Leveling Up Self-Care: A Gamer’s New Year Pledge

Welcome to Punished Notes, Volume 36! To kick off the year positively, I will outline some concise and straightforward New Year’s resolutions, highlight a few games from 2024 that narrowly missed the cut for my tier list, and delve into my current television obsession… on CBS?!

A Unique Type of New Year’s Resolution

In previous years, I’ve devised a series of New Year’s gaming pledges to inspire myself to improve as a gamer, reviewer, and… individual, I suppose. However, this year, I’m opting for a somewhat different methodology. To sum it up, my resolutions will be quite straightforward, and I don’t plan on initiating another backlog challenge.

At the beginning of 2024, I committed to completing several games from my backlog by year’s end, only for… well… various obstacles to interfere. My backlog remains overloaded, more so than previously, and even the minor goals I established for myself failed to materialize. Play what I currently possess? HAH! It’s much wiser to just acquire additional collections and set them aside for later, wouldn’t you agree? Adhere to the “Two Week Rule” for new acquisitions? Not a chance! What’s the plan when something NEW, EXCITING, and PRICEY launches? Wait TWO FULL WEEKS like a FOOL?!

In all sincerity, as I step into 2025 (I can hardly believe I just typed those digits), I have relatively simple gaming ambitions, ones that are—as far as I am concerned at this moment—readily attainable. I aim to actually complete Metaphor: ReFantazio (I believe it’s only about 20-25 hours remaining); initiate, but not necessarily finalize, another Dragon Quest title (other than Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, which I started this past Christmas); and acquire one (1) classic game cartridge from a retro gaming shop during my anticipated voyage to Tokyo this year (flights are already secured; it’s on!). This all appears manageable, which is intentionally designed.

From my reflections on my 2024 resolutions, I’ve learned that, similar to various aspects of my life, I tend to be a tad too harsh on myself. The “Two Week Rule” is merely there to make me feel bad about spending money on items I genuinely desire. Crafting a backlog checklist that I couldn’t complete only served to make me feel incapable of achieving even the most fundamental tasks. Even the general guideline of “play what I already own” diminishes the enthusiasm I have for new and exciting experiences, which is central to my enjoyment of this medium in the first place.

In 2025, I’m not engaging in any of that. Resolutions should represent an opportunity, not a burden. This year, I’ll ensure that’s the case.

A Few Games That Just Missed My GOTY Tier List

In the last month, the unimaginable has transpired: I have played not one, but TWO 2024 titles after releasing my 2024 Game of the Year tier list that indisputably rank among the year’s premier releases. Rather than going back and altering that list to accommodate them, I’ve decided to simply mention the games here, provide some blurbs, and specify in what tiers they would have landed.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

The creators at MachineGames could have grabbed the Indiana Jones franchise and produced a subpar Uncharted imitation, as many anticipated when Bethesda revealed the initiative several years ago. Fortunately, the talented individuals behind the remarkable Wolfenstein revival seized this chance to deeply explore what truly makes the adventurous explorer captivating (along with what renders the films so enjoyable).

There’s scarcely any shoot-and-run in Great Circle, similarly to the fact that there are very few genuine shootouts in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Rather, the participant steps into the psyche of a moderately fit and intensely inquisitive individual as he employs stealth and cleverness to navigate perilous locales, filled with Nazi and fascist filth. You meticulously seek out concealed relics within ancient edifices while trying to elude (or, in some situations, assaulting) the most malevolent personalities alive, who only covet these relics for the most depraved of objectives.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle clearly shines as an interactive motion picture, boasting breathtaking world crafting and outstanding voice performances (including Troy Baker delivering a perfect Harrison Ford impression). However, what truly differentiates it is the exquisite manner it transforms not only the action present in the films, but also the more subdued, intimate moments. Numerous games offer you opportunities to battle in the way Indy does; few allow you to experience fear, thrill, astonishment, anguish, and awe just like he does.

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S

Tier: Hall of Curtis Granderson. (To be honest, this game likely would have claimed HOCG GOTY. Apologies to The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.)

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Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

The Dragon Quest series holds a significant place in my heart, even though I didn’t experience it during my childhood. I’ve previously shared about the grief of losing a dear friend, Alex Toy, who adored the series and constantly urged me to explore it further. Playing these games offers me a means to feel as if I’m still connecting with him from the afterlife. However, engaging with the new HD-2D version of the 1988 original has formed a fresh bond for me, which aids my self-discovery and deepens my understanding of my connection to my absent friend.

