Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 543

First and foremost, I want to thank all of those last week that sent out their thoughts, prayers, and condolences regarding the passing of my father. I was really moved by the support you guys shown to a complete stranger. His funeral is this afternoon, so I’m sure my feelings will be running rampant.

As for the game I’m playing - I finally completed Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana and got the platinum trophy. Other than any Dragon Quest game, Ys might be the coziest RPG experience I’ve ever had. It certainly is one of the most well crafted action RPGs in recent memory.

To those that say the story isn’t great — I think that is a misrepresentation. The overarching plot is middling until the final chapter, but the heartbeat of this game is the characters and their personal journeys whilst being stranded on a mysterious island. You see each individual - 24, if you find them all - have their own personality, ambitions, and family. By doing their side quests, you’re rewarded with an enriching experience. Bonds are created, and watching relationships blossom in the midst of a dire situation is really inspiring.

In a way, Ys 8 is the perfect game for me at this particular juncture in my life. Similar to how these characters have their entire lives uprooted by unfortunate events, so have I. You’re able to see how each person grieves the loss of something, and it’s been oddly comforting as I mourn the loss of my father. In turn, this game reminds me of the simple pleasures that we take for granted. Sometimes, in life, the best moments are those spent with loved ones, grilling food or sharing stories. That’s what this game provides in spades. It’s a friendly reminder that life is beautiful.

Now I’m playing Black Myth Wukong. I’m a few hours in and it’s been great so far. It’s essentially a boss rush game, and I’m satisfied with that approach. Moreover, it’s purely an action game—it’s not a Souls-like by any stretch of the imagination. You won’t lose progress or experience if you die, and basic enemies are mainly an easy backdrop for the main focus: boss fights. If you’re a fan of combat focused action games with robust mechanics, with linear but beautiful environments, and thrilling boss fights, this game is a definite must play. I’ll share more of my thoughts next week.

After finishing off the platinums on Prince of Persia and Dead Space (both 2008), my PS3 odyssey continues this weekend with Alpha Protocol . As a fan of espionage themed entertainment and also Obsidian, I’m looking forward to it.

Will be playing Red Dead Redemption II on PS5 and hopefully wrapping it up this weekend. What an amazing journey it has been!

I'm also in the mood for some Persona, so I might start up Persona 5 Strikers.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: 82 hours in and I have just about done all the different area intelligence, leaving only some remaining side quests and the main story left to do.

It's been an interesting voyage and I've particularly enjoyed the Corel and Cosmo Canyon regions, with the synergy attacks a fun wrinkle to the combat system. Tifa has been, surprisingly enough, the most compelling of our main group to watch, from seeking vengeance for her father to encountering Sephiroth in the lifestream and coming to grips with returning to Nibelheim.

It'll be difficult to leave it all behind for sure.

Having a whale of a time (pun intended) in Subnautica Below Zero. There have been jump scares, mainly caused by me bumping my sea truck into rocks. There have been leviathan encounters. I have spent about a week seemingly just building my base and collecting resources, and have enjoyed every second. For me, this is one of those dream games, as there's something about the underwater setting that is just so compelling. Feel sorry for anyone with thalassophobia, claustrophobia, or agoraphobia playing this though. It really covers the bases at times for those primal fears 😅

On PS5 i will be Continuing with Trails Through Daybreak and the brilliant The cult of the Lamb, how I didn't play this game before is beyond me, very addictive. I will also be playing a few matches of Concord in between single player sessions and I may even re download The Hunt Showdown.

On Switch I'm going to finally start the Splatoon 3 story mode, and I've just bought Maglam Lord in a sale so I will be giving that a try this weekend.

I’m away on holiday for 2 weeks and forgot my switch so I’m playing pocket league story on my phone.

@kraven condolences. Hope you’re holding up ok.

I'm back in Bohemia helping Henry get his revenge once again.

Jesus Christ be praised.

In preparation for Veilguard, I've decided to have another run though of Dragon Age Origins....Aside from that, just a few other old faves, and saving my pennies for Outlaws next weekend 🙂

Just repelled Wind Serpent Ibushi in Fashion Hunter Rise, a few more quests to start Sunbreak. Think it'll be mostly that this weekend, maybe a bit of TLOU2 3rd run.

Slasher's Keep

Roguelike Dungeoncrawler game. Enjoyable but a bit grindy, in that you're supposed to die again and again and get slightly stronger every time you restart.

It's got good weapon crafting, lots of unlockable skills and a pretty enjoyable loop if you're a fan of the genre.

Microsoft Wordament (Android) - Working through adventure mode and doing dailies.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Vita) - Onto Chapter 16 with Chase in tow.

NBA Jam (Windows Phone) - Still playing this nearly daily.

Continuing my platinum journey for Prince of Persia Lost Crown but struggling getting back with the parrot for Treasures of the 7 Seas, awesome game though!! Maybe a bit of Walkabout Golf too.

