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Like many of you, I have a pretty severe backlog. These backlogged games largely fall into 2 categories: Games that I started but never got around to completing, and games I never started to begin with. The latter may get its own thread down the line, but first, let's look at the games that I've started, why I abandoned them, and what is keeping me from jumping back in. They are roughly in order from least time spent playing to most.
Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir
Initial playthrough experience: Played only long enough to get the initial scenario rolling. The story seemed intriguing and I'm curious about this game as a Nintendo historical piece. I also have the Girl Who Stands Behind, but have not even started it.
Why I stopped playing: I guess I just lost interest, meant to get back into it, and time kept on slipping, slipping, slipping, into the future....
Why I would like to return: Visual Novel games have become a surprise enjoyment of mine, with The Great Ace Attorney being my current GOTY, and VA11-Hall-A also being a favorite.
Why I am hesitant to return: I feel like I'll undoubtedly feel compelled to play both games, and will likely want to start from the beginning.
Divinity Original Sin 2
Initial playthrough experience: Barely played more than an hour or two. Don't really remember too much.
Why I stopped playing: The mechanics seemed a bit overwhelming initially, and I wasn't immediately gripped by the scenario.
Why I would like to return: I hear nothing but good things about this game overall, and I feel like it could scratch my D&D itch.
Why I am hesitant to return: Feels like a big commitment should I get sucked in.
Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
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Initial playthrough experience: Put a decent amount of time into it, found the levels and gameplay charming and enjoyable.
Why I stopped playing: As polished and good as the game felt, it didn't quite give me the same satisfaction that a Mario or Donkey Kong would, and the game's own hooks weren't enough to keep me interested.
Why I would like to return: I love 2D platforms, am unlikely to get a new one in this style for some time, and the game seems like it has a lot more to offer.
Why I am hesitant to return: I still kind of feel like this game is a poor man's Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze (probably a biased and ignorant view but hey I'm human), and without the investment in these characters and world, I'm not sure I'll be motivated to keep playing rather than just replaying a more familiar 2D platformer.
Wofenstein II: The New Colossus and Doom 2016
Initial playthrough experience: Played a good amount of both, and have started Doom 2016 several times on many different platforms. Great gameplay and surprisingly great ports on Switch
Why I stopped playing: FPS games aren't especially my jam. Wolfenstein had a good narrative and felt good to play, but just didn't hold my attention. Doom I feel like I hit the halfway point in (was doing stuff in Hell and whatnot), but like with other consoles, I took a break and wasn't hyped to return. I also have Doom on PC, and through Game Pass on Xbox, so it might be better to continue on those platforms.
Why I would like to return: I feel that, despite my aversion to FPS, I should keep pushing to expand my gaming vocabulary. I genuinely did enjoy these games, especially Doom which is a joy to play and so impressive visually.
Why I am hesitant to return: I'm not particularly invested in Wolfenstein as a series, even though I liked what I had played so far. I'm not that hesitant about jumping back into Doom, there's just a lot of other games out there and it always seems just below the next game up in priority.
Snake Pass
Initial playthrough experience: I very nearly completed the game in the early Switch days and found it to be one of the most interesting takes on the platformer out there.
Why I stopped playing: My nephew accidentally erased my progress.
Why I would like to return: I liked and respected this game quite a bit, and feel I owe myself closure.
Why I am hesitant to return: The game is a bit samey throughout and playing through it all again gives me pause.
Starlink: Battle for Atlas
Initial playthrough experience: Several hours played, story seemed pretty intriguing, but face it, I was here for Star Fox.
Why I stopped playing: It was an early Switch title and more interesting things came along.
Why I would like to return: It's the closest to a new Star Fox game I'm likely to get any time soon, and content has been added since. It's also kind of a curiosity now, since the game is largely abandoned it feels, and it might be fun to just check out what might have been as this felt like an ambitious project.
Why I am hesitant to return: It just really doesn't feel like a "Must Play" to me.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
Initial playthrough experience: Played through what seemed to be the introductory/Tutorial section. It was pretty lengthy, but I stopped after the rogueish guy and bunny lady joined the party.
