Category: Video Game Stack

2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for gaming, and three announcements from The Game Awards have me already mapping out my schedule. Between Capcom’s horror return to Raccoon City, their ambitious new sci-fi IP, and Crystal Dynamics bringing Lara Croft back to her roots, I’m looking at a year packed with experiences I’ve been craving.

Resident Evil Requiem

Resident Evil Requiem releases February 27, 2026, and everything I’ve seen tells me Capcom understands what makes this franchise work. This isn’t just another entry – it’s a return to Raccoon City thirty years after the missile strike, exploring the overgrown ruins and the Wrenwood Hotel, and Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center where new horrors have emerged.

What immediately grabbed my attention is the dual protagonist system. You play as both Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst investigating mysterious deaths, and Leon S. Kennedy, the series veteran we all know. Grace is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak, which already tells me the narrative is going to dig deep into the series’ lore. The developers confirmed that Grace and Leon’s sections are almost equally split, with Grace focusing on survival horror and Leon bringing the action-oriented gameplay.

The perspective switching is a brilliant touch. For the first time in a mainline RE game, you can toggle between first-person and third-person views at any time. First-person is the default for that tense, realistic experience, but third-person gives you that classic over-the-shoulder feel. I appreciate having options – some situations demand the claustrophobia of first-person, while others benefit from the spatial awareness of third-person.

The stalker enemy system reminds me of what made Mr. X so effective. There’s something uniquely terrifying about knowing a persistent threat is hunting you throughout the environment, forcing you to balance exploration with survival. Combined with the chronic care center setting and Grace’s vulnerability as a non-combat specialist, this could deliver the psychological dread I look for in survival horror.

Capcom’s also been vocal about performance. After the Monster Hunter Wilds issues, they’ve confirmed Requiem won’t have the same problems despite using the RE Engine. They’ve optimized it specifically for smooth performance across a wide range of PC specs, and the fact that it runs well on Nintendo Switch 2 gives me confidence. I want to focus on the horror, not on framerate drops during critical moments.

Pragmata

April 24, 2026 brings Pragmata, Capcom’s first new IP in years, and after multiple delays, it’s finally real. I’ll admit I was skeptical – the game was announced in 2020, delayed from 2022 to 2023, then went silent until resurfacing this year. But after seeing the gameplay and reading about the developer interviews, I’m genuinely intrigued.

The premise is straightforward: Hugh, a human in a spacesuit, and Diana, an android made of something called Lunafilament, must work together to escape a lunar research station and return to Earth. What makes this interesting is the dual-character simultaneous control system. You’re not switching between characters – you’re controlling both at the same time.

The hacking-shooting hybrid gameplay is the hook. Diana can hack enemy armor to expose weak points, but you need to solve hacking mini-games while Hugh dodges incoming attacks. Hugh has a jetpack for mobility and firearms for combat, but he can’t damage enemies until Diana breaks through their defenses. It’s a system that engages your brain differently than standard third-person shooters.

The developers mentioned they delayed the game specifically to get this dual-control system right. The balance between hacking and shooting, the timing of switching focus between characters, and making it feel natural rather than overwhelming – that takes iteration. They scrapped a six-year multiplayer prototype to focus on this single-player experience, which tells me they’re committed to making it work.

There’s a free demo on Steam right now called Pragmata Sketchbook. It’s separate from the main story but uses one of the actual game stages with different progression and enemy placements. Capcom released it early specifically to optimize PC performance across different hardware setups and test mouse-and-keyboard controls. That’s smart – better to catch issues now than at launch. I’m waiting for the demo to release on PS5 so I can try it myself and see if this gameplay system actually delivers on its promise.

The sci-fi setting on the moon, the emphasis on environmental puzzle-solving alongside combat, and the narrative mystery of how Hugh and Diana ended up separated from his team all create an atmosphere I want to explore. Capcom’s taking a risk with a brand-new IP, and I respect that they’re trying something mechanically distinct rather than playing it safe.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and My Series Replay Plans

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis arrives in 2026 as a complete remake of the original 1996 game, built in Unreal Engine 5 by Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog. This is Crystal Dynamics’ second remake of Lara’s first adventure – the first was Tomb Raider Anniversary in 2007 – but this time they’re “unifying the timelines,” combining the classic Core Design games with the recent Survivor trilogy.

The original Tomb Raider was about Lara hunting for pieces of the Scion, an artifact of immense power, across Peru, Greece, Egypt, and a mythical Mediterranean island. Legacy of Atlantis keeps that structure but rebuilds everything from the ground up. They’ve overhauled the puzzles, added new areas, and reimagined iconic moments like the T-Rex battle into what they’re calling an “epic action scene.”

What excites me is the promise of stylish acrobatics – handstands, wheel flips, that signature Lara athleticism – combined with modern game design. The emphasis on exploration, intricate puzzles, and discovering secrets scattered across environments is exactly what I want from Tomb Raider. This isn’t just a visual upgrade; they’re redesigning the experience to capture that sense of discovery for both veterans and newcomers.

Since I’m going to be playing Legacy of Atlantis, it makes perfect sense to revisit the broader Tomb Raider catalog. I’m planning a comprehensive replay of the series to appreciate how it’s evolved and to refresh my memory before the remake launches.

