| Title | Platform | Genre | Year | Completed? | Playtime | Rating | Notes | |--------------------------------------------------------|----------|-------------|------|------------|----------|--------|-------| | Flower | PS4 | Art | 2013 | No | - | - | | | LittleBigPlanet™3 | PS4 | Platformer | 2014 | No | - | - | | | Fallout 4 | PS4 | RPG | 2015 | No | - | - | | | Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove | PS4 | Platformer | 2018 | No | - | - | | | Journey | PS4 | Adventure | 2015 | No | - | - | | | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | PS4 | RPG | 2015 | No | - | - | | | Grand Theft Auto V | PS4 | Action | 2014 | No | - | - | | | Mortal Kombat X | PS4 | Fighting | 2015 | No | - | - | | | The Last of Us™ Remastered | PS4 | Action | 2014 | No | - | - | | | STEEP | PS4 | Sports | 2016 | No | - | - | | | WWE 2K20 | PS4 | Sports | 2019 | No | - | - | | | Minecraft | PS4 | Sandbox | 2014 | No | - | - | | | LEGO® MARVEL Super Heroes | PS4 | Action | 2013 | No | - | - | | | SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle For Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated | PS4 | Platformer | 2020 | No | - | - | | | The Last of Us™ Part II | PS4 | Action | 2020 | No | - | - | | | WATCH_DOGS® 2 | PS4 | Action | 2016 | No | - | - | | | HITMAN™ | PS4 | Stealth | 2016 | No | - | - | | | LEGO® Worlds | PS4 | Sandbox | 2017 | No | - | - | | | Just Cause 4 | PS4 | Action | 2018 | No | - | - | | | Far Cry® Primal | PS4 | Action | 2016 | No | - | - | | | Red Dead Redemption 2 | PS4 | Action | 2018 | No | - | - | | | Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition | PS4 | Simulation | 2018 | No | - | - | | | A Way Out | PS4 | Adventure | 2018 | No | - | - | | | Battlefield™ 1 | PS4 | FPS | 2016 | No | - | - | | | Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End™ | PS4 | Action | 2016 | No | - | - | | --- # **🎮 Game Engagement & Playability Master List** *Organized by Playability Factors + Completion Strategy* ### **📊 Key Metrics Tracked:** ✅ **Completion Time** (Short/Medium/Long) ✅ **Engagement Type** (Narrative, Sandbox, Arcade, etc.) ✅ **Replayability** (Low/Medium/High) ✅ **Best Play Style** (Casual, Immersive, Co-op, etc.) ✅ **Priority Tier** (When to play it) --- ## **🎯 Tier 1: Quick Wins (Under 10h, High Impact)** *Perfect for building momentum and avoiding backlog fatigue.* | Title | Platform | Genre | Est. Hours | Engagement Strength | Replayability | Priority | Notes | |------------------|----------|-----------|------------|--------------------------|---------------|----------|--------------------------------| | **Journey** | PS4 | Adventure | 2-3h | Emotional, Atmospheric | Low | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Perfect starter game. | | **Flower** | PS4 | Art | 1-2h | Relaxing, Visual | Low | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good for a stress-free session. | | **A Way Out** | PS4 | Adventure | 6h | Co-op Narrative | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Requires 2 players. | --- ## **🔥 Tier 2: Narrative Powerhouses (10-30h, Story-Driven)** *Best played when you want deep immersion.