[blog] JK's Backlog Battle

22/01/2025 - Plantera 2: Golden Acorn Completion.
Current Backlog: 784
Currently Playing: 14

I got Plantera 2: Golden Acorn as a giveaway prize from the awesome streamer BlueandQueenie,
and it’s been such a lovely little escape. I haven’t played the first Plantera, but from what I’ve heard,
this sequel is a big improvement, and honestly, it stands strong even if you’re coming in fresh like I did.

The gameplay is super relaxing and flexible. You can plant crops, grow trees, and raise animals to create your own little garden paradise.
The interaction is simple but fun—you can actively harvest your crops and shoo away pesky animals,
or just let the game do its thing idling while you kick back and enjoy the view.

Visually, the game is delightful. The bright, colorful graphics and adorable animations make your garden feel alive,
and the gentle soundtrack adds to the chill vibe. It’s the kind of game where you lose track of time
because it’s so easy to just keep watching your little ecosystem grow.

The progression system is rewarding as you unlock new plants, animals, and upgrades,
but I’ll admit it can feel a bit grindy when you’re aiming for those final achievements.
It’s not a dealbreaker—just something to keep in mind if you’re a completionist.

Overall, Plantera 2 is a charming idle/clicker game that’s perfect for anyone looking for something low-pressure and enjoyable.
Whether you’re actively playing or letting it run in the background, it’s a feel-good experience.
Big thanks to BlueandQueenie for introducing me to this one!
- Marisa (JK)

26/01/2025 - Charterstone: Digital Edition Completion.
Current Backlog: 783
Currently Playing: 14

I won this game through SteamGifts.

I got Charterstone: Digital Edition as a giveaway win on Steamgifts through the playing appreciated group,
and I was pretty excited to try it out. It’s based on a real-life board game, which I’ve never played,
but I’m always down for a good turn-based, board game-style experience.

Going in, I’ll admit I felt a bit lost. The game does offer a tutorial, but since I had no background with the physical board game,
some of the mechanics felt confusing. There’s a lot of resource management, building, and strategizing involved,
but I struggled to understand how it all tied together. I kept wondering if I was missing some crucial context
that veterans of this board game already knew about.

I played through the campaign, but if I’m honest, I didn’t really enjoy it much. The gameplay loop didn’t click for me,
and I felt like I was just going through the motions rather than making meaningful decisions.
It’s not a bad game by any means—it seems like there’s a solid strategy game under the surface—but I just couldn’t get into it.
Visually, the game is nice enough. It has a clean, cartoony art style that fits the board game vibe. The interface does its job,
but it felt a bit cluttered at times, especially when trying to track all the different mechanics and options.

I think Charterstone is probably best suited for people who have played the physical version
or are really into board games and don’t mind a bit of a learning curve. For someone like me, who went in blind,
it felt a little overwhelming and not very engaging. Still, I’m glad I won it and was able to give it a shot,
and maybe if you’re more familiar with the genre, you’ll have a better time.
As for me, I’d say it was a meh experience.
- Marisa (JK)

30/01/2025 - A Park Full of Cats Completion.
Current Backlog: 783
Currently Playing: 14

A Park Full of Cats is another charming hidden-object game from Devcats,
and if you're familiar with their games, you know exactly what to expect—cats, cats, and more cats!
This time, you’re exploring a cozy little park, searching for well-hidden kitties in a relaxing, stress-free environment.
The art is adorable, the music is soothing, and it’s the perfect game to unwind with.

The base game is free, which is always a nice bonus, but if you're an achievement hunter (like me),
you'll need to grab the Haunted Ride DLC to hit that sweet 100% completion. Honestly,
it’s a small price to pay for more cute cats to find! If you enjoy casual hidden-object games or just really love cats,
this one’s definitely worth checking out.
- Marisa (JK)

30/01/2025 - Zenko: A Fox's Tale Completion.
Current Backlog: 782
Currently Playing: 14

Zenko: A Fox’s Tale is a charming indie 3D platformer set in a beautifully crafted, Japanese-inspired world.
You play as a whimsical fox spirit, moving between realms to chase wandering spirits and restore abandoned shrines.
The world design is lovely, with an enchanting atmosphere that makes exploration feel magical.

