Don't miss out on 20% off DeleteMe by using code DARYL at checkout! - joindeleteme.com/DARYL International Plans - international.joindeleteme.com What are your "Man" games from this year and what will you be voting for me to play in 2025? 👀
My "Man" games were Yakuza 0, Uncharted 2, and the big one by far was Astro Bot. It's not thought-provoking or makes you question your existence, but my God it made me remember what I love about video games that seems to be missing from the general culture. It's the right length, gives the right incentive to collect everything, and excels in damn near every aspect, and that's not even considering how it is a huge love letter to PlayStation's software after Playroom was dedicated to hardware. In a cynical sense, did Sony really deserve this celebration considering the many mistakes it has made during the PS5's lifespan? No. But I'd rather see it from the perspective of the devs from Team Asobi, who really understand how to make a video game feel like an experience rather than a chore. I really hope that we see some of the dead franchises that made an appearance in Astro Bot come back at some point, but you know how it is. Good luck in 2025, I voted for Hi-Fi Rush.
The way I see it, the backlog is not a to do list as it is not meant to be finished. It should be treated more like a wine cellar, constantly adding new games and picking one depending on the occasion. For some games that occasion may never come and that's fine.
4:30 this reminded me of an idea from Cal Newport’s “Slow Productivity”. When you’re setting a time limit, it was very hasty and stressful, which led to a “push” method, doing things as fast as you can. He instead recommends a “pull” method, where you just work your pace and pull new projects/games to do when you’re ready for them. A huge benefit is that the lowered strain doesn’t just give you more time, but more creative power to enhance your process and make better use of your time.
I feel like the reasons these videos get so many views specifically is that it's interesting to see how people handle their gaming backlogs, and a good overview of what games you played in the year that people like to know about partially through parasocial bonds
I rarely comment on UA-cam, but I feel compelled to share my story in response to this video. I started an eerily similar journey ten years ago to clear my backlog by setting a goal to beat 30 games each year. The first time I tried it, I failed, finishing only 20. But I stuck with it and reached my goal the next year, finishing 32 games. However, my ability to streamline the process, make better decisions, and find better ways to play kind of snowballed and the original goal of 30 games is now a distant memory. I won't share the exact number of games I complete annually nowadays, but it well beyond the original 30. The exact number is irrelevant anyways, what is relevant is that you are sticking with this and I see the organic learning happening in these videos. I think you will surprise yourself in the future at what you are able to accomplish when you focus and set reasonable, but still aspirational goals. Best of luck with the backlog, and definitely remember to have fun and enjoy yourself.
30:28 STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE WWWWWW. It looks daunting but it’s so worth it!! One of my favorite series of fantasy books of all time. On top of that, it takes place in a shared universe known as the Cosmere where some of his other series takes place on different planets altogether, but will interconnect later down the line
The slow burn of playing a longer game over a long stretch of time is super underrated. I started Persona 3 Reload when it came out and am probably only gonna finish the game next week. But its allowed the impactful moments and the anticipation of knowing the end approaches to sink in and hit that much harder. Realizing that I'm not gonna be able to finish every social link despite all the time I've put in was an almost perfect encapsulation of this game's message telling me "hey, enjoy this time with these characters and this game and this world while you can, because it'll be over soon and it will always feel like you never had enough time. But that doesn't make any of the time you spent here unimportant" Kinda a perfect encapsulation of the concept of the backlog, too, now that i think about it.
Something I noticed about your backlog is it's very heavy on RPGs, which takes a lot of time and dedication. For me, I prefer shorter puzzle games, so essentially if I start a game on a weekend, I usually finish it the same weekend. This keeps my backlog extremely short. (There's no possible way this will win a vote, so I'm just gonna throw it here: If you want a spooky escape-room point-and-click game with a multimedia element to it, I highly recommend "Cube Escape: Paradox" by Rusty Lake) One part of your video that resonated with me is how if a game stays on the to-play list for too long, maybe it's not something you actually want to play. Recently I cleared out my Steam wishlist because there were games on there that just... didn't call to me anymore. Knowing how to weed a backlog is as important as knowing how to incorporate a front log.
Your Chrono Trigger section brought a tear to my eye. With Akira Toriyamas passing he left multiple legacies and stories. I've started chrono trigger over so many times, happily, and have given it so many hours just to not finish each time. Usually because something else just comes up, but it'll be time to finally finish it up soon. I also just picked up Dragon Quest 3 after never really having an interest in the franchise until just recently. He may be gone but his work will continue to live on and inspire.
Chrono Trigger is my favourite game of all time. It is truly such a wonderful story. Please do yourself the favour of finishing that masterpiece!!! RIP Toriyama the legend. Watching Daima feels so bitter-sweet now that he left.
I will also vote for Satisfactory. You can play if for a while and set a goal for yourself on something cool the game lets you do, so don't feel compelled to play it forever. ...unless you want to.
57:27 Noooo how could you whallop me like this at the end of the video! Like it was clear *something* had happened but… T.T RIP Binx, you seem like a really wonderful pup. (And thanks Daryl for continuing this series! Really enjoyed this one.)
My chosen pick is The house in fata morgana. It is the best story I have ever experienced, even better than Berserk. This reviewer summarized it best: Sublime writing, beautiful artwork, and a haunting soundtrack combine to undertake one most nuanced and thoughtful explorations of all the best and worst of the human condition-disturbing and intense, but ultimately hopeful, and with a level of care and humanity that’s rare to see in a game that goes to the dark places this one does. Perhaps most of all, it’s a perfect example of how much visual novels can push the boundaries of videogames as a medium and as an art form, both because and in spite of their “gameplay” constraints. The House in Fata Morgana is, quite simply, a masterpiece on every level.
dude... the first backlog video you did was unbelievable such an amazing video. I was like when is he going to do another one, and here it is. Thanks for everthing you do daryl
It's so fucked up that 1000xresist didn't get nominated for best narrative, or best score and music, or games for impact, or best independent game, or best debut indie game.
There are all games that we’ve played that just go completely under the radar for the rest of the world. A game doesn’t have to be nominated for some arbitrary award for it to mean something for you
Yeah it didn’t have the big media coverage firepower to make a run for any of that but it’s absolutely a hit in every way. I think it will win a lot of “niche UA-camr sung its praises” awards
I am happy to report that I slashed my backlog in half this year, from 72 to 36. I am also currently playing Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and it feels amazing.
I think the section about Chronotrigger in this one actually resonated more with me than any of the previous segments of the two backlog videos. I recently picked up half-life for the first time, a game that I've heard and read so much about over the years but never took the time to play. Learning about so many of the references and small things that made the game and Valve into the behemoths that they are was a very eye opening experience. One that I'm glad I waited until I was old enough to appreciate.
man, every glimpse of the list left to be completed reminds me just how much crosscode is overlooked. an amazing game that it feels like no one has played, but those who do sing its praises. It is pretty rare for me to follow a game from the very beginning (outside of massive series like zelda), but the crosscode demo made it one of the few (if not the only one) to fit that description. A "man" game for me, easily, but one i worry the push would ruin for others.
