Our gaming favorites: stories, fails, and small victories
If we say "video game", what do you imagine? Flashing screens, flying controllers, "BUT BEHIND YOU!" shouted at 3 a.m.? Us too. But not only that.
Behind our controllers, there are echoing laughs, fears that cling to us, traditions that are created, and even (yes, really) tears that we only half-heartedly acknowledge. Between Harmony raging on Fortnite, Eric refusing to leave the 90s behind, Delphine becoming attached to characters like family, and Catherine managing her virtual farm like an army, our screens tell a story of much more than just scores.
Welcome to our gaming favorites, the ones that made us feel alive, cry, and sometimes even scream in embarrassment. Spoiler alert: we won't be talking about FPS or stats. Just stories, emotions, and those little things that make a game a lasting memory.
Harmony ~ Professionally indecisive and part-time rage-quitter
Specialty: Raw emotions and a strong character
Just one game? IMPOSSIBLE. So I picked three: MADiSON , Stray , and Fortnite (yes, really...). Each one gives me a radically different experience.
Madison ? A chilling, oppressive, almost unhealthy atmosphere. I spent nights wondering if I'd dare continue… but I couldn't put the controller down. This game is like a nightmare you don't want to wake up from, even if you're terrified. A word of advice: don't play after 10 PM. (I didn't sleep.)
In contrast, Stray resonated with me for entirely different reasons. Playing as a cat in an abandoned futuristic city is poetic, calming, and incredibly immersive. The soft lighting, the details of the sets, the music… I explored everything, jumped around everywhere, and of course, I tested the limits: YES, you can knock things over. YES, you can rip up the sofas. (And no, I don't regret a thing.)
And then there's Fortnite … You're going to laugh, but it's become our sacred lunchtime ritual with a colleague. We play, we get humiliated, we yell things like, "He only has 1 HP!!" when he doesn't at all. We even have an audience of colleagues watching us. In the gaming community, we call it the chat. Between the monumental fails and the ridiculously improbable victories, it's our favorite lunch break. Next step: a Twitch stream. Because if I'm going to have to endure my own failures (and my raw talent), I might as well let the world enjoy it too.
Eric ~ Stuck in 1994 (and perfectly fine that way)
Specialty: Reflexes exclusively for arcade games and an unconditional love of pixels
Xeno Crisis is exactly the kind of game that reminds me why I grew up with a controller in my hands. No fluff, no endless cutscenes: you turn it on, you play, you die. The controls? Instant. The atmosphere? Pure 16-bit, reeking of dusty cartridges and sleepless nights.
Every level is the same crazy thing: you run, you shoot, you die, you start again. You're a tiger. Just you, your joystick, and that satisfaction when you finally beat that boss after 20 tries. It's fast-paced, it's brutal, it's like '94… except now I can save my game. (Thanks, progress.)
What really makes it stand out is the sincerity of the gameplay. No empty open world, no microtransactions: a challenge, a score, a "GAME OVER" that taunts you. The soundtrack? A chiptune that'll glue you to your ears. The graphics? Pixels that flicker like a good old CRT. In short, pure video gamery. Xeno Crisis is the perfect antidote to overly polished modern games. A game that reminds you that sometimes, the fun is simply surviving one more minute. And that makes you want to dust off your old Mega Drive.
Delphine ~ Silent but lethal when it comes to jokes
Specialty: Protective and with a subtle sense of humor, always there when needed
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is the kind of game that makes you forget you have a social life. From the first notes of the soundtrack, I knew I'd be hooked: a 90s vibe without the kitsch, like unearthing a forgotten gem from an attic, with the dust and magic still intact.
The characters? Buckle up. They're so well-written that I almost texted one of them to ask what they did over the weekend. Their stories intertwine, their choices haunt you, and you're there, stressing out for these characters as if they were your family. It's magnificent.
And then there's this blend of mystery and emotion that grabs you by the gut without warning. The game progresses at its own pace, slow and contemplative, then BAM, a twist that leaves you reeling on your couch. In short, Lost Records is the game that makes you laugh, cry, and talk to yourself… before realizing you've just spent six hours straight in front of your screen. And that you'll do it all again tomorrow. (Sorry, my social life.)
Catherine ~ Strong character, tender heart
Specialty: Unexpected candor
I bought Sugardew Island as a gift. Total failure. Result: I found myself glued to my screen, managing my farm like a pro, talking to my vegetables, and organizing my shop with military precision.
This game strikes the perfect balance: active enough to keep you from getting bored, calm enough to unwind. The graphics? Soft and dreamy. The music? A balm for the ears. The little forest spirits? A bit creepy, but you grow attached to them.
What do I love about it? The relaxed pace, perfect for someone like me who likes everything in its place, but without the pressure. We garden, we sell, we decorate… and poof, the stress melts away. It's restful, it's charming, and above all, it doesn't treat you like an idiot with complicated mechanics. In short, if you're looking for me, I'm on my island. Unless customer service needs me. (Priorities, what can you do?)
So, that was a little tour of our gaming worlds, filled with thrills, laughter, and slightly embarrassing moments to share. Every game, every session tells a story about us. So grab your controller, dive in, and create your own memories…
