The Backlog Check-In Vol. 447: 7/25/26: Halo: Campaign Evolved Edition

[jfissel]

Forever Skies (Xbox Series X/S) – July 27
Security 51 (PC) – July 27
EverQuest Legends (PC) – July 28
Go North (Xbox Series X/S, PC) – July 28
Gothic Classic (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S) – July 28
Halo: Campaign Evolved (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – July 28
Shards of Order (PC) – July 28
Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand (PC) – July 29
Dispatch (Xbox Series X/S) – July 29
Mistfall Hunter (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – July 29
Scuttle (PC) – July 29
The King Is Watching (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch) – July 29
Truck-kun Is Supporting Me From Another World?! (Xbox Series X|S, PC) – July 29
Kusan: City of Wolves (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC) – July 30
Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel (Switch 2) – July 30
Mechaconda (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – July 30
Shard Squad (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – July 30
Sponge Break (PC) – July 30
Truxton Extreme (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, PC) – July 30
Turnip Mountain (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) – July 30
Voidtrain (PlayStation 5) – July 30
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch 2) – July 30
Corsair Cove (PC) – July 31
The Relic: First Guardian (PlayStation 5, PC) – July 31


Finished: PowerWash Simulator 2: Star Wars DLC

Now Playing: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Added to Backlog: Nothing

Current Backlog: 35 games

Beat the Star Wars DLC, very fun levels that let you get up close to some movie icons. Will start Expedition 33 this week...got busy with some bourbon stuff last week and didn't get a chance to play.

[argyle]

Games added: Nothing

Last week: Finished nothing, played Balatro

This week: ???

Still wanna get back to Beacon Pines, but my switch is disconnected right this second due to some re-arranging. Hope to have that finished today (I took Friday and today off for my b-day, which was Friday - the big 5-1).

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[canedaddy]

Happy belated birthday! The big 5-1 is like a child compared to my big 6-2.





Played recently: Headlanders

Finished: GTA Vice City platinum

Added to backlog: nothing

I was looking for something fresh and short to play after VC and saw Headlanders in my library, so I fired it up. I'm pretty close to the end now. It's a 2D Metroidvania-puzzle mix where you, as a disembodied head, move around and put yourself on different bodies to get to new areas. It's fun, but I'm a little disappointed overall just because I have such high expectations for Double Fine, especially for humor, charm and originality. It's just OK in all three areas. This isn't a gem like Stacking, but it's still worth playing. I should finish this week.

[isthatallyougot]

Man, we are just a bunch of old crusty codgers up in this joint! I'm going to be 57 right around the corner.



Well, I guess we should be grateful. I remember phase playing (and enjoying?) Headlander, and, well, he's entered a new phase. Gotta be thankful for being decrepit, but still breathing.

I'm on a second run of Look Outside, which has been a really fun Eldritch horror experience. I wanted to try and sort out some (of the MANY) things I missed on my first run, and I've discovered so much more. There really is a ton to this game, and the presentation is simply delicious. I think it deserves its own new genre label - Cozy Horror.

And speaking of the unknowable mysteries, those religious among you should pray to your respective gods for me, because I've started up with OOTP again.

I also ran through an indie platformer called Cally's Caves 3. And, it was...there. Just a middling distraction - very basic, although not off-putting game generally.

[canedaddy]

Well, I guess we should be grateful. I remember phase playing (and enjoying?) Headlander, and, well, he's entered a new phase. Gotta be thankful for being decrepit, but still breathing.

That is an excellent point.

I just looked it up, and Headlander was his No. 5 game of 2017. Funny, I never remember him liking any game that he finished.


"5) Headlander
This is a 2.5D side scrolling retro sci-fi action adventure puzzle game developed by Double Fine with a unique concept - you play as a head. A human head in a helmet that can fly around with a booster in the helmet, and land on android and robot bodies to walk around like the other citizens. You can land on other things too such as terminals and such to activate things and so forth. The concept is totally out there, and makes for a humorous video game experience. The gameplay is fairly varied with flying, shooting and puzzle solving. The story and characters are good with some cinematic flare, the graphics are nice, the gameplay is solid, the levels are cleverly designed and it's just something that's different and entertaining to play."

[isthatallyougot]

Well, I guess we should be grateful. I remember phase playing (and enjoying?) Headlander, and, well, he's entered a new phase. Gotta be thankful for being decrepit, but still breathing.

That is an excellent point.

I just looked it up, and Headlander was his No. 5 game of 2017. Funny, I never remember him liking any game that he finished.