I've kind of stopped caring about my backlog, now whenever I have a slot open for a new game to play I just look through the games I own and see what I wanna start playing. This year I also took a different approach and just started playing through some entire series since I had access to them. Got through Yakuza 0 - Like A Dragon all in a month (this is what unemployment does to a person), I also played all 5 2D Metroid games and am now a superfan of the series, and I'm close to finishing up the 5th Mario & Luigi game in preparation for Brothership (it's already out but I don't have it yet) And sometimes I just play something random to pass the time like Picross or I might even replay some games. Basically, I no longer have that pressure of so many games I gotta get through and I've been very much going at my own pace. Sometimes I struggle to continue with a game even if I really want to keep with it, so I just do something else for a bit, whether that's a new game, a replay of an older one, maybe I even just go watch some anime instead.
I loved the previous backlog vids so I was genuinely happy to see this show up in my feed. Been tackling a backlog of 40 games this year & so far I’m at 18 games completed. 8 of those were not on the list either & one replay as well. It’s been really fun cataloging it all so looking forward to next year!
Yessss, I love that you played 1000x Resist! There needs to be waaay more buzz about this game. It's like if Yoko Taro directed an interactive theater production of Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Hair to hair.
Something that I've found really fun this year, thanks to Darryl's previous backlog vid and Transparency Boo's video "You Don't Need a Backlog", is using a spreadsheet to track the games I played that year and my thoughts on it. Tackling a giant list of games I want to play and trying to whittle that list down can feel stressful and daunting. Creating a list of my gaming experiences and adding to it over time, however, is a lot of fun! It's really cool looking back at the games I played, and seeing what did or did not land with me over the course of the year.
I discovered this channel a few years ago and have devoured every video, it's fantastic! And this series ...Man... So happy to hear you're considering making it a yearly tradition!! For my pick, I was torn between voting/insisting between 2 of my GOATS Final Fantasy 6 or Mass Effect 2, but ultimately decided to try for a ...Man... game, and voted for: To the Moon. 4hrs according to HLTB, hope you find the room for this little indie gem! Love your content! Beautiful doggo, may Binx RIP.
i'm doing laundry as i watch so sometimes i'm not looking at the screen. When 35:25 came i was like, ""wtf is that evil ass song/sound effect that just started" I turn and i immediately recognize Fear and Hunger and go "Oh."
I'm so glad you played 1000xResist and can't wait to see you talk about it more. It's easily my game of the year and there's very little talk about it and it makes me so sad. Great video as usual!
I tried to do my backlog similar to you last year because of your video and meticulously ordered a list of games and was playing them by how many hours an average playtime takes and it worked for about a month until I was on my 4th game and felt burnt out because I made it all about completing the game instead of enjoying it. This month I started a new list but I hand selected each game with care and thought about what I actually want to experience and then I downloaded an app that puts it all into a spinning wheel essentially taking the choice out of my hands and so far I've been having a great time. (Sorry about the lack of punctuation I am stupid)
I have so far finished Kingdom Come Deliverance in preparation of it sequel next year and am now on my first ever playthrough of Final Fantasy 9 my first Final Fantasy game
All great things come in 3, and so does this backlog saga! LOVED all of the callbacks to the previous videos this year, really felt like I was part of the journey, considering I watched those videos as soon as they came out haha. There's something very human about these backlog videos, I can't put my finger on it, but I'm ecstatic that you decided to make it a yearly thing, and that you enjoyed yourself way more this time around xD. Absolutely adore the new format for the next year too, however I do have a question, are we allowed to suggest games that were in this year's backlog, or will those games be played either way in due time? I *need* you to play through Paranormasight, seeing it there on the list since last year, I cannot wait till you get to it!
As someone who works with spreadsheets frequently, I do see the need to take note of the games you've beaten, what you liked and what you didn't. It can help in understanding one's self and their tastes. My take away, and my own experience is that making a list of games you HAVE to play is the easiest way to make gaming your least favorite activity. Also, my vote is to add "The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa" to next year's list.
Your video 2 years ago inspired me to make a spreadsheet (220 games rn) and work on it this year. No time limit and I don’t mind abandoning or adding games throughout the year. Im 40% of the way through 77 games beat this year and 90 since last October 💪🏻 Love these videos man. Thank you.
Back at it, Daryl! Out of inspiration of your last two Backlog videos, I also made a Backlog. That taught me more about Excel than my IT teacher. Well, I also had a goal, 16 specific games, the front log. Chosen to avoid Choice Paralysis. While your goal got screwed by Persona 4 Golden, my front log got frozen by Persona 5 Royal, which I still haven't beaten. I also added the rule that I can only buy a game when I've beaten one. Eh, failed that part, partly because I took advantage of the Xbox 360 Marketplace Closure sale. Ah, so many games for 2 bucks each... 9 games off the Front log, Nr. 10 is being played and 5 games gave been played but ditched. So theoretically I kicked 14 off the list?
Ah yes, this also seems like a useful video for someone dealing with a cluttered backlog like me. I'll be sure to add this to my Watch Later playlist so I can go through it when I get around to finishing the first video.
I am glad there was only 1 game this year you didn't finish, but PLEASE finish Fear & Hunger and see at least a couple of its most important endings. Its sequel, Termina is also phenomenal just like the first game but also can be very different, and by the time you get to it, it will probably have been updated big time.
I know its on the longer side but i do hope you get to P3 Reload some day. It's truly a "man" game beyond words and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it :3
Sometimes, I lose my love for single-player games, stories, and the like… and I go through phases where I’m all about live-service games or sim racing. But every time you drop a video, you manage to rekindle that love I feel for finishing a game for its story, diving into its lore, uncovering its secrets, and exploring the world behind it
I love hearing the updates on the backlog, and have made a few changes to my own system with these videos. I really like the idea of marking out 3 games a month as I finish up school and move to a new city where I'll likely have more time spent on other hobbies
i don't treat it so much as a backlog, but every year for the past few years now i have been tracking every game that i play. at first it started simple, just the game and playtime like you mention at the end, but with time i've added more and more to it, noting when i start vs when i finish and writing up reviews right when i'm done as well
So happy to see you work on this without stress about a time limit. This is encouraging for me to tackle my own backlog of games and do it at a pace that works for me. Thanks for the awesome saga of you going absolutely insane!
I was super interested regarding the two last backlog videos, since you showed different results on how to approach a goal if 'you' do them - those methods may be effective use cases for others on how how to approach their own backlog - we're all different people and we may first react when something hits that 'man' feeling. I feel like this video gave me that 'man' feeling on how to finally approach my backlog of games (and even getting back into gaming instead of watching them). Don't get me wrong, those other two videos were great, but this one set the tone with me and made me realise "you know what? I can do this!". So thank you. Thank you over the years and now with this video, finally making me realise that I can also set a goal on my backlog of games.
