Prince of Persia 2008 (Xbox 360)

$5

 Let's try this for a change.

The Pile

I wouldn't consider these "must plays" but just sitting here, I was thinking of some games I own that I should probably try again or pick up again another day.

• Watch Dogs 2 - Stopped because kids were too young 
• Avatar Pandora's Tomorrow - Stopped because it's an inventory game, environments too lush, feels closed in.
• Sleeping Dogs - Never played it, heard it was great.
• Mad Max - Never played it, heard it was great.

I think that's it for now.

Mario Party Jamboree (Switch)

Price: Christmas Gift     

I'd heard this game was a "revolution" for the series.  It's the same old Mario Party, but unlike Madden it has new mini games, maps, and is a new experience.  I like it and we've had our money's worth out of it.  My biggest gripe is how long it takes to play a game, but they're really trying to bring that board game experience to the TV I guess.  Recommend.

Madden 25 (PS5)

Price: $10

Another sports year, another Madden with new UNI's and updated rosters.  Core gameplay is the same which is why I try not to buy sports games anymore.  My son wanted it though, and we had another good run for a couple weeks.  Rage quits were had, game looks nice, but at the end of the day it's still Madden.  Pass.

College Football 25

Price $80 - Split with my son 

Man, the praise this game was getting ultimately set me up for disappointment.  Maybe I just don't have the skills others do, but it still felt like EA brand football with a bunch of skins.  Playing locally, the road team was at such a disadvantage that we just never played it.  I have probably less than 10 hours into this game.  We recently bought Madden 25, it's more our speed with player familiarity and the hype of the NFL.  Pass.

Astro Bot (PS5)

Price ($80 - Split with my son)

I knocked this one out a while ago, I'm just starting to bring back this blog as I hadn't been gaming in some time.   This is a fantastic platformer that ALMOST out does Nintendo at its own game.  Almost.  I think the only thing it's missing is the nostalgia of Nintendo games with the music and characters.  Highest recommendation.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (PS5)

Price $80 - Split with my son

It's another Call of Duty and while I prefer the "Modern Warfare" series, this one gave me some good entertainment for a couple months.  The zombie skins ultimately were the games downfall for me, I got so tired of seeing them in multiplayer that I felt like the immersion of the series was gone. After playing the (really good) campaign, it makes more sense now.  Heck, recommend.