Tyler’s Save File: January 2026
Informal thoughts on what I’ve been up to this month.
This is a personal log built around my checkpoints: finishing a game, closing a book, rolling credits on a show, whatever I feel like. We’ll see how this goes! Special thanks to Margot for the inspiration.
The end of 2025 was an eye-opener for me. Sitting down to hammer out my top ten games of the year was a challenge. Not because of the tough decisions, or the close seconds, but because I felt largely empty and unmotivated. I was consuming just to consume (something that sadly mirrored my recent eating habits), and I wasn’t getting anything stimulating (nutritious?) out of it.
Luckily, nothing feels quite as good as the start of a new year, a fresh slate. It’s early, but 2026 has been a positive revitalization. I wish I could point to a specific mindset or willful change on my part, but honestly, I just stepped back, let go of last year, and told myself to take a step forward. And then another. I can’t promise it’s all sunshine and roses for me. I have a lot going on, but the start of the year was surprisingly uplifting, and I’m excited for what’s next.
Nine Sols
Losing a bet is rarely a great way to start a game. Like many, I’m wired to hate what I’m forced into. When WhatKilledJeff assigned me Nine Sols, I was determined to rip the band-aid off and churn through it. What I quickly realized was that he didn’t dish out punishment; he prescribed me medicine for my gaming slump.
While you won’t find me seeking out Metroidvanias, I don’t necessarily dislike them if they’re well-designed, have tight gameplay, or respect your time. Much to my delight, Nine Sols checked all these boxes. I was tasked with completing the “Shooting Star Ending,” and despite the final boss taking up nearly a fifth of my playtime, it was worth every second.
This game challenged me in the best ways, and I’m forever grateful for the recommendation.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
Trading one recommendation for another, I jumped again into a genre I don’t usually gravitate toward. Jon was really impressed with this fresh entry point in The Legend of Heroes series, and after finishing my playthrough, I’m right there with him. The combat, characters, and overall world-building kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Chapter 2 releases this fall, and I simply cannot wait to see where this story goes. (And I am trying really, really hard not to look up spoilers for the decade-old game.)
Sektori
A twin-stick shooter fits a little more comfortably with my recent taste in games. While I technically gave it a shot at the end of last year, the difficulty made me bounce fairly quickly. Yet, January Tyler is a new man (thanks again, Nine Sols), and boy, am I glad I gave this another shot. While it could maybe be a little more forthcoming in its tutorial, once I started to understand the mechanics, the ceiling kept rising.
What pulled me out of my comfort zone was the leaderboard battle I found myself in with friends. I’m currently getting whooped on, but it’s a good whooping. I’m seeing the board, and I feel like my new high score is waiting in the next run.
Roundup
Games
Big Hops — This was a cute game with better-than-expected physics. I bounced (heh) off of it after the second world, but worth a look if you enjoy swinging around collecting things.
DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined (Demo) — I’m a big fan of the style being brought into this game. Coming off of Trails, this intro felt very slow and will likely not be a day-one purchase for me, but I could totally see something like Chrono Trigger getting this treatment.
Highguard — They’ve just added a 5v5 mode. Not sure if that’ll get me back, but I didn’t hate the experience. Sometimes I don’t think the internet knows what it wants.
RV There Yet? — This is a whacky game. I don’t know if it’ll stick with me like some of the others, but when I feel like goofing off with friends, it’s a good one to come back to.
PlateUp! — Running your own restaurant is stressful, sometimes unfair, and genuinely one of the best times I’ve had playing co-op. It’s a staple in my rotation when I need to unwind and just cook.
Baldur’s Gate 3 — (Continued) Started last year, every Sunday I jump into this game with three other friends to berate, shove, and bully each other relentlessly. I couldn’t tell you most of the NPC names or the motivations behind the majority of the side quests, but it’s a rather fun time.
Persona 5 Royal — Giving this game another shot while I try to fill the void that Trails left. Not committing to anything here, just putting one foot in front of the other. Wait, this takes how long to beat?!
Books
It may not be common knowledge that I’m part of a spicy book club, but I feel like admitting it means we’re all a little closer now. Look, this is my save file, and we don’t judge around here.
Priest by Sierra Simone — This dude is a bad priest. But that’s probably a given. (3/5)
Initiation: Sex Wizards, Book 1 by Alethea Faust — Genuinely has an interesting magic system and is likely what I will base my next D&D character on. (4/5)
Shows
Prison School — I’m looping Anime into this category. I won’t bat an eye at Sex Wizards, but I might be blushing a bit at this one. I needed a palate cleanser after Code Geass. Actually, let’s call it a pace change. There was nothing cleansing about Prison School. (2/5)
Stranger Things (Season 5) — My wife and I rewatched the full series, and I think it got progressively less interesting to me. I’m glad I can say I saw them all, but this season really didn’t need to happen. (2/5)