My replay list includes:

• Tomb Raider Legend – The 2006 reboot that modernized Lara’s gameplay
• Tomb Raider Anniversary – The previous remake of the original game
• The remastered collection of the original six games – The Tomb Raider I-III Remastered and upcoming IV-VI releases give me the authentic Core Design experience with quality-of-life improvements
• The Survivor Trilogy – Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider represent the most recent interpretation of Lara’s character and gameplay style

Going through these games chronologically will let me trace the series’ evolution. From the tank controls and grid-based movement of the originals, through Legend’s more fluid traversal, to the Survivor trilogy’s cinematic action-adventure approach, each era has distinct design philosophies. Understanding that progression will make Legacy of Atlantis more meaningful when I can see what they’ve chosen to preserve, what they’ve modernized, and what they’ve completely reimagined.

The Survivor trilogy in particular deserves attention because Crystal Dynamics is unifying those timelines. Knowing how they portrayed Lara’s origin story in 2013 versus how they’re reimagining her 1996 debut will reveal a lot about their current vision for the character.

Three Different Experiences, One Packed Year

What strikes me about these three games is how different they are from each other. Resident Evil Requiem offers pure survival horror with that classic RE tension. Pragmata presents a unique gameplay hybrid in an entirely new universe. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis reimagines a legendary adventure for modern audiences while honoring its roots.

February, April, and sometime later in 2026 – I’ve got my calendar marked. Add in the Tomb Raider replays I’m planning, and 2026 is going to be a year of exceptional gaming experiences. These aren’t games I’m cautiously optimistic about; these are games I’m genuinely excited to play, finish, and write about.

The anticipation is real, and I can’t wait to dive in.

Staring at your gaming backlog can feel overwhelming. Ten games sitting there, unplayed, while new releases keep tempting you. But here’s the truth: clearing a 10-game backlog is more achievable than you think.

I’m going to show you exactly how to do it in three months.

The Math Actually Works

Let’s start with the reality check. If you can finish 3-4 games per month, you’ll clear 10 games in three months. Sounds simple, right? But the key is understanding how long games actually take to beat.

Here’s how I break down game lengths:

Short games (10-15 hours): 4-5 days to complete Medium games (20-40 hours): 7-10 days to complete Long games (50+ hours): 15-20 days to complete

These estimates assume you’re playing to finish the main story, not aiming for 100% completion on your first playthrough. That’s the secret. You’re here to experience these games and move forward, not platinum everything.

Example 10-Game Backlog

Let me show you this works with real games. Here’s my actual backlog with estimated completion times:

Short Games (10-20 hours):

• Absolum: 10-15 hours
• Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound: 10-12 hours
• Monster Hunter: Wilds (story only): 15-20 hours

Medium Games (20-40 hours):

• Hades 2: 20-25 hours
• Ghost of Yotei: 25-30 hours
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: 26-30 hours
• The First Berserker: Khazan: 30-35 hours
• Final Fantasy Tactics: 35-40 hours

Long Games (40+ hours):

• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Hard Mode: 40-50 hours

Notice something? I’ve organized them from shortest to longest. This is intentional.

Breaking Down My 3-Month Plan

Now let’s see how this actually works in practice. With 6 hours of daily play time, here’s how I’m tackling my backlog:

Month 1: Build Momentum with Short Games

• Week 1-2: Absolum (10-15 hours)
• Week 2-3: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (10-12 hours)
• Week 3-4: Monster Hunter: Wilds story (15-20 hours)

Total: 3 games cleared in Month 1

By the end of the first month, I’ve already knocked out three games. This builds confidence and proves the system works.

Month 2: Mix of Medium Games

• Week 1-2: Hades 2 (20-25 hours)
• Week 2-3: Ghost of Yotei (25-30 hours)
• Week 4: Start Expedition 33 (26-30 hours)

Total: 2-3 games cleared in Month 2

The momentum from Month 1 carries over. These medium-length games feel manageable because you’ve already proven you can clear your backlog.

Month 3: Tackle the Heavy Hitters

• Week 1: Finish Expedition 33
• Week 1-2: The First Berserker: Khazan (30-35 hours)
• Week 3-4: Final Fantasy Tactics (35-40 hours)

Total: 3 games cleared in Month 3

Month 4: The Final Boss

• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Hard Mode (40-50 hours)

Yes, this technically extends into a fourth month, but that’s okay. The point isn’t perfection—it’s progress.

Final Count: 10 games in roughly 3-4 months

With 6 hours of daily play, this backlog is absolutely clearable. If you play less (2-3 hours daily), simply extend the timeline to 6-8 months. The strategy remains the same.

Don’t Stack Multiple Long Games in the Same Month

Here’s a mistake that kills backlog plans: trying to play two or three massive RPGs simultaneously in the same month.

Even if you play several hours a day, juggling multiple 50+ hour games means you’re splitting your focus, forgetting plot points, and losing momentum. Pick one long game per month maximum, then fill the rest of your time with shorter experiences.

Your brain will thank you. Your completion rate will thank you.

My Approach: I Only Play Games I Intend to Finish

Here’s how I personally handle my backlog: I only play games I intend to finish.

I never play games I don’t like in the first place. If a game is in my backlog, it’s because I genuinely want to play it. When I start a game, I’m already committed to seeing it through to the end. That’s just how I approach gaming.

But your approach might be completely different, and that’s perfectly fine.

Maybe your backlog includes games you just want to try out. Maybe you’re curious about certain titles but aren’t sure if you’ll finish them. Maybe you want to sample different genres or see what the hype is about. Your backlog can include whatever games you want, whether you plan to finish them or not.

