I’m ashamed at how much my gaming backlog has ballooned in recent memory.
Even after proudly completing 17 games in 2025, I still watched the New Year’s Ball drop while thinking to myself, “I still gotta get back on those four other games I bought this year…” Fast forward to the midpoint of 2026 and I still haven’t paid the proper attention to those aforementioned games that they so rightfully deserve. The feeling of guilt that overwhelms me during my off days is embarrassing—instead of spending a few hours with those unbeaten games, I find myself going back to my “comfort food” games just to get a quick hit of online multiplayer fun (Tekken 8's ranked mode remains one of my gaming addictions).
I want to make sure I enjoy the rest of the summer inside and outside. And I figured the best way to stay busy indoors while my AC keeps me cool and comfortable is by clearing out my gaming backlog. ChatGPT popped into my head when I wanted to find the best way to tackle that task and it worked out much better than expected.
Mapping out a plan of attack for my gaming backlog is going to be a fun summer activity, thanks to the suggestions of my go-to chatbot.
Letting AI prioritize my gaming backlog playthroughs
If you’re wondering what older and newer games have piled up on my backlog, check out the following list:
- Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Dying Light: The Beast
- Grandia HD Collection
- 007 First Light
- Saros
- God of War Sons of Sparta
- Mouse: P.I. For Hire
- Absolum
- Luna Abyss
Considering the three RPGs I have in that lineup, I knew I had to find an optimal way to hop back into those games and give them the time & attention they deserve.
With ChatGPT in my corner, I gave it this prompt to rank those 10 games and inform me of which ones take the most priority in terms of finally beating them: “If I could only finish 10 more games over this year, which ones from my backlog would I regret missing the most? Rank them and explain why they're essential experiences.”
Big shocker here, but the chatbot instantly picked Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as the main game from my backlog I need to complete before the fall 2026 gaming rush demands my attention. ChatGPT made its reasoning for why it’s the #1 pick and why I’ll regret missing out on it if I don’t finish it:
- Why it's #1: This is the game I'd be least willing to skip. It has already earned a reputation as one of the standout RPGs of the decade thanks to its emotional storytelling, inventive turn-based combat, gorgeous art direction, and unforgettable soundtrack.
- Why you’ll regret missing it: It’s one of those rare RPGs everyone references, it has a story that's best experienced without spoilers and it could easily become a modern classic alongside games like NieR: Automata & Persona 5.
Alongside taking the month of July to beat that acclaimed RPG, ChatGPT also gave me plenty of reasons to dive back into the other top-quality games from my backlog across that month and August.
Those summer playlist games (in order of the importance the chatbot laid out for me) are Metaphor: ReFantazio, Saros, 007 First Light, Dying Light: The Beast, Grandia HD Collection, Absolum, Mouse P.I. For Hire, God of War Sons of Sparta and Luna Abyss. I’m in for the long haul with Metaphor, that’s for sure!
As for the other two prompts, they work just as well in aiding me in chipping away at my backlog and giving me equally helpful suggestions from ChatGPT:
- The "Mood-Based Recommendation" Prompt: Recommend a game from my backlog based on my current mood. I'll describe how I'm feeling, my energy level, how much time I have, and whether I want something relaxing, exciting, emotional, or challenging.
- The "Weekend Planner" Prompt: I have this weekend to play games. Here's my backlog. Create the most satisfying gaming weekend possible by balancing story progression, gameplay variety, and avoiding burnout.
The takeaway
ChatGPT has quickly morphed into one of my most beneficial tools when I’m in need of recommendations and suggestions regarding my favorite hobbies.
Using it to build an ideal route to my mission of completing my gaming backlog for the summer is already setting me up for maximum enjoyment. And with those two other prompts, I also get useful advice for choosing what games to play from that list based on my mood and my weekend free time.
Now I’ll have nothing on my gaming docket once September rolls around (I want to play Marvel’s Wolverine, Control Resonant and Onimusha: Way of the Sword as soon as they drop that month!).
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