Open-World

Valheim and I had some good times during Early Access. Three years later, returning for 1.0 revealed that those times are probably best left in the past. What once felt fun and interesting now feels dated. Modern quality-of-life conveniences I’ve grown accustomed to in survival games are absent, with something as simple as crafting at the base using materials already sitting in storage not possible and digging through chests becoming an unnecessary chore. ...

Forza Horizon 6 continues the established formula of the Horizon series, transporting its open-world racing festival to a new setting inspired by Japan. The result is immediately recognizable: a large and visually impressive world filled with events, customization, and high-speed exploration. This session also marked an unexpected return to Windows after technical issues prevented the game from cooperating with the Linux gaming desktop. Once operational, however, the experience quickly settled into the familiar strengths of the series. ...

Crimson Desert arrives as a rare departure into large-scale AAA territory, offering an expansive open world that immediately invites exploration. Across three days of play, the experience was defined less by structured storyline and more by simply wandering through its massive landscape. ...