Console Catch-Up - June 2025 Monthly Recap

With the end of June, it means summer is kicking in where I am from, and with the temperatures the way they are - oh boy! It's going to be a hot one! I'm not sure how much playtime I'll get over the summer period, with a packed itinerary planned, but I'll definitely try. I am nearing the end of Dave the Diver, at least. Sadly, I didn't get a chance to complete it, but I might be one or two chapters away from the credits. It didn't help that the game introduced me to Balatro. That game is bloody addictive!

Name: Balatro

Date Completed: 30/06/2025, But Still Ongoing - Rogue-lite

I had received this game as part of the free PSN monthly games. Initially, I didn't think I was going to bother playing it, because I am not into card games.

That is... until I came across the mini-game in Dave the Diver to promote the title. Because it was a short minigame with only a few rounds, I decided to give it a go.

Next thing I know, I have between all the rounds, completed the side quest, and I'm downloading the official game. The rules of the game were so simple that it was a cinch to pick up - especially since I had already been introduced on Dave the Diver. Obviously, the game is a lot longer and a little harder - mainly because you have a lot more Joker combinations than in a short minigame. But the fun was the same. Every time I failed to complete a run, I was more invested in trying again. Eventually, I found a winning combination that got me across the finish line! And now, I can do it all over again to unlock other cards and difficulties.

It also helps that the game doesn't take up a lot of time. I can play a couple of rounds, which only last a few minutes, save, and then return to it later.

BONUS ENTRY:

Name: United Assault - Normandy '44

Platform: Steam

Status: Released but Abandoned

I mostly include this game as a warning to all.

When the game came out in Alpha, I was quite intrigued with the concept, and I had seen it grow. The idea behind it wasn't anything grand, but as a sandbox WW2 shooter, it was something that I could happily play a few rounds in between games.

At the time, when I tried it, the AI was somewhat challenging, and the map was interesting, though the gameplay could get a little repetitive. Well, I had left it for some time and returned to it when it was no longer in Alpha. The developer had even moved on to other projects and DLCs for this title. So, I figured that in my absence, the game must have been improved upon. A lot. Boy, was I surprised to discover that was not the case. Where before the AI made things challenging, the enemy soldiers now just stood there and did not react at all. I could actually circumvent everyone or run up to them and stab them without them fighting back. There were still plenty of missing textures all across the map. It was shocking how broken the game was, and it was out on consoles as well? Unless you count the DLCs that were made for the game, there have been no additional fixes implemented for the game for over a year, and the last time I tried the game, it was just not fun anymore. Sadly, I will not be reinstalling the game, and I do not trust any other game from the developer.

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And that is it for June. I will hopefully be finishing Dave the Diver soon - hopefully in less than a week. Afterwards, I need to find another game to play. There wasn't anything in the upcoming free PSN monthly games that caught my eye. Actually, slight correction, there was Jusant, but I had already beaten it on PC. Ideally, I will be looking for a short, fun, quick game. And hopefully, I won't get too caught up in Balatro.