The beauty of this 3-month framework is that it’s flexible. You might finish all 10 games. You might finish 7 and decide 3 others weren’t for you. You might discover that a game you thought you’d just “try” becomes one you can’t put down.

The point isn’t to create pressure or rules about what belongs in your backlog. The point is to give yourself a realistic timeline and strategy to actually play through the games sitting in your library, however far you take each one.

Real Talk: How Much Do You Need to Play?

This strategy assumes you’re playing consistently. For me, that’s about 6 hours per day. Your mileage may vary.

If you play 2-3 hours daily, adjust your timeline to 4-6 months instead of 3. That’s still totally achievable. The strategy stays the same: prioritize by length, build momentum with short games, don’t stack long games.

The key is consistency, not marathon sessions.

Finding Accurate Game Lengths

Before you plan your three months, you need accurate time estimates. Head to HowLongToBeat and look up each game in your backlog. Focus on the “Main Story” completion time, not “Completionist.”

Write down those hours. Sort your games from shortest to longest. Now you have your roadmap.

The Bottom Line

Ten games in three months isn’t a fantasy. It’s a simple strategy:

• Start with shorter games to build momentum
• Don’t stack multiple long games in the same month
• Be consistent with your playtime
• Focus on experiencing games, not perfecting them
• Play however you want – finish them all or just see how far you get

Your backlog isn’t a monster. It’s a queue. And queues get cleared when you tackle them strategically.

Now pick your first game and start playing.

December has arrived, and with it comes my predictable annual gaming tradition. After spending October and November immersed in survival horror – games built entirely around dread, where every corridor and encounter carries that constant psychological weight – December represents the complete opposite. This is when I deliberately shift toward what I call “lighthearted” games, though anyone familiar with Square Enix knows that’s generous. These games still have emotional gut-punches and can absolutely crush you in combat, but they lack that specific sense of dread that defines horror.

To compensate for months of psychological tension, December becomes my indulgence month. I play games like Final Fantasy and other Square Enix titles – games I genuinely enjoy without that constant feeling that something terrible is about to happen. This year, I’m focusing on three Square Enix games and one additional challenge.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Chadley’s Brutal and Legendary Challenges

FF7 Rebirth is potentially entering its fourth playthrough, but this time I have a specific mission: tackling Chadley’s Brutal and Legendary challenges. These optional fights sit at the absolute peak of the game’s difficulty curve, designed specifically for players who want to push the combat system to its limits.

In my previous playthroughs, I focused on the story and required content. Those Brutal and Legendary challenges remained unfinished – reminders of combat mastery I hadn’t achieved yet. Now I’m returning with a different approach, applying the same philosophy I’ve developed over months of tackling difficult games without guides.

No YouTube tutorials. No pre-built strategies copied from Reddit. Just me analyzing the combat system, experimenting with different approaches, and developing solutions that work for my playstyle. This represents how much my gaming approach has evolved – years ago, I would have immediately searched for the “optimal” strategy and followed it exactly. But that left me feeling hollow, like I’d checked off a box without actually understanding what I’d accomplished.

These challenges will test everything I’ve learned about action RPG combat: understanding enemy patterns, managing resources across extended fights, making split-second decisions about ability usage. It’s exactly what I want from December gaming – genuinely challenging without the constant dread of horror.

Kingdom Hearts 3: The Path to Platinum and Yozora

My Kingdom Hearts 3 platinum trophy sits frustratingly close to completion. Only a handful of tasks remain, but they include some of the most demanding content in the game.

First, there’s crafting the Ultima Weapon, Kingdom Hearts 3’s traditional ultimate keyblade. This requires collecting synthesis materials scattered throughout the entire game – not particularly difficult in terms of skill, but time-consuming and requiring systematic tracking of what I have versus what I still need.

Then there’s the ReMind DLC content, which I purchased but haven’t fully explored. This expansion adds new story scenarios and additional boss fights, specifically designed for players who felt the base game didn’t push them hard enough.

But the real challenge waiting for me is Yozora – the secret superboss representing the absolute pinnacle of Kingdom Hearts 3’s combat design. I haven’t completed this yet. Everything I’ve heard suggests this fight is brutal: attack patterns demanding perfect timing, multiple phases requiring different strategies, mechanics that can instantly end your run if you don’t understand the counters.

December feels like the right time to finally tackle this. The platinum trophy is the goal, but Yozora represents the real test.

Final Fantasy XV: The Complete Experience

FF15 occupies a strange place in my gaming history. I completed it once about three years ago, then never returned. That single playthrough left me with mixed feelings – I greatly appreciated the game but felt like I’d experienced an incomplete version.

The issue was that I somehow ended up playing the vanilla version rather than the Royal Edition. The Royal Edition includes significant content additions: expanded story sequences, additional gameplay features. I tried accessing this content but ran into problems with how it was distributed. I remember needing to go through the PSN mobile app to properly download the Royal Edition content, which created enough friction that I just played what I had installed.

This means my FF15 experience is incomplete. I also never played the Ardyn DLC, which explores the antagonist’s backstory and apparently recontextualizes significant portions of the main narrative. I never experienced the Royal Edition’s additional story content.

Three years later, I want to replay FF15 properly. I want the complete experience with all DLC and additional content from the Royal Edition. I want to see if my opinion changes when playing the definitive edition rather than the incomplete version I experienced before.

There’s also a practical element: I remember almost nothing about FF15’s combat system. It’s been long enough that I’ve forgotten the specific mechanics and strategies. In some ways, this will feel like playing a new game – familiar enough for basic context, but distant enough that rediscovering the systems will feel fresh.

