Every year, I try to compile a list of games, books, and movies I experienced. For the complete list, check the Ratings. Here we go (sorted by rating, then alphabetically)!

I’ve maintained the habit of reading, mostly through audiobooks during my daily dog walks, for several years. It adds a layer of engagement to my routine, turning a no-brainer task into an opportunity for thought. Without it, I’d feel like I’m merely walking without purpose.

Here’s a list of books from this year, a selection not exhaustive but those that linger in my memory. As I often forget to update my GoodReads records or write about them on this blog, these are the ones that come to mind. I’ll edit this post if I recall additional entries.

Fiction

1. Kill Decision (8★★★★★★★★): Daniel Suarez fiction books that might turn into non-fiction history books. This one warns about the usage and risks of autonomous flying drones for war.
2. Klara and the Sun (8★★★★★★★★): Klara, a child companion android, was finally sold to a child, but humans are not as reliable as robots.
3. Metal Like Blood in the Dark (8★★★★★★★★): Short story about two robot siblings in the first contact with the real world. Hugo Award nominee.
4. Proof by Induction (8★★★★★★★★): Short story about a scientist trying to prove a theory started by his father. Hugo Award nominee.
5. Badass Moms in the Zombie Apocalypse (7★★★★★★★): Good short story about a couple running away from zombies to give birth to a child. Hugo Award nominee.
6. Little Free Library (7★★★★★★★): Short story about a mysterious figure start to borrow books from one’s personal public library. Hugo Award nominee. Read it for free.
7. Sharp Objects (7★★★★★★★): Dark, twisted, and gripping. A psychological thriller where every page cuts a little deeper.
8. The Sin of America (6★★★★★★): Another nice short story. Hugo Award nominee.

Non Fiction

1. Four Thousand Weeks (9★★★★★★★★★): A refreshing reminder that time management is about acceptance, not control. Philosophical yet practical, it challenges productivity obsessions.
2. 2k to 10k (8★★★★★★★★): Insightful, actionable advice for writers seeking efficiency and joy. A concise toolkit for unleashing your creative flow.
3. Antifragile (8★★★★★★★★): A bold exploration of systems that thrive on chaos. Taleb’s insights challenge you to embrace volatility rather than fear it.
4. Obvious Adams (8★★★★★★★★): Simple wisdom on the power of clarity and common sense. Timeless advice for cutting through complexity.
5. Prisoners of Geography (8★★★★★★★★): Geography shapes destiny, and Marshall maps it out brilliantly. A geopolitical crash course that makes borders more than just lines.
6. Skin in the Game (8★★★★★★★★): A sharp critique of accountability, where risk and reward must align. Taleb pulls no punches in his call for skin-deep integrity.
7. The Black Swan (8★★★★★★★★): Somewhat similar to the excellent Outliers (8★★★★★★★★) from Malcolm Gladwell, it explores the power of one-time events, people and technologies and the nature of the unpredictability.
8. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster (7★★★★★★★): Pragmatic and data-driven, offering solutions rather than just warnings. A solid roadmap, though occasionally too tech-focused.
9. Quiet (6★★★★★★): Thought-provoking but occasionally repetitive. A strong case for the quiet strengths society overlooks.

Every year, I try to compile a list of games, books, and movies I experienced. For the complete list, check the Ratings. Here we go (sorted by rating, then alphabetically)!

