Spring is here, which means it’s time for the annual tradition of pretending you’re going to clean. But let’s be real—you’re not decluttering your closet, you’re staring at your gaming backlog, wondering how Baldur’s Gate 3 is still sitting there untouched while you somehow found time to replay Elden Ring… twice. If your goal is spring cleaning your gaming backlog, now’s the perfect time to start.
With another wave of releases on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to clear some space. Maybe you’re one boss fight away from finishing Hi-Fi Rush but got distracted. Maybe you grabbed Lies of P on sale, fully intending to start it “soon.” Or maybe you just want a chill game like Fae Farm to ease into the season.
This isn’t about 100% completion—let’s be realistic. But if you want to cross a few games off your list before summer, here are some of the best recent game releases to focus on.
The Quick Wins – Finish Those Half-Completed Games
Some games sit in your backlog because they’re massive. Others? You were just one or two sessions away from finishing them before getting distracted by a new release, a sale, or a very strong urge to reorganize your Switch home screen. If you want some quick backlog victories, here are three games you can cross off your list in no time.
- Pizza Tower – If you ever wondered what would happen if Wario Land drank five energy drinks and sprinted through a fever dream, here’s your answer. Pizza Tower is fast, chaotic, and impossible to put down once you start. With its short levels and momentum-based platforming, you’ll be able to clear the whole game in a handful of hours—if you can keep up.
- A Little to the Left – If the idea of tidying up virtual shelves and drawers is more appealing than tackling your real-life mess, this puzzle game is for you. It’s all about arranging objects in oddly satisfying ways while a cat actively tries to ruin your hard work. It’s cozy, it’s relaxing, and best of all, it won’t take long to finish—unless you get too caught up in making sure everything is perfectly aligned.
- Another Crab’s Treasure – A Souls-like where you play as a crab hoarding trash for armor. That alone should be enough to sell you on it. Unlike its more punishing inspirations, Another Crab’s Treasure keeps things approachable, making it a great pick for anyone looking to dip their claws into the genre. If you focus on the main path, you can clear it in about 10 hours—just don’t get too distracted collecting bottle caps and discarded pop cans.
The Forgotten Gems – Games You Bought but Never Started
You had every intention of playing these. Maybe you pre-ordered them, grabbed them on sale, or added them to your library while telling yourself, I’ll start this right after I finish my current game. That was months ago. Now they’re just sitting there, waiting for their moment. Well, spring is as good a time as any to finally dust them off.
- Lies of P – You thought, I’ll grab this when I’m in the mood for a Souls-like, and then somehow never found that mood. But if you’ve been meaning to see what happens when Bloodborne and Pinocchio have a dark, twisted child, now’s the time. The combat is tight, the bosses are brutal, and yes, you get to wield a puppet arm that shoots electricity. No more excuses—Geppetto’s waiting.
- Octopath Traveler II – You love RPGs. You told yourself you’d absolutely get to this one. But then Baldur’s Gate 3 happened, and Final Fantasy XVI showed up, and suddenly, Octopath Traveler II got pushed further and further down the list. If you’ve been sitting on this gem, it’s time to finally experience its stunning 2D-HD visuals, deep combat, and eight interwoven stories. It’s long, sure, but you can always play one story at a time.
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – Maybe you’ve played a Yakuza game before. Maybe you haven’t. Either way, this one’s been calling your name, and you just haven’t answered. Between turn-based street fights, business management, and somehow ending up in Hawaii, this RPG is packed with absurd fun. And if you need more motivation, Ichiban deserves better than being left on your backlog.
These games didn’t deserve to be abandoned, but hey, life happens. The good news? They’re still waiting for you—so why not finally hit Start?
Cozy Clean-Up – Low-Stress Games to Declutter Your Mind
Not every backlog game has to be a stressful boss fight or a 100-hour RPG commitment. Sometimes, you just want something low-key—games that let you relax while still making progress. If you’re looking for a chill way to tidy up your backlog, here are three games perfect for unwinding.
