The issues:
-Constant freezing and crashing
-Game no longer auto saves, and sometimes doesn't even save at important event flags like bursting gordos
-According to my fiance my log file indicates memory leaks
-Unless I'm doing something wrong, safe mode is not an option that appears for me.

Things I've tried:
-Setting all graphics options to minimum
-Virus scans and other system cleanups (ccleaner etc)
-Verifying my game files
-Updating my game
-Uninstalling and reinstalling my game
I just discovered the lack of safe mode and that's what kicked this from "hmmm maybe my laptop is just having issues" (although it has all the recommended specs to run it) to "okay this is objectively a problem." Any idea what in the world might be going on?