Finished

1. Outer Wilds (10★★★★★★★★★★): A masterstroke of exploration and existential wonder. Rewards curiosity. Now it’s time for the expansion.
2. Deathloop (9★★★★★★★★★): One of the best games this year. The protagonists stand out, though some bosses feel over-the-top. Their personalities are quirky but take some getting used to. The game can be surprisingly easy.
3. Beyond: Two Souls (8★★★★★★★★): Starting this story-driven game with my wife. The acting is outstanding. The story holds up until the final chapters, where it falters a bit. A solid narrative experience.
4. Carrion (8★★★★★★★★): Channeling John Carpenter’s The Thing, it’s a blast to play as the monstrous entity.
5. Dredge (8★★★★★★★★): A dark, Lovecraftian fishing adventure where you sell catches and upgrade your boat while uncovering eerie secrets.
6. Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy (8★★★★★★★★): Hilarious character interactions carry the game, though the combat and exploration mechanics can feel disjointed and overly complex at times.
7. RoboCop: Rogue City (8★★★★★★★★): Nostalgia factor to the roof. While not groundbreaking, it’s a competent tribute.
8. Storyteller (8★★★★★★★★): A clever puzzle game that lets you weave tales, rewarding creativity with delightful twists.
9. There Is No Game (8★★★★★★★★): Completely out of the box, old style adventure game.
10. Escape Academy (7★★★★★★★): Escape room as video game. All puzzles very doable. Played with my wife.
11. Human Resource Machine (7★★★★★★★): I’ve played this programming game ages ago in the phone. But the touchscreen is not the ideal tool to write programs. The mouse/keyboard in the PC version allowed me to finish the last couple of levels that I’ve never did back them.
12. Just Cause 4 (7★★★★★★★): I’ve tried this game before, but it was crashing on Linux. This time, worked flawless (from the tech perspective). The game play, like the Just Cause 3 (8★★★★★★★★), is fun but repetitive, due to the size of the map. The story is useless.
13. The Case of the Golden Idol (7★★★★★★★): An indie puzzle/detective game with unique mechanics reminiscent of Return of the Obra Dinn (9★★★★★★★★★). Now I need to finish the expansions.
14. TOEM (7★★★★★★★): A cozy photo adventure wrapped in charm.
15. Weird West (7★★★★★★★): A dark, immersive blend of action RPG and western, filled with strange and unsettling twists. It stands out for its atmosphere and storytelling, but the story itself takes time to settle down.
16. Biomutant (6★★★★★★): Oh, man. I really wanted to like it, but the map is too big, the story is starts nice but lose steam in chapter 2 and the narrator is annoying as hell. The game play is not that fun: the combat is too generic.
17. Pikuniku (6★★★★★★): A lighthearted game with a welcoming vibe, suitable for younger audiences.
18. Turmoil (5★★★★★): A simple oil-drilling sim that starts strong but runs dry quickly. Played due to the oil theme (I’ve worked in an oil company for years)

Currently Playing

1. Card Shark (8★★★★★★★★): A clever, daring game of wit and deceit. Masterful storytelling paired with sleight-of-hand mechanics keeps you hooked.
2. Ghost Trick (8★★★★★★★★): A fresh take on puzzle-solving with a quirky Japanese humor.
3. Inscryption (8★★★★★★★★): Starts as a clever card game, but quickly spirals into a narrative masterpiece with layers of meta-storytelling. It’s a wild ride through different genres.
4. Paradigm (8★★★★★★★★): old style adventure game with an amazing, but not for everyone, humor.
5. Paradise Killer (8★★★★★★★★): CRAZY! Do not let the visuals fool you. Amazing. Loving this amazing true detective game where, as far as I know, you can draw any conclusion you want.
6. Stray (8★★★★★★★★): Beautifully crafted, like most Annapurna games. Playing as a cat is delightful, despite being more of a dog person.
7. The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk (8★★★★★★★★): Didn’t see it coming, a genuinely funny classic turn-based RPG with top-notch humor.
8. Death's Door (7★★★★★★★): A charming yet challenging journey through a world of souls and secrets. Sharp combat and quiet melancholy blend perfectly.
9. Desktop Dungeons (7★★★★★★★): I’ve played a demo web version of it ages ago, and I liked so much that I’ve even bought Dungeons of Dredmor by mistake. I’ve never remembered the name of the one I liked, but recently they created a remaster and gave the original for free. Very clever and hard.
10. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remaster (7★★★★★★★): High-speed thrills with a nostalgic edge, but the polish only goes so far.
11. Overland (7★★★★★★★): A puzzle game with a post-apocalyptic theme.
12. The Outer Worlds (7★★★★★★★): Playing a lot due to the fact I’m recently following its creator, Tim Cain, channel.
13. Tunic (7★★★★★★★): In the very early stages. I do not like games that too vague stories. But this one seems to have a reason.
14. Very Little Nightmares (6★★★★★★): Atmospheric dread and fun scaled down.

