Mission Cleared: Backlog #5

Backlog: an accumulation of something, especially uncompleted work or matters that need to be dealt with.

Oxford Dictionary

Week 4 Progress

• The Long Reach (NS) – 40%
• Old Man’s Journey (NS) – 100%
• Tiny Metal (NS) – 50%
• Observation (XGP) – 100%
• CASUAL – Rogue Company (XGP)

This week I found solace in completing TWO MORE games. Observation was great, and was enough to satisfy my sci-fi geekness in one playthrough. I very much recommend it–check out the review I did.

The Long Reach is good, and on paper, compelling. But for some reason, I try to play it towards the end of my day, and it just bores me to sleep. This game is short, like under two hours, and I have not been able to put in the time. I’m disappointed in myself more than the game, but I promise to will myself to complete it this upcoming week.

Old Man’s Journey had been on my list for quite some time, as the chill vibes and beautiful artwork caught my eye. This is one issue I’m sure I’ll explore more as I complete my backlog, but this game just didn’t do it for me. I don’t know if it was too chill, or just not enough to it, but I 1000% enjoyed the intent behind it, and the art was extremely memorable. I just feel like similar puzzlers have done similar things better. When it was released three years ago, the game rightfully received accolades. Now, it kind of blends into the indie art game scenery.

Tiny Metal has earned its place in my heart since its release, I just never was compelled to finish it until now. I’m going to let it simmer a little longer this upcoming week, to make the backlog challenge more interesting.

Hard Sci-fi + Escape Room/Point and Click=Observation

WEEK 5 – AUGUST 17TH – AUGUST 23rd

LEGEND: XGP=XBOX GAME PASS, XGWG=XBOX GAMES WITH GOLD, NS=NINTENDO SWITCH, NSO=NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE, PC=PC

*Added estimated time remaining to completion*

• Battletoads (XGP) – ??
• The Gardens Between (XGP) – 2.5 hrs
• The Long Reach (NS) – 45 min
• Metro 2033 Redux (XGP) – 10hrs
• Quantum Break (XGP) – 10 hrs
• CASUAL – Tiny Metal (NS)
• CASUAL – Rogue Company (XGP)

As you can see, this is an interesting week. Putting a new release on the list may be risky, but I’ve been looking forward to Battletoads for quite a while. If I get some teammates for 3 player co-op, completing this should be in the bag. The Gardens Between and The Long Reach are easy options and should keep up my streak of completing a couple titles every week. Metro and Quantum Break are titles that have been on my mind for far too long, and with Remedy‘s latest announcements, I need to prep myself for what I’ll be getting into with the Control Ultimate Edition next month.

You might notice that the last couple blogs have shown up on Tuesdays, and that is now by design. When I started the backlog challenge, I did not anticipate taking on new release titles. Since Game Pass is bringing delicious new options every month now, I have decided to alter the posting schedule so I can better have time to choose and play new release titles, which often come on Tuesdays.

Be sure to check out next week, which will without a doubt include Tell Me Why, the newest heart-wrenching drama from Dontnod.