Gonzo_Me

For me it's Road 96. Because, sadly, this game seems to be becoming more and more relevant with every passing day. Plus, you know, it's a pretty cool game too of course. 🙃

Personally, I've never liked the whole "all in one" approach they launched with Xbox One in the first place. Like many others that jumped ship at the time, I prefer a game console to focus specifically on gaming. While I didn't jump ship like so many others, I welcome the change. Too bad that, for many others, such a refocus on gaming will be seen as nearly twelve years too late.

I'm ancient and hardly represent any gamers other than myself, but for me my list was as follows:

1. Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
2. South of Midnight
3. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

This is one of my most favorite games of all time! The emotional depth of and engagement with these characters is absolutely top notch. And the visuals are quite impressive as well. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for me, let's just say it's a proper brew.

They are dead last and struggling to sell their consoles, so they raise the price by 100 bucks? Cool cool cool...

Broken Records: Bloom & Rage. Nothing else even comes close. At least for me.

The Sisters 2 - Road to Fame. Quite possibly the greatest video game in the entire history of humanity. Without this game, one's existence is devoid of all meaning and purpose.

First-party: Senua's Saga.

Third-party: Lost Records: Bloom & Rage.

I played about an hour of Avowed and loved it, but as Don't Nod's Lost Records: Bloom & Rage was also released this week, that's what I'll mainly be playing for the foreseeable future.

Spending my time this weekend playing The Last Campfire. Purchased recently on a whim when it was on sale, it turned out to be one of the most charming and thoughtful little games I've encountered in a long time. It mightn't be everyone's cup of tea, but oh my goodness, it sure is mine!

Looks up while playing Starfield and notices summer break is almost over. Shrugs. Goes back to playing Starfield for the remainder of summer break

1. Mass Effect: Andromeda
2. Starfield
3. Life Is Strange 2

This is just the latest example of what I've been saying all along. The trouble with the Xbox brand isn't Xbox, the trouble is Microsoft itself. Things run much better when the Xbox division is allowed to handle themselves and make decisions themselves. This is the division that, for the most part, understands (or is supposed to understand) the console and video game market and the gamers who are interested in them. But because Microsoft is such a huge corporation, all they ultimately care about is increasing profits at all costs rather than satisfying the market they serve. It is apparent that they (Microsoft) have very little understanding of this market or of the gamers that they serve. This has been especially true of the petty bean counting Satya Nadella era. It is easy enough to point fingers at Phil since he is the head of Xbox or whatever, but the reality is Nadella is pulling the strings, and there isn't much Phil or Xbox fans like us can do about it. Pity, because Satya is going to eventually reap what he sows, and it sure is not going to be what he thinks in the long run. But hey, it's a complex issue to be sure, and that's just my take on it. I just the Xbox brand will survive in a way conductive to their own bloody customers...

I've loved Starfield from the very beginning, and I love it even more since the addition of mod support. However, as far as these Star Wars ship mods are concerned, while I would totally dig having the Millennium Falcon or any other such ship, I have absolutely zero interest in assembling them myself. This just isn't how I play, and I am certain I am not alone in this. If those making such mods do not at least provide pre-assembled versions for those with a similar gaming style, then these ships just aren't going to fly. Pity, because they look totally awesome!

Can't talk right now. Still deeply lost exploring the expanses of the universe in Starfield with mods. Please send snacks. And plenty of Yorkshire Tea. Thank you.

Totally digging Still Wakes The Deep. Was playing it with Gerry Cinnamon and his girlfriend. When Gerry asked why all the Scots had Irish names I shrugged and Gerry's girlfriend punched me on the mouth. I guess she really was a belter. Still Wakes The Deep is a belter of a game as well.

I'm enjoying it so far. Love the time period and overall atmosphere. The graphics are quite nice as well. If there ever was a game that I would love to play with Gerry Cinnamon, it would definitely be this one... Peace & Love & Here We, Here We, Here We ****** Go!

Yeah, people can keep their opinions to themselves and play whatever they want. As for me, mod support finally arriving on Starfield means I'll be busy for the next several months to say the least.

I remain entirely out of step with my peers, and my gaming interests remain entirely my own, so it should come as no surprise to anybody that this weekend on my Series X will be all about one of the greatest video games to ever grace our planet - Alba: A Wildlife Adventure!

Little Kitty, Big City of course! That is all.

@ZYDIO Excellent explanation of what makes Sony a company some of us would prefer to avoid. My issue with them stems from back in the late 1990s when, through Playstation Underground (which I loved by the way) I discovered my absolute favorite band from the 90s, Headswim. The band did a fantastic album (Despite Yourself) on the Sony label, but apparently it wasn't to Sony's liking so they dropped Headswim like a hot potato. I have refused anything Sony ever since. This of course led me to sell my PS1 and 2, and have been with Xbox through thick and thin ever since.