The question is whether the Royal Edition download situation has been resolved. I’m hoping Square Enix has streamlined the process in the past three years. If not, I’ll need to figure out the correct sequence to actually access the content.

Expedition 33: Platinum Trophy and Defeating Simon

Finally, there’s Expedition 33. I’m going for the platinum trophy with one specific goal: defeating Simon. This represents the culmination of everything the game builds toward – the ultimate test proving you’ve mastered all systems and mechanics.

The platinum journey will naturally lead me to Simon, and defeating Simon will push me toward platinum completion. It’s a goal where the trophy hunt and the challenge I actually care about align perfectly.

The December Tradition

This pattern has held for years now. October and November are for horror games – games built around constant dread, where that psychological weight follows you through every moment. December is the opposite. It’s when I deliberately shift to games without that dread.

The games I’m playing in December can still be difficult. They can have punishing boss fights, complex systems, content that will absolutely destroy me if I’m unprepared. But they don’t carry that horror game dread – that feeling something terrible is lurking just out of sight, that constant psychological pressure defining survival horror.

After months of that dread, December is about indulgence. It’s about playing games I genuinely love without that psychological weight hanging over every moment. The horror games deliver that specific experience of dread that only survival horror provides, but I can only maintain that state for so long before needing something different.

December provides that reset – a reminder that games can be challenging and demanding without being constantly stressful. These Square Enix games offer exactly what I need: combat systems to master, stories to experience, optional challenges testing skill rather than psychological endurance.

December is here, and it’s time to indulge.

After outlining my overwhelming 15-game stack and developing a strategic approach to tackle it, the inevitable question emerged: how long will this actually take? With 4-6 hours of daily gaming time, a structured schedule, and some serious platinum hunting ahead, it’s time to do the math and set realistic expectations.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. This helps support my gaming content.

Breaking Down the Stack by Completion Type

Not all games in my stack require the same level of commitment. Understanding the different completion types is crucial for accurate timeline estimates.

Quick Completions (Story Only)

These games have straightforward goals with no platinum aspirations:

• Mass Effect: Main story completion (1 month)
• Onimusha: Warlords: Story completion (1 month)

Quick Completion Total: 2 months

Medium Completions (Story + Extra Content)

Games requiring more than just story completion but not full platinum runs:

• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt side content: 2-3 months
• RE2 Remake speed runs (8 modes): 2 months

Medium Completion Total: 4-5 months

Platinum/Challenge Runs (The Heavy Hitters)

The most demanding games requiring significant time investment:

• Bloodborne platinum: 2-3 months (already close to completion)
• Expedition 33 platinum: 2-3 months (currently 75% complete)
• Kingdom Hearts 3: ReMind platinum: 2-3 months
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth platinum: 2-3 months
• Elden Ring PS5 Edition platinum: 2 months (50% complete)
• Dead Space Remake platinum: 2-3 months
• Lies of P platinum: 2-3 months
• Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition DMD mode: 1-2 months
• Monster Hunter World platinum: 3-4 months (weekends only)
• Monster Hunter: Wilds platinum: 3-4 months (weekends only)

Platinum/Challenge Run Total: 21-30 months

Special Cases

• Tekken 8 character study: Ongoing (12+ months for full roster mastery)

Daily Gaming Structure Impact

My daily gaming structure significantly affects completion timelines. With 4-6 hours of daily gaming time, here’s how it breaks down:

Typical Daily Schedule

• Tekken 8: 30 minutes (non-negotiable daily anchor)
• Monthly Focus Challenge Run: 1-2 hours (limited due to mental demand)
• Mood Gaming/Variety: 2-4 hours (less stressful games)

Weekend Schedule

• Tekken 8: 30 minutes (always)
• Monster Hunter Focus: 3-5 hours (dedicated grinding sessions)
• Optional variety: Remaining time

This structure is crucial because challenge runs are mentally demanding and require limited daily exposure to prevent burnout. I can’t just dedicate 6 hours to Bloodborne chalice dungeons – that’s a recipe for frustration.

The Resident Evil Marathon Factor

From September through February, I’m running a special Resident Evil marathon to prepare for Resident Evil 9:

• September: Resident Evil 3 Remake + RE2 Remake continuation (This will still probably take a month to complete)
• October: Resident Evil 4 Remake (I plan to do the harder difficulty together with the normal one for a completionist run and also do a speed run for both normal and hard. I do not plan to do a professional mode run this time as I have already done it and completed it during my platinum run. So RE4 Remake would probably still take me a month)
• November: Resident Evil 5 (Just story including the DLC. I could finish all those in less than a month giving room for my variety games)
• December: Resident Evil 6 (Again just story. Probably will take me less than a month)
• January: Resident Evil 7 (Again just story. Probably will take me less than a month)
• February: Resident Evil 8 (Again just story. Probably will take me less than a month)

Critical Point: September and October will have RE games taking up most of my variety game time, but November through February will leave room for other variety games since those RE entries can be completed in less than a month each. This means the displacement of other games is less severe than initially calculated.