* | Title | Platform | Genre | Est. Hours | Engagement Strength | Replayability | Priority | Notes | |--------------------------------|----------|-------|------------|--------------------------|---------------|----------|--------------------------------| | **The Last of Us Remastered** | PS4 | Action | 15h | Gripping Story | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Must-play narrative. | | **Uncharted 4** | PS4 | Action | 15h | Cinematic Adventure | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Best in series. | | **The Last of Us Part II** | PS4 | Action | 25h | Intense, Divisive | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐ | Heavy emotional investment. | --- ## **🌍 Tier 3: Open-World & Sandbox (30h+, Endless Play)** *Play intermittently between shorter games.* | Title | Platform | Genre | Est. Hours | Engagement Strength | Replayability | Priority | Notes | |---------------------------|----------|----------|------------|--------------------------|---------------|----------|--------------------------------| | **Red Dead Redemption 2** | PS4 | Action | 50h+ | Immersive Sim | High | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Slow start but incredible. | | **The Witcher 3** | PS4 | RPG | 50h+ | Deep RPG | High | ⭐⭐⭐ | Best played with DLCs. | | **Grand Theft Auto V** | PS4 | Action | 30h+ | Chaotic Fun | High | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Great for messing around. | | **Minecraft** | PS4 | Sandbox | ∞ | Creative Freedom | Infinite | ⭐⭐ | Play at your own pace. | --- ## **🎮 Tier 4: Arcade & Pick-Up-and-Play (Short Sessions)** *For when you want quick fun.* | Title | Platform | Genre | Est. Hours | Engagement Strength | Replayability | Priority | Notes | |------------------------------------|----------|----------|------------|--------------------------|---------------|----------|--------------------------------| | **Shovel Knight** | PS4 | Platformer | 10h | Retro Challenge | High | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Tight, rewarding gameplay. | | **LittleBigPlanet 3** | PS4 | Platformer | 12h | Creative, Co-op | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐ | Better with friends. | | **Mortal Kombat X** | PS4 | Fighting | Varies | Competitive | High | ⭐⭐⭐ | Great for local multiplayer. | --- ## **⚠️ Tier 5: Grindy / Repetitive (Caution: Potential Fatigue)** *Play in small doses or when craving a specific loop.* | Title | Platform | Genre | Est. Hours | Engagement Strength | Replayability | Priority | Notes | |---------------------|----------|---------|------------|--------------------------|---------------|----------|--------------------------------| | **Fallout 4** | PS4 | RPG | 50h+ | Exploration + Crafting | Medium | ⭐⭐ | Can feel repetitive. | | **Far Cry Primal** | PS4 | Action | 25h | Open-World FPS | Low | ⭐⭐ | Fun but formulaic. | | **WATCH_DOGS 2** | PS4 | Action | 20h | Hacking + Parkour | Medium | ⭐⭐ | More fun than the first. | --- ## **📌 Bonus: Special Considerations** - **Co-op Focused:** *A Way Out, LittleBigPlanet 3, LEGO Marvel* - **Best for Creativity:** *Minecraft, LEGO Worlds* - **Most Overwhelming (Longest):** *The Witcher 3, Red Dead 2* --- ### **📈 Recommended Play Order Strategy:** 1. **Start with Tier 1 (Quick Wins)** → Build momentum. 2. **Mix Tiers 2 & 4** → Balance story with arcade fun. 3. **Sandbox (Tier 3) in between** → Play open-world games sporadically. 4. **Leave Tier 5 for last** (Or if you’re in the mood for their specific loop). --- You're in luck! Below is a **"What Should I Play Next?" Mood-Based Guide** that combines **time available**, **engagement style**, and **mood** to help you instantly pick the perfect game. --- # **🎮 "What Should I Play Next?" Ultimate Mood & Time Guide** *Stop decision fatigue—match games to your current mood & available time!* ### **🔑 How to Use This Guide:** 1. **Pick your current mood** (e.g., "I want a story" or "I want mindless fun"). 