Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion (Xbox Series X via Game Pass)

This game has been around for a while, I'd never heard of it, but when it showed up on Game Pass I thought I'd give it a try.  I really enjoyed it.  This is at it's core a very small Zelda like game.  Not all the jokes hit but I liked the art style, music and puzzle solving.  Never overly difficult, I had a good time with the 3-4 hours it took to complete.  Recommend.

MLB The Show 22 (Xbox Series X via Game Pass)

Last year I put significant time into this game, Diamond Dynasty had me collecting cards from my youth, doing daily challenges etc.  I couldn't get enough.  This years installment feels strikingly similar and the thought of doing all those challenges to build a virtual team all over again just didn't feel like a good use of time to me.  I unlocked all 1000 achievements, but feel little desire to go back to the game now.  Happens every year with The Show for me, excitement followed by the disappointment of how long it takes to play a 9 inning game.  Pass for me.

Exo One (Xbox Series X via Game Pass)

I started this game a month or two ago and aimlessly rolled around the environment for a while and quickly dismissed it.  I tried it again this past Monday and by Tuesday, I saw it completed.  I didn't marathon the game, it's just pretty short, but it's going to stick with me for a long long time.  It's fairly common for me to enjoy games that are silent for the most part, and this game is the ultimate example of that.  You are ALONE in this game, there aren't even enemies, your goal is to traverse the environment and find the exit which is usually quite clear.  The graphics and sound are very engrossing, I was captivated the entire way.   I got an achievement for completed the game in under 3 hours, but I wasn't going for it.  Once completed I jumped back in trying to knock out a few achievements, but that's not how I want to experience this game.  I want to remember it fondly, rolling and flying around a vast expanse while a gentle guitar plays as I navigate the universe.  Recommend.

Race with Ryan (Xbox Series X via Game Pass)

Where Paw Patrol was a pleasant surprise, Racing with Ryan was exactly what I expected ... a bad kart racer with sloppy controls, poor physics, annoying sounds and lack of tracks.  Pass.

Paw Patrol: Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay (Xbox Series X via Game Pass)

I downloaded this as a joke, started playing it infront of my kids as a joke, then finding myself firing it up on my own time.  No joke.  This is an EXTREMEMLY simple platformer, it's mind numbingly easy with minigames that are similarly simple.  It doesn't control great, Riders voice isn't even close, but I have to admit, it looks pretty nice.  I kept playing as I've been a bit of an achievement hunter lately going for that 1000/1000 when it seems plausible.  I'll admit, I liked it, but I can't recommend it.   Ridiculously easy 1000 but will take a few hours to complete.  Pass.