17 KiB
17 KiB
Your collection has a great mix of AAA blockbusters, indie gems, and sandbox games—but there are some glaring gaps in genres, gameplay styles, and must-play experiences. Here’s what’s missing and what to add:
🎮 Missing Genres & Must-Have Games
(Sorted by Priority to Fill Gaps)
1. Roguelike/Lite (Fast, Replayable, Challenging)
- Why? Your library lacks "pick up and die" games perfect for short sessions.
- Add:
- Hades (PS4) – Best-in-class storytelling + combat.
- Dead Cells (PS4) – Tight Metroidvania/roguelike hybrid.
- Returnal (PS5) – If you upgrade, this is a must.
2. Metroidvania (Exploration + Progression)
- Why? Only Shovel Knight scratches this itch lightly.
- Add:
- Hollow Knight (PS4) – Masterpiece of atmosphere and challenge.
- Ori and the Blind Forest (PS4) – Gorgeous, emotional platformer.
3. JRPGs (Story-Driven, Turn-Based/Tactical)
- Why? Your RPGs are all Western (Witcher 3, Fallout 4).
- Add:
- Persona 5 Royal (PS4) – Stylish, deep, and addictive.
- Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4) – Modern classic with action-RPG combat.
4. Survival/Crafting (Deeper Than Minecraft)
- Why? Minecraft and LEGO Worlds are casual sandboxes.
- Add:
- Subnautica (PS4) – Underwater survival with horror elements.
- The Forest (PS4) – Horror + base-building (great co-op).
5. Puzzle/Logic Games (Brain-Burning Fun)
- Why? Your library skews action-heavy.
- Add:
- The Witness (PS4) – Brilliant open-world puzzles.
- Portal: The Companion Collection (If it comes to PS4).
6. Horror (You Have Almost None!)
- Why? Big gap for immersive scares.
- Add:
- Resident Evil 2 Remake (PS4) – Survival horror at its best.
- Alien: Isolation (PS4) – Unmatched tension.
7. Fighting Games (Beyond Mortal Kombat)
- Why? MK X is fun but shallow long-term.
- Add:
- Street Fighter 6 (PS4/5) – Best fighting game in years.
- Dragon Ball FighterZ (PS4) – Flashy, accessible anime fighter.
8. Immersive Sims (Player Choice-Driven)
- Why? No Deus Ex or Dishonored here!
- Add:
- Dishonored 2 (PS4) – Stealth + supernatural powers.
- Prey (PS4) – BioShock in space with deeper systems.
9. Co-Op Gems (Beyond A Way Out)
- Why? More variety for multiplayer.
- Add:
- It Takes Two (PS4) – Best co-op game ever made.
- Overcooked 2 (PS4) – Chaotic couch co-op.
10. Indie Darlings (Unique Experiences)
- Why? You have Journey and Flower, but more gems exist.
- Add:
- Celeste (PS4) – Tough platformer + mental health themes.
- Outer Wilds (PS4) – Space exploration mystery (go in blind!).
💡 Budget-Friendly Picks (Under $20)
- Hollow Knight
- Dead Cells
- The Forest (on sale)
🏆 If You Only Buy 3 Games:
- Hades (Roguelike)
- Hollow Knight (Metroidvania)
- Resident Evil 2 Remake (Horror)
🔍 Gaps Summary Table
| Genre | Your Current Gap | Top 1-2 Picks to Add |
|---|---|---|
| Roguelike | ❌ None | Hades, Dead Cells |
| Metroidvania | ❌ None | Hollow Knight, Ori |
| JRPG | ❌ None | Persona 5 Royal, FFVIIR |
| Survival | ❌ Casual-only | Subnautica, The Forest |
| Horror | ❌ Almost none | RE2 Remake, Alien |
| Puzzle | ❌ Missing | The Witness |
🎯 Final Advice:
- Start with Hades (it’s the best roguelike ever and fits short/long sessions).
- Then try Hollow Knight (cheap, deep, and unforgettable).
- Fill horror/puzzle gaps next (RE2 or The Witness).
| 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:
- Start with Tier 1 (Quick Wins) → Build momentum.
- Mix Tiers 2 & 4 → Balance story with arcade fun.
- Sandbox (Tier 3) in between → Play open-world games sporadically.
- 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:
- Pick your current mood (e.g., "I want a story" or "I want mindless fun").
- Check your available time (e.g., 30 mins vs. 5 hours).
- 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:
- Add columns for:
- Mood Tags (Story, Action, Relax, Challenge, Co-op)
- Time Tier (<30m, 1-2h, 3h+, Epic)
- Priority (⭐ to ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
- Use filters to instantly sort by mood + time.
Notion Version:
- Create a database with:
- Multi-select tags (Mood, Genre, Time)
- Progress tracker (Completed?, Playtime logged)
- Cover images for visual appeal.
- Save views like:
- "Quick Plays (<1h)"
- "Weekend Binge Games"
🎯 Final Tip: The "Rule of 3" for Backlog Domination
- Always have 3 games in rotation:
- 1 Short (for quick sessions)
- 1 Narrative (for story immersion)
- 1 Sandbox (for creativity)
- Swap one out when you finish it.
This way, you always have a perfect match for your mood & time!