Was a sleeper - not sure it still counts, because it caught some good press, but Pentiment. Way more fun and engrossing than any short description makes it sound. And I feel like I even learned a bunch from it!

If you like power wash simulator, you might also like Hard space: Shipbreaker. The gameplay is different, of course, but it’s a similar general play of having a task and working at it. Just this one is in zero-G.

Umurangi Generation! It’s a really cool game about punk photography in a near-future capitalist dystopia.

Ravenlok is dope. It’s easy, and button-mashy, but my god the visuals and music make up for all of it. It swept me away. I think it would be especially fantastic for kids, but definitely enjoyable for adults to.

Valheim is great in single-player, to my surprise.

I like Redfall. ducks But seriously, I do. I like the big open world, the over-the-top vampire thing, the feeling of finding the best way to sneak up on the enemy and take them down. The guns feel satisfying to me. I get excited every time I find a better one. I’m curious where the story is going. Some of the set pieces and environmental storytelling moments are really cool.

I haven’t encountered many bugs at all. One time some enemies appeared out of nowhere, but honestly that just fit in with the vibe of the game anyway.

The AI is dumb, but… I’m finding I don’t care. They’re numerous and still manage to kill me sometimes. I’m ignoring it entirely the same way I ignore it in the original Deus Ex.

It’s not a Dishonored or a Prey, but it’s not trying to be, either. It’s great if you just want to explore an interesting map and do some sneaking and shooting and looting.

I’m obviously the minority in this opinion, but also, it’s on gamepass, so it doesn’t cost anything to try if you haven’t. I almost didn’t because of the reviews and I’m very glad I gave it a chance anyway.