Definitely getting back into Starfield again. Haven't played it in a few months, and with or without the latest update, which is great by the way, and I'm really digging every second. So much to see, so much to do, so many fascinating characters to interact with, and yes, so many hilarious glitches and bugs to randomly encounter. Added all together it once again reminds me why I fell in love with Bethesda games in the first place (for me it was Morrowind on OG Xbox) Starfield is everything about those games and even more on a much grander scale. Is it everybody's cup of tea? Nope, and that's okay. For me though, it's exactly the cup of tea I enjoy the best - well, other than Yorkshire Red of course. Not to your liking? Awesome. More for me then. Never was too keen on big crowds anyway. Cheers!

This sure was an exhausting week for Xbox fans wasn't it? Still worried where it's all going and hoping for some much needed clarity and reassurance in upcoming weeks. In the meantime, I'll be playing Little Kitty, Big City this weekend on my Series X.

I agree that the attack on Spencer's camp is rather mean spirited, but on the other hand, it is quite symbolic of the current situation. While I've suspected this for some time, it has sadly become increasingly clear to the entire world that the problem with the Xbox brand isn't Xbox, it's Microsoft. We have seen multitudinous mind-boggling decisions demonstrating a near utter lack of understanding either video games or the video game market through the years. It's been said before and it'll be said again many times more, whenever the higher-ups at Microsoft get directly involved in the decisions of the Xbox division, it's always one step forward made by the Xbox division and several steps backwards made by Microsoft. One would think they would learn from their mistakes, but good grief they don't at all. I'm sure Spencer does what he can, but ultimately, people like Nadella and others have their priorities so twisted at this point that they seem blind to the reality that they are nuking the Xbox brand much in the same way Spencer's camp got nuked in Fallout 76. I guess all we can do now is wander amongst the ruins and dream of what could've been and will most likely never be. Microsoft should be ashamed...

Finally got Fallout 4 to run from the hard drive of my Series X whilst running mods, so I'll be starting up a new game and exploring the wasteland in style this weekend.

The update seems a nice visual improvement, but I can only play it on Game Pass through the cloud. Every single time I tried to play it from the hard drive of my Series X the game would hard crash to the dashboard within three seconds if any mods were loaded at all. Wish this silly issue would get acknowledged, let alone fixed at some point.

Well, the plan was for Fallout 4 since I haven't touched it in a couple of years, but now that it's been "upgraded" it crashes to the homepage of my Series X within seconds every time I try to use even a single mod, so looks like that plan is a total bust. In the meantime l guess I'll be spending time messing around with MLB: The Show 24.

After the upgrade, my mod list was decimated and even incorrect. Re-downloaded and activated just two mods, then went to start a new game. The screen loads for about three seconds and crashes to the dashboard every time. I'm on a Series X, so one would think it can handle playing this game with a mod or two, right? No mods works fine. With mods it's a hard nope. What is interesting is I deleted the game from the hard drive and then just streamed it through Game Pass and it has no problems. Still, I've had the game since 2015 and would prefer playing it from the hard drive rather than the cloud.

I'm going to finally get around to wrapping up with Tell Me Why this weekend. Still haven't decided whether the title is from a song by the Backstreet Boys or by Taylor Swift, but as an old geezer gamer myself, my vote will always remain with The Beatles.

Will definitely be starting the new Fallout series and catching up on Call The Midwife as well. In between this already crowded schedule, me and my Series X will be exploring Botany Manor because, as I used to work as a horticulturist and also followed the Grateful Dead back when I was younger, anything plant related remains something of an interest to me... Peace & Love & Run, Run, Run For The Roses, Always!

I gave Open Roads a spin the other day, and this weekend seems a good enough time as any to find out where those roads will take me. I have hopes for a nice Grateful Dead show at the end, as that's where the open roads used to take me back in the day, but I suppose the destination isn't as important as the journey to get there... Peace & Love & Truckin' Like The Do-Dah Man, Always!

I prefer having a disc drive for all my older games, but I'm not entirely against them having an all digital option for Series X, just why does it have to only be available in white?

The weather is finally beautiful here, so this weekend's going to be all about open windows, cranking the Grateful Dead (I'm actually an old road warrior Deadhead), drinking loads of Yorkshire Tea, and having a revisit of Lost Odyssey on my trusty ole Xbox Series X because that's just how we roll around here... Peace & Love & Nothing Left To Do But Smile Smile Smile!

Yes, I know I'm typically off the beaten track with my game choices for my Xbox Series X most weekends, but every year since MLB The Show came to Xbox, I have been creating and uploading the best Mark Grace character available on any system, so that is exactly what I will be doing this weekend, as well as playing the game of course. They changed some of the models and creation options last year and this year too, so I'm still getting used to that. My 2022 Mark Grace was the best so far, but I'm sure the 2024 version will satisfy any old school Chicago Cubs fans wanting a classic Gracie in their game.

I've always walked my own path as a gamer, and as such, my perspective on various titles through the decades since the 1970s have differed considerably from popular opinion. That's fine with me. To each their own and all that. As for me, I've decided this weekend to start a new run through one of my most beloved games of all time, Mass Effect: Andromeda. Let the rest of the world scoff and go as they please as they pass by. The Pathfinder and me are doing just fine in here. Peace!

