In my earliest memories, gaming was just simple box-pushing.
It wasn’t until college that I discovered what “good” games really were. I moved from retro titles to modern indie masterpieces. Some first impressions left a permanent mark on me: Recursed, Hexcells, The Beginner's Guide, Fez, Portal, Braid, and 逆转裁判. These weren’t just games; they were unique puzzles that sparked those “AHA!” moments.
There was a time when I felt lost. During that period, narrative-driven games like Night in the Woods and The House in Fata Morgana became my emotional anchor. They taught me that games could actually heal and encourage people in real life. A seed was planted in my mind back then: I wanted to create games that had an impact.
After graduation, I seriously aimed to become a game developer. I devoured books on game design and spent my salary on countless titles. Though I didn’t end up in the game industry—and I have less time to play now—that passion shaped who I am.
Later, I entered my “Sandbox Phase” with my ex. We played Factorio, which, strikingly, is almost identical to software engineering (refactoring, optimization, scaling). We spent hours discussing designs and planning how to build a rocket. Looking back, it was a genuinely good journey.
We also dove into hardcore board games like Through the Ages, Twilight Struggle, and Brass. TTA is a masterpiece of balance. I still remember the feeling of my mind expanding when I finally beat the medium AI. It was pure calculation and strategy.
Recently, life got busier. My gaming habits shifted to quick-focus games like Tetris, HyperRogue, and Everyday Shooter—short bursts of addictive flow.
And now? I’m finally tackling Paradox games. I used to give up on them (maybe three times!) because the UI felt impenetrable. But recently, a friend guided me through the basics, and I’m starting to see the beauty in their complexity.
There are so many good games out there. Compared to my day job, games offer something essential: jobs have limits, but games have no borders. It’s the perfect way to drop your “seniority,” enter a strange new world, and learn from scratch as a newbie.
Whether it brings inspiration or just passes the time, gaming is my way of exploring the infinite.