BioShock Infinite Burial at Sea 1. Not quite hooked yet because ammo is almost too scarce to call it a shooter. But I want to like it.

Also playing Dead Cells, which is great but the higher difficulties are very very hard.

I appreciate that, but I find it a satisfying challenge for approximate algorithms.

Exactly

Several people told me to skip Consider Phlebas & start with the next one, The Player of Games. I did that & found it perfectly accessible & enjoyable. Haven’t read any others yet.

Player of Games features a civilization that is both congenial & incredibly high tech. There is a satisfying exploration of sci-fi board games, including a game with a ludicrously complex board that stretches over several tennis courts. I liked it.