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Games Completed in 2025
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Bluesky Thread: https://bsky.app/profile/pxa.ca/post/3lfftqgwqla2l
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Total: 52
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TitlePlatformDateTime to BeatCo-OpDLCModReplay
≠ 2025 Start
Notes/Review
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Astro BotPlayStation 5January 1021:43:592024Pure, distilled, joy and one of the best platformers in a very long time. Everything about this game is designed to make you smile and it feels like a celebration of PlayStation, not an ad for it. Team Asobi have ascended to S-tier devs.
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Indiana Jones and the Great CirclePC Game PassJanuary 1331:59:302024A fantastic, single player, AAA title that actually shipped in good shape. Captures the spirit of Indiana Jones better than the last two movies, both in game play and tone. Only let down is the utterly moronic enemy AI that makes stealth a chore. Other than that, I don't have a bad word to say about this. A better Uncharted than Uncharted.
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6PC Game PassJanuary 1810:14:27The script could have been written by AI, but this did some impressive things with the stock Call of Duty campaign. Two large levels with open objectives, multiple horror themed levels and some amazing environments to fight in. It's still dumb, but was good dumb and I like that they're finally trying new things.
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Alone In the Dark (2024)XboxJanuary 219:37:18Part Resident Evil, part Layers of Fear, part Twin Peaks. Great environments, good voice acting and not overly scary, but gives a real unsettling vibe. The combat isn't great, but there isn't much of it. This flopped and the devs were shut down, but I think they and the game deserved better. Grab it on sale.
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A Plague Tale: RequiemPC Game PassJanuary 2817:57:33A huge step back from everything that made the first game so special. I honestly think fans of the first are best served sitting this one out, unless you really want more of what it offered, plus a lot of stuff you probably don't want. Full review here: https://howlongtobeat.com/game/93945/reviews/u-PXAbstraction/1
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INDIKASteamFebruary 54:19:18Honestly have no idea what I just played. Maybe it went over my head, but it was absurdist in just about every way. Thing is, that's a compliment because I think I kind of liked it, in spite of not getting it? Can't say more without spoiling it, but play this if you really like the weird.
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Sniper Elite: ResistancePC Game PassFebruary 58:31:39This iteration was outsourced and it does unfortunately show. Still good nut busting co-op fun, but the story's even weaker than usual and the levels, while still huge, don't feel as interesting as previous instalments. Perfect for Game Pass.
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Star of ProvidenceSteamFebruary 1610:48:002017One of the best roguelites I've ever played. Twin stick shmup style. Perfect NES aesthetics and is challenging, but not brutally punishing like some others. Can be played for FAR long than one run, and I very likely will. Get this if you like Roguelites! Coming to Switch too.
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Project HailstormSteamFebruary 160:12:27An aspiring dev's project to see if he could do it. A very short walking sim, inspired by Half-Life, Firewatch and The Thing. It has fantastic atmosphere, but it's less than 15 minutes and ends right when it was starting to get interesting. Great concept and hey, it's free, but very much feels like a playable teaser. I hope it turns into a full project.
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LiquidatorsSteamFebruary 160:50:17A short horror title trying to recreate the dread of the real men who had to open the valves under Chernobyl to contain a bigger nuclear disaster. Well done PS1 aesthetics and a fear of oppressing dread I haven't felt in any other horror game. It's free, short and I highly recommend it.
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Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine IISteamFebruary 287:29:202024Good, dumb shooty shooty bang bang. Looks amazing, but had a lot of performance issues for me. The story's also kind of lame and ends abruptly, but no one's here for the story. Looking forward to the Operations mode.
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PsychromaSteamMarch 162:16:25A straight forward point and click adventure played with just the keyboard. Has cyberpunk tone, but isn't explicitly that. More of a haunted house adventure, where you do almost Inception style memory diving to try and figure out your past. Hard to follow, but really compelling.
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The Children of ClaySteamMarch 170:13:49Originally made for a game jam, this is a very short and free horror vignette about exploring a cursed object. It makes you feel uneasy from start to finish and shows a great concept that I'd love to see expanded upon. Give it a try!
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Split FixtionSteamMarch 2612:08:46This has earned every ounce of praise it's gotten. Story isn't perfect, but it gets moving near the end, but the level design and things they black magic Unreal Engine into doing are unduplicated. Brilliant acting too. Easily my GotY so far. Play this!
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South of MidnightPC Game PassApril 2713:44:57A really neat adventure 3D platformer about loss, grief and anger, told through a lens of southern folklore. Stellar visuals and voice acting, but thoroughly mid combat and awful boss fights. A unique journey though, and that soundtrack!