For a free game, it’s surprisingly well-made, with solid platforming mechanics and a good balance of puzzle-solving.
Some of the platforming can feel a little janky or tricky at times, but it’s never too much to take away from the overall experience.
If you enjoy indie platformers and love a bit of mystical adventure, this game is definitely worth checking out!
- Marisa (JK)

30/01/2025 - Nino Maze LOFI II Completion.
Current Backlog: 779
Currently Playing: 14

A chill little maze game where you guide four adorable cats to the finish line while vibing to a relaxing lo-fi soundtrack.
The art is cute, and the music sets a nice, cozy mood, but the gameplay itself is pretty basic. I was hoping for a bit more challenge,
but the levels felt a little too easy, which made things repetitive after a while. Still, if you just want something super casual to unwind with
(and you love cats), it’s a decent way to pass the time and it's not ruined with it's price, so it's worth it!
- Marisa (JK)

08/02/2025 - The Sims Legacy Collection Completion.
Current Backlog: 781
Currently Playing: 13

Not my favorite sims game. I started my sims journey with sims 2,
so when I went to play this game for the first time in 2019, it was interesting for sure.
Now that the game came to steam I had to get it, because I wanted to own it there as well.
The game hasn't really aged well, but you can definitely still enjoy your time with it.
There has also been a lot of problems with the steam launch of this version,
so I wouldn't really recommend buying it through steam,
get it for free because modders have fixed a lot of bugs.
- Marisa (JK)

16/02/2025 - Fling with a Tiefling Completion.
Current Backlog: 785
Currently Playing: 14

Fling with a Tiefling is a short but charming little visual novel that makes for a cozy, romantic escape.
You spend a single night by the campfire with Karrus, a smooth-talking Tiefling, and decide where your relationship goes from there.

The writing is sweet, the voice acting adds a lot of personality, and the music sets the mood nicely.
It’s very short—like, 20 minutes max—but since it’s free, that feels just right.
If this had a price tag, it probably wouldn’t be worth it, but as a freebie,
it’s a fun little fantasy flirtation that’s totally worth a quick playthrough.
- Marisa (JK)

16/02/2025 - Mizi NO! Completion.
Current Backlog: 784
Currently Playing: 14

Mizi NO! is an adorable little puzzle game that perfectly captures the chaos of living with a cat.
Your mischievous feline, Mizi, just can’t resist knocking things over, and it’s your job to put them back together.

The hand-drawn art is super cute, the puzzles are fun but chill, and the whole vibe is just really cozy.
It’s short, but since it’s free, that’s totally fine—it’s the perfect little game to play when you need a quick break.

Plus, you can pet the cat. What more do you need?
- Marisa (JK)

22/02/2025 - Sudoku Universe Completion.
Current Backlog: 784
Currently Playing: 13

I enjoy sudoku puzzles to a certain degree, and Sudoku Universe turned out to be a great way to unwind with some number-crunching fun.
The game looks good, feels smooth, and offers a solid downtime experience, especially in the easy and medium difficulties.
Those puzzles were enjoyable and flowed well, making for a relaxing and satisfying playthrough.

Then I hit the hard puzzles. And wow, they are really hard. I spent most of my time in the game tackling these,
and while I love a challenge, some of them felt almost too much. One feature I really appreciated was the game keeping track of
how many of each number remained—it made finishing up puzzles a breeze when I was down to the last few numbers.

But Sudoku Universe does have some serious issues. The color palettes are frustratingly inconsistent,
and some combinations make it nearly impossible to see which cells are highlighted. Worse, you can’t manually change them,
so you’re stuck exiting and re-entering puzzles until you get a decent color scheme. That’s just bad UI design.

The real dealbreaker, though, is the existence of unsolvable puzzles. Towards the end of medium difficulty and into hard,
I ran into puzzles that just didn’t add up—literally. After staring at one for half an hour, marking every cell,
and still coming up empty, I ran it through a solver… and even the computer had to brute force it.
That’s not how sudoku is supposed to work. If a puzzle can’t be solved logically, it’s broken, plain and simple.
It’s clear the developers didn’t verify all the puzzles with a solver, which is a huge oversight for a game like this.