I don't know why but these videos as much as I love them and identify with many of the struggles in them -sweats in buying a house in the new year- they always make me anxious AF. I'm only at Aug and i've had to take two breaks for my sanity already haha. It's silly because it's just my free time and how I spend it and I'm much better at going "if you are enjoying whatever you are doing, it isn't a waste of time" but when I think of those "Man." moments I get all worked up and want to play all the things and have that moment again soon
You SHOULD play Kingdom Hearts. It really fits into the MAN... no doubt. I'm currently playing KH3 after going through the series this year and I'm having a blast. Try the first game, at least, and it it's your jam, the dive is deep.
Hey Daryl, I did the same after your second video. The list is only growing longer and longer but it has helped me keep track of what I ended up playing and if I liked it or not. It is also a good resource to help decide what to play.
Would be heavily interested in that stellar blade video if you choose to do so. Great work on this video! Getting to about halfway through and wanna get a backlog list down for myself, i fear forgetting experiences and wanna catalog my thoughts 🎉 thank you
This was a nice watch. I fell off games a bit this year, but I liked watching you fall in love with some games, and I'm ready to do some of that again, too.
Hi Daryl. I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for your “backlog videos”. Like you, I'm always looking for that "ma-an" game. I have quite a few games that I've want to finish for years, but I also realize that I have limited time. After your first two videos, I was inspired to create my own backlog list in Google Docs and I'm really enjoying the experience of maintaining that. But our methods are different. :) Some basic principles of my backlog: - I don't take time into account. Like at all. I don't have any deadline and i don't take an estimate playthrough time into account. My deadline is my life, and the length of the game should not influence my decisions about what to play. - My backlog is an ever-evolving thing. Now there are about 250 games, each of which I want to try at least someday. If I lose interest in a game, I immediately delete it. If something new appears, I'll add it. - I prioritize. I've got 5 types of priorities: very high, high, medium, low and very low. It helps a lot when I pick the next game to play and decide to delete the game from the backlog. I update the priorities for specific games as soon as I feel like it. - I'm not harsh on myself. If its comfortable for me, I'm ready to play the game to the credits for 4 years (something that happens between me and Baldur's Gate right now). And while I understand that in the end I probably won't be able to play everything I want, I really like having a backlog because it helps me figure out what's important to me right now and also to make sure I don't forget anything and I don't waste time on things I don't want to do. Thanks again, I'm very interested in where this journey will take you.
I always love these backlog videos they make my day and help me go through my backlog. RIP to Binx! I lost my dog this week so I can relate and hope you’re doing okay❤
Such a missed opportunity to throw Tunic to the side. It's truly a unique experience that you only play once since it's a knowledge-based game and it's very worth going through it. I never knew I loved puzzle games until this game.
I usually tend to play a game until I finish it completely then move on. I like when I got a big list of games to beat since most of the time my game library is finished and takes a while to loop back around when I wanna replay them.
@thechugg4372 I wouldn't call a game with unlimited content unfinished. I mean gacha games are basically that until they shut down I enjoy rouge likes I got a few that I play from time to time like the yohane card game that I'd basically a unique adventure each time on what rng you get each run. Other times I want a shirt adventure I can finish in a day or two to get it done. But most of the time I like long running RPGs that I can play again with better skill the next time.
I did this recently. Just did god if war 2018, but as I begin to roam Afghanistan as Snake in 5, I get this nag that whispers “…from…oft” and put in Bloodborne. Next day I swear I’m gonna play death stranding (offline cause I won’t pay) and whisper becomes a yell “dark souls III!” I’ve got 2000 hours in each and have never played online. I also started this year. God of war was only thing that could ever drag me away from my ashen hunters. I think I may actually love the fire keeper as the doll is very “Sarah, plain and tall” type vibes ya dig. Alas if Miyazaki still likes feet, I’m stuck in this WASTELAND of amazing games with amazing replay ability. Tough life I lead
And what happens if I finish the backlogs, guY! What ThEn! I’m starting to panic, wHEres my purse, I’m sCArED, cALL my MoM! The existential walls of dread are closing around me! Go outside?! Damn your heresy you know I cannot survive direct sunlight! Hisssss
Just like my reading list is a TBR (in no particular order) i started callin it my TBP "To be Played" list. It helps me relieve the slight feeling of shame in calling it a backlog, as if ive failed to do something and feel obligated to do it.
Super hyped to see this again, excited to follow the journey next year! This series inspired my own backlog attempt, streaming my games and "attempting" to casually 100% the games I've bought. It's been a hell of a year, thanks for making it happen Daryl Also, for me it's more of a "I don't want to waste money by not playing these" backlog. I feel like that's ignored a bit in this video, but still love the approach you've come up with. R.I.P. Binx
The threequel we never knew we needed! I've gotten a ton of watch time out of your last two backlog videos over the last two years, hopefully this becomes a once every November tradition.
I remember trying out God of War solely because it was on my backlog and had a terrible experience because it wasn't the type of game I wanted to play at the time, I didn't even finish it and assumed that it's just not for me. After a year or two I somehow felt like I wanted to play it, not because it was on backlog but because I was in the mood of the genre and man... I fell in love with the franchise, beat EVERY console GoW and even bought Ragnarok on day one.
Thank you for continuing this fun experiment :) Last year I felt stuck in playing the same game over and over again because nothing in my backlog really grabbed me. This year I was able to pick out more things that I wanted to play and added a little more variety and that alone has revitalised me so much. It has also made me put the controller down every once in a while, which is also nice. Money is a real concern for me and I can't buy a new game whenever I want. I used to have such choice paralysis every time I did come by some spending money, unable to decide what should be next and worried about wasting it on something I won't like. Keeping a list has helped me out of that funk a lot because now I always know what games I still want. I can't afford to take a gamble on something that I might not enjoy. Also ruminating on a new game for a while before buying it makes the whole process more enjoyable. You can really decide if you want it because you'll like it or if you just want to because you get FOMO. Waiting for stuff to go on sale (and let's be honest, waiting for stuff to finally be patched into a playable state) is really rewarding and definitely leads to finishing or even 100%ing more games in the long run.
Enjoying this video format! I think for some of us even think 22 games is a monster feat and this journey feels like the right push and encouragement to get off the couch...to play more games (on the couch). Well done, in making a 'games I played in 2024' so engaging. hopefully same time next year.
