Raven's Thoughts – Summer Game Catch-Up – Return to the Pile of Shame (A Tradition That Never Dies)
Like every year around this time… I look at my pile of shame. No, I’m not talking about the stack of unread books or unfinished TV series (though those do lurk somewhere in the back of my mind too). I mean games – the ones bought on sale “because they were cheap,” the ones started with enthusiasm that fizzled after a few hours, the ones shelved “for later” when a big release came out… and so on, over and over again.
And honestly, I don’t think I’m alone. The pile of shame is a universal gamer ritual. And you know what? I’ve decided it’s time to stop being ashamed of it – it’s time to celebrate it. That’s how this summer catch-up tradition was born, and I’ve decided to make it a yearly thing. Because even if I do manage to beat everything now (which I sincerely doubt), I’ll end up with a new pile next year anyway. That’s the gamer’s cycle – no point fighting it. Better to embrace it like a returning seasonal event.
Raven’s 2025 Pile of Shame – The (Almost) Hall of Disgrace
Time to get specific – let’s take a look at my list. Partly for myself (a handy checklist), and partly for you – so you know what might pop up on the blog or YouTube soon. Maybe some of you will even find inspiration to finally boot up that neglected title?
And to make it sound a little more scientific (and therapeutic), I decided to add the reasons I dropped each game—at least where I could remember. Often it’s not that a game is bad – it’s just bad timing, a better release elsewhere, or… the Game Pass curse. You know, when you click “install” on something new that just launched, and instantly abandon whatever you were playing. You know that feeling? Of course you do.
Blasphemous 2
I was hooked, playing intensively… until I bought Sekiro on sale. You can guess how that went.
Now: I’m back! 3 bosses left – I’ll finish it in July, as the metroidvania gods intended.
Death Stranding
I think I started this five or six times. First on PS4, then on XSX. Every time – boredom, frustration, monotony.
Now: Something finally clicked. The story pulled me in. Maybe I’ve matured, maybe it’s just better timing. I’m having a good time now, and I’m already on the last two chapters.
(*Update by Raven while editing this post – finished it on July 15. Time for Star Wars Outlaws.)
Star Wars Outlaws
Paused after 2 hours – not because I wasn’t enjoying it, but because my Ubisoft subscription ended. Just grabbed the game for 29 PLN on sale, so it’s time to catch up.
Midnight Suns
Somewhere between two RPGs I just didn’t have room for another tactical beast.
I think I had about 4 hours on the clock.
Octopath Traveler
RPG overload. Great combat system, gorgeous visuals, but the story didn’t quite hook me. I’ll give it another shot. I remember I stopped when I had to do Chapter 2 for each character.
Avowed
Stopped after 11 hours.
Blasphemous 2 dropped. No regrets, but Avowed deserves a comeback – solid Obsidian work, just lost the pacing battle.
Clair Obscure: Expedition 33
Only the final act left.
This one hurts the most. So close to the end! But something came up, pulled my attention away… and that was that. But I’ll get back to it. I promise.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Abandoned after the Butterfly Lady.
If I remember right, I bought AC Shadows and shifted my focus. But this summer I will finish Sekiro.
Fire Emblem Engage
Currently catching up – Chapter 13.
Not being able to record gameplay demotivated me a bit. Now I’m going full force and enjoying it even more than the first time. Battles, relationships, waifu-synergy – as usual, a gem.
Dragon Quest XI
Stopped halfway through Act 2.
If I had to name the reason, I’d say burnout. I really started feeling it when Act 2 began.
Does Recording Gameplay Change How You Play?
Here’s an interesting topic. I noticed that when I couldn’t record gameplay on the Switch, I just didn’t feel like playing much. Funny? Maybe. But it shows how much my gaming experience has become intertwined with documenting, sharing, analyzing.
Sometimes I rewatch old gameplay and remember how I felt back then. That’s why I now try to record as much as I can – even if I don’t upload it anywhere. It’s like my personal save states of memories.
The List Grows… But It’s Not So Bad
When I sat down to write this post, I thought: “Okay, this’ll be a short list.”
But surprise, surprise – it turned out pretty long. Still, it’s not too tragic. Totally manageable over the summer – as long as I don’t jump on ten new releases at once (spoiler: I probably will).
Alright, enough about me. Now it’s your turn.
What’s on your backlog list?
What did you abandon too soon, what’s waiting for the “perfect moment” that never comes?
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