The Real Numbers: Parallel Gaming Calculations

Here’s where the math gets interesting. Because I can play multiple games daily, many completion timelines overlap:

September-February (6 Months)

During this period, I’m simultaneously:

• Completing the RE marathon (as variety games)
• Tackling 3-6 challenge runs (as monthly focus games, 2-3 months each)
• Maintaining Tekken 8 character study
• Continuing weekend Monster Hunter sessions

Post-February Timeline

After the RE marathon ends, I still need to complete some variety games, but the displacement is less severe than initially calculated:

• Remaining challenge runs: 15-20 months
• Medium completions (some can fit in Nov-Feb gaps): 2-3 months
• Quick completions (can fit in Nov-Feb gaps): minimal additional time needed

Running Parallel Throughout

• Tekken 8 character study: 12+ months (ongoing regardless)
• Monster Hunter sessions: Weekend slots don’t interfere with weekday progress

Alternative Timeline: No Trophy Hunting

What if I decided to skip platinum hunting entirely and just enjoy the games for their stories and core content? Let’s break down that scenario:

Story Completions Only:

• Mass Effect: 1 month
• Onimusha Warlords: 1 month
• Bloodborne (just beat the game): 1 month
• Expedition 33 (just beat it): 1 month
• Kingdom Hearts 3: ReMind (story): 1 month
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (story): 1 month
• Elden Ring PS5 (story): 1 month
• Dead Space Remake (story): 1 month
• Lies of P (story): 1 month
• Devil May Cry 5 (normal completion): 1 month
• Monster Hunter World (story): 1 month
• Monster Hunter: Wilds (story already done): 0 months

Longer Completions:

• Witcher 3 side content: 2-3 months
• RE2 Remake speed runs: 2 months

RE Marathon: 6 months (September-February)

Total without trophy hunting: 19-20 months (excluding Tekken 8 character study)

Timeline Comparison

The difference between approaches is striking:

• Story completions only: 19-20 months (1.5-2 years)
• With platinum hunting: 25-30 months (2.5 years)
• Including Tekken 8 mastery: 30-35 months (2.5-3 years)

Trophy hunting adds approximately 5-10 months to the timeline, while the ongoing Tekken character study extends it even further. This puts the time investment of platinum pursuits into perspective – they significantly extend completion time but offer much deeper engagement with each game.

Final Realistic Timeline: 25-30 Months

When accounting for the more efficient RE marathon schedule, the complete stack breakdown looks like this:

Year 1: Focus on challenge runs while completing RE marathon. November-February provide room for variety games alongside RE stories.

Year 2: Continue challenge runs (including Monster Hunter platinums), complete remaining variety games.

Year 2.5: Finish remaining games and complete Tekken roster mastery.

Total Expected Timeline: 25-30 months (approximately 2.5 years)

Reality Check: The Sale Factor

Let’s be honest about one thing: this timeline assumes I stop buying new games. Given my philosophy of purchasing games only during sales, and my track record of jumping on good deals, the timeline will inevitably extend.

New purchases tend to jump to the front of the rotation due to natural excitement. A major sale could easily add 3-6 months to the timeline, and that’s perfectly fine. The stack will grow, but so will the variety and options.

Why This Timeline is Actually Reasonable

Thirty months might seem like a long time, but consider what we’re talking about:

• Ten full platinum trophy completions (including both Monster Hunter games)
• Multiple challenge runs requiring precision and patience
• A complete Resident Evil marathon leading up to RE9
• Comprehensive mastery of an entire fighting game roster
• Hundreds of hours of premium gaming content

This isn’t rushing through games for completion’s sake – it’s a methodical approach to experiencing some of gaming’s best content at a sustainable pace. The structure ensures I’m always making progress while maintaining enjoyment and avoiding burnout.

The Journey vs. Destination Mindset

The real value isn’t in clearing the stack as quickly as possible – it’s in having a diverse, exciting rotation of games that keeps gaming fresh and engaging. Some weeks, Bloodborne’s gothic nightmare will captivate me completely. Other weeks, I might dive deep into Witcher contracts or perfect Tekken combos.

This timeline provides structure without pressure, goals without stress, and progress without rushing. In a world where gaming backlogs often become sources of anxiety, approaching them with realistic expectations and flexible timelines transforms them into sources of excitement.

Bottom Line

My 15-game stack represents roughly 2.5 years of structured, enjoyable gaming. Factor in inevitable new purchases, and we’re looking at an even longer multi-year journey through some of the best experiences gaming has to offer.

The math is clear, the structure is solid, and the timeline is realistic. Now it’s time to stop calculating and start playing. After all, the best gaming sessions aren’t the ones that check boxes – they’re the ones that create memories.

After laying out my overwhelming 15-game stack for August 2025, the inevitable question arose: how do you actually approach playing this many games without losing your mind? The answer isn’t just “play more” – it requires strategy, prioritization, and accepting that some games will capture your attention longer than others.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. This helps support my gaming content.

The Foundation Strategy: Anchor Games vs. Rotation Games

The key to managing a massive gaming backlog is understanding the difference between anchor games and rotation games.

Tekken 8 serves as my primary anchor – it’s my daily constant that I can always return to for focused, structured practice. Since I’m studying one character per month (currently Victor), this provides a reliable routine that doesn’t require narrative commitment or progress tracking across multiple storylines.

The rotation games – everything else in my stack – get scheduled around this foundation. This prevents decision paralysis when I sit down to game and ensures I’m always making measurable progress somewhere.

My Actual Approach: What Works vs. What Doesn’t

What I do need is structure – something I can follow without feeling restricted. After managing this 15-game stack, I’ve identified what actually works for me versus what sounds good in theory but fails in practice.