I'm really, seriously, glad that this came back again this year and that it will continue to come on the next year. This trilogy of videos changed my life and how I approach games, specially the spreadsheet which I love to see filled with color as time passes and I complete more games, and just... Man... I still remember how I watched the first video at the beginning of 2023 and I thought to myself: "Yeah why not?" and I started filling the spreadsheet with all the games that I wanted to play, the consoles, the HLTB times, expectations, mods even, but at least in my case after seeing how I had over 150 games on that list I realized that there was no way that I could complete all of that and how I shouldn't input myself under a jail of time or something similar. So I ended up creating just another sheet tab dedicated for the year 2023, and oh boy... 75 games played, some dropped like 11, some that I couldn't finish during that year like 3, the ones that I actually completed that were 36, and then... I found that I have another sheet tab for online only, or mostly focused on online games, mostly fighting games that ended up with 25 games for that year alone. However, I still commited some errors like not doing a sheet tab for my thoughts on the games in a more detailed way and I'll admit that is something that makes me want to kill the me from the past for not saving the time to the me of the present, but it is what it is. And this year I ended up starting said sheet tab with 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, and even if until now said sheet tab isn't complete I'll admit that is something that I'm looking forward to do it since I know that it helped to remember some games that I ended up completing in only a week like Spider-Man: Edge of Time (Which I finally could after being something that I wanted to complete after being something that I played sometimes when I was at my childhood friend house) or Transformers: Devastation. And seriously, this spreadsheet is something that I recommend everyone to do to better organize your games and more, and it will make your life easier even if it doesn't seem like it at first sight (But monke brain is happy when colors appear on spreadsheet being completed), hell I would even say that it has something magical that motivates you to play more games, this year isn't even finished and I already played 82 games which would be a combined total of 157 games for 2023 and 2024. Oh and also, one of the things that I learned about this trilogy and that is something you should really take it with you is how it's fine to sometimes drop games, and I don't mean that you should drop most of the games but... It's fine to realize that sometimes you wanted to try something and it simply didn't click with you, it's okay. Not every single game is going to click with you and that's fine since there will be a ton of other games that will do it. Being able to drop games will make you more open to try new things and believe me, there are a ton of surprises that are awaiting you. Also, like he said on this video, don't worry if you keep adding games to the list because let's be real, is something that will never ever be complete, even if suddenly games stopped being created, the games that already exist are a ton and can (and I could even say "will") be enough for an entire lifetime. And what else can I say... Just... Man... This was really a "Man..." trilogy of videos and I'll admit that is the series that each year I will be looking forward to see being continued. Daryl, thank you for this trilogy and all of your other videos, and I seriously mean the thank you, these are videos that end up changing lives.
I don't know if I would have enjoyed Replicant if I played it after Automata. I played it first, so I did enjoy it, but hooooooly heck you can tell their time and budget were heavily restricted compared to Automata 😬 I think they did good with what they had, but I wish they could have put the time and care into it that the first game got.
@ yeah it’s def a flawed game and I totally understand why a lot of people don’t finish it or prefer automata but man the story is so beautiful, I think about it all the time
Its great seeing 1000x resist get the attention it deserves. One of few games i have ever been able to get so stuck into the story that I lose track of time while playing it. Hekki grace
I am really bad at completing video games. I usually buy them and just let them sit idly by. However, this year, I am proud to say that I have beaten an average of 1 game a month, which is huge for me. These backlog videos are great and I am glad I can finish mine alongside you!
I hope you know that the videos you made inspired me so much to go after it myself. Genuinely some of my favorite videos on UA-cam, it made me try games that are new favorites. I failed the first time as well, making some of the same mistakes I’ve seen in your second video. 2025 is gonna be my year though, trust me
you motivated me to tackle my own backlog with that video you did 2 years ago! i am NOWHERE NEAR being done since i have around 800-900 games in it, but at least i am dealing with it. x_x so thank you!
I put it as a response for the survey but i want to leave a comment here as well: Granblue Fantasy: Relink. That was my personal game of the year this year. Your videos have inspired me to play a lot of games and whether or not this game and I crossed paths without you, we'll never know. This game for me was a very "man" game. At a base line it is a monster hunter hub style mission game, with a main story to play through, but the characters in it change everything. This game, these characters, the art, the music.. all of it means a lot to me and I hope we get more games like this one in the future. It can be grindy if you want to do everything there is to do, and normally i don't enjoy grindy games, but this game held my attention and after not playing for a while I came back to it. Its a great experience. Thanks for making these videos and inspiring me to do the things I enjoy. Rest in peace, Binx.
Daryl, these videos always give me so much energy to keep writing down my thoughts and experiences new games. This is my favorite series on UA-cam, so thanks for all of you work!
My vote was for Lies of P. I really enjoyed this surprising take on a soulslike and am glad my friend basically made me play it by letting me borrow his copy. Hope it cracks the top 11!
Yk the backlong series is just a nice vid to end off each year. I just get to listen to Daryl talk abt the games hes played thru out the year and its nice to year his thoughts!
Your first video I ever found/watched was backlog part 1 about 1.5 years ago so these videos are some of my favorites. I swear everytime I watch a video from you I just wanna buy you a beer. Keep enjoying the journey in 2025 brother
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What are your "Man" games from this year and what will you be voting for me to play in 2025? 👀
By the way you have a face that would look totally rad with a longer haircut. Like metal head long hair for example would look stupendously good
My "Man" games were Yakuza 0, Uncharted 2, and the big one by far was Astro Bot. It's not thought-provoking or makes you question your existence, but my God it made me remember what I love about video games that seems to be missing from the general culture. It's the right length, gives the right incentive to collect everything, and excels in damn near every aspect, and that's not even considering how it is a huge love letter to PlayStation's software after Playroom was dedicated to hardware. In a cynical sense, did Sony really deserve this celebration considering the many mistakes it has made during the PS5's lifespan? No. But I'd rather see it from the perspective of the devs from Team Asobi, who really understand how to make a video game feel like an experience rather than a chore. I really hope that we see some of the dead franchises that made an appearance in Astro Bot come back at some point, but you know how it is. Good luck in 2025, I voted for Hi-Fi Rush.
I think my favorite game from this year was Void Stranger
The way I see it, the backlog is not a to do list as it is not meant to be finished. It should be treated more like a wine cellar, constantly adding new games and picking one depending on the occasion. For some games that occasion may never come and that's fine.
Yesss!!! This exactly
bro thank you, i think this is the mindset that i need
Can your name change to MikeMeatmike or mikesmeat*mikesrules. A very distinguished change and I’d adore you. Wouldn’t that be so lovely, good chap?
Wow that’s a great analogy 😮 I love it!
@@YoshMaster I too agree with those rumbling upon the tongue of MikeNeedsMike. Anything but neat, pleeaasse!
Sooo, same time next year?
Ah ha ha, guess we'll see 😉
@@crytalfactory See you then 🎉
Keep in mind according to his videos about what games he plays each month it’s July so November is in just a few months
God's last stand?
I vividly remember the time I first saw the last two come out, I'm okay with this new backlogs holiday
4:30 this reminded me of an idea from Cal Newport’s “Slow Productivity”. When you’re setting a time limit, it was very hasty and stressful, which led to a “push” method, doing things as fast as you can. He instead recommends a “pull” method, where you just work your pace and pull new projects/games to do when you’re ready for them.
A huge benefit is that the lowered strain doesn’t just give you more time, but more creative power to enhance your process and make better use of your time.
I feel like the reasons these videos get so many views specifically is that it's interesting to see how people handle their gaming backlogs, and a good overview of what games you played in the year that people like to know about partially through parasocial bonds
I only really care about the Backlog talk, but you never know if Daryl played a game I could be interested in. Namely an indie I haven't heard about.
WE ARE SO BACK!!!
We never left 😎😎😎
We are so back, baby! Hahahahah
We are so back(log)
Bro you CANNOT just rip my heart straight outta my chest right at the end like that 😢
RIP Binx
It's like if Yoko Taro directed an interactive theater production of Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Hair to hair.
