Games Inbox: How do you cope with a video games backlog?

The Monday letters page hears what Fallout TV fans think of the games, as one reader wonders if Professor Layton is coming to Switch 2.

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Games of the gap
With a major video games drought seemingly approaching, I’m sure I’m not the only one looking back through my backlog and starting to prioritise what I’ll play. I won’t pretend that I’m not secretly glad at the lack of new releases, as it means I can finally get time to play games I never got round to.

Elden Ring is my number once choice as I never really played it beyond an hour or two and since I knew it would take a long time to get into and beat I was beginning to think I’d never get round to it.

The fact that I’m glad for no new releases obviously raises some questions though. Like if normal people only have time for two or three massive games a year is it any wonder that all the lesser known games never do as well? Would it have been better for them to create smaller games that could fit in the gaps between the big names?

No one wants to be making ‘backlog filler’ but then again, I’d be much more willing to buy something that was going to last only 10 hours instead of 80, assuming it was reasonably priced. It’s a difficult question because even with half a dozen epic-sized games that I’m interested in per year I still don’t see me ever clearing my backlog. Not with Elden Ring DLC on its way…
Bisker

One or the other
Have recently bought and finished Unicorn Overlord and thought it was a breath of fresh air. It was a really intriguing battle system and the idea of commanding an army that was constantly recruiting new characters really appealed to me, only thing I can think similar (but not really) is The Last Remnant in terms of managing groups of allies in a turn-based fashion.

My only criticism is that the story was very weak, which is strange because Vanillaware’s previous game 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim was one of the best story’s I’ve seen in gaming.

Really enjoyed the streamlined-ness of it, and although it was a hefty game, everything you did felt like it was improving your character/army, compared to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth which has pretty much drowned me in side content.
Michael, Crawley

GC: Yes, it’s odd how 13 Sentinels has a great story but weak strategy combat, but Unicorn Overlord is the opposite.

Store advice
I am looking to buy a new gaming PC by October 2025, due to my current computer not being compatible with Windows 11. Could somebody recommend a PC website that will build the PC for you? I bought my current PC tower from YoYoTech in 2013 and had a look on their website the other day and found that they only build computers for eSports now, so I can’t buy an individual PC tower like I did in 2013.

I didn’t want to build it myself as I am not confident to do that. I was going to spend £1,500 to £2,000 on the PC tower. The PC I bought in 2013 was £1,500 but I realise with the cost of graphics cards, etc. I will have to spend more than I did then. I will use the gaming PC for other things like web page design, image and video editing, Microsoft Office, printing etc.
Andrew J.
PS: I noticed the lead actress in the new Fallout TV series plays Jinx, one of the main leads in the Arcane TV series.

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Incredible reality
Firstly, I would love that copy of Horizon Call Of The Mountain. I played the demo and really liked it but being a bit strapped for cash I’ve had to dial back my game buying. Gran Turismo 7, thankfully, has kept me tide over, as its fantastic in VR.

It does seem a bit sad Sony have given up on the PlayStation VR2, when the game is done right. VR is incredible. In fact, I find it hard going back to normal games now.

The PlayStation VR2 isn’t perfect but one of the things I love is how quick and easy I can get into a game. I’ve played VR on PC and it just seems so much more of a faff. But, there is some incredible stuff on PC VR, hopefully some of this will make its way to PlayStation VR2 one day. happy gaming all!
Rob

GC: We’ll send you the download code now.

Return of a true gentleman
So, I see that Level-5, long time Nintendo collaborators and creators of Professor Layton, Inazuma Eleven, and many more, have postponed their planned April showcase until the summer. The showcase promised a new game reveal, as well as the rest of their 2024 output – along with the new Professor Layton which is due out next year.

I wonder if this has anything to do with the delay of the Switch 2 until next year, and subsequent delay to its reveal until (presumably) later this year. Perhaps this indicates a summer reveal for the console? Just thinking out loud here…
Stephen

GC: Maybe. We hope Level-5 are going to be okay, as it’s a long time since they’ve had a hit.

Falling in love
My wife loved the Fallout TV series and was completely unaware of the video games. Unbeknown to her, I have played the games in her presence before. But when her only acknowledgement is an eye roll at me wearing a gaming headset, she had no clue. Needless to say, pointing out aspects which are in the video games didn’t impress her. I imagine I’m not the only fella who gets that ‘bless him’ look from their partner. It doesn’t deter us from nerding out, though, eh?

She also enjoyed The Last Of Us TV series and certainly didn’t appreciate my smug look at knowing the entire plot. At least with Fallout I couldn’t predict the story, which also helped the show.

The reason Fallout works as a TV show is you don’t have to be a gamer to enjoy it. It’s just a damn good show, which is unique to anything else on television. A Fallout TV series could have very easily been a disaster. Fortunately, it attracted the right talent to be involved, and is pretty much the benchmark for video game adaptations going forward.
Anon

Never before seen
In reply to your article about the Fallout show. I have never played or had anything to do with the Fallout universe. The whole premise is new to me.

I’m glad to say I’ve found it absolutely brilliant.

Without knowing the story arc and the characters I am not tied to expectations and don’t fall into the trap of character comparisons between the game and the TV show.

The show itself is well cast and well produced. Its dark humour come across brilliantly and its view of a post-apocalyptic world is amazing and disturbing at the same time. I absolutely love it… bring on the next series!
Matt Fry

GC: The main characters are all unique to the show.

Show of the Year
I’ve never played a Fallout game even though I still have a sealed copy of Fallout 3 Game of the Year Edition that I picked up from Zavvi when they used to have good deals.

Me and my partner watch a lot of TV and we’re fortunate to like the same things mostly. This year between us we have clocked up 20 TV shows. Shows like:

For All Mankind Season 4
The Changeling
Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters
Reservation Dogs Season 2
Halo Season 2 (meh)
The Bear
Slow Horses Season 3
True Detective: Night Country
Masters Of The Air

The Fallout TV show is already up there with the best of them and we haven’t even finished it quite yet. We just watch one episode every evening. From the moment GC showed the reveal trailer I thought it looked aesthetically impressive and it has not let me down (thanks Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy).

There are probably some Easter eggs that I do not understand or even notice, and I’m sure Fallout gaming fans are gaining something extra from it, yet it’s still stands as a TV highlight for me this year already.
Chaosphere

Inbox also-rans
I think Dragon’s Dogma 2 is my game of the year so far. I know it’s pretty much the same game as before but I’ve been playing it pretty much non-stop since it came out and I still haven’t had enough.
Bernie

Despite the controversy about Stellar Blade I have a good feeling about it after the demo, I think it’s going to be like Returnal and end up a surprise contender for best PlayStation 5 exclusive.
Corsair11

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The small print
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