Why I stopped playing: I seem to have this inexplicable block when it comes to Final Fantasy. Despite having a pretty good time with games like Xenoblade 1 and 2, Dragon Quest, and Persona 4, for whatever reason, I can never get past the first few hours of a Final Fantasy without losing interest, and I don't know why. Maybe someday I'll break the curse. This game seemed like a good candidate to do so, but alas here it sits in my backlog.
Why I would like to return: I feel I need to exercise that Final Fantasy demon someday, especially as I otherwise enjoy JRPGs, even other Square Enix JRPGs. I'd really like to see why everyone enjoys this series so much. It's just...
Why I am hesitant to return: .... so hard for me to stay interested in them for whatever reason. Like, it's almost a curse at this point.
L.A. Noire
Initial playthrough experience: I've played this a bit on both Switch and PC, and feel like I've maybe played like half of the game? Enjoyed the detective, puzzle solving aspects, and really do appreciate how it's like a more chill version of a GTA mechanically.
Why I stopped playing: Not sure really, at least on my initial PC playthrough. On Switch I think I ran into some pretty severe audio bugs. It's possible that if I pick it back up, it might be on PC instead.
Why I would like to return: Having recently come off The Great Ace Attorney, I feel like this could scratch my detective bug itch.
Why I am hesitant to return: I feel like this is one I might be better off restarting after so long, and I'm not sure if it's so captivating that I feel the need to replay so match, having already done the first half twice over.
Valkyria Chronicles 4
Initial playthrough experience: I picked this up on a whim since the collector's edition was on sale and found myself really enjoying it. I found the characters fun, and the gameplay is unique and scratches this strategy itch that I feel like I enjoyed in the mid-2000s and haven't had anything feel quite the same way since.
Why I stopped playing: I think I hit a hard mission that caused me to take a break, and I just never got back into after that. It was maybe midway through the game, and the story really seemed to be picking up.
Why I would like to return: This is one I'm probably feeling most eager to revisit, even if it means restarting from the beginning to refamiliarize myself with it. Again, it just kind of scratches an itch that I can't describe. The alternative World War I scenario is also really unique and appeals to me.
Why I am hesitant to return: I'm worried about hitting that wall again and just falling off.
Sakuna: of Rice and Ruin
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Initial playthrough experience: I played this pretty steadily for a couple weeks, and really enjoyed the loop of platforming and farm simulation. The game also has a lot of charm.
Why I stopped playing: I think this is a case where the game didn't really do anything wrong, other things just game out that took priority, and now it's been so long I'm a little intimidated about going back.
Why I would like to return: The game is very unique and it's one I feel like I could jump back into fairly easily.
Why I am hesitant to return: The game does get a little samey in its loop over time, though potentially I just haven't reached some of the more plot shaking developments.
Astral Chain
Initial playthrough experience: Made a pretty good amount of progress, maybe like half the story content or more. Fun and unique combat, full of platinum goodness. I also like the setting and story quite a bit.
Why I stopped playing: Another case where it just fell by the way side as more appealing games took up my time.
Why I would like to return: I liked a lot about this game, and know that Platinum Games tend to be especially enjoyable as you approach the end game.
Why I am hesitant to return: I feel like I never especially mastered the mechanics and jumping back in now feels daunting to me.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
Initial playthrough experience: Played through the first main chapter on the farming island, and a bit onto the next island.
Why I stopped playing: This feels like a game I have to be in a specific mood in order to play. I could see myself binging an island at a time, and then leaving it cold for a few months or longer.
Why I would like to return: I'm really growing to love the dragon quest charm in general, and I'm sure there's a lot more to love about this game I haven't gotten to yet.
Why I am hesitant to return: Just not currently in the mood to, I guess.
Bonus: Games I feel I've "finished" but have additional content I have not tackled
Octopath Traveler: Finished the character stories and 3/4 of the secret super job bosses, but haven't yet tackled the big final post game boss
Pokemon Sword: basically stopped after becoming champion, didn't do any post game content
Dragon Quest XI S: Finished Act 2, was relatively satisfied, but haven't gotten around to finishing Act 3. This is probably debatable as having been "finished".
Celeste: Never got around to finishing the Farewell DLC chapter.
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition: Never got around to finishing Future Connected.