Not finished yet (for one reason or another)

Many projects barely begun. Installed to test, but mostly in limbo—WIP or collecting dust. Unfinished tales of exploration and hesitation.

1. Black Mesa (8★★★★★★★★): The official/unofficial Half-Life 1 remake. Superb! Curious to see what the fuss was about HF1 after finishing Half-Life 2 (8★★★★★★★★) last year.
2. Disco Elysium (9★★★★★★★★★): Holy moly! Got it from my brother on my birthday, had only a couple of minutes to play, but it’s already shaping up to be a favorite.
3. Gris (8★★★★★★★★): Beautiful first level.
4. Shadow Tactics (8★★★★★★★★): Liked the thinking in this game. Definitely one I’ll try to complete sooner than later.
5. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (7★★★★★★★): liked the first title, Deus Ex: Human Revolution (8★★★★★★★★), but this one is a far inferior game. The story is not nice and the gameplay is not fun so far.
6. Dyson Sphere Program (6★★★★★★): Got an old version to give it a try. It’s a lot of things at once.
7. Slipways (6★★★★★★): Strategy-heavy, almost like playing chess. Not quite my style.
8. Industria (6★★★★★★): Short Half-Life-esque with nice visuals.

Continuous playing

I play them eventually. Most of them, are strategy games. Nothing new from last year’s list, except:

1. Crusader Kings 3 (8★★★★★★★★): Time sucker, like many Paradox titles.
2. While True Learn (8★★★★★★★★): Logic programming puzzles. Amazingly fun and challenging for a programmer. The special bonuses for optimized solutions request multiple plays for each scenario.
3. Baba Is You (7★★★★★★★): Played some levels, up to the second or third “world.” SUPER clever.
4. Horizon Chase Turbo (7★★★★★★★): A love letter to classic arcade racers. Pure, nostalgic fun, though it occasionally lacks depth.

Next games on my radar

Finally, here is a list of games that I already have in my collection that I plan to play in the next months. It’s a bit ridiculous to talk about the next game, considering the amount of unfinished ones, but the catalog is so vast that I can afford to play ahead.

1. Doki Doki Literature Club: Out of the ordinary for your taste, but the reviews piqued your interest.
2. Ghost of a Tale: Followed the development process for quite some time because it was made using Unity. Looks charming and intriguing.
3. Heavy Rain: Anticipating another story-driven experience to enjoy with your wife.
4. Hitman: Hoping to take a more relaxed approach this time after a perfectionist run of Contracts.
5. Prey Mooncrash: I’m a fan of time travel/time loop ideas. I bought it, but days later I got Deathloop (9★★★★★★★★★) (following game from the same company) for free.
6. We Are There Together: Bought to play with my wife, but not included in Play Together on Steam. Considering convincing another soul to play with me
7. XCOM 2: Time to dive into this much-praised strategy game.

Every year, I try to compile a list of games, books, and movies I experienced. For the complete list, check the Ratings. Here we go (sorted by rating, then alphabetically)!

NOTE: I believe this list is the one that is mostly incomplete. I will probably make additions to it, time to time.

1. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (10★★★★★★★★★★): A timeless exploration of rebellion, freedom, and madness, with Nicholson delivering an unforgettable performance. A film that captures both hope and despair in one breath.
2. Game Night (9★★★★★★★★★): A chaotic, clever, and hilarious rollercoaster where every twist lands perfectly. Surprisingly sharp and self-aware for a comedy.
3. Leaving Las Vegas (9★★★★★★★★★): Raw, heartbreaking, and utterly devastating. Cage and Shue lay their souls bare in this tragic descent into addiction.
4. Past Lives (9★★★★★★★★★): A delicate, melancholic meditation on love, fate, and missed chances. Quietly profound and achingly human.
5. The Invisible Guest (9★★★★★★★★★): Our first movie entirely in Spanish since we moved to Peru. Twists and tension done right, keeping you guessing until the very end. A sleek, tightly-woven thriller.
6. The Thing 1982 (9★★★★★★★★★): Paranoia, horror, and practical effects at their peak. Carpenter’s chilling masterpiece.
7. The Whale (9★★★★★★★★★): A gut-wrenching portrait of redemption and regret, anchored by Fraser’s vulnerable and transformative performance.
8. Tropic Thunder (9★★★★★★★★★): Hollywood satire dialed up to 11, skewering industry egos and excess with wild, unfiltered humor. Somehow both ridiculous and incisive.
9. All The President's Men (8★★★★★★★★): Journalism’s finest hour on film, unraveling a scandal with a relentless pursuit of truth.
10. Bernie (8★★★★★★★★): Dark humor meets small-town crime with charm. Jack Black shines in one of his most nuanced performances.
11. Dune 2 (8★★★★★★★★): A sci-fi epic of stunning scope and spectacle. Villeneuve balances grandiosity with intimate character moments.
12. High and Low (8★★★★★★★★): A Akira Kurosawa masterful moral thriller of ransom and class, showing the fine line between privilege and desperation.
13. Palm Springs (8★★★★★★★★): Groundhog Day meets millennial cynicism with a heart. A time-loop comedy that’s surprisingly existential. Better than I expected.
14. Poor Things (8★★★★★★★★): Surreal, inventive, and delightfully strange. Stone’s performance is fearless, and the world is bizarrely beautiful.
15. Popstar Never Stop Never Stopping (8★★★★★★★★): Satirical absurdity in perfect harmony, mercilessly mocking the music industry while delivering bangers.
16. Seven Samurai (8★★★★★★★★): Kurosawa’s blueprint for action epics, combining heart, strategy, and heroism.
17. Silence (8★★★★★★★★): A quiet descent into faith and suffering. Scorsese’s understated masterpiece asks hard questions with haunting beauty.
18. A Most Violent Year (7★★★★★★★): Crime and integrity clash in a snow-covered 1980s New York. A slow-burning, tension-filled character study.
19. Anatomy of a Fall (7★★★★★★★): A courtroom drama that dissects more than just a case. A slow-burn character study wrapped in ambiguity.
20. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (7★★★★★★★): Stay classy, comedy fans. A ridiculous, quotable romp that never takes itself seriously.
21. Colossus: The Forbin Project (7★★★★★★★): AI paranoia before it was cool. A chilling look at humanity’s hubris in the face of technology.
22. Donnie Darko (7★★★★★★★): Disturbing, puzzling, and oh so cult-worthy. A time-twisting tale of teenage angst and existential dread.
23. Metropolis (7★★★★★★★): The foundation of sci-fi cinema, a vision still ahead of its time. Note that today, only heavily edited versions of it exist.
24. Take Shelter (7★★★★★★★): A slow-burn descent into anxiety and uncertainty.
25. This Is the End (7★★★★★★★): Self-aware apocalypse, dripping with absurdity, with celebrities roast themselves while the world burns.
26. Upstream Color (7★★★★★★★): A hypnotic puzzle only the boldest try to solve.
27. Zone of Interest (7★★★★★★★): The horror lies in its mundane perspective. Oscar worthy of either “international movie” or “best picture”, but not both.
28. Civil War (7★★★★★★★): A tense and unsettling exploration of a fractured, grim and plausible America.
29. Primal Fear (7★★★★★★★): A gripping legal thriller with a twist that lingers. Norton’s breakout performance steals the show.
30. Killers of the Flower Moon (6★★★★★★): A tragic epic that loses its sharp edge. Brilliant performances can’t quite save the bloated runtime.
31. The Thing 2011 (6★★★★★★): Decent. A shadow of its predecessor’s brilliance.
32. Mission Impossible 5 (5★★★★★): Tom Cruise runs; the thrill fades. 85% what they talk is one-liners.
33. Mr. Nobody (5★★★★★): The concept is interesting, but the movie in boring.
34. Waking Life (4★★★★): Interesting visuals drags.

Documentaries

1. RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop (8★★★★★★★★): Super nostalgic documentary about the creation of the first movie.
2. Period. End of Sentence (8★★★★★★★★): A powerful, concise look at the fight for menstrual taboos.
3. Nai Nai (7★★★★★★★): A tender and simple portrayal of family bonds across generations.
4. The Last Repair Shop (7★★★★★★★): A heartfelt tribute to unsung heroes keeping music alive, one instrument at a time.

