House Flipper (Xbox/PC via Game Pass)

 House flipper is NOT a simulation, I repeat, HOUSE FLIPPER IS NOT A SIMULATION.   I've played a number of the "Simulator" games, and while those are more accurate to the real life activity, it can also make it much more mundane.

House flipper lets you buy houses, paint walls in minutes, clean up a property with a few swipes of the broom.  These activities in the "Simulator" series would take hours and days.  I can clean an entire property, paint the walls, redecorate the entire place in under an hour, where I'd still be on the outside facade trying to do the same in Power Wash Simulator.

The game is great and really has endless possibilities.  I 100% completed it and wish there was more.  Thankfully they've announced a House Flipper 2.  High recommend.

Forza Horizon 5 Hot Wheels DLC (Xbox Series X via Game Pass)

Forza Horizon 5 is my most played game on Xbox by far, I was eagerly awaiting the DLC but ultimately found myself relatively disappointed in the DLC.  It's drastically different from the main game, and while that could be looked at as a plus, to me I found it to be quite disappointing.  Gone is the vast open world in return for what feels like an old school track racer.  It looks pretty, but in my mind, that's all it really has going for it.  Pass.

Sp!ng (Apple Arcade)

Sping at it's core is a chill puzzle platformer.  You spin your way through each level collecting gems and must collect them all to 3 star the level.  I did that.  On all of them.  It controls well and has a very relaxed vibe to it.  Loved it.  High recommend.

Disc Room (PC via Game Pass)

Devolver Digital does it again.  Another indie type game that had me coming back again and again.  This is a simple to pick up, hard to put down game that tries your patience as you try to navigate spinning discs in each room.  You unlock some abilities to make things easier, but the game has you second guessing your strategies as you progress.  You can shelf this game for weeks if you're getting frustrated and pick right up where you left off.  Twitch reflexes from games like Geometry Wars helps.  Recommend.

 

Gorogoa (PC via Game Pass)

The smartest game I beat but never played.  Started this up for a game pass quest and was amazed at how intelligent it is.  I felt like an idiot but was amazed at what was happening when I got things right.  A puzzle game that would eventually be beat through trial and error, but I just watched YouTube videos played along.  It's unlike anything I've ever seen and would have to be played/watched to appreciate.  Recommend you give a look.

Hue (Xbox Series X via Games with Gold)

Everyone snickers at Games with Gold and for the most part, they have a right to.  The monthly selection has been horrible for years now, but this game caught my eye.  I enjoy a puzzle platformer and usually that quota is filled by Game Pass.  Hugh plays with colours as you traverse various stages, most of them being a one screen puzzle you complete before moving onto the next.  It's not overly difficult, although I did get stuck a few times here and there.  Eventually I powered through only using a guide once, and that was when my son Cole gave me some advice, little did I know he was watching a walkthrough as he provided it.  It's a great game with a charming little story.  Recommend.

Forza Horizon 3 (Xbox One)

I received this as a Christmas gift last year, being a huge fan of the series  this is one that I'd yet to play. My son AJ spotted through the doors when he was only granted to permission to window shop at Value Village.  $20 Brand new and sealed too! Instantly on firing up I realized this was going to be a tough sell.  Forza Horizon 4 and 5 look so much better optimized for series X/S.  After some time though, I stopped playing those games and focused solely on 3.  My eyes adjusted and I saw it for the gem it really is.  I really enjoyed my time with this game, the setting is one of the best in the series with lots of interesting places to visit.  It's a tough sell in 2022 because the online community has moved on twice over now, but I have no regrets and I'm glad to say I played it.  Recommend in 2016, but play one of the newer games if you have the opportunity to.