I've racked up many hours on ShellShock Live [External Link] since picking it up on sale last week. It has got a real Las Vegas slot machine vibe with all the bonuses, power-up items, tons of fun weapons, quick victories (or losses), and big mostly-friendly multiplayer community. Just one more level-up....

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Still enjoying weekly tabletop games with friends on Tabletop Simulator [External Link]. I actually enjoy it more than in-person because it's easier to see the board and game pieces. For solo gameplay, !Black Mesa [External Link] keeps me coming back. I also just picked up Area 86 [External Link], which is a challenging escape room puzzler with fun mechanics and a cute robot, although some of the "challenge tasks" seem a little too random. And picked up !ShellShock Live [External Link] to rekindle my Scorched Earth nostalgia from the 80s. I've only played a few solo missions so far, but I'm going back to it right after I finish writing this reply. :-)

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Since the pandemic, a group of coworkers and I have started a weekly game night on Tabletop Simulator [External Link]. It's a blast! Pretty much any tabletop game you can think of is available in the Steam Workshop. We've been playing Secret Hitler, Betrayal at House on the Hill, and Forbidden Island. Licensing is a gray area, but I've bought the physical games that we've enjoyed and most publishers seem to look the other way. TTS is easily my top social game of the summer.

Also playing Tower of Time [External Link], which I picked up on sale a couple of weeks ago. Hidden gem! Beautiful visuals, tactical RPG battles with an interesting "slow time" mechanic, and quite long. I've logged 12 hours and I'm still only on the second level of the tower. I'm also not very good. ;-)

Probably will go back to Fort Triumph [External Link] as well. Great turn-based strategy game in the same vein as XCOM, but there was a breaking bug in Act III on Linux. Hoping the latest patch fixes it.

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Still really liking Fort Triumph [External Link], which has rekindled my love of turn-based tactical strategy that I've been missing since XCOM 2. I just get into a groove and the hours fly by.

Also planning to return to Black Mesa [External Link] this weekend. Such a great game. My reflexes aren't what they used to be, but I love the puzzle elements and the atmosphere.

Finally, been playing a lot of Jackbox Games [External Link] with family and coworkers on lockdown. Lots of casual group fun. Each game takes less than 20 minutes and people can play along on pretty much any device with a browser. Hosting games via screenshare on Zoom works perfectly under Linux.

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This is my go-to distro when I want the flexibility and freshness of Arch, but don't want to spend a day dictating every little part of the install. Kids' PC is a perfect fit.

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Thanks for the pointer to Fort Triumph. Picked it up yesterday and I'm LOVING it. First battle is actually quite difficult, but then there are a few easier match-ups as you walk around the world looking for loot. The blend of town-building with turn-based combat is fun.

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Picked up Black Mesa. I missed the Half-Life train so I'm enjoying the storyline for the first time. Intense! Reminds me of System Shock 2, which is one of my all-time favorites.

Also playing through The Pedestrian. Love the puzzles and graphical style!

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SteamWorld Heist remains one of my favorite games of the last few years. Will definitely be giving this one a try.

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I'm going through a card game phase at the moment. So for me it's Slay the Spire, Faeria, and maybe some Artifact.

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Trying to finish XCOM:WoTC even though I'm feeling a little burnt out on XCOM. Maybe start SteamWorld Dig 2. I looooved SteamWorld Heist.

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