As an opinionated and passionate person, I love talking about the things I love (and often even the things I don't!) 
So if any of these interest you, I hope you'll enjoy reading my thoughts!

Valorant
Overwatch 2 
Abbott Elementary (like, the show)
Honkai Impact Starrail

"Silence is the only language god speaks." - Charles Simic, Dime Store Alchemy

"I saw what a child must love/I saw what love might have done/had we loved in time." - Mary Oliver, A Visitor

"If you are raised with an angry man in your house, there will always be an angry man in your house. You will find him even if he is not there." - Catherine Lacey, Cut

"Why hold onto all that? And I said, Where can I put it down?" - Anne Carson, The Glass Essay

"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." - Jane Austen, Emma

Sometimes you simply have to pen down your awe and appreciation for things that people have lovingly created

Thank Goodness You're Here! by Coal Supper

The loveliest little game I have ever had the honour of enjoying! The game follows a tiny salesman's journey through the strange and colourful town of Barnsworth, where he is constantly sucked into the locals' antics and daily mundanities.

With a wonderfully charming art style, every character has their unique style and colours that contribute to how lively Barnsworth feels. The town feels exceptionally real despite the cartoony style. From the little spats, to the gossip and narratives of each character or even the humdrum conversations that you can eavesdrop on in the game, Barnsworth truly feels like a town come to life. You cannot help but want to be immersed in the chaos of the locals. 

The writing in the game is also exceptional, flowing seamlessly with the different scenes and characters that appear in the game. Marketed as a dark comedy, I find it to be whimsical and playful in an enjoyable way.

I believe that every good game has its roots in developers or people who lovingly create them, and this game hits the spot. Every bit of the game is wonderfully crafted, a testament to what love, dedication and passion can do for a simple game. 

Little Nightmares by Tarsier Studios

I do not have first-hand experience playing Little Nightmares, so my opinion here is limited to a viewer's perspective. 

That is not to say that the game is any less enjoyable for a viewer. The visuals are beautifully haunting, and the liberal way the game plays with perspectives toys with your understanding of reality--suspending you in a constant state of wonder. 

The subtle storytelling is done in the game through colour alone, with Six's (the playable character) yellow raincoat as a beacon against the backdrop of muted greys and blacks. She appears to represent hope in a world seemingly devoid of it. 

Little Nightmares ticks all the boxes of someone like me, someone who is attracted to the macabre, horror and the darker, twisted side of things. The antagonists you have to outwit in the game are beautifully horrific, and designed to evoke a primal, visceral sort of fear in the player. I, however, find them fascinating both as characters and concepts.  

Despite the grotesqueness of the antagonists, I can tell that there is so much love, care and dedication poured into the creation of these characters. Sometimes the ugly can have undeniable beauty, and Little Nightmares has managed to capture that delicate balance beautifully, in my opinion. 

WE WERE HERE by Total Mayhem Games

Pictured are the games from the WE WERE HERE franchise that I currently own, all of which I have played with my best friend, Elsa. 

The games are wonderfully kitschy with an adorable art style and comforting soundtracks. I must also recommend the sound design in the games, with the crunchy-squeaky sound of snow perfectly mimicked by the developers. 

The puzzles are challenging, but not overly opaque, all of which test players' abilities to coordinate, communicate and most importantly, co-operate with their partners. The games set out with the intention of creating a cozy, co-op experience, and succeeded, considering I picture playing these games with a hot cup of cocoa and a dimly-lit room. 

Don't get me wrong though, the games will have you screaming, reassessing your friendship and experiencing visceral fear you didn't think would be possible from such a cutesy game.  

In other words, WE WERE HERE have exceptionally unique games despite having a similar core purpose. The puzzles are never repetitive, the narratives funny and interesting, and the game mechanics unique in each one. 

A must-have for long-distance relationships, or if you feel that you and your friend have been enjoying each other's company a little too much. 

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End by Naughty Dog Studios

Although Uncharted is a franchise, I've only played this one. Narratively, I cannot account for the quality of the continuity, writing and plot for the whole franchise. 

Uncharted 4's isolated narrative, however, as "A Thief's End" is strong enough on its own to stand apart from the rest of the series, allowing new fans of the franchise, like me, to appreciate Nathan Drake's journey without having to play previous games. 

A story about betrayal, love and loyalty against the backdrop of an exciting heist, parkour adventure coupled with gorgeous visuals and amazing sets lands Uncharted 4 as one of my favourite games.  

Naughty Dog Studios are known for their beautiful game visuals and lighting mastery which players can step back and appreciate with how seamlessly the narrative incorporates the more laid-back scenes within an action-packed adventure. 

Overall, Uncharted 4 packs no punches and came out swinging for it being the last game in the franchise. 

Classics, Contemporary, Local, Global...if it is well written, thought-provoking and fundamentally reshaped me, I am recommending it!