The video discusses popular backlogged games and whether they are worth playing, based on top 10 lists from How long to Beat and Backlogged websites, excluding duplicates, personal backlog games, and The Witcher 2 and Tomb Raider (2013). The speaker affirms that all "backlog goats" are good games, offering insights and advice on how long to give each a chance.
Backlog Games Overview #
- Definition of a "Backlog Goat": Games that are heavily backlogged and considered popular or "must-play."
- Purpose of Review: To determine if these games are worth the hype and offer advice on how to approach them.
- General Consensus: Even the "worst" game on the list is still good, and all are highly regarded.
- Advice for Players: Give each game a fair chance, and if it doesn't click after a few hours, it's okay to move on.
Borderlands 2 #
- Initial Impression: Seemed like an odd inclusion for a "must-play" backlog game due to its seemingly niche appeal.
- Redeeming Qualities:
- Memorable blend of first-person shooter action with RPG progression (leveling, skill trees, gear swapping).
- Procedurally generated loot system with millions of weapon combinations (e.g., shotguns firing rockets, sniper rifles setting enemies on fire).
- High replayability due to unique Vault Hunter playstyles (Zero's stealth, Salvador's dual-wielding).
- Excellent co-op experience with auto-scaling difficulty for up to four players, though single-player is still great.
- Features one of gaming's most memorable villains, Handsome Jack, and a strong supporting cast (Sir Hammerlock, Tiny Tina).
- Unique boss introductions with splash screens, taglines, and snapshots of the enemy.
- More connected and alive world than its predecessor, with natural region flow and narrative-driven side quests (e.g., "name game" with bullymongs).
- Mechanically innovative "fight for your life" second wind mechanic.
- Enduring cell-shaded art style that still holds up.
- Narrative and Humor: Great story, memorable characters, humor that generally lands well and avoids the oversaturation of reference humor seen in later games.
- Time Commitment: Doesn't demand a 50-hour investment; give it an hour or two to see if it clicks.
Baldur's Gate 3 #
- Overall Acclaim: 2023 Game of the Year, highly regarded.
- D&D Adaptation: Best video game translation of a tabletop Dungeons and Dragons experience, excelling in choice, dice rolls, and character freedom.
- Combat System: Intuitive turn-based tactics, even for those unfamiliar with D&D, rewarding creativity with environmental interactions (e.g., greasing pathways and lighting them on fire, shoving enemies into pits).
- Player Choice: Decisions have far-reaching consequences and multiple outcomes, even in early acts (e.g., Druid Grove).
- Exploration: Maps are dense with secrets, hidden loot, and small stories; side quests are engaging and can lead to larger narratives.
- Companions & Replayability: Every companion is deeply developed, feeling like main characters; option to play as origin characters; diverse classes, races, choices, and companions encourage multiple playthroughs.
- Co-op: Amazing experience, with examples like "honor mode" (high difficulty, permadeath) providing intense and memorable moments.
- Presentation: Fully voiced with fantastic performances from all characters and an immersive narrator.
- Time Commitment: Massive game (80+ hours for a first playthrough) but encourages players to take their time rather than feeling overwhelmed. A few hours are enough to see if it clicks.
Hades #
- Presentation: Stunning art style, striking character designs, and vibrant visuals.
- Music: Darren Korb's soundtrack is epic and atmospheric, fitting various game moments.
- Design: Clean user interface, color-coded boons tied to Olympians that feel distinct (e.g., Zeus for lightning, Dionysus for poison, Poseidon for knockback).
- Gameplay Loop: Addictive with high variance between runs due to weapon choices and randomized boons, encouraging experimentation and new combinations.
- Death Mechanic: Never feels like a waste of time; every run contributes to progress (resources, upgrades, relationships, player skill).
- Storytelling: Top-notch, with a large cast of personality-filled characters; ingeniously integrates the roguelike loop into the narrative, centering on Zagreus's attempts to escape the Underworld.
- Hades as a Character: Portrayed with complexity, not a one-dimensional villain, showing a strict but human paternal figure.
- Greek Mythology References: Rich with mythological references that add to the game's charm.
- Writing: Consistently sharp and witty.
- Time Commitment: Low commitment; runs are short, progression is constant, making it easy to determine quickly if it's enjoyable.
Portal 2 #
- High Backlog Status: Surprising, given its widespread acclaim and perceived "must-play" status.
- Genre: First-person puzzle platformer, but uniquely executed.
- Improvements over Original: Builds upon the original game's foundation with larger puzzles, deeper story, and sharper presentation.
- Characters: GLaDOS's role is expanded, and Wheatley is an equally memorable addition; both contribute to exceptional comedic and sharp writing.
- Voice Acting: Praised for completely nailing the characters.
- Puzzle Design: Well-designed chambers that balance challenge with intuitiveness, making players feel smart without frustrating controls.
- Mechanic Introduction: New mechanics (gels, light bridges, excursion funnels) are seamlessly integrated, gradually building complexity without overwhelming the player.
- Story: Surprisingly great, delving into Aperture Science's lore and character development.