I rarely comment on UA-cam, but I feel compelled to share my story in response to this video. I started an eerily similar journey ten years ago to clear my backlog by setting a goal to beat 30 games each year. The first time I tried it, I failed, finishing only 20. But I stuck with it and reached my goal the next year, finishing 32 games. However, my ability to streamline the process, make better decisions, and find better ways to play kind of snowballed and the original goal of 30 games is now a distant memory. I won't share the exact number of games I complete annually nowadays, but it well beyond the original 30. The exact number is irrelevant anyways, what is relevant is that you are sticking with this and I see the organic learning happening in these videos. I think you will surprise yourself in the future at what you are able to accomplish when you focus and set reasonable, but still aspirational goals. Best of luck with the backlog, and definitely remember to have fun and enjoy yourself.
30:28 STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE WWWWWW.
It looks daunting but it’s so worth it!! One of my favorite series of fantasy books of all time. On top of that, it takes place in a shared universe known as the Cosmere where some of his other series takes place on different planets altogether, but will interconnect later down the line
This!!! 🙌🙌🙌
The slow burn of playing a longer game over a long stretch of time is super underrated. I started Persona 3 Reload when it came out and am probably only gonna finish the game next week. But its allowed the impactful moments and the anticipation of knowing the end approaches to sink in and hit that much harder. Realizing that I'm not gonna be able to finish every social link despite all the time I've put in was an almost perfect encapsulation of this game's message telling me "hey, enjoy this time with these characters and this game and this world while you can, because it'll be over soon and it will always feel like you never had enough time. But that doesn't make any of the time you spent here unimportant"
Kinda a perfect encapsulation of the concept of the backlog, too, now that i think about it.
Papa bless, it's time for this Daryl Talks Games start ugly crying by the end of the game.
If you like slow burners you might enjoy the "Trails / Kiseki" Series
Something I noticed about your backlog is it's very heavy on RPGs, which takes a lot of time and dedication. For me, I prefer shorter puzzle games, so essentially if I start a game on a weekend, I usually finish it the same weekend. This keeps my backlog extremely short. (There's no possible way this will win a vote, so I'm just gonna throw it here: If you want a spooky escape-room point-and-click game with a multimedia element to it, I highly recommend "Cube Escape: Paradox" by Rusty Lake)
One part of your video that resonated with me is how if a game stays on the to-play list for too long, maybe it's not something you actually want to play. Recently I cleared out my Steam wishlist because there were games on there that just... didn't call to me anymore. Knowing how to weed a backlog is as important as knowing how to incorporate a front log.
Your Chrono Trigger section brought a tear to my eye. With Akira Toriyamas passing he left multiple legacies and stories. I've started chrono trigger over so many times, happily, and have given it so many hours just to not finish each time. Usually because something else just comes up, but it'll be time to finally finish it up soon. I also just picked up Dragon Quest 3 after never really having an interest in the franchise until just recently. He may be gone but his work will continue to live on and inspire.
Chrono Trigger is my favourite game of all time. It is truly such a wonderful story. Please do yourself the favour of finishing that masterpiece!!!
RIP Toriyama the legend. Watching Daima feels so bitter-sweet now that he left.
@@adoniscreed4031 It is one of the best rpgs of all time for sure.
Let's enjoy Daima. His final piece of work.
Daryl: "You'll vote for one game"
Me: Satisfactory!
Daryl: "Please try to keep the HowLongToBeat like 30 hours or less"
Me: Damnit.
@@CorvusLiberatus Vote for it anyways!
I will also vote for Satisfactory.
You can play if for a while and set a goal for yourself on something cool the game lets you do, so don't feel compelled to play it forever.
...unless you want to.
57:27 Noooo how could you whallop me like this at the end of the video! Like it was clear *something* had happened but… T.T RIP Binx, you seem like a really wonderful pup. (And thanks Daryl for continuing this series! Really enjoyed this one.)
not sure if its really a 'man...' game, but ULTRAKILL is genuinely one of the best playing games, and it still has a lot of emotion in it.
it becomes increasingly man... as the plot progresses and as you learn just how deep the tragedy of its world runs
My chosen pick is The house in fata morgana. It is the best story I have ever experienced, even better than Berserk. This reviewer summarized it best:
Sublime writing, beautiful artwork, and a haunting soundtrack combine to undertake one most nuanced and thoughtful explorations of all the best and worst of the human condition-disturbing and intense, but ultimately hopeful, and with a level of care and humanity that’s rare to see in a game that goes to the dark places this one does. Perhaps most of all, it’s a perfect example of how much visual novels can push the boundaries of videogames as a medium and as an art form, both because and in spite of their “gameplay” constraints. The House in Fata Morgana is, quite simply, a masterpiece on every level.
The only reason why I didn't pick that is because it was already on both backlogs.
dude... the first backlog video you did was unbelievable such an amazing video. I was like when is he going to do another one, and here it is. Thanks for everthing you do daryl
It's so fucked up that 1000xresist didn't get nominated for best narrative, or best score and music, or games for impact, or best independent game, or best debut indie game.
There are all games that we’ve played that just go completely under the radar for the rest of the world. A game doesn’t have to be nominated for some arbitrary award for it to mean something for you
Yeah it didn’t have the big media coverage firepower to make a run for any of that but it’s absolutely a hit in every way. I think it will win a lot of “niche UA-camr sung its praises” awards
I am happy to report that I slashed my backlog in half this year, from 72 to 36. I am also currently playing Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and it feels amazing.
I think the section about Chronotrigger in this one actually resonated more with me than any of the previous segments of the two backlog videos. I recently picked up half-life for the first time, a game that I've heard and read so much about over the years but never took the time to play. Learning about so many of the references and small things that made the game and Valve into the behemoths that they are was a very eye opening experience. One that I'm glad I waited until I was old enough to appreciate.
man, every glimpse of the list left to be completed reminds me just how much crosscode is overlooked. an amazing game that it feels like no one has played, but those who do sing its praises. It is pretty rare for me to follow a game from the very beginning (outside of massive series like zelda), but the crosscode demo made it one of the few (if not the only one) to fit that description. A "man" game for me, easily, but one i worry the push would ruin for others.
I uhh have gotten about 15 hours in, but man some of the puzzles are a little annoying. I'm still in the fire temple.
I've kind of stopped caring about my backlog, now whenever I have a slot open for a new game to play I just look through the games I own and see what I wanna start playing. This year I also took a different approach and just started playing through some entire series since I had access to them. Got through Yakuza 0 - Like A Dragon all in a month (this is what unemployment does to a person), I also played all 5 2D Metroid games and am now a superfan of the series, and I'm close to finishing up the 5th Mario & Luigi game in preparation for Brothership (it's already out but I don't have it yet)
And sometimes I just play something random to pass the time like Picross or I might even replay some games. Basically, I no longer have that pressure of so many games I gotta get through and I've been very much going at my own pace. Sometimes I struggle to continue with a game even if I really want to keep with it, so I just do something else for a bit, whether that's a new game, a replay of an older one, maybe I even just go watch some anime instead.
