10/01/2018 • 12

Status Report: Week 40 (An Atmospheric Challenge Approaches)

It’s been a hell of a week.

That picture is over a decade old but it felt appropriate; I don’t smoke anymore (and haven’t for a very long time) though.

Due to a lot of feelings about things in the news, I’ve been in a bit of a stupor over the past week. I didn’t get much of anything done. I haven’t been sleeping well. It has been hard to focus on anything, particularly games. When I have played, it’s been Destiny 2 because it’s familiar and I can connect with people I like. Despite that, I feel like I’m ready for a Destiny break, as, more and more, I feel like Bungie doesn’t respect the player’s time. The last thing I want to do is engage in digital busy work.

I know I talk about Destiny a lot, and I want to change that.

For October, I am once again challenging myself! As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of horror movies, novels, and games. In topical fashion, my October game challenge will focus on atmospheric and spooky games. I’m excited.

I honestly don’t care how many I finish from the list, but I’d love to get to as many as I can. The candidates I own are as follows:

(Normally I do this in alphabetical order but OH WHALE, I’M VERY SLEEPY)

Vampyr
Black Mirror
Evil Within
Evil Within 2
Little Nightmares
Murdered: Soul Suspect
Prey
Resident Evil 7
White Day
Yomawari: Midnight Shadows
Among The Sleep
Detention
Don’t Knock Twice
Dying Reborn
Get Even
Hellblade
Layers Of Fear
Observer
Perception
Polybius
The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter
The Walking Dead: Season 2
Through The Woods
Here They Lie
Condemned 2: Bloodshot
The Darkness
The Darkness II
Dead Space/s
Infamous: Festival Of Blood
Half Life 2
Saw II
Shadows Of The Damned
Silent Hill/s
Yakuza: Dead Souls
Alan Wake
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy: Chaos Bleeds
Fatal Frame/s
Transference
Remothered

While I am more than happy to take recommendations of atmospheric games to play, I’d prefer they were from that list as I’d like to make use of what I have. But! If there is a title I’m missing that is too good not to suggest, please let me know! I sincerely want to get to as many as I can. Many on that list have been there for a long, LONG time. Some I started and never went back to (e.g.: Resident Evil 7, Fatal Frame, Silent Hill), and I’d love to close out those experiences. When I go back and play older games from previous generations, I often choose to play them on easy due to the antiquated control schemes. The only game with tank controls I’ve played to completion was the original Resident Evil, and I struggled so badly, I don’t think I had much fun. I’m glad I had the experience, but I wish I’d been able to enjoy the game without constantly fighting the movement.

Alas. It was another time.

So there you have it; my massive list of gaming spookiness to tackle this month. I’d love to hear your recommendations from that list!

With that I ask: what are you hoping to play this week? Are you counting the days to Red Dead Redemption 2 or Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey?

Please be safe out there friends. And please be kind to each other wherever possible. Cheers.

Categories: games

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12 replies »

  1. I would definitely recommend playing hellblade. I don’t want to build it up too much but for me it’s been my favorite game in this console generation. It has some rough edges but for me they didn’t detract from the experience. Also, if you don’t have a pair of headphones, I would recommend getting some before playing. I played a little without them but with them the sound design is awesome.

    As for me, waiting patently for Red Dead by playing some Uncharted: Lost Legacy

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    • Hellblade is now definitely at the top of my list. I do have a couple sets of headphones and I will certainly use them when I play it. Thank you for the recommendations!

      Can you believe Red Dead is only a few weeks away? THAT’S SO BONKERS!!

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  2. Once again, I have good intentions to start Spiderman this week. Just want to see how things play out. Nothing more, nothing less!

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    • Oh man, believe me. I know all about good intentions. I finally hunkered down and started Tomb Raider this week and that felt like some giant task. I wish I didn’t see it that way!

      I hope you get to play Spider-Man as soon as possible. :)

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  5. I can’t believe that it’s October! Spirit, the Halloween store, has an ever expanding video game themed section and I saw the most awesome Soldier 76 jacket that I want terribly. Maybe I’ll be able to get it later in the month. From your list of scary games, I’d recommend Alan Wake. It’s akin to playing a scary movie, it’s the rare scary video game that I’ve really enjoyed. Observer was fun but it definitely had its rough spots and I relied on a walk through rather than endlessly wandering. For October themed games, I’m tempted to return to Dying Light and/or start Metro 2033. For now I’m playing very little during the week and during the weekend I’ve focused on Horizon Zero Dawn, the story is compelling to see to the end. Also, it’s hard to recommend The Walking Dead: Season 2 given the unfinished state of its final season. My heart goes out to the Telltale ex-staff looking for work.

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    • You and me both! And why why WHYYY would you tell me that?! Now I’m sure to go look for such things!! That jacket sounds awesome!!

      Alan Wake is definitely up there for me.

      Oh gosh, the Telltale thing is just a saddening mess. I feel terrible for the staff, too. :(

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