- Co-op Campaign: A completely separate and excellent co-op experience with unique puzzles, often considered one of the best co-op games.
- Theory for Backlog: Many complete single-player but leave it in backlog for co-op, which might never happen.
- Time Commitment: Short single-player story (under 10 hours), making it less intimidating than larger RPGs.
Elden Ring #
- Difficulty: Acknowledged as not for everyone due to its FromSoftware nature (no difficulty options, punishing bosses, learning by failure).
- High Recognition: One of the most talked-about games of the 2020s, a Game of the Year winner, and dominated conversations.
- Backlog Guilt: Often stems from difficulty, leading players to drop it after hitting a wall.
- Solution to Difficulty: Depends on the player; some push through, others recognize when to move on.
- Time Commitment: Not a game to sample in an hour or two, especially for newcomers to Souls-likes; requires perseverance.
- Gameplay Loop: Frustration and triumph from overcoming challenges is a core appeal.
- Open World Adaptation: Seamlessly integrates Souls-like DNA into an open world, making exploration thrilling with constant discovery of new things.
- Bosses: Highs are among FromSoft's best (e.g., General Radahn as an MMO-like raid encounter).
- Build Variety: Near-endless options for weapon use and playstyles, ensuring fresh experiences in every run.
- Environmental Storytelling: World itself tells rich stories through its environments (buried cities, ruins, frozen corpses).
- Game Feel: Tight controls, responsive movement, and smooth combat are crucial for precision-based gameplay.
- Multiplayer: Brilliant message system creates a sense of community, with jokes, celebrations, and warnings.
- NPCs: Characters like Blaidd, Ironfist, Alexander, and Bok the Seamster add personality.
- Broad Appeal & Backlog: Broke containment from niche Souls fans, attracting a wider audience who might have bought it but struggled or never started.
- Player Choice: No "right" answer on whether to finish; it's about what's right for the individual player.
Hollow Knight #
- Ultimate Backlog Game: Ranks high on backlogged and HowLongToBeat lists.
- Difficulty: Tough game where many love the vibe but get stuck on bosses, leading them to set it aside.
- Presentation and Atmosphere: Hand-drawn art style, animation, and atmospheric world (Hollow Nest) appeal to a wide audience, even those not typically interested in Metroidvanias.
- Hype and Word of Mouth: Constant positive discussion compels players to pick it up.
- World Construction: Each zone has a distinct identity, visually and in terms of gameplay rhythm (e.g., Deepnest's tension, City of Tears' melancholy).
- Combat: Deliberate, sharp, and brutal; victories feel earned, with unique and unforgettable bosses (e.g., Hornet, Mantis Lords).
- Charm System: Deepens gameplay, allowing customization of playstyle (survivability, magic, mobility).
- DLC: Expands the world, lore, and difficulty, maintaining the quality of the base game.
- Backlog Problem Cause: Irresistible at first glance due to presentation, but eventually demands significant challenge from the player.
- Time Commitment: Like Elden Ring, not a game to sample briefly, but shows its hand faster. A few hours exploring and battling early bosses will reveal if the challenge is desired.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt #
- "Final Boss of Backlog Games": Ranks highly on both backlogged sites.
- Scale: Huge, dense, and slow to start; 100+ hours with expansions.
- Overall Quality: One of the best RPGs ever made.
- Geralt of Rivia: Iconic, dry, sarcastic, world-weary character who makes even small quests entertaining.
- Side Quests: Legendary for feeling meaningful and having significant narrative weight.
- World: Massive, alive, and immersive (swamps, cities, fields); riding Roach is an experience.
- Presentation: Gorgeous score, excellent voice acting.
- Combat: Divisive; can feel clunky on normal difficulty but improves on harder settings by requiring strategic use of oils, potions, and signs, making monster contracts feel immersive.
- Immersion: The more one leans into its systems (decoctions, Gwent), the more rewarding the experience.
- Time to Click: Takes a long time to hook players initially (e.g., after the Bloody Baron questline).
- Expansions: Two of the best in gaming history ("Hearts of Stone," "Blood and Wine").
- Cultural Presence: Immense hype from the game itself and the Netflix series means most people have heard of it, making it a common backlog item.
- Personal Experience: Speaker had it in their backlog, set it aside, but eventually finished it, finding it an unforgettable experience.
- Value of Backlogs: Backlogs can be important for eventually getting to experiences that stay with you.
Summary #
The video evaluates several highly backlogged games, concluding that all of them, from the chaotic co-op FPS Borderlands 2 and the creative puzzle masterpiece Portal 2 to the deep narrative RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and The Witcher 3, and the challenging roguelike Hades and Metroidvania Hollow Knight, are generally worth playing. Even the notoriously difficult Elden Ring is praised for its rewarding experience. The speaker emphasizes that while these games might demand significant time, a few hours are usually enough to determine if they "click" with an individual player, alleviating the pressure of finishing a massive title. The core message is to give these acclaimed titles a chance, even if they've sat on a backlog, as they often offer unforgettable experiences.
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