My Hybrid Approach

My approach combines several strategies that complement rather than complicate each other:

1. Time-Boxing for Consistency (Tekken 8)

Tekken 8 gets exactly 30 minutes daily for character study. This isn’t negotiable—it’s my foundation. Currently studying Victor, and this dedicated time ensures steady progress regardless of what else I’m playing. It’s structured enough to build real expertise but short enough that it doesn’t dominate my gaming time.

2. Goal-Based Monthly Focus

Each month, I pick one major goal from my stack. August might be “finish Bloodborne platinum” while September could be “complete Monster Hunter World main story.” This gives direction without being so rigid that I can’t pivot if something else grabs my attention.

3. Progress Milestones for Difficult Games

When a game gets frustrating (Bloodborne’s chalice dungeons, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s Chadley challenges), I break them into smaller targets. Instead of “get platinum,” it becomes “clear three chalice dungeons this week” or “complete five brutal challenges.” This reduces stress and makes progress feel achievable.

4. New Purchase Priority (With Boundaries)

Fresh games definitely get excitement priority – that’s just human nature. When I grab something new during a sale, it often jumps to the front of the rotation. But I’ve learned to set a boundary: new games can take priority, but they can’t completely derail ongoing monthly goals.

5. Variety Over Completion-Based

My old approach of sticking with one game until 100% completion doesn’t work anymore. With this many great games, I want variety. Sometimes I need a break from Elden Ring’s intensity and want to explore Witcher 3 contracts instead. The structure accommodates this rather than fighting it.

The Practical Framework

Here’s how this structure looks in practice:

Daily Non-Negotiable: 30 minutes of Tekken 8 character study Monthly Focus: One major goal (currently: Bloodborne platinum completion) Weekly Targets: Break the monthly goal into smaller milestones Mood Gaming: Fill remaining time with whatever feels appealing from the stack New Purchase Exception: Fresh games can interrupt the rotation but shouldn’t kill the monthly goal

Example Month Structure:

Week 1: Focus on monthly goal + daily Tekken + mood gaming Week 2: Continue monthly progress + introduce variety games if needed Week 3: Push toward monthly goal completion + maintain Tekken routine Week 4: Either finish monthly goal or transition to next month’s focus

This isn’t rigid scheduling – it’s a flexible framework that provides direction while preserving gaming freedom.

Release-Based Scheduling

One key factor in prioritizing my stack is upcoming game releases. When a sequel or new entry in a series is coming out, it makes sense to tackle related games beforehand.

Resident Evil 9 drops in about 7 months, which means I could realistically finish one Resident Evil game per month leading up to it. RE2 Remake is already in my stack, which creates natural momentum and gets me hyped for the new release.

Similarly, The Witcher 4 trailer got me into the series in the first place. Since that game is still years away, there’s no rush on The Witcher 3, but it’s smart to experience Geralt’s story before Ciri takes center stage.

This approach works because it creates a narrative connection between my current gaming and upcoming releases I’m excited about. It’s much more motivating than arbitrary scheduling.

The Platinum Priority System

Since several games in my stack involve trophy hunting, I’ve developed a priority system:

Tier 1 Priority: Games where I’m close to completion (Bloodborne, Expedition 33) Tier 2 Priority: Games where I’ve made significant progress (Kingdom Hearts 3: ReMind, FF7 Rebirth) Tier 3 Priority: Fresh platinum attempts that can wait (Elden Ring PS5)

This prevents me from starting too many difficult trophy hunts simultaneously and burning out.

Managing the Sale Reality

Let’s be honest: I’m always going to buy new games whenever there’s a sale I like. That’s just who I am as a gamer. My philosophy of only buying games on sale has created this beautiful problem.

The real strategy isn’t preventing new purchases – it’s accepting that my stack will keep growing and building a system that can handle it. New games will jump to the front of the rotation because that’s natural excitement, and that’s perfectly fine. The key is making sure older games don’t get completely forgotten in the process.

Daily and Weekly Structure

Here’s the practical question: how many games should I actually play per day or per week? Should I dedicate specific days to specific games?

My Daily Structure (4-6 Hours Gaming Time):

The 2-3 Game Approach (Context Dependent):

• Tekken 8: 30 minutes every single day (non-negotiable)
• Main Focus Game: 2-4 hours depending on the type of game
• Optional Third Game: 1-2 hours when appropriate

When I Play 2 Games Daily:

• Tekken 8 (30 minutes)
• One story-focused game that demands full attention (3-5+ hours)

When I Play 3 Games Daily:

• Tekken 8 (30 minutes)
• Main monthly focus game (2-3 hours)
• Variety/challenge run game (1-2 hours)

The Monster Hunter Exception: Games like Monster Hunter: Wilds are long-term commitments that don’t fit standard rotation. They’re grindy, get regular updates, and require sustained focus for armor/equipment farming.

How to Fit Monster Hunter:

• Option 1: Make it your monthly focus game (replacing other monthly goals)
• Option 2: Run it parallel to monthly goals as a “background grind” game
• Option 3: Dedicate specific days/weeks to Monster Hunter when new updates drop
• Option 4: Treat it like Tekken – a consistent daily presence alongside other games

With 4-6 hours daily, any of these approaches work. The key is deciding whether Monster Hunter becomes THE focus or runs alongside everything else.

Story vs. Challenge Runs:

• Story runs: Can demand 4+ hours when I’m really into the narrative
• Challenge runs: More mentally demanding and stressful, so I need to limit how much time I spend on them to avoid burnout

With this much daily gaming time, the challenge is still fitting all these games in and making meaningful progress across my 15-game stack.

