Last year was the first time I really dedicated myself to playing the games in my backlog I always wanted to play. I didn’t receive a terminal diagnosis or have a loved one die, but I realized my time is limited, so I needed to make my game time count. This year ended with another respectable batch of games crossed off the to-do list, many of which are mentioned below. On the other hand, the last quarter of the year was dedicated almost exclusively to a pair of new releases, and well worth it!

This list is in alphabetical order.

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia – I’m going to have to make it a point to play a Metroidvania once a year. I love these types of games so much and this was such an enjoyable example.

God of War – This is maybe… my favorite game on the PS4? This was such a well-rounded game: challenging action, fun gameplay systems, beautiful, expansive environments, killer characters, an interesting story. I went from never really playing the series to basically guaranteeing a day one purchase for the sequel.

Final Fantasy VII – It’d been a year or two since I played a Final Fantasy, and this was chronologically the next. Although it’s dated by today’s standards, it’s easy to why so many love it, and so many think it’s overhyped. Personally, I fall into the former. It’s not my favorite entry in the series, but it’s high on the list. Maybe I’ll be able to get through both VIII and IX next year…

Fire Emblem: Three Houses – I’m someone who loves systems in video games, and this game is loaded to the brim with them! I was hopelessly addicted to this game: over 180 hours across two playthroughs, and I honestly could play more.

Kingdom Hearts – This is one of those games/series that I’ve been wanting to play for a long time. I’m so glad I started. Here pretty soon, I will continue my adventures with the HD 2.5 Remix compilation.

Microsoft Solitaire Collection – As always, there’s a game or two that I haven’t written a review for yet. This game, available on PCs and phones has been my go-to time waster for most of the year. There’s loads to do across the five different styles of solitaire. There’s a (kinda pricey) subscription option to remove ads, but they honestly aren’t too bad. Plus, I can unlock achievements on my Android phone. On my phone!

Pokemon Sword – I’m a Poke Maniac, so naturally the newest core entry in the series would appeal to me. This is a stellar addition, too! After completing the game, and the Pokedex, I’ve been breeding while watching Netflix with my wife. I’ve already racked up more than a hundred hours, and there’s no end in sight.

Secret of Mana – A friend and I played through this together on the SNES Classic. Early on, it was very disappointing. I’d been looking forward to playing this game for years and the sudden difficulty spike early on nearly caused us to quit. Thankfully, we kept at it and wound up having a great time!

Shadow Hearts – Another backlog game, it was pretty creepy actually. It has all the trappings of a JRPG from the early 2000s and I got a kick out of it. I’ll get to the sequels, at some point.

Titanfall 2 – It seems like everyone who plays this game raves about it. I’m a member of the club now.