§ games · dad mode · 6 tiers
games
each cell is a tier — active podium up top (1·2·3), roster below · cell size = how many games · click a cell to dive in
01 local co op
★ PRIMARY MISSIONThe most enjoyable thing on the rig. Everything else is filler between these sessions.
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Split Fiction ACTIVE Hazelight, 2025Currently active campaign with the family. Wife enjoys it in light sessions too. Finish this first; It Takes Two queued for next.
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HoMM 3 + HotA modlistTurn-based, dragons, fairytale palette. Hot-seat with the 8yo, no question. Pause-friendly between turns means kid-friendly thinking time.
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Portal 2The best brain-game on Steam for couch co-op. Physics + portals = visual spectacle that transcends English. Start with the 8yo when she's ready.
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WingspanBirds, calm, educational engine-builder. Lap-friendly with the 8yo. Real strategy dressed up as a relaxing game.
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TMNT: Shredder's Revenge -
Overcooked! 2
02 vr kids operate
◆ ADVANCED KIDSSingle headset, take turns. 8yo and 6yo handle Alyx, Shapelab, SUPERHOT well — spectator watches the mirror on the 100". No horror, no psychological-disturbing content.
03 dad plays kids watch aspire
Solo gameplay with deep visual / systemic appeal — kids drift in, watch, ask questions
04 calm shared moments
Low-intensity, all-ages — Sunday morning with cocoa. Wife-favorite genre.
05 after bedtime solo
Kids excluded — your brain workout, your rules
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SimCity 4 DeluxeActive T5 spine. DgVoodoo at 1920x1080 (TV rejects 1440p over HDMI; 4K bloats fixed-size UI). NAM required. Retry girafe european-trees when Simtropolis is up.
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Witcher 3 heavily moddedSolo only — kids permanently rejected from this one.
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FactorioThe classic. Your meditation. Engineering brain, infinite depth.
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Before We LeaveHex-grid city-builder, peaceful. Dual-placed: kids can watch (T3), solo sessions (T5).
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Crusader Kings III -
Baldur's Gate 3
06 mobile companion
Commute / couch / waiting-room games — different rig, different rules.
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MindustryMindustry
FOSS Factorio-meets-tower-defense, infinite replay.
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Slay the SpireSlay the Spire
Best mobile roguelike deckbuilder.
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The Battle of PolytopiaThe Battle of Polytopia
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Bad NorthBad North
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WorldBoxWorldBox
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