I tried the original version and, while I enjoyed the story and atmosphere, the gameplay became too difficult for an old casual gamer such as myself (I play games for the story more than for challenges to my aging reflexes) and so I walked away figuring I'd never get to experience the entire story. Seeing the Ultimate version available on Game Pass I figured I'd have another go at it. Thank goodness I did because I discovered plenty of accessibility options were included that have vastly improved the experience for those of us who wish to experience the whole story without undue frustration over gameplay difficulties. Not sure if the accessibility options were in the original, but I'm so glad they are in Ultimate because, now that I've given it a good test run, I'll most likely purchase the game at some point.

Me and my Xbox Series X will be running through Flipping Death this weekend, because as an aging college teacher and gamer, if it's one thing that needs to be flipped, it's death...

The Eternal Cylinder will be the only game being played on my Xbox Series X this weekend. Wasn't even aware that this game existed until Xbox put it on sale at 75% off this week, but once one discovers it, all other games cease to exist.

Once again I find myself in need of a break from chaotic platformers and violent action games and shooters. Therefore, I am spending my time this weekend on a lovely frequently overlooked little Xbox exclusive "Tell Me Why". Many people think this title was derived from a song by the Backstreet Boys apparently. I prefer to think it's a reference to a song of the same name by The Beatles, but hey, that's just me. Cheers!

We got hit with an unexpected amount of snow and below freezing temperatures, both of which are anticipated to have moved from the area come Monday, so I'll be spending this weekend warmly indoors on my XBox Series X walking my way through EDENGATE: The Edge of Life, and, time permitting, checking out A Little to the Left on Game Pass. Plenty of sweets and Yorkshire Tea will be on hand as well.

In the teeth of all the online naysayers and negative review bombers against the game, I decided to nab Balan Wonderworld yesterday since Xbox has it on sale for $5.99 (reduced from $39.99) Sure, it clearly deserves much of the criticism it received, but I've enjoyed it so far and will be playing through it this weekend. I get that it is too far out for many people, but I totally dig that style, so I say, let the weirdness commence!

Finishing up with Oneiros from last weekend, and after that I am going to get around to playing Before I Forget to wrap up the achievements and finally get the game off my Xbox Series X's hard drive. You know, before I forget to do that...

@Edwirichuu Yeah, I agree it is just a quick little budget game and the game-play expectations should correspond accordingly as you indicate. I just meant that, as a longtime fan of the old school rubber hose animation style, particularly in it's original antique form with original characters, the literal visual appearance of the game looks marvelous.

Looks marvelous! Cuphead was always a rip-off of that era of cartoons anyway, so having "Steamboat Willie" and other time era authentic characters in a modern game, budget or otherwise, is absolutely brilliant.

She seems exceptionally articulate, well experienced within the video game industry, and has a wonderful perspective overall. I like her already and I think she is going to do brilliantly!

I don't mind a mix of the two, depending on the game, but my main issue with all digital is that you don't really own the increasingly expensive to buy games. You are entirely at the mercy of any changes to the game a company wants to inflict on players whether they want said changes or not. Starfield is a recent example. Some players enjoy glitches and/or exploits as part of their individual gaming experience and some do not. That is fine. To each their own. However, when glitches/exploits are removed in subsequent patches, there is no way to revert a digital game back to it's original unpatched state the way you can if you own the game on disc. Ultimately, if we are paying $70 and up for current video games, and we no longer have the ability to individually play these games in their original unpatched state - the way we were able to do with Fallout 4, Skyrim, No Man's Sky, etc. - by simply reinstalling them from the disc, then we have vastly overpaid for the illusion of ownership rather than the real thing. Therefore, be careful what you wish for, because when you get it, it may not actually be what it seems...

As usual, I find myself out of step with my peers and well off the beaten track. I picked up Oneiros really cheap on sale yesterday, and, while I wasn't even aware of this game before yesterday, it's been bloody marvelous so far and I'll definitely be playing though it this weekend.

Almost finished with Life Is Strange: True Colors, so that will be my main focus this weekend. However, I do plan on checking out Palworld on Game Pass a bit as well - provided there's any space remaining on the servers for me...

Oh my gosh, Project Spark all the way! Nothing even comes close to the hours of joy given from exploring all the creations everybody made in that game. It was such a shame that the corporate shills at MS pulled the plug on it in 2016, but holy smokes it was a brilliant experience while it lasted.

I first played Sea of Thieves shortly after going into lockdown during the initial phases of the pandemic, and it became a mainstay diversion throughout. As many can tell from my comments here, I am a slow-paced casual-style-player type gamer, and just the exploration alone suited me perfectly. Obviously I was aware of the pvp nature of the game and the whole pirate theme, so the times somebody janked me didn't really bother me too much at first, but as more people started showing up during the pandemic and doing this, it became increasingly annoying and I eventually stopped playing altogether. Therefore, I for one, think Safer Seas was an absolutely brilliant addition for casual players such as myself, and it's been a blast revisiting again in spite of any reward deductions which never really mattered much to me anyway.