Overall, Sudoku Universe is a mixed bag. If you’re looking for a casual sudoku experience,
the easy and medium puzzles are enjoyable and well worth your time. But if you’re planning to tackle the harder levels,
be prepared for frustration—not just from the difficulty, but from the occasional outright broken puzzle.
I wanted to give this game a neutral review, but since Steam has no option for that,
I marked it as recommended, as it was mostly fun.
- Marisa (JK)

02/03/2025 - Cats and Seek: Dino Park Completion.
Current Backlog: 790
Currently Playing: 13

I love a good hidden object game, and Cats and Seek: Dino Park is just pure fun.
It’s the second game in the series, and this time, you’re searching for 500 adorable cats in a dinosaur-themed amusement park.
And if that’s not enough, there are extra things to find too—like bees!

The game is super relaxing, but if you’re up for a challenge, you can speedrun it too.
I love how creative the hiding spots are—it’s always satisfying to spot a sneaky little cat where you least expect it.
There are tons of hidden cat games on Steam, but this series really stands out for its charm and fun design.
If you love cats, dinosaurs, or just cozy hidden object games, this one’s totally worth it.
- Marisa (JK)

17/03/2025 - Mewseum: Masterpieces Completion.
Current Backlog: 795
Currently Playing: 13

💜This game was gifted to Catizens Curations for review.

This game is such a chill little puzzle game, and I’ve been having a great time with it!
It’s a Shikaku-style logic puzzle where you divide the grid based on the numbers,
and each solved section gradually reveals part of a famous painting—except all the people have been swapped out for cats.
And honestly? That alone makes it amazing.

The puzzles hit that sweet spot of being easy enough to zone out with but still engaging enough to keep me interested.
It’s kind of like a mix between paint-by-numbers and Sudoku, but with way more feline flair.
Plus, the classical music in the background makes everything feel extra cozy. If you like simple
but satisfying puzzle games and have a soft spot for cats (or art!), this one’s definitely worth a look.
- Marisa (JK)

20/03/2025 - Desktop Cat Cafe Completion.
Current Backlog: 794
Currently Playing: 13

💜This game was gifted to Catizens Curations for review.

Desktop Cat Cafe is a super cute and cozy little idle game where you run a cat-staffed café
right at the bottom of your screen while you do other things. The art is adorable, the vibes are chill,
and watching tiny cat baristas serve up drinks to customer kitties is honestly just delightful.

That said, the game definitely has its quirks. It launched with a bunch of bugs (most of which have been fixed quickly),
but I did have a heart-stopping moment when a patch wiped my entire progress after 100 hours—thankfully, that got rolled back.
It’s also oddly CPU-heavy for an idle game, and everything moves really slowly. Customers take their sweet time,
food and drinks take ages, and there aren’t any upgrades to speed things up (yet).
Also, placing chairs one by one is a bit of a pain—I’d love a “fill all” option!
And yeah, sometimes the customer cats just… sit inside each other.

Despite all that, I still think it’s a really adorable little game with a lot of potential.
If you love idle sims and cats, it’s worth checking out—just be ready for a slow,
relaxed pace (and maybe some stacked-up kitties).
- Marisa (JK)

21/03/2025 - Infinity Cats Project Completion.
Current Backlog: 793
Currently Playing: 13

💜This game was gifted to Catizens Curations for review.

Infinity Cats Project is a cute little idle typing game where you mash keys to earn coins,
buy upgrades, and hire three adorable kittens to type for you. It’s got a super sleek UI,
and the whole aesthetic is really charming—definitely easy on the eyes and very chill to play.

That said, it didn’t quite grab me the way I hoped. There’s nothing wrong with it,
but it’s missing that extra something to make it really stand out. Still, the cats are super cute (seriously, they’re the highlight),
and it’s an easy 100% achievement-wise. I used an auto key presser to speed things up,
so I’m not sure how long it’d take going fully manual or relying on the cats alone.

