First off, if you hadn't notice it yet, there's a What I'm Playing? page on this site. It basically lists the games I've been playing lately. I try to update the list every month or so.

Second, there's a Local Co-op Games To Play With Kids page on this site. This page has a list of games that you can play in local co-op mode with your kids. By local co-op, I mean playing the game on the same TV. No one needs to be online or playing on their own Xbox to play these games. These are true local co-op games. If you're looking for co-op games to play with your kid on the Xbox, this is a good page to check out. Every game on that page is a game that I've played with my kids so I can verify they work in local co-op mode.

Third, speaking of local co-op games, For The King II is a new one available on Xbox Gamepass. I've played it with my kinds and they love it. It allows up to 4 player local co-op. It's an RPG turn based tactical game that seems to be based off board game mechanics. The game actually reminds me a lot of the Heroes of Terrinoth board game.

Fourth, the past few weeks have been dominated by S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. This game also came out on Xbox Gamepass and I've been sucked into the game, into the Zone as Stalker players would say. I honestly can't remember a game that made me want to upgrade my old gaming PC, so I can buy the PC version and play it with a mouse and keyboard. That said, if all you have is an Xbox, don't fret, you can play it with keyboard and mouse on the Xbox! That's how I play it after initially playing it with a controller.

Fifth, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl not only made me want to upgrade my old gaming PC, it reminded me of how I used to enjoy first person shooters. With that interest reignited, I picked up Ghost Recon: Wildlands on PC on Steam. I never really finished this game on the Xbox. I started a new playthrough and am loving the ability to aim with the mouse.

I also ended up buying the Metro Saga Bundle on Xbox. I was actually looking at buying Metro Exodus, which was on sale for like $7. That was until I found out that the Saga bundle, which included two other games (Metro 2033 Redux and Metro Last Light), was on sale for around $8. Picking up the Saga bundle was a no brainer. I also started a playthrough of Metro 2033 Redux on the Xbox.

You might wonder why I started playthroughs of different games on the PC and Xbox. It's because I now have to fight for gaming time with my kids. They usually play on the Xbox, so in those instances I can game on the PC. If they play on the PC, I can game on the Xbox.

Sixth, which leads to this game they play on the PC, it's called Music Racer. It's another local co-op game that my kids enjoy. The game basically lets you pick a car to race, then uses your choice of music to generate a track to race on. This choice of music extends to your local music collection. This was a great way to introduce my kids to my old music collection, which has been neglected for so long in favor of streaming services like Spotify.

Seventh, I've started a new playthrough of Pro Evolution Soccer 2021, with Manchester United again, and this time in Super Star difficulty right from the start. Unfortunately, I'm way behind on publishing game logs for this game, so it might take awhile before I can transition to posting about this new playthrough.

Anyway, I've rambled on long enough. I'll end this post here. Thank you for reading and visiting my gaming blog. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Tags: #StatusUpdate #ForTheKingII #Stalker2 #GhostReconWildlands #MetroExodus #Metro2033 #MetroLastLight #MusicRacer #PES2021

This game requires patience and strategy, something you'll needs lots of once you get deeper into the game. That doesn't mean it's a bad game. It's just built different. Maybe even built for a different time (even if it only came out back in 2017). New games now are all about instant gratification. This game is more about delayed gratification, if that even makes sense. This game is more like Metal Gear Solid, where you spend a good amount of time planning your moves, then executing them perfectly. It's more like Chess instead of say Tic Tac Toe.

This review gives a good look at what makes Ghost Recon Wildlands great.

Now if you're still here after watching that review, then maybe you want to give it a try. These next two videos are good ones on squad tactics using the AI teammates. I watched them again as a refresher before completing a mission last night. They are extremely helpful and gives a glimpse into real world military tactics you can use in the game.

Tags: #GameLog #GhostReconWildlands

As you can see on my character, I equipped a suppressor on all my weapons. While you can go all guns blazing in Ghost Recon Wildlands, you'll have much better success going the stealth route. Also, try to get an assault rifle with a grenade launcher attachment. It can be really helpful against enemy vehicles and enemy choppers.

This second screenshot shows the position your drone has to be in, to successfully scan the rooftop antenna for the Radio Santa Blanca mission. I can't tell you how many times I've tried to do this mission, only to give up because I couldn't scan the antenna.

Tags: #GameScreenshots #GhostReconWildlands