2. **Check your available time** (e.g., 30 mins vs. 5 hours). 3. **Get a tailored recommendation** from your backlog! --- ## **📌 Quick Reference Table (At-a-Glance Recommendations)** | **Mood / Need** | **<30 mins** | **1-2 Hours** | **3+ Hours** | **All Night?** | |--------------------------|--------------------|--------------------|----------------------|----------------------| | **I want a story** | *Journey* (Chill) | *The Last of Us* | *Red Dead 2* | *The Witcher 3* | | **I want action!** | *Mortal Kombat X* | *Uncharted 4* | *Just Cause 4* | *GTA V* | | **I want to relax** | *Flower* | *STEEP* (Snow) | *Minecraft* | *LEGO Worlds* | | **I want a challenge** | *Shovel Knight* | *HITMAN™* | *Fallout 4 (Survival)* | *Kerbal Space Program* | | **I want co-op** | – | *A Way Out* | *LittleBigPlanet 3* | *LEGO Marvel* | --- ## **🎭 Mood-Based Deep Dive** ### **1. "I Want a Deep Story" (Immersive Narrative)** - **Short (<2h):** *Journey* (Emotional, wordless storytelling) - **Medium (5-10h):** *The Last of Us Remastered* (Gritty, cinematic) - **Long (20h+):** *Red Dead Redemption 2* (Slow burn, incredible world) - **Epic (50h+):** *The Witcher 3* (Best side quests in gaming) ### **2. "I Want Fast Fun" (Arcade-Style Action)** - **Quick Fix (<30m):** *Mortal Kombat X* (Fight, done) - **Short Session (1-2h):** *Shovel Knight* (Tight platforming) - **Chaos Mode (3h+):** *Just Cause 4* (Explosions, wingsuit madness) ### **3. "I Want to Relax" (Chill Vibes)** - **Zen Moment (<1h):** *Flower* (No stress, just beauty) - **Creative Mode (2h+):** *Minecraft* (Build freely) - **Nature Escape (3h+):** *STEEP* (Skiing/boarding with podcasts) ### **4. "I Want a Challenge" (Skill-Based)** - **Precision Needed:** *Shovel Knight* (Tough but fair) - **Stealth Mastery:** *HITMAN™* (Plan your kills) - **Brain Burner:** *Kerbal Space Program* (Rocket science simulator) ### **5. "I Want Co-Op" (Play with Friends)** - **Best Duo Game:** *A Way Out* (Prison escape story) - **Casual Fun:** *LEGO Marvel Super Heroes* (Humor + teamwork) - **Creative Collab:** *LittleBigPlanet 3* (Build levels together) --- ## **⏱️ Time-Based Filters** ### **"I Only Have 30 Minutes"** ✅ *Flower* (Relaxing) ✅ *Mortal Kombat X* (1-2 fights) ✅ *Shovel Knight* (One stage) ### **"I Have 1-2 Hours"** ✅ *The Last of Us* (1-2 story chapters) ✅ *Uncharted 4* (Setpiece action) ✅ *STEEP* (Few downhill runs) ### **"I Have All Night"** ✅ *Red Dead Redemption 2* (Get lost in the world) ✅ *The Witcher 3* (Side quest deep dive) ✅ *Minecraft* (Build a castle) --- ## **🔄 Dynamic Tracking (Google Sheets/Notion Ready)** Want this in a **sortable, filterable database**? Here’s how to set it up: ### **Google Sheets/Excel Version:** 1. **Add columns for:** - *Mood Tags* (Story, Action, Relax, Challenge, Co-op) - *Time Tier* (<30m, 1-2h, 3h+, Epic) - *Priority* (⭐ to ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) 2. **Use filters** to instantly sort by mood + time. ### **Notion Version:** 1. **Create a database** with: - **Multi-select tags** (Mood, Genre, Time) - **Progress tracker** (Completed?, Playtime logged) - **Cover images** for visual appeal. 2. **Save views like:** - *"Quick Plays (<1h)"* - *"Weekend Binge Games"* --- ### **🎯 Final Tip: The "Rule of 3" for Backlog Domination** 1. **Always have 3 games in rotation:** - 1 *Short* (for quick sessions) - 1 *Narrative* (for story immersion) - 1 *Sandbox* (for creativity) 2. **Swap one out when you finish it.** This way, you **always have a perfect match** for your mood & time!