The shop has a bunch of different things to purchase, such as books (that give words to get coin boosts),
the cats and upgrades for them, and items you can purchase to automate cat care or give boosts for the working conditions for the cats.
The book side of the shop only shows six random books at a time, so you’ll have to upgrade older ones to free up space,
which adds a little grind, but it’s manageable. Overall, it’s a pleasant, low-effort idle game
with some charm—especially if you like cats—but it probably won’t blow your mind.
- Marisa (JK)

25/03/2025 - Firewatch Completion.
Current Backlog: 792
Currently Playing: 13

I played this game for Pay or Play 1st Cycle of 2025 and it was picked for me by Droha.

Firewatch is one of those games that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It’s a beautifully crafted,
story-driven experience that drops you into the Wyoming wilderness as Henry, a man coming to work as a fire lookout,
trying to escape his messy life. Your only real connection is with Delilah, your supervisor,
who you talk to over a handheld radio—and from there, things slowly unravel into a gripping mystery.

I won’t say too much about the story (since that’s what really makes the game shine),
but exploring the gorgeously rendered forest, making choices that shape Henry’s relationship with Delilah,
and uncovering secrets along the way was an unforgettable experience. It’s not a super long game—I finished 100% in just under 7 hours,
with some idle time—but it’s absolutely worth playing.

That said, it’s not without its flaws. There are a few more bugs than I expected, and I did notice some traversal stutters here and there.
Also, the later part of the story felt a little rushed—I would’ve loved to experience more days firsthand instead of skipping ahead so much.
But even with those minor issues, Firewatch is an emotional, atmospheric, and visually stunning adventure that I’d highly recommend.
- Marisa (JK)

The backlog battle is always ongoing. With working two jobs my backlog just "grows"

The backlog battle is always ongoing. With working two jobs my backlog just "grows"

I can totally see that! I sometimes am too tired after work to even think about gaming, but sometimes I just play the really short ones :3

26/03/2025 - Hidden Winter Things Completion.
Current Backlog: 791
Currently Playing: 13

💗 This game was gifted to Indie Therapy for review.

Hidden Winter Things is a cute little hidden object game that’s perfect for when you just want to chill and soak in some winter vibes.
The hand-drawn art is super charming, and the lo-fi soundtrack makes it extra relaxing. Plus, I love that the objects light up in color
when you find them—it’s a small thing, but really satisfying.

The game has two looping maps, so you can scroll endlessly while hunting for snowmen, elves, candy canes, and other festive stuff.
The hint system is great too—no penalties for using it, so you can just play at your own pace.
Oh, and the WASD panning? Such a nice touch.

It’s definitely a short game, but it’s a fun, cozy way to unwind for a bit. Also, I couldn’t help but laugh at the tiny elf peeing in the snow.
If you like hidden object games, this one’s a cute little winter treat! 🎄❄️
- Marisa (JK)

27/03/2025 - Love and Deepspace Completion.
Current Backlog: 791
Currently Playing: 12

If you’ve ever wanted to be swept off your feet by ridiculously attractive anime men, Love & Deepspace has got you covered.
It’s a mix of dating sim and gacha, where you collect "memories" (aka gorgeous, sometimes animated, CG scenes)
through free event pulls, daily logins, or, of course, by spending real money on extra pulls. The more memories you collect,
the more content you unlock with your 3D boyfriends.

The art is stunning, and the love interests are definitely top-tier. My personal favorites are Sylus and Zayne (seriously, chef’s kiss),
but honestly, they all have their charm. The gacha system can be a bit grindy, especially if you’re aiming for limited-time event memories,
but that’s pretty standard for these types of games.

Overall, it’s a fun, beautifully made otome-style gacha that’s perfect if you want some romance and eye candy on your phone.
Just be careful—falling for these anime husbands might be bad for your wallet! 💕
- Marisa (JK)

29/03/2025 - Seeking Cat Completion.
Current Backlog: 790
Currently Playing: 12

I really wanted to love this game—the 3D diorama rooms are adorable,
and the idea of searching for cats in those 3D spaces sounded like a fun time.
But honestly, it fell flat for me.

