I can tell already that my proverbial “top ten games of 2015” won’t be reader-ready until well into 2016. The best laid plans of mice and men and all that.
Whoops.
This past week was an odd one. Some important life stuff took center stage, and the last thing I felt like doing was gaming. I did “force” myself to play Rise of the Tomb Raider for a few hours on Friday and Saturday, but my heart wasn’t in it. I was in a super funk.
Funky town. Funk city. Funkton.
I was the founder and mayor of Funksville.
It became quite clear to me that I’m not going to make nearly the progress I’d hoped in this final stretch of 2015. And you know what? That’s probably okay. I don’t want to rush through a bunch of games just to get through them. One person reminded me to have fun and honestly? That was an important reminder. If I’m not enjoying myself while playing recreationally, something is amiss.
I’ve gotten further into Rise of the Tomb Raider and I have a few issues with it. The camera is still a battle I seem to consistently lose. When trying to traverse, there are more than a few times that Lara “snaps” to something (e.g.: a surface, a wall) in a way that is counterproductive to what I had been trying to do. Also, the story isn’t quite what I’d hoped. Then again, I’m not quite done yet, so perhaps it will turn out better than I’m thinking.
I didn’t play Undertale. I didn’t finish Call of Duty: Black Ops III. I didn’t go back to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This past week was a week full of “didn’ts.”
So I’m hoping if all goes well, this will be a week full of “dids.”
Today, I make my words work for me. I don’t even know how to properly punctuate “dids” or “didn’ts” and Google is of no help on this matter. Not in any official word confirmation capacity. Alas.
Today is a busy one, but I’m hoping to get to a bit of gaming this evening. Whether I can finally get in a session with some friends who wanted to play through Borderlands 2 via The Handsome Collection on PS4, or whether I boot up the Xbox One and dive into more Tomb Raider, I feel like gaming is on the menu this eve.
And, even though it’s a bit early, I’m already thinking about what games I will take with me on our holiday travels. I don’t want to take two handhelds (history says I won’t get to both), so I’m already torn between the 3DS and the Vita. But who am I kidding? Of course the 3DS will win out. For some reason, especially around the holidays, I find myself wanting to play Nintendo games. In fact, while I was out doing errands this weekend, I saw a Nintendo display and I found myself wanting (yet again) both Super Mario Maker and Splatoon. I honestly kind of even want to get Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U as well. I suppose this all goes back to one of my happiest holiday memories: the year I got my NES for Christmas (back in 1989).
Last year I wrote a “book report” about 8-Bit Christmas and with it, the tale of my holiday NES-frenzy. I don’t know why, but I’m kind of feeling the need to play some Nintendo games.
Ahh the sights and sounds of my youth.
And with that, I wish each of you a good week and I hope to have something better to report next Monday.
What are your gaming plans for the coming holiday weeks?
Categories: games
Rebekah Lang 
I hope you can make good progress with games this week. I’ll probably keep playing what I’ve been lately for the holidays.
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Thank you, I hope I can, too.
And that sounds good. You are easily the most up to date gamer I know. It’s impressive!
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You’re welcome and thank you.
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I’ve been playing a lot of Xenoblade Chronicles on the 3DS. Have X on WiiU but waiting until I beat the original.
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Christian! How is it on the 3DS? How do you like the new 3DS? Is the little nub stick easily usable?
I’ve read that the new one is just massive. And that it’s beautiful.
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I’m a huge monster hunter fan so I bought the New 3DS primarily for that. I really like it! It’s… kind of an unnecessary upgrade. And you don’t NEED the little nub. But I like it!
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Oh nice! I’ve always been daunted by that game. But I’ve heard excellent things about it. Does your brother play it too?
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You know I cheer your Nintendo yearnings on, right? I’ll be curious to hear which game wins out! Maybe a little Animal Crossing sprinkled in too?
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I do! There are just so many wonderful things about Nintendo. But I think the major elements that stand out to me over the decades are their sound effects, color schemes, and the whimsy of the games. I will never love a Nintendo game more than I love Super Mario Bros. 2.
I actually just got Super Smash Bros. for the 3DS in the mail today! I’m excited to give my first real Smash a try. And oh, Animal Crossing. A friend just let me know that one of my very favorite animals (Rod!) moved to his town. That made me so happy. I’d love to check back in, but I’m afraid I will be sucked back in again. But maybe…just a little visit…
What Nintendo games are you playing this winter?
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Always a risk to get back into Animal Crossing eh? I’m playing a lot of Vita at the moment, but on the 3DS I’m giving New Style Boutique a try before handing it over to my daughter, and Moco Moco Friends. Oh and Yokai Watch is patiently waiting for me too!
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Oh gosh, for me it is! I get sucked back in to that game so easily and then WHOOSH! Hours of my life are gone.
I really should play more on my Vita.
I can’t wait to play Yo-Kai Watch, either!
Perhaps one day, if you like, we can exchange friend codes or PSN IDs. If not, no worries.
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Rebekah, I’d love to exchange codes! You might want to use my American 3DS code as its used most. It’s 1306-5379-0048. My Vita name is YvoCaro!
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Sounds good!
My 3DS code is: 4785-5236-3592. And my PSN ID is: sub-tropical.
I will send requests!
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A little late to share upcoming holiday plans, but I can certainly report on what holiday gaming I did accomplish. For Christmas my wife and I decided to run away. Sequestered in a remote hotel where no one could find us we just relaxed. It. was. awesome! The best Christmas I’ve ever had, seriously. Besides just being generally lazy and stress-free, we played through Her Story and attempted to disarm several bombs in Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes. A grand time was had by all.
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I love it! I think that sounds like a fantastic holiday!
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