Similar to other titles within the franchise, DQIII does not concern itself with delivering a profound or richly thematic narrative. You venture into the world alongside your party in pursuit of keys, orbs, and various objectives. The actual storyline isn’t a priority: The game wishes for you to traverse the land, encountering magnificent locales and quirky characters. In a way, Dragon Quest III is not focused on experiencing a specific tale; it’s about embarking on an adventurous road trip with friends, filled with formidable obstacles and peaceful moments alike. It’s about realizing you can face any hardships with the right companions, even if some of them are not actually present.

In his quest to locate his estranged father, Ortega, the hero discovers the man’s heroic past through the tales of villagers around the world, bravely emulating his path along the way. As I witness each flashback cutscene depicting Ortega’s earlier interactions and adventures, and traverse the very terrain he walked, I sense that bond with him, despite my character having been just a child during his departure. When I valiantly confront terrible monsters in my pursuit of the necessary items to advance the narrative, that bond feels stronger. When I speak to characters who remark that I bear a passing resemblance to a legendary hero, that connection resurfaces. Much like my experience with Dragon Quest VIII last year, it’s as though I am still preserving my bond with Alex while traversing the virtual realms he was so familiar with. It’s a pleasure to experience that once more.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

Tier: Could Be GOTY In Any Year. (While I’m uncertain if it will be my GOTY for 2024, it certainly ranks significantly higher than I initially anticipated.)

LIGHTNING ROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Since I didn’t manage to achieve my anticipated backlog for 2024, I won’t present a complete top 10 list of backlog games. Here, however, is a concise top five list of the best backlog games I experienced last year:

1. 1. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
   2. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
   3. Jusant
   4. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
   5. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

• I engaged with a substantial amount of Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics throughout the holiday season, and it astonishes me how fluid, user-friendly, and welcoming these fighters truly are. Each one is
  “`still a thrill to engage with, and Marvel vs. Capcom 2 genuinely ranks among the top five Capcom titles ever created. It’s also beneficial that there are casual control features available for individuals like me who adore these games but are not very good at them.
• The arcade adaptation of Capcom’s The Punisher was also part of the collection, and you know what? It’s one of the finest arcade brawlers I’ve ever experienced. It’s visually impressive for its era, with comic-style “BAM!” and “KRAK!” effects appearing frequently, and it possesses a surprisingly rich combat system. Additionally, fun trivia: The Punisher was the very first Marvel Comics title developed by Capcom, which makes it a fascinating history lesson too!

• Jason Schreier’s newest publication, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment, has been a compelling read thus far (I still have around 50 pages left at the time of writing), but what stands out to me the most is how seemingly impossible it is to align the aspirations of a “gamer-centric” studio with the demands of a publicly traded corporate giant. Numerous setbacks that Blizzard has faced over the last ten years make much more sense now.
• I’m fed up with all the leaks and speculations: Just unveil the Switch 2 right now, Nintendo! We all know you’re eager to! So do it! COME OOOOOONNNNNN!!!!!
  
• Speaking of Nintendo, last month’s inclusion of Tetris DX for Game Boy Color into Nintendo Switch Online was a surprisingly delightful addition. The game isn’t merely Tetris with colors; it employs the newly introduced color choices to keep players engaged, such as changing the color scheme as players advance to higher levels and even showcasing different animated cutscenes when a player faces a Game Over. It serves as a great illustration of how minor visual tweaks to familiar games can lead to a significant impact (at least they could in the ’90s).
  
• I’ve consistently participated in the #365Games challenge on Bluesky this year, where I’m posting daily about a game that has held significance for me in some way. I started with some clear favorites, but I’ve discovered it’s much more enjoyable to highlight games I typically don’t discuss, such as QWOP. Hopefully, I can maintain this for the rest of 2025!

• My most recent non-gaming fascination, for the very first time, is a CBS comedy series. Ghosts, an American remake of a British show, portrays a young couple who inherit a historic mansion in New York’s Hudson Valley that is inhabited by the spirits of individuals who perished on the premises throughout history. One of the new homeowners experiences a close brush with death and acquires the ability to see and talk to the ghosts, leading to plenty of comedic situations.What I appreciate the most about Ghosts is not just that it ranks among the most humorous TV shows currently; it’s that it succeeds in depicting relatable characters that you cheer for, without ever losing focus on its primary goal of being entertaining. Yes, there are heartfelt moments and interactions, but they’re ALWAYS underscored by humor, often at the expense of the ghosts themselves (there are plenty of jokes about their absurd deaths, for example). Anyway, go check out Ghosts. You’re likely to have a wonderful time.