Video Games

None of those you are thinking about are anything like the ones you liked. Maybe Elite Dangerous?

Edit: what do you like about Civ and No Man’s Sky? What makes you think you’d enjoy first person shooters, or Elden Ring?

Just worked out that I played COD2 ages ago. Loved it.

Valheim

Love this pair:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbUxueyjPuc

What about Metro Exodus? It sounds intriguing. But it might persuade to upgrade my ancient display: https://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/671272/100-great-pc-games-should-play-before-die/?pp=10

The choice of games is just so huge. Another one I used to like is Red Alert 2

I recommend FTL to everyone, but it's not like anything you've mentioned

I'm currently playing through Metro Exodus, i love the series so definitely not impartial but I really like the game, is nice to switch to semi open world and the world building is as good as ever

The game I’ve enjoyed most recently was Saturday Edition—anyone else got a Playdate?

Have to say again I’m really impressed with the game pass cloud system. Now I’m back up home I’m using it on my phone with touch controls and it is actually quite good for certain games, playing Shadowrun Returns at the moment and even though it’s a little cramped I’m having no trouble actually playing it and it’s super smooth and looks great. Had thought I could use my work laptop to stream some stuff through the browser as it doesn’t need anything installing, but unfortunately it seems that all games require a controller which I don’t have with me. Hopefully PC games will be included at some point to be able to play.

I like Civ5

Dwarf Fortress! Stellaris (too complicated for my tastes, like all Paradox Interactive games, but it is similar to Civ).

used to like No Man's Sky

Subnautica, maybe. Hardspace Shipbreaker.

playing Shadowrun Returns at the moment

💪 it's so good!

I've gone right off everything. I want to pick Disco Elysium back up, but I've got no time for all the reading because I'm already reading all the books ever written for my english lit course, so I want to pick up small games that don't take much brainpower... but I don't like any of the ones I have and I don't care about any of the ones I don't have. Have mostly been resentfully grinding my way through Rogue Legacy but without much enjoyment. Eurgh.

the controller thing really confused me! I wanted to play some on my laptop but no controller.

that said, I signed up for geforce now 3080 tier and am very very impressed by it ($20 a month though... but cheaper than the equivalent pc!)

Playing marvel snap! The difference playing against real people makes us eye opening. All the silly moves and card usage I was up against in the early days, leading to easy wins, are now a thing of the past. Getting smashed by players with ongoing/on reveal decks which are of a higher level..
Currently getting a bee in my bonnet about the current seasons rewards, as half of them aren’t available unless I pay the cash for premium, and you’ve got to get to level 50 to actually get the silver surfer card!!!!
But as a pick up and play time waster with some brain power involved I’m enjoying it..

I'm thinking of buying a Switch (probably in a month or two when I'm less skint post Christmas). I imagine 90% of it's use would be docked at home playing multiplayer games on the telly. Is there much point in paying the extra for the posh OLED version if I'm rarely going to use the inbuilt screen?
Suggestions for fun 2 player games also appreciated!

I use mine similarly, really like boomerang fu, lovers in a dangerous spacetime, speedrunners, worms wmd, unravel two, death squared, unrailed, overcooked (mostly 3p and fairly cheap) then obviously there's Mario kart and super smash bros etc

The OLED version is miles better if you ever plan to use to handheld. Not even close.

It Takes Two such a superb game. Thanks everyone who recommended. Been a lot of high fives in this house.

Thanks for that! I should have mentioned, my girlfriend isn't a "gamer" at all. We tried Overcooked a couple of years ago and it just wound her up. I think Mario Party etc are more her speed. I strongly suspect that if we do but a Switch, she'll use it a handful of times, get annoyed that she can't immediately master all of the games and not touch it again.

@Soul -maybe I'll spring for that then. It's secondary use will probably be for long train journeys etc when I don't feel like reading.

We tried Overcooked a couple of years ago and it just wound her up.

Yep, always mention this as a consideration when recommending Overcooked. Definitely runs the risk of straining relationships!

A few of those I play with two gamer pals at theirs, but my non-gamer gf and I have had success with unravel two, death squared and speedrunners recently! Had a similar experience with overcooked, was a bit much

I have had success with unravel two, death squared and speedrunners recently! Had a similar experience with overcooked, was a bit much

Exactly this.

There's a prison escape one called a way out from the same developer that looks a lot like it takes two but adult, think it'll be a bit sweary and violent for my 12 year old though.

Nice, I'll have a look in to those, thanks!

Also looking for switch game recommendations. Quite fancy a simple platformer with some replayability.

Spelunky 1 & 2 have been on sale recently, worth picking up. Hard to beat in terms of replayability IMO. N++ is also excellent.

It doesn't exactly tick the replayability box, but Mark of the Ninja is a great side-on 2D stealth game that's also on sale at the moment.