First off, you’d think with a 3D art style, you’d be able to rotate the diorama to look around. Nope.
You’re stuck with a fixed perspective, which feels like a huge missed opportunity. On top of that,
every single cat is the exact same model, and they really stand out, making the game way too easy.
I finished the whole thing in about 15 minutes, which left me feeling pretty underwhelmed.

Thankfully, I got it as a gift, so I didn’t have to spend my own money on it.
The art is lovely, but overall, it’s just too short and too simple—I really wish there was more to it.
- Marisa (JK)

13/04/2025 - Boxes: Lost Fragments Completion.
Current Backlog: 789
Currently Playing: 12

I won this game through SteamGifts.
I played it for Pay or Play 2nd Cycle of 2025 and it was picked for me by Hyrax.

Boxes: Last Fragments (or just Boxes) is a really enjoyable puzzle game that gave me strong The Room vibes, which I mean in the best way possible. You play as a legendary thief trapped inside a fancy mansion, and the only way to get out is by solving a bunch of intricate, escape-room-style puzzle boxes. Each one is like a little mechanical mystery—pulling levers, pressing hidden buttons, matching symbols, figuring out locks. It’s super satisfying when you crack one open and see all the hidden pieces fall into place.

Not all the puzzles were easy—some were honestly kind of head-scratchers. I had to peek at a guide a couple of times, but then realised many walkthroughs were outdated because the devs recently changed up some puzzles (which is great for replayability, but not so much when you’re stuck!). Luckily, the built-in hint system helps a lot, and you can even skip puzzles if you get really stuck. I didn’t use the skip feature, but it’s nice to have the option.

My favourite puzzles were definitely the ancient Greek and Egyptian pyramid boxes—so cool both visually and mechanically. If you like tactile puzzle-solving with atmospheric environments, this one’s totally worth a playthrough. Just be ready to do a little thinking (and maybe a little Googling if you get really stuck).
- Marisa (JK)

21/05/2025 - Queen of Moths Completion.
Current Backlog: 798
Currently Playing: 12

Queen of Moths is a weird little horror game that leans more into atmosphere
and the feeling of dread rather than jumpscares or gore—and I really liked that.
You can finish a single run in under 10 minutes, but if you want to see all the endings,
you’re looking at over an hour of exploring different paths and choices.

In the story, you’re on a late-night train journey, stopping at a quiet, snowy forest station you’ve seen before…
except this time something feels off. That’s the vibe the game nails so well—this creeping unease,
like something’s watching you just beyond the edge of the screen. It’s very much in the cosmic/psychological horror vein,
with surreal choices that slowly build toward one of several eerie endings.

It’s a path-driven game, so your decisions matter, and there are seven endings to find if you’re into achievement hunting.
The storytelling is minimal but effective, and it definitely gave me that “I’m in a dream and nothing is quite right” feeling.

If you enjoy short, artsy horror experiences with a cool, unsettling atmosphere,
Queen of Moths is worth checking out. It’s like a little slice of interactive weird fiction,
and I’m glad I played it.
- Marisa (JK)

23/05/2025 - Hidden Cats in Jigsaw Puzzle Completion.
Current Backlog: 797
Currently Playing: 12

As someone who really enjoys the Hidden Cats series by Nukearts, I was curious (and a little excited)
to see how their gorgeous hand-drawn art would translate into a jigsaw puzzle format. Safe to say—it works really well!

The base game uses seven scenes from Hidden Cats in Paris, like the Louvre, Versailles, and the Catacombs,
and each one comes with different challenge modes based on piece count and whether you want the puzzle coloured or uncoloured.
If you really enjoy the base game, the DLCs can be bought for additional scenes from other Nukearts' games.

Just to clarify though—despite the name of this game, you’re not actually finding cats in this one.
It’s purely a jigsaw game using the art from the hidden cats series, so if you're looking for a cat-finding fix,
you'll want to check out the original games instead. That said, the art is still super charming and detailed,
and the puzzles themselves are really relaxing.