The Fujimoto mangas in the background 🎉🎉
@@sleeplessboy real recognizes real 🍻
@@DarylTalksGames true man of culture! 🍷
I loved the previous backlog vids so I was genuinely happy to see this show up in my feed. Been tackling a backlog of 40 games this year & so far I’m at 18 games completed. 8 of those were not on the list either & one replay as well. It’s been really fun cataloging it all so looking forward to next year!
Yessss, I love that you played 1000x Resist! There needs to be waaay more buzz about this game. It's like if Yoko Taro directed an interactive theater production of Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Hair to hair.
Something that I've found really fun this year, thanks to Darryl's previous backlog vid and Transparency Boo's video "You Don't Need a Backlog", is using a spreadsheet to track the games I played that year and my thoughts on it.
Tackling a giant list of games I want to play and trying to whittle that list down can feel stressful and daunting. Creating a list of my gaming experiences and adding to it over time, however, is a lot of fun! It's really cool looking back at the games I played, and seeing what did or did not land with me over the course of the year.
I discovered this channel a few years ago and have devoured every video, it's fantastic! And this series ...Man... So happy to hear you're considering making it a yearly tradition!! For my pick, I was torn between voting/insisting between 2 of my GOATS Final Fantasy 6 or Mass Effect 2, but ultimately decided to try for a ...Man... game, and voted for: To the Moon. 4hrs according to HLTB, hope you find the room for this little indie gem! Love your content! Beautiful doggo, may Binx RIP.
I geniuenly feel like he would love Darkwood based on his recent endeavors with horror games. Just dont forget to respect the woods.
i'm doing laundry as i watch so sometimes i'm not looking at the screen. When 35:25 came i was like, ""wtf is that evil ass song/sound effect that just started" I turn and i immediately recognize Fear and Hunger and go "Oh."
I'm so glad you played 1000xResist and can't wait to see you talk about it more. It's easily my game of the year and there's very little talk about it and it makes me so sad. Great video as usual!
2023: Uses time limit;
2024: Learns time limit is bad;
2025: Uses time limit again, learns nothing.
I tried to do my backlog similar to you last year because of your video and meticulously ordered a list of games and was playing them by how many hours an average playtime takes and it worked for about a month until I was on my 4th game and felt burnt out because I made it all about completing the game instead of enjoying it. This month I started a new list but I hand selected each game with care and thought about what I actually want to experience and then I downloaded an app that puts it all into a spinning wheel essentially taking the choice out of my hands and so far I've been having a great time. (Sorry about the lack of punctuation I am stupid)
I have so far finished Kingdom Come Deliverance in preparation of it sequel next year and am now on my first ever playthrough of Final Fantasy 9 my first Final Fantasy game
Crosscode being on that small distilled list is great! Everyone should play it.
All great things come in 3, and so does this backlog saga! LOVED all of the callbacks to the previous videos this year, really felt like I was part of the journey, considering I watched those videos as soon as they came out haha. There's something very human about these backlog videos, I can't put my finger on it, but I'm ecstatic that you decided to make it a yearly thing, and that you enjoyed yourself way more this time around xD.
Absolutely adore the new format for the next year too, however I do have a question, are we allowed to suggest games that were in this year's backlog, or will those games be played either way in due time? I *need* you to play through Paranormasight, seeing it there on the list since last year, I cannot wait till you get to it!
Fun video. Cool that Chrono Trigger ended this year's run.
that kingdom hearts one sounds like foreshadowing for whats to come 0-0
As someone who works with spreadsheets frequently, I do see the need to take note of the games you've beaten, what you liked and what you didn't. It can help in understanding one's self and their tastes. My take away, and my own experience is that making a list of games you HAVE to play is the easiest way to make gaming your least favorite activity.
Also, my vote is to add "The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa" to next year's list.
Your video 2 years ago inspired me to make a spreadsheet (220 games rn) and work on it this year. No time limit and I don’t mind abandoning or adding games throughout the year. Im 40% of the way through 77 games beat this year and 90 since last October 💪🏻
Love these videos man. Thank you.
Back at it, Daryl!
Out of inspiration of your last two Backlog videos, I also made a Backlog.
That taught me more about Excel than my IT teacher.
Well, I also had a goal, 16 specific games, the front log. Chosen to avoid Choice Paralysis. While your goal got screwed by Persona 4 Golden, my front log got frozen by Persona 5 Royal, which I still haven't beaten.
I also added the rule that I can only buy a game when I've beaten one.
Eh, failed that part, partly because I took advantage of the Xbox 360 Marketplace Closure sale. Ah, so many games for 2 bucks each...
9 games off the Front log, Nr. 10 is being played and 5 games gave been played but ditched.
So theoretically I kicked 14 off the list?
@@Notfallkaramell Haha it’s never as simple as you want it to be is it? 😂 take your time on Persona 5, such a great game!
@DarylTalksGames Yes, it is. And I take my time, I started it back in May. I'm already planning a New Game Plus run. (I missed a few confidants.)
Ah yes, this also seems like a useful video for someone dealing with a cluttered backlog like me. I'll be sure to add this to my Watch Later playlist so I can go through it when I get around to finishing the first video.
i cannot wait for the 1000xresist video.
that game changed me.
"Why am I thinking about my inevitable death!?"
* Insert Funger joke here *
I am glad there was only 1 game this year you didn't finish, but PLEASE finish Fear & Hunger and see at least a couple of its most important endings. Its sequel, Termina is also phenomenal just like the first game but also can be very different, and by the time you get to it, it will probably have been updated big time.
Shout out to Stormlight! That series rocks. Can't wait for book 5
Only a couple more weeks!
I know its on the longer side but i do hope you get to P3 Reload some day. It's truly a "man" game beyond words and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it :3
Hey Daryl! I just wanted to say that this series has inspired me to start my own backlog and I’ve been loving it. That’s it thank you! :)
@@Jayrhny758 Best of luck! Have fun!
Sometimes, I lose my love for single-player games, stories, and the like… and I go through phases where I’m all about live-service games or sim racing.
But every time you drop a video, you manage to rekindle that love I feel for finishing a game for its story, diving into its lore, uncovering its secrets, and exploring the world behind it
This could easily become my favorite yearly tradition
I love hearing the updates on the backlog, and have made a few changes to my own system with these videos. I really like the idea of marking out 3 games a month as I finish up school and move to a new city where I'll likely have more time spent on other hobbies
Easily my favorite types of videos that you do. So glad it is becoming a series.
I'm sorry for your loss. It's good to see Binx had a long and happy life.
i don't treat it so much as a backlog, but every year for the past few years now i have been tracking every game that i play. at first it started simple, just the game and playtime like you mention at the end, but with time i've added more and more to it, noting when i start vs when i finish and writing up reviews right when i'm done as well
The OG backlog youtuber is back
i JUST rewatched the backlog videos a week ago this is such a blessing omg
Va-11 Hall-A is one of my favorite games and it's not that long, so I was kinda waiting for it this whole video lol.