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Twin MirrorSteamApril 295:30:53Thoroughly mid effort from both Don't Nod and another studio that was originally episodic, then wasn't. Feels rushed and unfinished. Short, you barely have time to get to know the characters and it all ends on the same binary choice. Full review here: https://howlongtobeat.com/user/PXAbstraction/reviews/u-57271/1
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Old SkiesSteamMay 1115:16:45A modern point & click with a complex plot that's told in a very digestable way and deals with some hard themes that will make you think. Presentation isn't 100%, but the writing and acting are brilliant and it's not full of moon logic. I not only really enjoyed the game, but this relit the fire I had for point & click games when I was growing up. There's a lot of Wadjet Eye stuff on my backlog I now intend to move further up, plus I want to explore the modern entries in this genre more. Highly recommend. Full review: https://howlongtobeat.com/user/PXAbstraction/reviews/u-108617/1
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DOOM: The Dark AgesPC Game PassMay 2422:00:10I get any fans who say this doesn't feel like a DOOM game because it really doesn't in many ways, especially with deemphasized gunplay and lower difficulty. The story is also nonsensical and the soundtrack is weak (#IStandWithMick) but the combat is still an absolute flow state blast and keeps adrenaline pumping the whole time. 2016 is still the best new DOOM, but this was great.
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Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun - Words of VengeanceSteamMay 240:11:42They made a free three level Typing of the Dead game in the style of Boltgun to promote the sequel. A pretty hilarious few minutes, though it's pretty easy, even on high difficulty. Some short and free fun times.
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Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun - Forges of CorruptionSteamMay 254:43:25It's more Boltgun, which is a good thing, but the last several encounters are incredibly cheap, bordering on unfair and will require a lot of repetition and straight up luck to get through. Still looking forward to the sequel, which I hope is way better optimized.
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Emily Is AwaySteamMay 260:25:40A free, short narrative game told through an XP era instant messenger. Had this installed forever and never got around to it. It seems basic on the surface, but it's very much a choices matter game and teaches a life lesson I wish I knew back in the day. Curious to try the sequels.
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Rollers of the RealmSteamMay 309:36:18A game I covered as a wee YouTube lad and never finished. If you remember Pinball Quest from the NES, this takes that idea and expands it further. A simple story and not a complex RPG or a super advanced pinball game, but blends both genres very well. A good few hours.
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AtomfallPC Game PassJune 2120:29:28Feels like STALKER Lite in many ways, but not bad ways. I like that it doesn't lead you by the end and it plays well (oddly bad stealth system aside), but it starts hard until it suddenly gets very easy and the story does nowhere interesting, even with all the multiple endings. Good Game Pass game.
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to a TPC Game PassJune 237:19:40A quirky, goofy, but also poignant at times adventure game about a boy who has to live his life in a T post. It's a Keita Takahashi game through and through and it's utterly smile inducing, even with some wonky controls and mechanics sometimes. I enjoyed my time with it.
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Lords of the Fallen (2023)PC Game PassJuly 121:09:53One of the first big off-brand Soulslikes, but it's more recent remake. I suck at these types of games, but this one allows full end-to-end co-op, which made it much more enjoyable. Impenetrable story as is typical, but a neat world, good combat and a cool dimenstional shifting mechanic.
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Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Ultra Crafted EditionPC Game PassJuly 127:13:34A competent remaster of a game that's VERY much the product of its time. You can see a lot of its DNA in Space Marine II, but this one is definitely from multiple generations ago. And why bother remastering the awful multiplayer mode? It's unbalanced to the point of being broken and no one's playing it, but it's like half the game's achievements.
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Aliens: Fireteam ElitePC Game PassJuly 157:36:442022It's a...fine Left 4 Dead-like I guess? Writing and story are both minimal and not great and the gunplay is OK, but the levels are very linear and pretty generic and the game wants you to repeat them a LOT to max out. OK for Game Pass, but that's about it.
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s.p.l.i.tSteamJuly 260:47:04A very short, very cheap horror vignette about a dystopian future, where you're trying to hack...something that appears to be suppressing people. Very dark story, but impacts for sure and has a cool aesthetic.
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The DrifterSteamJuly 268:28:46Review: https://geekbravado.com/the-drifter-review/
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Mafia: The Old CountrySteamAugust 1313:01:44Review: https://geekbravado.com/review-mafia-the-old-country/
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Life Is Strange: Double ExposureSteamAugust 1912:25:32Review: https://howlongtobeat.com/user/PXAbstraction/reviews/u-152014/1
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The Signifier: Director's CutSteamAugust 235:49:12A techno-murder mystery with surprisingly prophetic (for the time) themes about big tech, the rise of AI and the nature of human consciousness. Involves trying to reconstruct someone's memories from the inside. Not difficult, but has a number of outcomes and choices really matter. Not for everyone, but quite an experience.
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and RogerSteamAugust 230:57:26This is under an hour long and is a visual story with mild interactive elements. It's also of the hundreds of games I've finished, one of only three to make me cry. Sets expectations at the start and then completely upends them in a way I didn't see coming and suplexes your feels. At least try it if you're unsure. It's...wow.
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Wheel WorldPC Game PassSeptember 17:15:49A miniature open Zelda-like adventure, but centered around cycling. It's very easy (like VERY easy) despite it's dodgy collision, but it's a nice, relaxing title that just has good vibes and is just a fun few hours. And by the Nidhogg people!