Animations

1. Nimona (9★★★★★★★★★): Bold, vibrant, and full of rebellious energy. A dazzling blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and self-acceptance.
2. Elemental (5★★★★★): I did not like even the visuals, over-saturated.

TV Shows

1. Arcane S1 (10★★★★★★★★★★): A stunning explosion of art, lore, and character depth.
2. Shogun (10★★★★★★★★★★): A masterclass in historical drama, rich and ruthless.
3. Arcane S2 (8★★★★★★★★): Continue to be stylish, but abuse of numerous character timelines with looong playoffs. In several episodes, you end up without knowing what you’ve just watched.
4. House of the Dragon S2 (7★★★★★★★): Dragons characters are cool, but the humans ones are most lame.
5. Severance S1 (7★★★★★★★): Clever, eerie, and just a bit too enigmatic.
6. 3 Body Problem S1 (6★★★★★★): Sci-fi that starts strong, then it becomes less than Lost or Heroes final seasons.

It’s kinda rare to find a show that truly pushes the boundaries of both visual artistry and narrative depth. Netflix’s Arcane does just that. This series, based on the popular e-sport game League of Legends, defies expectations of both animated shows and game adaptations. I can confidently say that Arcane stands on its own as a masterpiece of animation and storytelling.

The old formula of Satisfaction = Experience - Expectations rings true here; with minimal expectations, the actual satisfaction went to the roof.

Post-Disney Rule-book

It boldly breaks away from the Walt Disney formula, long followed by Western animation studios. Much like how “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” rightfully claimed the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, Arcane is a representative of a new era of audacious artistic choices.

The series’ visual style is nothing short of breathtaking, seamlessly blending 2D and 3D techniques to create a unique aesthetic that’s both gritty and beautiful. The attention to detail is astounding, from the intricate steampunk designs of the city’s towering spires to the grimy, neon-lit streets of the underworld. The cinematography employs non-standard angles, innovative compositions, and dramatic lighting that would be at home in a live-action film.

Interestingly, the characters themselves are deeply invested in various forms of art, from painting to music. There are scenes where characters are actively creating art, stroking paint onto canvas, their actions mirroring the creative process behind the show itself. Nice meta-textual layer.

While the character animations are indeed noteworthy, with facial expressions conveying complex emotions through subtle movements, it’s a holistic approach to the visual and auditory experience. It is enhanced by a masterful sound design and a compelling musical score.

Mature Narrative

While the visuals might draw you in, it’s the mature and intricate storyline that keeps you hooked. This is decidedly not a children’s show, tackling complex themes such as politics, class struggle, drug addiction, and mental health with depth and exploring themes of family, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power.

What’s particularly impressive is how the show manages to give each character enough screen time to develop fully. Unlike series that rush to action scenes and vague dialogues (looking at you, “Rings of Power”), Arcane takes the time to develop its cast. Viewers understand and care about the characters’ motivations, making the conflicts feel real and impactful. There are no clear-cut heroes or villains here; even characters who initially seem antagonistic are given depth and motivation, making them understandable, if not always sympathetic.

One of the show’s greatest strengths is its world-building. While some shows struggle to make their lore accessible (think “House of the Dragon”, where many details are only truly appreciated in “making of” videos), Arcane manages to present its rich world in a way that’s both detailed and digestible. The cities of Piltover and Zaun are characters in their own right, with distinct aesthetics and cultures that inform the actions of their inhabitants. The show explores these locations methodically, allowing viewers to build a mental map of this fantastical world without feeling overwhelmed.

Super Accessible

As someone who came into Arcane with virtually ZERO knowledge of League of Legends (except knowing it’s a worldwide famous MOBA e-sport with a seemingly insurmountable entry barrier), I was pleasantly surprised by how accessible the show is. While there are undoubtedly references and Easter eggs for fans of the game, the series stands entirely on its own. The lore and world are introduced organically, never feeling like an information dump or requiring outside knowledge to appreciate.

Watching with my wife, who is also unfamiliar with the source material, was a delightful experience. The show sparked discussions until long after each episode ended.

It’s clear that the creators prioritized telling a compelling story first and foremost, rather than simply creating a cash grab. The second and final season is planned for release in November 2025, and we’ll be eagerly waiting on the couch.

