V Rising is already on the Best Games of the 2020’s list, but it made it on post 1.0 retail release last year before this new site existed. So why bring it up? Well it is #10 on the list because it is so freaking good and I am fully underwater with it all over again.

A year after the game was finally complete. Meaning out of early access, they’ve released Oakveil (v1.1). Jam packed with a new zone, eight new bosses, three new weapons, and quality of life updates. All for free and worthy of a brand new play through. There are five of us playing this time around, on fresh server, on brutal difficulty, and enjoying this peach of a game all over again.

Two more for the Richmond Alphabet. That brings us to 10 and at this rate, maybe it is feeling realistic to actually get it done in 2025. Said the man who knows every summer life kicks into overdrive.

Lolita’s

This Mexican spot on Cary Street was not on our list for the letter L. We actually just happened upon it while looking for a late lunch. It was such a welcome surprise of delicious cocktails and killer tacos that we decided to add it to the list. The indoor/outdoor seating setup in May, when the weather is nice, was an added bonus. Lost Letter and L’Opossum will have to wait.

Zorch Pizza

Not a ton of options for Z, when I’ve had meals at ZZQ and Zorba’s a bunch of times. Thankfully Zorch, food truck turned pizza parlor serves up tasty slices at two locations. We hit the Carytown spot and had slices, wings, and cold beers. The space is cramped, but cozy, maybe hit the southside location if it is a busy evening in the city.

Last year RTJ2 had it’s 10 year anniversary. I didn’t celebrate it by spending time with the album again, but instead bought a puzzle. Then I put said puzzle on the stack of other puzzles. A missed opportunity.

Consider it rectified. I started the puzzle last week and every time I sit down to work on it I put on the album and appreciate it all over again. The puzzle has naughty Where’s Waldo energy, as it makes loads of references to the lyrics in it’s illustrations. Crass, clever and fun. And not for a certain caliber of guest to come over and see on our dining room table.

Stupendously stupid and equally hilarious.

Another game enters the Best Games of the 2020’s today, and a great sequel falls off.

Lies of P (2023) goes on as #18

I bounced off of every souls and souls like game until Elden Ring finally unlocked my brain in 2022. I don’t know the true origin of the genre, but at a minimum Demon Souls came out in 2009. That is a long stretch of me trying and bouncing off of these hard on purpose games and all games they spawned.

To be fair Elden Ring is a fantastic game, but it’s difficulty curve has been filed down a bit. So I hadn’t actually tested my “unlocked” brain on the real thing. Until Lies of P. It follows the souls model, looks gorgeous, is set in an interesting world, and really makes your earn every step of progress. And there is DLC coming later this year.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023) is off the list. As sequel to Fallen Order, this game is the better of the pair. Kind of like original Assassin’s Creed, filled with good ideas, but needed a polish pass.

Of course This Old House has a YouTube channel, but why did it take me so long to discover it? I grew up watching it, re-discovered the This Old House hour once I became a home owner, and one time I saw Tom Silva in the Boston airport. It was late though and he had on sunglasses inside. Didn’t seem like he wanted to be bothered, so I didn’t.

I am subbed and now getting regular bite sized clips of TOH goodness. You should too.

A good “who done it” movie or show is right up our alley. A show that feels very inspired by Knives Out and Glass Onion, all the better. A cast full of odd ball characters played by actors and comedians that we already like, sold friend. I’d watch watch a few more series of Uzo Aduba as Detective Cordelia Cupp, solving a new mystery every season.

Another game enters the Best Games of the 2020’s today, and a just sequel without many new ideas falls off.

Bionic Bay (2025) goes on as #36

I saw this game pitched as a Limbo-like, but after playing it I’d say that is disingenuous. It has so much more going for it as a creative and challenging platformer. While being set in a quiet alien world that is equal parts eerie and beautiful.

It’s mechanics and puzzles have a healthy dash of Portal. You are introduced to a basic mechanic like swapping yourself with an object you tag and then slowly bend your mind around it in creative ways. Then another mechanic like slowing down time. Now you’ve got them both down. So combine them and nail the timing because things going to move quick.

Spider-Man 2 (2023) is off the list. As a sequel to two amazing games, Spider-Man 1 and Miles Morales (#24), it didn’t bring enough to the table to make it stand out. Good game that rested too much on it laurels.

This show came along as a recommendation from a friend and the trailer was compelling enough to give it a try. Glad I did and then fell head over heels for it. My wife and I watched all eight episodes in three nights. It is a good combo of humor, action, and just enough drama to keep the story moving along.

Watching this unlocked some long dusty part of my brain that really liked the American Ninja 1 and AM 2 back in the late 80’s. This show is way and I mean way better. They are only linked through ninjas of course, but I’d forgotten all about it.