Taking notes makes gaming more fun

When I’m asked for a favorite game or even just a preferred genre, I have a hard time picking just one. However, if asked what I like most about gaming or any other genres of entertainment, it is easy to answer. Type of game is, then I won’t hesitate: I love games where you take notes.

This crystallized for me during my first play through of 2012’s FezThe beautiful puzzle platformer ‘, is full of hidden secrets and puzzles that you can decipher. The game didn’t outright tell me to keep notes, but its cryptic glyphs practically begged to be cataloged on paper. Quickly, puzzles jumped off my screen into my notebook. There were more revelations and even deeper puzzles. A code I had written vertically in game needed to rotate 90 degrees to make it legible. This was a great leap of logic that I made possible by simply rotating my notebook. Eureka!

My gaming experience was enhanced by keeping a notebook. FezIt was a more satisfying experience that I wanted to recreate in my favourite games of the decade. Her story, Obra Dinn ReturnPlease see the following: Outer Wilds. Recently, The Case of the Golden IdolThis particular game was a hit with the clever puzzles and intricate mysteries it offered. This made it more difficult to find new clues or piece together puzzles by having a notebook on hand.

That’s why I made the video above, to celebrate this particular gaming niche. Although I love games that have a bit of mystery to them, it isn’t the only reason why I like taking notes. A gaming journal can be useful for everything, from Animal Crossing to Hitman. My coworkers and I also found our way through. FezThey did this with a notepad and also wrote down ideas for games such as Mass Effect, Hades and The Witness And Manager of Football.

Grid View

After releasing my video, I was thrilled to receive images of gaming journals and recommendations for notebook-centric video games I hadn’t considered.

Each one of these journals is a testament to their author’s personal journey and a physical relic of their passion for the game. Preorder special editions are available but they do not replace a good gaming journal.

These notebooks are a perfect example of why I’m so thrilled to take extensive notes in a game: because at the end of the journey, you’re left with a physical keepsake of your experience. My notebooks are a great way to flip through them. FezNotes immediately brings me back to the first confusing playthrough.

If you’ve never tried keeping a gaming journal, I encourage you to give it a try! You can check out the video above to learn more about some of the best “note taking games” I’ve had the pleasure of playing. If you’re still looking to fill up your notebook, head over to the YouTube page and take a look at the comments to find even more recommendations (I know I will be). While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to our channel and check out more of our videos!