Same the amount of times I saw him zoom in on it or saw it pass by on screen gave me hope. Hopefully next year he plays it
So happy to see you work on this without stress about a time limit. This is encouraging for me to tackle my own backlog of games and do it at a pace that works for me. Thanks for the awesome saga of you going absolutely insane!
I was super interested regarding the two last backlog videos, since you showed different results on how to approach a goal if 'you' do them - those methods may be effective use cases for others on how how to approach their own backlog - we're all different people and we may first react when something hits that 'man' feeling.
I feel like this video gave me that 'man' feeling on how to finally approach my backlog of games (and even getting back into gaming instead of watching them).
Don't get me wrong, those other two videos were great, but this one set the tone with me and made me realise "you know what? I can do this!".
So thank you. Thank you over the years and now with this video, finally making me realise that I can also set a goal on my backlog of games.
I don't know why but these videos as much as I love them and identify with many of the struggles in them -sweats in buying a house in the new year- they always make me anxious AF. I'm only at Aug and i've had to take two breaks for my sanity already haha. It's silly because it's just my free time and how I spend it and I'm much better at going "if you are enjoying whatever you are doing, it isn't a waste of time" but when I think of those "Man." moments I get all worked up and want to play all the things and have that moment again soon
You SHOULD play Kingdom Hearts. It really fits into the MAN... no doubt.
I'm currently playing KH3 after going through the series this year and I'm having a blast.
Try the first game, at least, and it it's your jam, the dive is deep.
Hey Daryl, I did the same after your second video. The list is only growing longer and longer but it has helped me keep track of what I ended up playing and if I liked it or not. It is also a good resource to help decide what to play.
The Piglet game during the Silent Hill section made me laugh. Someone also watched Eurothug's video I see.
You tempted fate too many times. Kingdom Hearts is in your future.
Would be heavily interested in that stellar blade video if you choose to do so.
Great work on this video! Getting to about halfway through and wanna get a backlog list down for myself, i fear forgetting experiences and wanna catalog my thoughts 🎉 thank you
One must imagine Daryl-phus happy
This was a nice watch. I fell off games a bit this year, but I liked watching you fall in love with some games, and I'm ready to do some of that again, too.
Hi Daryl.
I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for your “backlog videos”.
Like you, I'm always looking for that "ma-an" game. I have quite a few games that I've want to finish for years, but I also realize that I have limited time. After your first two videos, I was inspired to create my own backlog list in Google Docs and I'm really enjoying the experience of maintaining that. But our methods are different. :)
Some basic principles of my backlog:
- I don't take time into account. Like at all. I don't have any deadline and i don't take an estimate playthrough time into account. My deadline is my life, and the length of the game should not influence my decisions about what to play.
- My backlog is an ever-evolving thing. Now there are about 250 games, each of which I want to try at least someday. If I lose interest in a game, I immediately delete it. If something new appears, I'll add it.
- I prioritize. I've got 5 types of priorities: very high, high, medium, low and very low. It helps a lot when I pick the next game to play and decide to delete the game from the backlog. I update the priorities for specific games as soon as I feel like it.
- I'm not harsh on myself. If its comfortable for me, I'm ready to play the game to the credits for 4 years (something that happens between me and Baldur's Gate right now).
And while I understand that in the end I probably won't be able to play everything I want, I really like having a backlog because it helps me figure out what's important to me right now and also to make sure I don't forget anything and I don't waste time on things I don't want to do.
Thanks again, I'm very interested in where this journey will take you.
I always love these backlog videos they make my day and help me go through my backlog.
RIP to Binx! I lost my dog this week so I can relate and hope you’re doing okay❤
Such a missed opportunity to throw Tunic to the side. It's truly a unique experience that you only play once since it's a knowledge-based game and it's very worth going through it. I never knew I loved puzzle games until this game.
Yeah I second this!
Such a missed opportunity to only play Tunic once. I guarantee there's still so much more that you've missed.
Sorry but if you're going to make a loving jab at Kingdom Hearts like that, I'm going to lovingly vote for it.
love these videos. the ethos you figure out throughout this process is applicable even to my every day life and how to approach my free time
I usually tend to play a game until I finish it completely then move on. I like when I got a big list of games to beat since most of the time my game library is finished and takes a while to loop back around when I wanna replay them.
You know it's pretty easy to get a permanently unfinished library, just buy Muse Dash or a similar game that has almost unlimited content
@thechugg4372 I wouldn't call a game with unlimited content unfinished. I mean gacha games are basically that until they shut down
I enjoy rouge likes I got a few that I play from time to time like the yohane card game that I'd basically a unique adventure each time on what rng you get each run. Other times I want a shirt adventure I can finish in a day or two to get it done. But most of the time I like long running RPGs that I can play again with better skill the next time.
41:55 sphere to square sister
47:27 - 48:32 PEAK DARYL AT WORK
LETS FUCKING GOOOOOO 1000XRESIST
I did this recently. Just did god if war 2018, but as I begin to roam Afghanistan as Snake in 5, I get this nag that whispers “…from…oft” and put in Bloodborne. Next day I swear I’m gonna play death stranding (offline cause I won’t pay) and whisper becomes a yell “dark souls III!” I’ve got 2000 hours in each and have never played online. I also started this year. God of war was only thing that could ever drag me away from my ashen hunters. I think I may actually love the fire keeper as the doll is very “Sarah, plain and tall” type vibes ya dig. Alas if Miyazaki still likes feet, I’m stuck in this WASTELAND of amazing games with amazing replay ability. Tough life I lead
And what happens if I finish the backlogs, guY! What ThEn! I’m starting to panic, wHEres my purse, I’m sCArED, cALL my MoM! The existential walls of dread are closing around me! Go outside?! Damn your heresy you know I cannot survive direct sunlight! Hisssss
Just like my reading list is a TBR (in no particular order) i started callin it my TBP "To be Played" list. It helps me relieve the slight feeling of shame in calling it a backlog, as if ive failed to do something and feel obligated to do it.
Super hyped to see this again, excited to follow the journey next year!
This series inspired my own backlog attempt, streaming my games and "attempting" to casually 100% the games I've bought. It's been a hell of a year, thanks for making it happen Daryl
Also, for me it's more of a "I don't want to waste money by not playing these" backlog. I feel like that's ignored a bit in this video, but still love the approach you've come up with.
R.I.P. Binx
The threequel we never knew we needed! I've gotten a ton of watch time out of your last two backlog videos over the last two years, hopefully this becomes a once every November tradition.
Mr Darly you can't run away from Kingdom Hearts fandom, you'll eventually make that video...
I remember trying out God of War solely because it was on my backlog and had a terrible experience because it wasn't the type of game I wanted to play at the time, I didn't even finish it and assumed that it's just not for me.
After a year or two I somehow felt like I wanted to play it, not because it was on backlog but because I was in the mood of the genre and man... I fell in love with the franchise, beat EVERY console GoW and even bought Ragnarok on day one.
