I’m still enjoying Mass Effect Andromeda. The combat is a bit too action-oriented - I miss the tactics and strategy of other RPGs. But it’s not so bad that it detracts from the game’s enjoyment.
I’ve also (re)started Baldur’s Gate 1 (enhanced edition). I’m not far in yet but I can already tell it’s going to be hard picking only 5 companions. They’re all so interesting.
Opinions will differ, but generally people really like the first and/or third. The second was rushed, and it shows, mostly by a ton of reused assets and locations.
The first is more loved by hardcore or oldschool RPG fans. The third is more action oriented, generally a lot more colourful, and very much larger. Its combat is generally liked more than the first (except, again, by CRPG fans).
The world is dark - especially in the first game. There is slavery, racism, demons, and a few even darker topics. There are optional sex scenes, but they’re rather clean. One of the demon models is rather skimpy. But in the third game you can pick your time in the game while kids are watching to be mostly fun with bright colours and some fantasy fighting. That might be harder in the first.
There are similarities with Mass Effect, but they do play very differently. The dialog system is very similar in 2 and 3, as are the companion interactions in all three.
I recently finished Mass Effect Legendary, a very nice experience. I’m now starting Andromeda and so far I’m enjoying it a lot. The game is gorgeous! Its flaws may start showing later, but for now it’s great - and it’s not like the other ME games don’t have flaws.
There’s an old but IMO still very relevant white paper by Microsoft titled “So Long, And No Thanks for the Externalities: The Rational Rejection of Security Advice by Users”. It argues that security measures often cost more in employee time (and hence wages) than the potential benefit. It’s an interesting read and I think about it whenever our chief of security cooked up with another asinine security measure.
You got a lot of great recommendations already, but I want to add one more indie game: Lost Words Beyond the Page. Gameplay is simple and it’s not very long, but the writing is excellent.
You should be aware that “maintaining” that PC may be more than you expect. Just this weekend I had to help my aunt because the bank’s website had a “big thing in front of it” that she couldn’t get rid of. It turned out to be a cookie banner that was just a bit too big for her laptop screen, and the buttons to close it were out of the frame.
That’s just an example of course, but depending on the person(s) using it, there may need to be someone at hand to help at all times.
Exactly. LHC also didn’t find that breathing air is good for you. I’m still not going to stop.