Progress Tracking Without Pressure

I’m using a simple system to track progress without creating additional stress:

• Daily: Tekken character study notes (combos learned, matchup knowledge gained)
• Weekly: One meaningful advancement in my main focus game
• Monthly: Reassess the rotation and promote new titles as needed

Realistic Timeline Expectations

Let’s be honest about timeframes. With my current approach:

• Tekken 8 character mastery: 12+ months (one character per month)
• Platinum hunts: 2-4 months each for the challenging ones
• Story completions: 1 month or less (I always finish main stories quickly)
• Side content grinding: Ongoing background activity

This isn’t a sprint – it’s a multi-year gaming journey, and that’s perfectly fine.

The Flexibility Factor

The most important element of any gaming schedule is flexibility. Some weeks, Bloodborne will grab me and I’ll make significant progress. Other weeks, I might focus more on exploring random Witcher contracts or tackling different challenges from my stack.

The schedule serves the games, not the other way around. The moment gaming feels like a chore list, the joy disappears.

Bottom Line

Managing a 15-game backlog isn’t about rigid scheduling – it’s about creating systems that maximize enjoyment while ensuring steady progress. By anchoring around one consistent game, using goal-based monthly focus, and maintaining reasonable expectations, even the most overwhelming gaming stack becomes manageable.

The goal isn’t to rush through everything – it’s to savor the incredible diversity of experiences while making meaningful progress. With patience, strategy, and the occasional reality check, this gaming marathon will unfold exactly as it should: one great session at a time.

As August 2025 kicks into high gear, I find myself staring at what might be the most overwhelming gaming lineup I’ve ever assembled. With fifteen titles spanning multiple genres, generations, and difficulty levels, I’ll be honest – I’m not entirely sure I’ll conquer them all. But that’s part of the thrill, isn’t it?

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The Foundation: Tekken 8 – My Fighting Game Sanctuary

At the heart of my gaming routine sits Tekken 8, my main stay and constant companion. But I’ve taken a strategic step back from ranked matches this season – instead focusing on truly understanding the roster one character at a time. August belongs to Victor, my current study subject in what’s become a methodical journey through Tekken’s diverse cast.

I’ve already completed my deep dives into Dragunov, Asuka, Hwoarang, Bryan, Claudio, and Xiaoyu. Previously, I was rushing through 2-4 characters monthly – an approach that proved excessive and superficial. One character per month allows me to truly absorb their unique mechanics, optimal combos, and strategic applications. It’s a more patient approach, but the depth of understanding I’m gaining feels invaluable.

Of course, I’m already well-versed with my core fighters: Reina, Jin, my main Lili, and Lars. My Lili reached Fujin in Season 1 (though she’s back to Mighty Ruler in Season 2 due to the rank reset), Lars made it to Battle Ruler, while Reina and Jin achieved Mighty Ruler. I want to expand my knowledge across the entire roster, building a comprehensive understanding of how to fight against each character that will serve me well when I eventually return to ranked matches with Lili.

Celebrating Horror Excellence: Resident Evil 2 Remake

With Resident Evil 9 on the horizon, there’s no better time to revisit the masterpiece that is the RE2 Remake. I’ve already conquered this game completely – earning S+ ranks across all eight modes (both standard and hardcore difficulties) during my platinum trophy run. That achievement came through pure determination and minimal guidance; I only looked up the S+ rank requirements and figured out everything else myself. The satisfaction of unlocking those infinite ammo weapons and using them in a victory lap run was incredible.

This time around, I’m approaching RE2 differently. I’m starting with normal completionist runs across all eight modes and difficulties – partly because I’ve forgotten most of my strategies, but also to reacquaint myself with the intricate story details that make this remake special. Once I’ve refreshed my memory and fallen back into the rhythm, I’m planning speed runs across all modes again, but without the pressure of S+ perfection – S ranks would be fantastic, but the focus is on pure enjoyment and maintaining my speedrunning skills. I’m spreading these playthroughs across at least two months, letting me savor Capcom’s remake mastery while building anticipation for what RE9 might bring to the table.

The Platinum Pursuit: Two Souls-Crushing Challenges

My trophy hunting goals are laser-focused on several notoriously difficult titles. Expedition 33, Bloodborne, Kingdom Hearts 3: ReMind, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth represent different facets of my platinum pursuits – from modern indie challenges to FromSoftware classics and beloved JRPG masterpieces.

Kingdom Hearts 3: ReMind currently has my attention as I work toward its platinum trophy. I’m methodically progressing through the virtual battles in ReMind before eventually facing the legendary Yozora fight. Given the challenges already stacked in my gaming agenda, I’m taking this one slowly and deliberately.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth holds a special place as arguably one of my favorite games of all time – being a longtime FF7 fan, this game delivered everything I hoped for and more. I’ve completed the main story on both standard and hard difficulties, but the platinum trophy remains elusive thanks to Chadley’s virtual challenges. I’m currently debating whether to tackle 50-60% of the Brutal and Legendary challenges on my own before consulting guides for the remainder, or to just embrace the guidance from the start. The perfectionist in me wants to try it solo, but the pragmatist knows my gaming stack is already overflowing.

Bloodborne’s journey has been particularly epic for me. To achieve 100% completion (platinum trophy plus The Old Hunters DLC), I had to make the difficult decision to start completely fresh with a new character and save file. My original save was stuck on NG+3, making Ludwig and the rest of The Old Hunters DLC nearly impossible to tackle. Starting over meant grinding for hours to reach optimal levels again, but I genuinely enjoyed rediscovering Yharnam’s twisted beauty. Now that I’ve fully conquered The Old Hunters (100% complete), only the remaining main game trophies stand between me and platinum glory.