Thank you for continuing this fun experiment :) Last year I felt stuck in playing the same game over and over again because nothing in my backlog really grabbed me. This year I was able to pick out more things that I wanted to play and added a little more variety and that alone has revitalised me so much. It has also made me put the controller down every once in a while, which is also nice.
Money is a real concern for me and I can't buy a new game whenever I want. I used to have such choice paralysis every time I did come by some spending money, unable to decide what should be next and worried about wasting it on something I won't like.
Keeping a list has helped me out of that funk a lot because now I always know what games I still want. I can't afford to take a gamble on something that I might not enjoy.
Also ruminating on a new game for a while before buying it makes the whole process more enjoyable. You can really decide if you want it because you'll like it or if you just want to because you get FOMO. Waiting for stuff to go on sale (and let's be honest, waiting for stuff to finally be patched into a playable state) is really rewarding and definitely leads to finishing or even 100%ing more games in the long run.
Love these videos man, its been awesome to see how you have managed to deal with your backlog.
Keep these videos coming!
Enjoying this video format! I think for some of us even think 22 games is a monster feat and this journey feels like the right push and encouragement to get off the couch...to play more games (on the couch). Well done, in making a 'games I played in 2024' so engaging. hopefully same time next year.
A sequel to my favourite video of yours. That and Gaming as a Perfectionist. Looking forward to this video!
I'm really, seriously, glad that this came back again this year and that it will continue to come on the next year. This trilogy of videos changed my life and how I approach games, specially the spreadsheet which I love to see filled with color as time passes and I complete more games, and just... Man...
I still remember how I watched the first video at the beginning of 2023 and I thought to myself: "Yeah why not?" and I started filling the spreadsheet with all the games that I wanted to play, the consoles, the HLTB times, expectations, mods even, but at least in my case after seeing how I had over 150 games on that list I realized that there was no way that I could complete all of that and how I shouldn't input myself under a jail of time or something similar. So I ended up creating just another sheet tab dedicated for the year 2023, and oh boy... 75 games played, some dropped like 11, some that I couldn't finish during that year like 3, the ones that I actually completed that were 36, and then... I found that I have another sheet tab for online only, or mostly focused on online games, mostly fighting games that ended up with 25 games for that year alone.
However, I still commited some errors like not doing a sheet tab for my thoughts on the games in a more detailed way and I'll admit that is something that makes me want to kill the me from the past for not saving the time to the me of the present, but it is what it is. And this year I ended up starting said sheet tab with 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, and even if until now said sheet tab isn't complete I'll admit that is something that I'm looking forward to do it since I know that it helped to remember some games that I ended up completing in only a week like Spider-Man: Edge of Time (Which I finally could after being something that I wanted to complete after being something that I played sometimes when I was at my childhood friend house) or Transformers: Devastation. And seriously, this spreadsheet is something that I recommend everyone to do to better organize your games and more, and it will make your life easier even if it doesn't seem like it at first sight (But monke brain is happy when colors appear on spreadsheet being completed), hell I would even say that it has something magical that motivates you to play more games, this year isn't even finished and I already played 82 games which would be a combined total of 157 games for 2023 and 2024.
Oh and also, one of the things that I learned about this trilogy and that is something you should really take it with you is how it's fine to sometimes drop games, and I don't mean that you should drop most of the games but... It's fine to realize that sometimes you wanted to try something and it simply didn't click with you, it's okay. Not every single game is going to click with you and that's fine since there will be a ton of other games that will do it. Being able to drop games will make you more open to try new things and believe me, there are a ton of surprises that are awaiting you.
Also, like he said on this video, don't worry if you keep adding games to the list because let's be real, is something that will never ever be complete, even if suddenly games stopped being created, the games that already exist are a ton and can (and I could even say "will") be enough for an entire lifetime.
And what else can I say... Just... Man...
This was really a "Man..." trilogy of videos and I'll admit that is the series that each year I will be looking forward to see being continued.
Daryl, thank you for this trilogy and all of your other videos, and I seriously mean the thank you, these are videos that end up changing lives.
I’ve rewatched the Gaming Backlog part two video many times!! I’m so excited for this one!
IM SO GLAD YOU LOVED NIER REPLICANT, genuinely one of my all time favs and i knew when i saw it on your og backlog you would probably love it
I don't know if I would have enjoyed Replicant if I played it after Automata. I played it first, so I did enjoy it, but hooooooly heck you can tell their time and budget were heavily restricted compared to Automata 😬 I think they did good with what they had, but I wish they could have put the time and care into it that the first game got.
@ yeah it’s def a flawed game and I totally understand why a lot of people don’t finish it or prefer automata but man the story is so beautiful, I think about it all the time
Its great seeing 1000x resist get the attention it deserves. One of few games i have ever been able to get so stuck into the story that I lose track of time while playing it. Hekki grace
I am really bad at completing video games. I usually buy them and just let them sit idly by. However, this year, I am proud to say that I have beaten an average of 1 game a month, which is huge for me. These backlog videos are great and I am glad I can finish mine alongside you!
I hope you know that the videos you made inspired me so much to go after it myself. Genuinely some of my favorite videos on UA-cam, it made me try games that are new favorites. I failed the first time as well, making some of the same mistakes I’ve seen in your second video. 2025 is gonna be my year though, trust me
you motivated me to tackle my own backlog with that video you did 2 years ago! i am NOWHERE NEAR being done since i have around 800-900 games in it, but at least i am dealing with it. x_x so thank you!
I put it as a response for the survey but i want to leave a comment here as well: Granblue Fantasy: Relink.
That was my personal game of the year this year. Your videos have inspired me to play a lot of games and whether or not this game and I crossed paths without you, we'll never know. This game for me was a very "man" game. At a base line it is a monster hunter hub style mission game, with a main story to play through, but the characters in it change everything. This game, these characters, the art, the music.. all of it means a lot to me and I hope we get more games like this one in the future. It can be grindy if you want to do everything there is to do, and normally i don't enjoy grindy games, but this game held my attention and after not playing for a while I came back to it. Its a great experience. Thanks for making these videos and inspiring me to do the things I enjoy.
Rest in peace, Binx.
Daryl, these videos always give me so much energy to keep writing down my thoughts and experiences new games. This is my favorite series on UA-cam, so thanks for all of you work!
I now make my case for reconsidering playing Ultrakill. It is fun. Amazingly fun. It is the most fun you'll have playing a game.
My vote was for Lies of P. I really enjoyed this surprising take on a soulslike and am glad my friend basically made me play it by letting me borrow his copy. Hope it cracks the top 11!
I feel you guys. This past year, I had to have my elderly dog put down. Last month I completed Neva. Amazingly beautiful game, tore me to shreds 😢
Yk the backlong series is just a nice vid to end off each year. I just get to listen to Daryl talk abt the games hes played thru out the year and its nice to year his thoughts!
Your first video I ever found/watched was backlog part 1 about 1.5 years ago so these videos are some of my favorites. I swear everytime I watch a video from you I just wanna buy you a beer. Keep enjoying the journey in 2025 brother
That closure at 48.30 almost made me cry dude, keeping it real 💛