The Backlog Check-in Vol. 424: 2/14/26: Avowed PS5 Edition

[jfissel]

Astrobotanica (Early Access) (PC) – February 16
Caves of Qud (Switch) – February 16
Dobbel Dungeon (PC) - February 16
Aerial_Knight's DropShot (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – February 17
Avowed (PlayStation 5) – February 17
Forgotlings (PC) - February 17
Subnautica (Switch 2) – February 17
Subnautica: Below Zero (Switch 2) – February 17
Under the Island (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – February 17
Menherarium (PC) - February 18
Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC) – February 18
Strange Brew (PC) - February 18
The Killing Stone (PC) - February 18
Death Howl (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch) – February 19
Demon Tides (PC) - February 19
Love Eternal (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC) - February 19
Neva: Prologue (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC) - February 19
Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse (Switch, PC, iOS, Android) - February 19
Styx: Blades of Greed (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) - February 19
Baladins (PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch) – February 20
Ys X: Proud Nordics (PS5, Switch 2, PC) - February 20


Finished: Once Upon a Katamari (platinum)

Now Playing: Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties

Added to Backlog: Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties

Current Backlog: 38 games

Got the plat in Katamari, which basically requires all cousins and rolling up all 3 crowns on each stage. I got all presents on top of that, but still missing about 300 items from the collection.

Then started Kiwami 3 and already put nearly 8 hours into it. Still in chapter 2 and roaming around doing side stuff as much as possible.

[argyle]

Games added: Nothing

Last week: Finished nothing, played Fallout New Vegas & HKIA

This week: Same

Really digging my replay of Fallout NV. I just made it to the strip last night, but that's mainly because I've been doing as much of the side stuff on the way as possible. Dunno if I need to worry about spoilers here, I feel like anyone who has any interest in the game has already played it by this point - but if not, speak now!

I got my new turntable on Saturday and got it set up - LOVE it. Sounds fantastic, but honestly just happy to be able to listen to my records again. My old one has been out of commission since sometime last year (I may have said that already, I can't remember...). I'll snap some pics of my new setup - I got my new shelving put together last month as part of my "getting stuff done" initiative, have some LEDs on the back of it that gives it a really cool glow, and put some mounts on the wall above it all where I can display some albums & swap those out as I feel like it. Spent most of Saturday listening to albums after I set up the new player. It was great.

[canedaddy]

Got the plat in Katamari, which basically requires all cousins and rolling up all 3 crowns on each stage. I got all presents on top of that, but still missing about 300 items from the collection.

Awesome! How would you say it stacks up with the other games?

I got my new turntable on Saturday and got it set up - LOVE it. Sounds fantastic, but honestly just happy to be able to listen to my records again. My old one has been out of commission since sometime last year (I may have said that already, I can't remember...). I'll snap some pics of my new setup - I got my new shelving put together last month as part of my "getting stuff done" initiative, have some LEDs on the back of it that gives it a really cool glow, and put some mounts on the wall above it all where I can display some albums & swap those out as I feel like it. Spent most of Saturday listening to albums after I set up the new player. It was great.

Very cool. I might do that if not for the fact that all my old albums are long gone. I was stupidly careless with them, leaving them at a friend's house when I went off to college.


Played recently: Ball x Pit, Need for Speed: Heat

Finished: nothing

Added to backlog: Ponq Quest

Well, I did play NFSH for about 10 minutes... which was long enough to learn it is not for me. The first racing bit felt off, the story was insultingly dumb, and then you get to the character selection, where you must choose one from a dozen or so ugly, bland, supposedly "cool" drivers. Made me long for the cartoony but fun lineups of games like SSX3 and Midnight Club 2.

After that, I just played more Ball x Pit, which by comparison is GOTY. I unlocked a few more characters, levels, enhancements, etc.

[argyle]

Well, I did play NFSH for about 10 minutes... which was long enough to learn it is not for me. The first racing bit felt off, the story was insultingly dumb, and then you get to the character selection, where you must choose one from a dozen or so ugly, bland, supposedly "cool" drivers. Made me long for the cartoony but fun lineups of games like SSX3 and Midnight Club 2.

Is there a demo up for Forza Horizon 5? If so, I highly recommend checking it out, it's an amazing game - I'd say I haven't had that much fun in a racer since Burnout Paradise.

[isthatallyougot]

I got my new turntable on Saturday and got it set up - LOVE it. Sounds fantastic, but honestly just happy to be able to listen to my records again. My old one has been out of commission since sometime last year (I may have said that already, I can't remember...). I'll snap some pics of my new setup - I got my new shelving put together last month as part of my "getting stuff done" initiative, have some LEDs on the back of it that gives it a really cool glow, and put some mounts on the wall above it all where I can display some albums & swap those out as I feel like it. Spent most of Saturday listening to albums after I set up the new player. It was great.

Cool beans! Something about the tactile warmth of analog can never be replicated digitally.

Here's one to put on the spinner.



Did you hear about the Lover's Arch in Italy collapsing on Valentine's day?! Wild Stuff, huh?!? What causes this sort of weird "coincidence"? Who knows?

Edit: The only Fallout I've played is 3 and a very tiny bit of the original. No need to hold back. I don't give a shit!

Edit 2:

Oh I also want to carve out time next week to do a combined 24-25 goty list mostly for my own amusement. Reflecting is fun! Call me out if I haven't started by Sunday please !

Time is a funny thing, but the calendar before my eyes says it's Monday.

[jfissel]

Awesome! How would you say it stacks up with the other games?

It's been so long, but it had a good variety of levels - cowbear returned, as did rolling up roses or making a big fire. Solid entry for sure and I would recommend it for Katamari fans.

[canedaddy]

Is there a demo up for Forza Horizon 5? If so, I highly recommend checking it out, it's an amazing game - I'd say I haven't had that much fun in a racer since Burnout Paradise.

Good question! I will check. I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy it, but tough to spend $40 or more on a less-than-sure-thing.

It's been so long, but it had a good variety of levels - cowbear returned, as did rolling up roses or making a big fire. Solid entry for sure and I would recommend it for Katamari fans.

Thanks for the word. No doubt I'll enjoy it whenever I get to it.