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You MustSteamSeptember 101:32:36Another Emika Games asset flip house of horrors (but it's a different dev name, so maybe it's someone else). Honestly, I'm pretty done with these. Too reliant on jump scares, horribly translated (seriously, this is a solved problem) and pointless story. I have one more installed that I'm going to beat, then that'll be it. Can be skipped.
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Planet of LanaPC Game PassSeptember 165:24:14Another "emotional puzzle platformer", I actually liked the premise of this, though I saw the ending coming a mile off, as most probably will. The puzzles were also quite easy, but I loved the style and the world idea of it. Looking forward to the sequel.
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Father's DaySteamSeptember 172:45:26Probably Emika Games' most extensive work, but still more of the same. Bad writing, horrible translation, needless jumpscares, all over top of an interesting, dark short story. Last one of these I'm going to play.
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Who Pressed Mute On Uncle Marcus?SteamSeptember 274:20:082022Another Wales FMV game. Kind of like a low budget Knives Out, made under the constraints of COVID. The deduction mechanics are actually pretty neat, but you'll have to replay it a LOT to get everything, so keep that in mind. Fun for the time I had with it though.
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It Takes TwoXbox Game PassSeptember 2912:49:56Got to this way late after already playing Hazelight's other games. Played it with my lady friend. What can I say that hasn't already been said? This deserves every ounce of praise it's gotten. Absolutely loved it and one of the definitive co-op experiences to play.
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Dead TakeSteamOctober 53:38:40A very Layers of Fear inspired psychological horror title about the horrors of trying to break into acting and working with extreme auteurs. Largely a walking sim, with a few relatively easy puzzles and some FMV scenes that are very well done by some of the best voice actors in gaming, and also Alannah Pearce. Shows many of these actors have chops beyond just voice. Sadly also has a lot of jump scares that add nothing useful. A toggle to turn them off would have been nice. This was made on a shoestring budget to keep Surgent Studios afloat and it definitely shows in places, with a lot of store-bought assets being used and an overall basic level of polish. For something made so cheaply and quickly though, there's a cool story here and it would be cool to see them take a shot at another with more time and money.
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Beyond BlueSteamOctober 63:27:54A simple experience that's part collectathon, part small interactive documentary. The story in it is simple, but moving in spots. Not action focused at all, but relaxing and very pretty.
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A Way OutXbox Game PassOctober 115:25:17Still fun, but definitely Hazelight's weakest game and you can tell it was their freshman effort. You can also tell it ran out of budget near the end, with the multiple chapters of terrible, bland combat encounters. Also still had an awful ending. But still great, shorter co-op fun!
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CocoonPC Game PassOctober 136:10:59A gorgeous, multi-layered puzzle game from the creator of Limbo. Simple story, but it's about the puzzles. Starts not too bad, but gets brain melting in the back third. Did use a walkthrough a few times. Love the style and ideas! A fun few hours.
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Battlefield 6SteamOctober 185:13:04Thoroughly mid, like one of the mediocre CoD campaigns. Some flashy setpoints, but a lot of drawn out levels, on rails segments and a story that's ridiculous but takes itself super seriously. Apparently the result of development Hell. I mean, if you buy the game, might as well try it I guess.
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BuriedSteamOctober 260:11:17An interesting, single scene, atmospheric psychological horror vignette, clearly based on the Ryan Reynolds movie. Super cheap and kind of interesting, but *very* short and easy.
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Fears to Fathom: Home AloneSteamNovember 20:18:58A very short (and free) horror vignette, apparently based on a Reddit story. First of 5 episodes. A nice first effort and free too. The paid ones are apparently bigger. Going to do them all.
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Fears to Fathom: Norwood HitchhikeSteamNovember 20:43:41The second episode, with a bit more depth and length than the first. Has some annoying jank with movement, but definitely did the creepy atmosphere better.
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Darkenstein 3DSteamNovember 56:44:07Surprised this was free, especially given it was published. A one man made tribute to Wolfenstein 3D, but a whole new game. Impressive scope and scale with a goofy story and a lot of weapon variety. Sadly, it's rather buggy, some of the last levels are too sprawling and no mid-mission saves is really frustrating. Solid boomer shooter though and can't beat the price!
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BALL x PITPC Game PassNovember 1032:52:34What if Vampire Survivors, but also Breakout, with a bit of simple town building? It doesn't sound like it should work, but it does and it's sooooo satisfying for an ADHD brain like mine. Nearly 33 hours and it flew by. Kenny Sun is such a good designer. Highly recommend at least trying this.
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DispatchSteamNovember 278:36:39As someone who puts mechanics first and foremost when deciding what makes a good game, I'm amazed that my Game of the Year has barely any gameplay in it, yet here we are. Full review: https://howlongtobeat.com/user/PXAbstraction/reviews/u-160618/1
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It Takes A WarSteamDecember 10:57:34An emotional story about the fleetingness of human connection, told through a Counter-Strike 1.6 metaphor. Doesn't feel like it's really going anywhere meaningful until the back third and then hits like a truck. At least it did for me.
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Leaf It AloneSteamDecember 102:13:20Another delightful ADHD brain tickler with really satisfying physics, simple objectives and neat environments. It's short, but cheap and some good fun. Definitely recommend if you like these.
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