What I am playing: TUNIC

I have been a little all over the gaming map since I completed Hogwarts Legacy last month. I went on to beat Rachet & Clank: Rift Apart. That is two games that I started last year that I’ve completed this year. Not bad. 2024 is all about finishing games, I guess.

Unless you can’t decide on what game to play next. The adult gamer’s dilemma. I could play anything, buy any game, but what is the next game that is going to hook me? Turns out that game is a 2022 action-adventure game developed by Isometricorp Games called TUNIC.

TUNIC is a game about fox on an adventure filled with exploration, ancient foes, and a kingdom seemingly lost to time. The game has the polish of an Apple Arcade game mixed with Zelda/Metroid and a little bit of Dark Souls. I’m in love.

What games are you playing?

Skull and Bones – Battleship Sunk

After playing the Skull and Bones beta, I can tell you that I’ve played a better game in 2013. Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag allowed you to:

  • Jump off your ship anytime you wanted.
  • Swim/explore underwater realms.
  • Ram your ship into whichever island of your choosing and adventure.

I was expecting an experience that went beyond Black Flag. Alas, that is not what Skull and Bones offers. Skull and Bones offers more of an arcade version of Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag. To be unfair, it acts like live-service game with constant load screens. But don’t take my word for it, download the 8 hour demo and see for yourself. You’ll see that:

  • Want to get off and explore? – Load screen.
  • Want to talk to someone? – Load screen.
  • Every choice seems like it equals a load screen.

Don’t get me started on your player character either. Gone is the fluidity of stealth and parkour of Black Flag and in its place, a tank-like character. Yuck.

For a game that took a decade to grace us with its presence, Skull and Bones should sailed off into the oceanic either.

Bottom Line: When the Skull and Bones beta is bad and lacks substance, the $70 release game will be no better. Which is a shame.

Poppy Playtime: Chapter 1

Poppy Playtime is a horror/puzzle game where you are in an abandon toy factory.

I beat it in 20 minutes (you could definitely beat it faster).

I looked up a walkthrough for all the puzzles because it is just easier.

There’s only one chase scene/ horror-thingy, where your being chased by a monster named Huggy (see picture above). He looks so cool and is kind of scary as he is chasing you in a vent. One wrong move and you die.

Poppy Playtime is a decent game. It’s $5, so give it a try.

Title: Poppy Playtime: Chapter 1
Developer: Mob Entertainment
Publisher: Mob Entertainment
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Android
Reviewed On: PlayStation 5
MSRP: $4.99

Review by Wyatt Hall

Saying Goodbye

I am the worst at saying goodbye.

During the 3 months that I worked at Disney, I remember going on a blind date.

After I got crushed at air hockey and destroyed playing miniature golf, we came to the part of our “date” where we had to say goodbye. Awkwardly, not knowing what to do, I stuck out my hand and said, “handshake”.

We never went on another date again.

I was backing out of the driveway today, my wife having just gave me a book to take back to the library.

Answering her phone in one hand and giving me the book in the other hand, she said, “thank you”.

And I said, “thank you” back.

Thank you?

I could have said, “I love you”.

Or even a simple, “goodbye”.

Instead the moment took me back to the time I said “handshake”.

Saying goodbye is awkward.

The Bible, Video Games, and Hanging Out

In a hush-hush corner of the world, I decided to start something. That something combines my love of the Bible, video games, and hanging out. You see, I started a Bible study for junior high/high school guys.

Once a month, for two hours on a Sunday afternoon, I host a Guy’s Bible Study at my house. The guys come over, hang out, study the Bible and eat food. That’s it. Super simple and to the point.

Yesterday, we studied Joshua 2. We talked about:

  • Rahab. Who is a part of Jesus’ lineage. (See Matthew 1.)
  • Her being a prostitute. (When I asked the boys what a prostitute was, one chimed in, “That means she did very bad things.” I can’t argue there.)
  • Rahab told the spies that she knew who the Israelite’s were and that they served the “supreme God” (as the NLT puts it).
  • In a profession where hearts grow hard, Rahab’s heart was soft enough to be used by God. She hid the spies and because of this, her family was ultimately saved.

Had a really enjoyable time discussing the Bible, playing video games, and eating hot dogs with a cheesy center. We even topped off our time by eating smores over the fire. So good.

I love being able to have the guys over to my house. I love spending time with them.