What I’m Playing Right Now and Why It Works for a Busy Dad! Romancing SaGa 2, Company of Heroes 3, Donkey Kong Bananza.
One of the biggest challenges of being a parent who still loves games is finding ones that fit. Not every title works when you’ve got a toddler hanging off your leg, or when you’re only free after 9pm and half asleep. So I thought I’d start sharing what I’m playing, and more importantly why it works in a full-time working dad life.
Romancing SaGa 2 (Switch 2)
I stumbled across this one by accident. I’ve always been into JRPGs, especially the classic turn-based kind, but somehow this one from Square Enix totally flew under my radar. Turns out, Romancing SaGa 2 is a hidden gem. Old-school in feel, but with some really clever mechanics.
What I love is how it handles legacy. When your main character dies or retires, the next heir to the throne inherits their skills. It adds a long-term strategy layer, especially because the game jumps forward by decades, sometimes 90+ years between story arcs. You get that satisfying sense of progression, but in a very different way than your typical level-up grind.
Best part? It’s incredibly friendly to drop-in/drop-out play. The dungeon design means you can explore in short bursts, which is perfect for when your game time happens in 30-minute windows. It’s also surprisingly deep, which gives it great staying power.
Company of Heroes 3 (PC)
I know, I know this one gets a lot of hate. Most of the reviews weren’t kind, and it definitely launched in a rough state. But for me, Company of Heroes 3 works because I only play one way: British forces, co-op vs AI.
When you set it up as 4v4 against AI, and just lean into the skirmish mode with battlegroup play, it becomes this really satisfying, low-pressure WWII RTS experience. I don’t have the time (or frankly, the interest) to grind ranked multiplayer, but building up defenses, flanking with tanks, and unlocking artillery strikes still feels great.
There’s something deeply satisfying about WWII strategy games, and this scratches the itch just enough without demanding hours of theory-crafting. It’s the gaming equivalent of comfort food.
Donkey Kong Bananza (Switch 2)
Sometimes, you just need to smash things. Donkey Kong Bananza is an absolute blast fast, bright, and ridiculously cathartic. There’s no deep strategy here, just good old-fashioned platforming fun and chaos.
I love that it’s the kind of game you can dip into for 10–15 minutes, get your dopamine hit, and move on. It doesn’t ask much of you, and in return, gives you pure fun. It’s also one of the few games I’ll occasionally let my little one watch because the visuals are joyful and the vibe is harmless.
Final Thoughts
The big thing I’ve learned is that how a game fits into your life matters more than what’s trending or critically acclaimed. As a dad, I don’t need perfect games, I need the right ones. Stuff that fits around the chaos, lets me unwind, and still makes me feel like I’ve had fun.
Would love to hear what other dads are playing that fits the 9pm–10pm gaming window — or even the odd Sunday nap break.
– Still playing,
Left4Dad