For a free game, it’s a solid cozy experience, and if you’re a fan of the Nukearts style like I am,
it’s a fun way to appreciate the art from a different angle. Definitely worth a try if you like jigsaw puzzles and chill vibes!
- Marisa (JK)

24/05/2025 - Stray Cats in Cozy Town Completion.
Current Backlog: 796
Currently Playing: 12

Stray Cats in Cozy Town is another adorable hidden-cats gem from the Devcats team,
and if you’re a fan of cozy vibes, cats, and kindness, it’s definitely worth a play.
You roam around a sweet little village full of charming details, trying to spot 150 stray cats tucked into corners,
windows, alleyways—you name it. You’ll also find food and water bowls for them,
which is a really nice touch and just adds to the overall feel-good energy.

It’s completely free to play, and while there is a paid DLC,
none of the achievements are locked behind it. But here’s the catch (in the best way):
the DLC money goes to real-life cat shelters, which honestly made me feel like I totally had to buy it.
I mean, how can you not when it's for a good cause and you get more cat content?

It’s short, sweet, and just a pure, wholesome time. Whether you're in it for the achievements,
the relaxing gameplay, or the cats (let’s be honest, it's the cats), this one’s a purrfect little escape. 🐾
- Marisa (JK)

26/05/2025 - Innocent Witches Completion.
Current Backlog: 796
Currently Playing: 12

So, Innocent Witches is one of those games that had me curious just from the premise alone
—it's basically a cheeky, NSFW parody of the Harry Potter universe with a "what if" twist:
what if Tom Riddle had a kid and that kid ended up running Hogwarts? It's weird, a little wild, and not exactly subtle.

You play as Marcus Redblack, and from there the story spins into all sorts of magical mischief,
with familiar faces, slightly off-brand names, and a healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek humor.
The art style is actually pretty solid—it has this polished, stylized look that fits the vibe well,
and there are definitely some fun (and ridiculous) mini-games mixed in to break things up.

That said, I found the game a bit boring at times. The pacing drags in places, and honestly,
the NSFW content wasn’t as “spicy” or interesting as the setup made it sound. If you’re going into this expecting
a super engaging or steamy experience, you might be a little let down.

Still, as a free game with a silly premise and some fun visuals, it’s not the worst way to spend
an hour or two if you’re just looking for something quirky and offbeat. Just... temper your expectations.
- Marisa (JK)

29/05/2025 - Monster Hunter: World Completion.
Current Backlog: 796
Currently Playing: 11

I started Monster Hunter: World in 2022 with my husband, who’s a longtime fan of the series.
I’d never played a Monster Hunter game before, but he was super excited to introduce me to it, and I was ready to dive in.
At first, I was absolutely set on getting all the achievements—big goals, right? But due to the grindy nature of them and the game itself,
I ended up taking a break from it in 2023. It was just one of those things where you pause the game and suddenly a year’s gone by.

Meanwhile, my husband was patiently waiting for me to get back into it, and for Monster Hunter: Wilds to come out.
Unfortunately for me, Wilds came out just before my energy for finishing World, so my husband was focused on that!
He beat it though (He got a 100% achievements!!), and we got back into World, and oh boy, was it a bit difficult to get back into it!

Before my long hiatus, we were so close to the end. We only had four monsters left: Furious Rajang, Raging Brachydios, Alatreon, and Fatalis.
That was it! We were so close. But after a year off, I forgot pretty much everything about how to play. My muscle memory was gone,
I was forgetting buttons and how to dodge, how to sneak, how to run. Getting through those last four monsters was rough,
but we finally did it, and I’m so proud we saw it through together.

Now, three years later, I’ve finally finished the game. No, I didn’t get all the achievements (and honestly, I have no desire to try).
It’s a phenomenal game, but it's also extremely grindy, and I just don’t have the patience for that level of repetition in any games.
Still, I totally understand why this game means so much to so many people, my husband included.
It holds up incredibly well even now, and the monster design and world-building are just chef’s kiss.

I’ll definitely be playing Monster Hunter: Rise and Wilds eventually—and of course, I’ll be playing with the husband again.
Anyway, I highly recommend World if you like action-y co-op games and don’t mind a bit (or a lot) of grinding.
It was a great experience, even if it took me a few years to finish.
- Marisa (JK)