Anyway, this was probably a long read if you bothered to read at all (I wouldn't blame you if you didn't), but feel free to share your own unfinished backlogged games.
Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir
Initial playthrough experience: Played only long enough to get the initial scenario rolling. The story seemed intriguing and I'm curious about this game as a Nintendo historical piece. I also have the Girl Who Stands Behind, but have not even started it.
Why I stopped playing: I guess I just lost interest, meant to get back into it, and time kept on slipping, slipping, slipping, into the future....
Why I would like to return: Visual Novel games have become a surprise enjoyment of mine, with The Great Ace Attorney being my current GOTY, and VA11-Hall-A also being a favorite.
Why I am hesitant to return: I feel like I'll undoubtedly feel compelled to play both games, and will likely want to start from the beginning.
Divinity Original Sin 2
Initial playthrough experience: Barely played more than an hour or two. Don't really remember too much.
Why I stopped playing: The mechanics seemed a bit overwhelming initially, and I wasn't immediately gripped by the scenario.
Why I would like to return: I hear nothing but good things about this game overall, and I feel like it could scratch my D&D itch.
Why I am hesitant to return: Feels like a big commitment should I get sucked in.
Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
Initial playthrough experience: Put a decent amount of time into it, found the levels and gameplay charming and enjoyable.
Why I stopped playing: As polished and good as the game felt, it didn't quite give me the same satisfaction that a Mario or Donkey Kong would, and the game's own hooks weren't enough to keep me interested.
Why I would like to return: I love 2D platforms, am unlikely to get a new one in this style for some time, and the game seems like it has a lot more to offer.
Why I am hesitant to return: I still kind of feel like this game is a poor man's Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze (probably a biased and ignorant view but hey I'm human), and without the investment in these characters and world, I'm not sure I'll be motivated to keep playing rather than just replaying a more familiar 2D platformer.
Wofenstein II: The New Colossus and Doom 2016
Initial playthrough experience: Played a good amount of both, and have started Doom 2016 several times on many different platforms. Great gameplay and surprisingly great ports on Switch
Why I stopped playing: FPS games aren't especially my jam. Wolfenstein had a good narrative and felt good to play, but just didn't hold my attention. Doom I feel like I hit the halfway point in (was doing stuff in Hell and whatnot), but like with other consoles, I took a break and wasn't hyped to return. I also have Doom on PC, and through Game Pass on Xbox, so it might be better to continue on those platforms.
Why I would like to return: I feel that, despite my aversion to FPS, I should keep pushing to expand my gaming vocabulary. I genuinely did enjoy these games, especially Doom which is a joy to play and so impressive visually.
Why I am hesitant to return: I'm not particularly invested in Wolfenstein as a series, even though I liked what I had played so far. I'm not that hesitant about jumping back into Doom, there's just a lot of other games out there and it always seems just below the next game up in priority.
Snake Pass
Initial playthrough experience: I very nearly completed the game in the early Switch days and found it to be one of the most interesting takes on the platformer out there.
Why I stopped playing: My nephew accidentally erased my progress.
Why I would like to return: I liked and respected this game quite a bit, and feel I owe myself closure.
Why I am hesitant to return: The game is a bit samey throughout and playing through it all again gives me pause.
Starlink: Battle for Atlas
Initial playthrough experience: Several hours played, story seemed pretty intriguing, but face it, I was here for Star Fox.
Why I stopped playing: It was an early Switch title and more interesting things came along.
Why I would like to return: It's the closest to a new Star Fox game I'm likely to get any time soon, and content has been added since. It's also kind of a curiosity now, since the game is largely abandoned it feels, and it might be fun to just check out what might have been as this felt like an ambitious project.
Why I am hesitant to return: It just really doesn't feel like a "Must Play" to me.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
Initial playthrough experience: Played through what seemed to be the introductory/Tutorial section. It was pretty lengthy, but I stopped after the rogueish guy and bunny lady joined the party.
Why I stopped playing: I seem to have this inexplicable block when it comes to Final Fantasy. Despite having a pretty good time with games like Xenoblade 1 and 2, Dragon Quest, and Persona 4, for whatever reason, I can never get past the first few hours of a Final Fantasy without losing interest, and I don't know why. Maybe someday I'll break the curse. This game seemed like a good candidate to do so, but alas here it sits in my backlog.