"5) Headlander
This is a 2.5D side scrolling retro sci-fi action adventure puzzle game developed by Double Fine with a unique concept - you play as a head. A human head in a helmet that can fly around with a booster in the helmet, and land on android and robot bodies to walk around like the other citizens. You can land on other things too such as terminals and such to activate things and so forth. The concept is totally out there, and makes for a humorous video game experience. The gameplay is fairly varied with flying, shooting and puzzle solving. The story and characters are good with some cinematic flare, the graphics are nice, the gameplay is solid, the levels are cleverly designed and it's just something that's different and entertaining to play."

Haha, that's one thing I always felt a little bid bad about for phase. Obviously he had his own personal issues and struggles (like we all do, to be fair), but the thing he claimed to love most (gaming - along with music..."music" ) seemed to just bring him more misery most of the time. He was a real Eeyore in a lot of ways. I wish he could have taken better care of himself, although that's no guarantee of longevity either. If you're reading this from beyond phase, please don't haunt me. (Unless it's to give me winning lotto numbers )

[jfissel]

Happy Birthday, argyle!

And yeah, I also had fun with Headlander - it's a Double Fine game for sure.

[canedaddy]

I beat Headlanders last night. It's a fun game, no doubt. Good solid B+. Just not as many chuckles and wow moments as Double Fine's best stuff.

Haha, that's one thing I always felt a little bid bad about for phase. Obviously he had his own personal issues and struggles (like we all do, to be fair), but the thing he claimed to love most (gaming - along with music..."music" ) seemed to just bring him more misery most of the time. He was a real Eeyore in a lot of ways. I wish he could have taken better care of himself, although that's no guarantee of longevity either. If you're reading this from beyond phase, please don't haunt me. (Unless it's to give me winning lotto numbers )

Sad but true. Maybe he finally realized gaming brought him misery and he abandoned it and this board to take up something like golf instead.

[argyle]

Thanks guys - at least I'm an old man in good company.

And I thought of phase as soon as cane mentioned Headlanders. I gotta say, I miss having him around here.

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Anyway, it's that time again!

Exit 8 - A Japanese movie that, from my understanding, is based on an indie game. I know the game exists, I just wasn't exactly sure which came first. At any rate, it was billed to me as a horror movie, but I wouldn't describe it as that at all, more of a psychological sci-fi movie. A young Japanese man on his way home gets a call from his girlfriend, learns she's pregnant, then, as he's walking through the subway tunnels to his exit, finds himself alone in a looping section of tunnels he can't get out of. It's very well done, keeps things interesting despite the premise's repetitive nature, and at an hour & a half, doesn't overstay its welcome. I'd recommend it for anyone who likes a good trippy movie. 4/5 stars

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - This is a grim but incredible movie with an absolutely stacked cast. It presents itself at first as a whodunit. The main character is the mother of a girl who was murdered around a year before the start of the movie, and she puts up 3 accusatory billboards asking why the local police department hasn't found the killer yet. What follows is a movie that is less about solving a crime and much more about hate and forgiveness. Every character in it is very fleshed out and more than they appear at first. There are no real good guys or bad guys, just people who make terrible decisions. The ending is absolute *chef's kiss*. It's an intense movie that I don't think I could watch again, but I'm extremely glad I watched it once. Very highly recommended. 5/5 stars

Spider Noir - Not a movie, but who cares. Easily one of the best things I've ever seen Nick Cage in, and I'm a fan of Nick Cage. The whole noir vibe of this show is fantastic, and I highly recommend watching it in black & white (as intended, Nick confirmed that they only included the color version to appease the young ones who wouldn't watch anything in b/w). The other standout performance is Lamorne Morris (who I previously knew as Winston from The New Girl), who plays Spidy's best friend & confidant, who's also a reporter. I'd really like to see him in more roles; he just knocked this out of the park. The only weak link in the cast to me was the secretary, who wasn't BAD but was just kind of there. Even if you have Marvel fatigue - and I definitely do - this is a great series that has its own vibe and stands on its own. Another high recommendation! 5/5 stars

[jfissel]

I beat Headlanders last night. It's a fun game, no doubt. Good solid B+. Just not as many chuckles and wow moments as Double Fine's best stuff.

Yep, agreed. Heard Double Fine has to lay off some people in order to keep going, unfortunate situation.

Sad but true. Maybe he finally realized gaming brought him misery and he abandoned it and this board to take up something like golf instead.

Yes, golf is a sport that gives no one misery.