- Unicorn Overlord – Don’t let the name fool you—this tactical RPG isn’t as intense as it sounds. It’s got deep strategy, sure, but with flexible difficulty settings and a world that lets you explore at your own pace, it’s a great pick if you want something engaging without feeling overwhelming. Plus, you get to command an army while managing a kingdom, which sounds way more productive than scrolling through your game library for the hundredth time.
- Fae Farm – If spring makes you want to run away to a cozy village and live off the land (without actual manual labour), Fae Farm has you covered. It’s got farming, crafting, and a touch of magic, making it a perfect pick for anyone looking to unwind. It won’t demand much from you—just plant some crops, befriend the townsfolk, and maybe do a little adventuring. Sounds like a nice break from deciding which big game to start next.
- Dave the Diver – You dive, you fish, you serve sushi—it’s that simple. Dave the Diver takes the relaxing loop of fishing games and mixes it with light restaurant management and exploration. It’s weirdly addicting, packed with charm, and never too demanding. One minute you’re catching rare fish, the next you’re upgrading your restaurant, and before you know it, hours have flown by. But hey, at least your backlog is one game lighter.
If your backlog feels overwhelming, start here. These games won’t rush you, stress you out, or make you feel guilty for putting them down.
The Big Projects – Finally Tackle the Long Games
You’ve been dodging these games for months—maybe even a year. Not because they’re bad, but because they’re massive. These are the games that demand full commitment, multiple weekends, and probably a spreadsheet for side quests. But if you’re ready to dive in, here are three big games worth the time.
- Baldur’s Gate 3 – Let’s be honest: you either played this right away, or you bought it and got overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choices. If it’s the latter, now’s the time. With deep storytelling, tactical combat, and enough branching paths to make your head spin, Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t just a game—it’s an experience. Just don’t spend too long in character creation, or you’ll never actually start.
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – You’ve been telling yourself, I’ll start this when I have more time, but time isn’t going to magically appear. This RPG expands Midgar’s world with a huge map, deeper combat, and enough side content to make you forget the main quest exists. It’s the perfect game to lose yourself in, combining nostalgia and fresh takes on a classic. Just be ready to put everything else on hold once you dive in.
- Dragon’s Dogma 2 – If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to dive in, here it is. Dragon’s Dogma 2 throws you into a dynamic open world, where everything—from NPCs to monsters—feels alive. One minute, you’re on a quick quest, the next you’re fighting a griffin on a mountain. If you want a game that constantly surprises you, this is it.
These games will take a while to finish, but the payoff is worth it. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start one, consider this it.
A Spring Clean for Your Gaming Backlog
Spring cleaning your gaming backlog can feel a bit like finally organizing your closet—you know you’re going to uncover some things you totally forgot you had, and maybe a few things you don’t remember buying at all. But at the end of the day, it’s about making space for the games that you’re most excited to play.
For me, it’s always about finding that balance. I can’t count the number of times I’ve told myself, I’ll get to that big RPG later, only to spend way too many hours perfecting my Animal Crossing New Horizons instead. But lately, I’ve started making progress—finally finishing Dave the Diver after putting it down for a little while (not that I was distracted by anything, of course). And Dragon’s Dogma 2? It’s been sitting on my hard drive, waiting for that perfect time, but I can already tell it’s going to be my next big thing once I tackle a few shorter games.
The truth is, the backlog will never be fully empty. There will always be something new to play (Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition and Assassin’s Creed Shadows, I’m looking at you), but the key is clearing enough space to enjoy what you have—without feeling guilty about what you haven’t finished.
So, what’s next for me? I think I’ll finally dive back into Baldur’s Gate 3—and maybe after I finish Dave the Diver and Lies of P…
But hey, no rush. Spring is all about fresh starts, so why not make this the season you take on your backlog, one cozy game at a time? What games are you tackling in your backlog this spring? Drop your picks and share your own spring-cleaning gaming goals in the comments below!
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