In the world of video games, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of revisiting a beloved franchise from your childhood. Recently, I had the opportunity to dive into RoboCop: Rogue City, a game that brilliantly resurrects the spirit of the classic 80s cyborg cop.

The Nostalgia Factor

From the moment you boot up the game, the nostalgia factor hits you like a well-aimed round from RoboCop’s signature Auto-9 weapon. The original actors’ voices and faces, such as Peter Weller’s portrayal of RoboCop, are faithfully recreated. The gritty style and familiar locations of a dystopian Detroit all contribute to a sense of warm familiarity. It’s like stepping back into a world you thought you’d left behind, but finding it just as captivating as ever.

It’s worth noting that the game completely ignores the 2014 remake, directed by the Brazilian José Padilha.

However, this familiarity can also work against the game. The original RoboCop movies were clearly low-budget productions, and while the game does an excellent job of recreating their aesthetic, it can sometimes feel a bit too faithful. Some areas of the game feel a bit sparse and could have benefited from a bit more detail or variety.

Despite this, RoboCop: Rogue City doesn’t shy away from the source material. It embraces the original’s super violent, yet goofy nature. The game is a bloody ballet of bullets and one-liners, a testament to the enduring appeal of the RoboCop franchise. It’s clear that the developers have a deep love and understanding of what makes RoboCop so iconic.

Graphics and Gameplay

The graphics are top-notch, with detailed environments and character models that bring the dystopian future of Detroit to life. However, the game’s AA budget is evident in some areas, such as the facial animations during cutscenes, which can be a bit of a detriment. Fortunately, these cutscenes are not crucial to the overall gameplay experience.

The gameplay is straightforward but effective, offering a satisfying experience despite its simplicity. The core mechanics involve aiming and shooting, with little strategy required. This doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of mowing down waves of criminals with RoboCop’s iconic gun. The game offers a variety of weapons, but RoboCop’s signature sidearm is often the most efficient choice due to its infinite ammo. It requires a bit of determination from the player to actually care to use other guns like bazookas, shotguns, or even throwing chairs and monitors at enemies, despite being fun.

One downside of the game is its lack of difficulty. For the most part, the game is quite easy, with only the final boss providing a significant challenge. Additionally, the mini-bosses can be easily exploited by hiding in blind spots and shooting, which takes away from the excitement of these encounters.

The Story

The story of RoboCop: Rogue City is delightfully cheesy, but it doesn’t innovate much. It uses several tropes from the original movies, and some beats even seem like they’ve been copy-pasted from the source material. The villain, known as “The New Guy,” is a classic RoboCop bad guy, and the plot involves nuke drug, a scheme to replace RoboCop with a fully mechanical cop, and a second-in-command trying to climb the corporate ladder. It’s all very RoboCopy and fans of the franchise will appreciate the nods to the original films. However, the game’s story is not its strong suit, and it’s clear that the focus was on gameplay rather than narrative.

The RPG elements of the game are simple but add a layer of depth to the gameplay. You can upgrade various aspects of RoboCop, from his weapons to his targeting system. While none of these upgrades are essential, they do make the game a bit easier and more enjoyable. Additionally, the game features side characters that you can interact with, but none of them are particularly fleshed out. They’re not irritating, but they don’t add much to the overall experience.

A Parallel Surprise

One of the most pleasant surprises while playing, I searched for news about the cast and the universe, I ended up discovering a documentary titled RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop (8★★★★★★★★). This four-episode series features interviews with all the cast and crew of the original 1987 movie, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. It’s a fascinating watch, full of easter eggs and insights into the precarious and tense shooting environment. The documentary reveals the struggles the filmmakers faced, from fights over budget to disagreements about artistic vision. It’s clear that the creation of RoboCop was a labor of love, and the documentary does an excellent job of capturing that spirit.

RoboCop: Rogue City is a nostalgic trip down memory lane that respects its source material while offering a fun and engaging gameplay experience. The graphics are impressive, the gameplay is satisfying, and the cheesy story is a loving homage to the original films. While may not be groundbreaking, it’s a solid shooter that’s worth checking out for fans of the franchise or anyone looking for a good time. And if you’re a fan of the original movie, be sure to also check out the RoboDoc documentary.