Operation Backlog Completion 2026

Pocket Card Jockey: Ride-On! is Just as Addictive as the Original

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Aug 122026
 

Why did it take me so long to write about Pocket Card Jockey: Ride-On?

Actually, I know why. It’s because my Pocket Card Jockey playthrough isn’t “finished” yet.

I played it obsessively when it came out and considered writing this review (same post title and all), but I decided to wait until I had finished the game. Then I took a break from it and forgot.

But recently I ended up playing it again on a whim, and I found myself just as addicted as I was before.

Pocket Card Jockey is one of those weird genre mash-ups that sounds like a fake game when you describe it. It’s a horse-racing game from Game Freak in which you play solitaire to help your horse win each race.

Strange combination? Yes. Insanely addicting? Also yes.

I was hooked on the original when it came out for the 3DS, and when the Apple Arcade remake finally came to the Switch, I was thrilled. Pocket Card Jockey: Ride-On! is largely the same as the original, with some differences like 3D graphics for the races and some UI changes. (Some of the dialogue must also be new, since I saw, for example, an Elden Ring reference.)

The “story” barely exists and is mainly an excuse for you to race horses, but the nearly nonsensical dialogue in between races is entertaining to read nevertheless as you learn about the ridiculous lives of the horses’ owners.

You’ll try to strategically line up your horse to get a good round of cards, play solitaire, run races, and eventually breed your horses to get horses with better stats and repeat the process all over again in pursuit of those race trophies. It’s a simple gameplay loop, but it’s so easy to keep telling yourself you’ll just do one more race.

Pocket Card Jockey: Ride-On! has once again been put on the backburner in favor of other games for me, but I know when I pick it up again, I’ll be just as obsessed as I was this time.

Village in the Shade Will Be Out on October 27!

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Aug 102026
 

When Village in the Shade was announced for localization earlier this year, I wondered if its fall release window meant it would be out in time for Halloween.

And it will be!

NIS America announced that Village in the Shade will be out on October 27 for Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, and PC.

As you might recall, Village in the Shade is a farming sim from the developers of the Yomawari series. The village has specific rules you must follow… or you’ll see what makes it not only a farming sim, but also a horror game.

In short, it’s great for Halloween!

There is also a special mode that prevents you from breaking the rules, if you just want to enjoy the farming part without the horror, which is an interesting touch.

They even gave it its own trailer.

I’m not much of a farming game fan, but this is one I’m pretty interested in, for obvious reasons.

Now, October 27 is the same release date as the 9 RIP Sequel, which is a higher priority for me, so I doubt I’ll be playing Village in the Shade at launch. Nevertheless, I’m happy to see this game will be out in time for Halloween!

The Warrior Cats Series is Getting a Turn-Based RPG

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Aug 072026
 

Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest is a newly-announced turn-based RPG based on the Warriors series by Erin Hunter, and that’s a sequence of words I never thought I’d write.

I was obsessed with Warriors as a kid… and past being a kid. It was pretty much the only children’s series I continued reading as I got older (and I really only stopped because of a personal matter).

So seeing the announcement of a Warriors game was startling, especially when I saw it was a turn-based RPG, my favorite genre!

(Better yet, I mistakenly thought the headline said it was turn-based strategy when I first saw it, so when I kept reading and realized it was a regular turn-based RPG instead, it made it even more of a pleasant surprise.)

According to the description, you’ll customize a cat, choose your clan (each with its own story campaign), and influence the story through your choices. On top of that… it actually looks promising.

I’m really intrigued by this, for nostalgia’s sake if nothing else.

Now, the last time I felt this sort of nostalgia was when the Neopets mini-game collection was announced, and I very nearly bought it, only to learn the fan consensus is that you’d be better off just playing the originals on the site, so I’m a little cautious. Everything about this looks good, though. (Meanwhile, I never got around to playing the Redwall games on Steam, either…)

Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest will be out this fall for Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Whether you’re a Warriors fan or not, what do you think about it so far?

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