Expedition 33 sits at 75% trophy completion, with two major personal challenges ahead: defeating Simon and conquering the massive Sky Snake – both battles I’m determined to win on my own merit before consulting any guides for the remaining trophies. I’m playing on standard mode currently, though the prospect of a hard mode second playthrough definitely intrigues me for the future.

Epic Adventures Await

Elden Ring’s PS5 Edition is progressing smoothly thanks to my transferred PS4 save file. I’m already 50% through the platinum run, and having conquered the Lands Between before, this enhanced version feels like revisiting a beloved world with newfound clarity. The improved performance and visual fidelity truly make a difference. I’m also eyeing Elden Ring: Nightreign, but I’m waiting for a sale and my gaming plate is already overflowing.

My Shadow of the Erdtree experience was challenging in ways beyond just gameplay difficulty – I had to rely on guides to get through it, particularly for the notorious Radahn fight. At the time, I wasn’t in the right headspace to handle his brutal difficulty, and my playthrough was before any patches made him more manageable. I’ve heard they’ve toned him down since then, which is probably for the best.

Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition’s Dante Must Die mode represents my current stylish action obsession. Having already conquered the Legendary Dark Knight mode with Vergil, Nero, Dante, and V, DMD feels like the natural progression. I’m not pursuing the platinum trophy though – Hell and Hell difficulty’s no-hit requirement across all chapters puts it among gaming’s most punishing platinum challenges, and I know my limits.

The Completionist’s Dilemma

Mass Effect sits in my queue with a simple goal: just finish it. No platinum aspirations, no achievement hunting – just pure story consumption. I’ll be honest, my main motivation for diving into Commander Shepard’s galaxy-spanning adventure is Miranda Lawson – I absolutely love her character. Of course, with my current gaming stack being so packed, I haven’t actually started it yet, but the anticipation is building.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has already proven itself worthy of its legendary status. The Witcher 4 trailer was my gateway into this beloved series – seeing Ciri’s upcoming adventure got me so hyped that I decided to dive into the franchise for the first time. When Wild Hunt went on massive sale, it was the perfect opportunity to experience my very first Witcher game. The learning curve was steeper than expected – this is a genuinely massive game that demands patience in the beginning – but once everything clicked, it became much more manageable and deeply rewarding. I’ve cleared Geralt’s main story, but there’s still a wealth of contracts, treasure hunts, and side quests waiting to be explored. Every additional quest adds another layer to what many consider gaming’s greatest RPG achievement.

Here’s that first Witcher 4 trailer if you want to watch it:

Hidden Gems and Fresh Discoveries

Lies of P arrived via my PlayStation Plus subscription, and what a delightful surprise it’s been. This Pinocchio-inspired soulslike brings fresh creativity to a crowded genre, proving that innovation and homage can coexist beautifully. It’s a “modern” day Bloodborne. The environments are amazing and not as creepy as Bloodborne. There is also difficulty settings.

Onimusha: Warlords has been patiently waiting in my digital library since that PSN sale months ago. Capcom’s samurai action classic deserves its moment in the spotlight, especially as I dive deeper into the publisher’s impressive catalog.

Dead Space Remake is another sale acquisition sitting untouched in my library. EA Motive’s reimagining of the sci-fi horror classic has received universal praise, and I’m eager to experience Isaac Clarke’s terrifying journey through the USG Ishimura with modern polish.

The Wild Card: Monster Hunter: Wilds

Monster Hunter: Wilds represents a conquest already partially achieved in my stack. I’ve completed the main story, which showcased Capcom’s latest evolution of their monster-slaying formula beautifully. However, the real endgame awaits – high rank hunts that I haven’t dived into yet due to my suddenly overflowing gaming library (thanks to all those irresistible sales).

Monster Hunter World sits in an interesting position – I haven’t even completed the main story yet because Wilds dropped right as I was getting into it. Many hunters swear that World is superior to Wilds, so I’m curious to experience both and form my own opinion. Like with Wilds, I haven’t explored the cooperative hunting that defines the Monster Hunter experience.

Both games represent my solo hunting journey so far, but I’m determined to return and explore the high rank challenges and multiplayer experiences that make this franchise so beloved worldwide.

The Reality Check

Let’s be realistic – fifteen games in one month is borderline insane. This stack will likely extend well beyond August, and honestly, that’s perfectly fine.

How did I even get here? Sales, sales, and more sales. That’s my core philosophy when it comes to buying games – I rarely purchase anything at full price unless I absolutely must have it immediately. This patient approach has served me well, but it’s also led to this beautifully overwhelming situation where my gaming library has exploded faster than my available time.

Beyond this current stack, there’s an entire wish list on my PSN account filled with games waiting for their moment to go on sale. Will I ever get through everything? Who knows? But that’s the beauty of an overwhelming gaming collection: it’s less about completion and more about having options. Feeling like precise fighting game action? Tekken 8. Craving atmospheric horror? RE2 Remake. Need that souls-crushing challenge? Bloodborne awaits.

The real question isn’t whether I’ll finish everything – it’s which games will capture my imagination and refuse to let go. In a collection filled with remasters, remakes, sequels, and classics, this gaming journey is shaping up to be a celebration of gaming’s incredible diversity that will unfold over years. Having options feels great, even if it means I’ll be playing catch-up for quite some time.

Game on.