Finished Grand Theft Auto V (PC)
Same old same old.
It tries to be more selfaware but it's still too nihilistic for the story to work.
It has some darkly funny moments but it's just the usual "everything sucks" so even the lighter tone doesn't help.
Also the gameplay is not fun, GTA games are supposed to be the ultimate "screwing around in an open world" games but the walking controls are always crap, the side activities are either boring or make essentially no money (or are endless money sinks, buyinf properties is useless) and while the car controls are better than IV they are still annoying.
I never even tried with the collectables.
Also helicopters suck and have no reason to suck this much when in Saints Row they are actually fun to use. To add insult to injury missions often demand you land them in a specific place and getting those stupid things to land in the right spot is just frustrating at times.
At least missions have more checkpoints and the game production values are in full show.
PS: speaking of "everything sucks" that "satire" of unions and strikes is downright horrifying knowing working conditions at Rockstar games.
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere (PSX, emulated)
It branches like Wing Commander IV, has cartoon cutscenes and I curse Bamco for the stupid decision to gut the western release but that's what fantranslations are for.
I did a first run, probably the story has been done to death in all the cyberpunk animes ever but it's actually interesting if simple.
It's also way easier than AC7 playing on normal, I did my first run in an evening but that's probably because of the branching paths and the game is balanced to be completable with a digital gamepad (I played with my HOTAS).
Shadow of The Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PC)
After GTA I wanted a third person game with decent controls.
I'm mostly doing collectables and sidequests, going around collecting stuff in the pretty scenery is quite addicting. It does help that most collectables are basically lore bits and unique objects with some interesting story bits or trivia attached to them, the rest give you rare resources and XP that aren't anything to scoff at.
Also, optional crypts and tombs that unlock new equipment and abilities that can't be unlocked any other way, even the crypts have a few puzzles every now and then, I think only one was just a hidden room like in the previous game.