Summer Game Challenge 2026

There’s a bit of an event going on in the TWG Online Discord server where everyone agreed to set a goal, to finish at least four out of ten selected games. This usually runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day—May 25 to September 7 in 2026. However, I am Mexican, so I went with Labour Day to Independence Day, which is May 1st to September 16 here. A pretty similar time frame with a few extra days that I don’t mind getting as a bonus.

The games I chose should be pretty manageable within that time frame. I selected some titles where I already have progress in the mix, since that’s not against the rules. In any case, I split them up and listed them here in no particular order.

Resumed plays

• Grapple Dog - I’ve managed to complete two of the worlds in the game and I am halfway through the third one, in about 6 hours of playtime. I would like to beat this game! The grappling mechanic is pretty fun but it can also feel a bit samey. I am enjoying the challenge of collecting all the things though.

• Terranigma - This is a restart of a game I had 13 hours of playtime on. I am a couple hours in and about to progress to the next chapter of the story, which will significantly change what the game’s about thus far. I think this has been long overdue for a completion from me, so I would love to finally reach credits on it.

• Hades - With 30 hours of playtime, I really want to get this game’s credits rolling. It has been a joy to play so far! A true masterpiece with a lot going on for its story and gameplay. I just need to do a few more runs to get the ending. I will keep playing it every once in a while after that though, but for this challenge? credits are enough.

• Outer Wilds - This one is a real gem, after 14 hours of almost continuous play, I can’t recall what got me to suddenly stop. I really need to continue the story told here, it is mindblowing and super cool, and I’m sure I’ll get a lot of fun out of it once I return. So many clues and things to figure out, some day soon.

• Silksong - I reached credits on Silksong after 67 hours or so, but I really wnat to experience everything Pharloom has to offer. I want to do the 3rd Act of the game and see the new bosses and the rest of the story for myself. I want to challenge my skills and get good, suffering through whatever this game throws at me, because I know I have what it takes, or that’s what I want to believe!

First time plays

• Resident Evil 3: Nemesis - After completing the first two games of the series, it only makes sense to complete the original trilogy! I did play a bit of this game years ago on my PSP, but I never got far, and I want to see I can do with all I’ve learned from the previous titles. I’m always happy to see more ofs Jill Valentine, who hasn’t been around much on later games in the series.

• Metroid Prime Remastered - Since I purchased Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, it is only fair of me to try and complete the one that started Samus’ journey into the 3D world in first person view! I have heard the game holds up magnificently and performs really well on the Switch, so I am really looking forward to this one, always happy to play more Metroid.

• Chants of Sennaar - This one seems like a super interesting puzzle kind of game, similar perhaps to Outer Wilds, without the physics and such, though. I have heard great things so if you have played it feel free to hype me up with a comment or email about it. I heard it’s not too long so that’s another reason why I chose it.

• Emio and the Smiling Man - This one was a bit of an impulse purchase last year. I knew nothing about it other than the praise it got on Into The Aether when Brendon talked about it. It’s parrt of the Famicom Detective Club game series, so I expect some great mystery and looking around rooms and the like. Apparently it has some great thriller/horror elements too? Will check it out for sure.

• Pipstrello and the Cursed YoYo - I got this because of Wouter last year and it looks incredible. It’s a bit of a Metroidvania but with gameplay akin to 2D Zelda games. I’ve heard good things so I definitely want to give it a try.

Bonus games

Although I only have to beat four of these to consider the challenge complete, and my list of ten is already pretty good, there’s some titles that may have a chance to be completed along these. Here are some of them.

• Gris - I know that Amin has greatly enjoyed this game, and since I already have it on my Switch, and it’s actually rather short, I really think I should give it a go and maybe finish it before some of the main titles here!

• Super Mario 3D World - This is a title I’m playing with friends during some Sundays, therefore I can’t promise I’ll complete it, because my friends would have to be in the mood and choose this over some other videogames, card games or whatever other activity there is.

• Metroid Fusion - I am pretty confident I can beat this very quickly, but it is not a first time playthrough and I’ve already beaten it multiple times so it does not really count.

• The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy - I don’t think I would be able to finish this game so quickly, but I would definitely get a couple of the endings. I haven’t given this one a go in a long while, I really need to return to it.

• CrossCode - I am loving this game so much! but I am playing it along with some friends and I don’t want to get ahead of them. It’s a fantastic story in a great world and lovely characters, I think I would finish it if I were by myself, but I won’t betray my friends!

If you want to join me on this challenge, feel free to let me know! I would love to see your progress updates as well, you’ll see mine on my weeknotes, though I’ve been thinking about making a separate post just for my games, who knows.

This is day 71 of #100DaysToOffload