Why I would like to return: I feel I need to exercise that Final Fantasy demon someday, especially as I otherwise enjoy JRPGs, even other Square Enix JRPGs. I'd really like to see why everyone enjoys this series so much. It's just...
Why I am hesitant to return: .... so hard for me to stay interested in them for whatever reason. Like, it's almost a curse at this point.
L.A. Noire
Initial playthrough experience: I've played this a bit on both Switch and PC, and feel like I've maybe played like half of the game? Enjoyed the detective, puzzle solving aspects, and really do appreciate how it's like a more chill version of a GTA mechanically.
Why I stopped playing: Not sure really, at least on my initial PC playthrough. On Switch I think I ran into some pretty severe audio bugs. It's possible that if I pick it back up, it might be on PC instead.
Why I would like to return: Having recently come off The Great Ace Attorney, I feel like this could scratch my detective bug itch.
Why I am hesitant to return: I feel like this is one I might be better off restarting after so long, and I'm not sure if it's so captivating that I feel the need to replay so match, having already done the first half twice over.
Valkyria Chronicles 4
Initial playthrough experience: I picked this up on a whim since the collector's edition was on sale and found myself really enjoying it. I found the characters fun, and the gameplay is unique and scratches this strategy itch that I feel like I enjoyed in the mid-2000s and haven't had anything feel quite the same way since.
Why I stopped playing: I think I hit a hard mission that caused me to take a break, and I just never got back into after that. It was maybe midway through the game, and the story really seemed to be picking up.
Why I would like to return: This is one I'm probably feeling most eager to revisit, even if it means restarting from the beginning to refamiliarize myself with it. Again, it just kind of scratches an itch that I can't describe. The alternative World War I scenario is also really unique and appeals to me.
Why I am hesitant to return: I'm worried about hitting that wall again and just falling off.
Sakuna: of Rice and Ruin
Initial playthrough experience: I played this pretty steadily for a couple weeks, and really enjoyed the loop of platforming and farm simulation. The game also has a lot of charm.
Why I stopped playing: I think this is a case where the game didn't really do anything wrong, other things just game out that took priority, and now it's been so long I'm a little intimidated about going back.
Why I would like to return: The game is very unique and it's one I feel like I could jump back into fairly easily.
Why I am hesitant to return: The game does get a little samey in its loop over time, though potentially I just haven't reached some of the more plot shaking developments.
Astral Chain
Initial playthrough experience: Made a pretty good amount of progress, maybe like half the story content or more. Fun and unique combat, full of platinum goodness. I also like the setting and story quite a bit.
Why I stopped playing: Another case where it just fell by the way side as more appealing games took up my time.
Why I would like to return: I liked a lot about this game, and know that Platinum Games tend to be especially enjoyable as you approach the end game.
Why I am hesitant to return: I feel like I never especially mastered the mechanics and jumping back in now feels daunting to me.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
Initial playthrough experience: Played through the first main chapter on the farming island, and a bit onto the next island.
Why I stopped playing: This feels like a game I have to be in a specific mood in order to play. I could see myself binging an island at a time, and then leaving it cold for a few months or longer.
Why I would like to return: I'm really growing to love the dragon quest charm in general, and I'm sure there's a lot more to love about this game I haven't gotten to yet.
Why I am hesitant to return: Just not currently in the mood to, I guess.
Bonus: Games I feel I've "finished" but have additional content I have not tackled
Octopath Traveler: Finished the character stories and 3/4 of the secret super job bosses, but haven't yet tackled the big final post game boss
Pokemon Sword: basically stopped after becoming champion, didn't do any post game content
Dragon Quest XI S: Finished Act 2, was relatively satisfied, but haven't gotten around to finishing Act 3. This is probably debatable as having been "finished".
Celeste: Never got around to finishing the Farewell DLC chapter.
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition: Never got around to finishing Future Connected.
Anyway, this was probably a long read if you bothered to read at all (I wouldn't blame you if you didn't), but feel free to share your own unfinished backlogged games.
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