skills so default to Shotgun/Assault Rifle when required, the other skills are nearly all maxed out. Truthfully combat with guns is way too easy with the Smart Assault Rifle. 

I love exploring and finding side quests or an NPC mission, it is a huge open world.

I started the game at the beginning of the year so it is going to take me a long while yet before I complete it! 

It Takes Two (PS5)

My daughter wanted to try this and it's an enjoyable co-op action platformer with some light puzzle sequences. We played for a few hours and hopefully I can convince her to get back to it so we can complete it.

 

Backlog

On the shelf

Annoyingly, I only lasted 5 weeks into the new year before purchasing a game!

Fist of the North Star (£3.99 in a PSN Sale) released by RGG Studio (Now you can understand my weakness!) for that price it was too good an offer to say no & RGG can do not wrong. 

No idea when I am going to play it because Cyberpunk 2077 is eating up all my gaming time & I have not even got to the Phantom Liberty DLC!

PlayStation Plus (To Play)

Star Wars Jedi Survivor & Dragon Age Veilguard was recently added to PS+ so looking forward to enjoying those games.

 

Want

Nothing, nothing at all, I just need more time to enjoy gaming!

 

Bin

Starting a game, one annoying little gripe with Cyberpunk 2077 on the PS5 is having to press continue four times to load the game, I do wish there was a continue feature on the PS5 dashboard like Infinite Wealth that took me straight into the game from my latest save file.  I do miss the Xbox Quick Resume feature.

 

February 2025 - I'm a netrunner baby!

Play

Cyberpunk 2077 (PS5) 

It has taken me a while to understand all the systems at play in the game but I finally have my Netrunner V, going in with Contagion & using Overdrive for Synapse Burnout. If all else fails my trust Tier 5 pistol can headshot for 150% damage!

The star of the game is Night City,  just an amazing city to explore and so much to discover from random gang fights to gigs.

I am currently about 75 hours in but I expect I will be playing this game for all of February and maybe even March!

 

Want

I stayed strong and avoided purchasing Star Wars Outlaw, I just need to focus on enjoying what I own.

I have added a few more titles to my shopping list and currently it is quite long but I won't be buying anything for a long while.

Baldurs Gate 3, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, Shadow Gambit Cursed Crew, Star Wars Outlaws, Ghost of Yotei, Metal Gear Solid Delta, Death Stranding 2, Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza, Assassin's Creed Shadows, Mafia The Old Country, The Alters, Clair Obscur Expedition 33, Kriegsfront Tactics, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream & Dispatch.

Bin 

Nothing except maybe my lack of gaming time at the moment being limited to a few hours a week.

 

January 2025 - Happy Cyberpunk 2077 New Year

Play

After completing the Kaito Files DLC for Lost Judgement, I've just been dabbling around trying the odd PS+ title like Forspoken, Nobody Saves the World, My First Gran Turismo etc but nothing really grabbed my attention. 

My daughter is still playing Final Fantasy 7 Remake so the PS5 disc drive slot is full & Spider-Man 2 will have to wait, I purchased Cyberpunk 2077 and the Phantom Liberty DLC in the recent Black Friday sales on digital. The physical release of the game only has a code for the DLC.

Cyberpunk 2077

There are quite a few game mechanics to get your head around and the map opens up very quickly for you to explore. It got me thinking about how a video game introduces a player to the a world and it's mechanics. I think Horizon Zero Dawn did a very good job with only giving the player a small area and introducing each mechanic slowly to ensure the player knew how to control Aloy before opening up the world. Cyberpunk 2077 takes a different approach and throws a lot of mechanics at you almost immediately and opens up the world map for you to explore. Thus I'm taking it a little bit slowly to understand how best to use the hacking skills, combat & all the various different side quests/jobs you can take on before I venture out to explore the world.

Want

I double stacked on PS+ during Black Friday sales so this will be my main source for new titles, I have quite a bit on my backlog that I have purchased either physical or digital & plan to enjoy these before going shopping.

Spider-Man 2 & Shadow Tactics (Physical). Outer Wilds, Empire of the Sin & Front Mission 1st (Digital), Like A Dragon Ishin, Disco Elysium, Sackboy & Bioshock Collection (PS+)

There are quite a few games released (Star Wars Outlaws, Shadow Gambit, Baldurs Gate 3) or coming soon (Like A Dragon Pirate Yakuza) that I want to purchase but nothing that I need now so they can all wait.

Bin

Fortnite - The one game in 2024 that sucked so much of my gaming time.