#1 - April 2025 "The Beginning"

Each month, my goal is to reduce my backlog, not expand it, and as expected, I’ve already failed. I’ve picked up most importantly Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, but also: Plants vs. Zombies, Blood and Bacon, A Game About Digging A Hole (completed), and Don’t Starve. However, Oblivion reignited that drive within me, the drive to immerse myself in high-quality games that I know will consume countless hours in the best way.

But as I reflect on my April completions, I find myself feeling both satisfied and somewhat disappointed. Sure, I’m relieved to never have to play Outcore again, yet there’s a lingering sense of regret that I didn’t use that time to finally conquer Elden Ring or The Witcher 3, games that I truly love. It’s a peculiar dilemma: on one hand, I feel compelled to clear out my backlog, rushing through games in an attempt to be rid of them. But on the other, I thrive on playing exceptional games. I know deep down I’m not enjoying a particular title, yet I continue to play it instead of dedicating time to something I cherish. It’s almost as if I fear the emptiness of being left alone with games that don’t captivate me, so I clear away the clutter, only to realize that the true treasures are still waiting for me, patiently calling for my attention when I’m ready to give them the time they deserve.

It’s not healthy, and will burn me out, so for May I’ll be challenging myself to complete Oblivion.