Happy gaming folks

Finished

• Baba is You (Switch): A-Tier
• Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster (Steam): B-Tier

Playing

• Divinity: Original Sin (XSX)
• F1 23 (PS5)

Paused

• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PS5)
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)
• Yakuza: Like A Dragon (PS5)

Backlog

• Batman: Arkham Knight
• Days Gone
• Final Fantasy II Pixel Remaster
• Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
• Persona 3: Reload
• Red Dead Redemption 2
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

This weekend is more Shadow of the Erdtree, with Strangers of Paradise and Rise of the Ronin sprinkled in.

Although I’m tempted to put all 3 Soulslike games on hold and pick up Black Myth Wukong!

Playing a lot of games still. Advancing strong on Dave The Diver and my replay of Uncharted 2. If time allows it, I will reach the end of the main story of Tales of Arise (but I will hunt the platinum) and some more of the delicious Borderlands 3. Waiting for Star Wars Outlaws, my next new game!

@Kraven Condolences mate. I hope the funeral goes as well as these things can. Video games were a comfort to me when I lost my own dad. It's sometimes strange to think how much games have synergised with major events in my own life. Sending you prayers and strength today.

@Kraven sorry for your loss. Hope all goes well for his send off. I lost my brother suddenly 3 months ago and it still hurts. All the best

Still playing Legend of Grimrock 2 on PC, so good! Hoping to finish it during the long weekend. Also playing through OG Doom, FF7 Rebirth (sooo much better than Remake). Might get a bit of Blasphemous in too. Have a great weekend Folks!

I will continue and play one of the best video games trilogy ever in the amazing mass effect legendary edition.i will also continue and play one of the best horror video games ever made in the instant hit the excellent evil within.im almost at the end.and the evil within is a excellent video game.i will also be watching my Pittsburgh Steelers 💛🖤 play preaseason 🏈 football.i will also be watching legendary sitcoms 📺 tv comedy shows in good times.family matters.sanford and son.the Jeffersons.and saved by the bell.word life.word is bond.word to god.word to your mother.word up son

Metal Gear Solid... for the first time

I started Horizon Forbidden West while I still had the chance before it leaves plus. And already the gameplay feels so much better than the 1st game. It's a shame the story, dialog and characters just don't do anything for me, to the point I want to just skip cutscenes

I'm also continuing Dave the Diver. And it's so addicting, it's hard to stop playing when I get on it

I've been sacrificing my followers, re-educating dissenters and going on dangerous crusades.

In between all that I've been playing Cult of the Lamb. Ho ho ho.

@ApostateMage me too ⚔️🔰 JCBP.

Picked up KCD from a part way through save where Henry is pretty OP. Though as i'm just returning I'm still getting my ass kicked by suspiciously well armoured bandits, and packs of Cumans, despite Henry's abilities, my own are a little rusty 😁

It was "lights out" for these pesky Cumans, though

This time I'll be tackling the DLC too, which I've never played.

Well in some good news, my doctor said my tendon that was cut is healing properly and I can walk around again. It hurts but it's nice to leave the house.

Playstation: I'm playing Jeanne D'arc. It is fun but really a game I can only do one or two missions a da because it does feel a little too easy 5 chapters in. Really enjoying playing something so different though and the little anime videos are great!

Switch: started Thousand Year Door. Wholly crap this game is gorgeous but also next time people call a Playstation game a walking and talking Sim. I'm going to point at this game and Pikmin 4. They Never Shut Up. You cannot skip dialogue. It's got that annoying sound effect every time they talk. It is almost never as funny as it thinks it is. I'm curious if this game will enamor me with it's looks and combat or whether this start and stop story telling and unskippable nonsense dialogue will make me drop it.

Got the plat in Astro's Playroom, excellent welcome to my (somewhat) new PS5. Beyond that I'm diving back into my 100+ hour save of Monster Hunter Rise and I plan on returning to Nioh 2, which is one of my fave soulslikes outside of From Software's own.

Happy weekend all ✌

@Kraven Sorry for your loss mate. I didn't gel with Ys VIII too much personally, I think I preferred the simplicity of Memories of Celceta, but it's awesome to hear you got some comfort from it.

First of all, my condolences @Kraven. The feeling of loosing a loved one, special a parent(wich was my case, when I lost my Father when was 16) can be sometimes to much and no one knows how to feel or act.
Gaming can be a very good medium to get lost in and think of nothing else. I still do that when life goes the wrong way.
Even more if the game has characters and a story that resonates with you, especially in those moments.
My sympathies friend and keep pushing.

Hello there fellow gamers;
Having finishing AC Mirage, a really good stealth game and finally finished the amazing Lies of P, I´m now currently thinking of playing Alone in the Dark and maybe, probably play Control for a third time on my Series X. I just love that game, it´s so fun.
Although I do want to replay Lies of P for all the achievements.... And because the game is that good.
Will also dable in Rise of the Ronin and some Street Fighter 6 matches on my PS5.
Cheers everyone and happy gaming weekend to us all

I’m having a bit of a heavy weekend so I’m still aimlessly running around Dragons Dogma 2.

Replaying Bayonetta ^__^🦋❤️

Stellar Blade - Im just really, really enjoying this game and and its growing on me the more I play it, just great imo. I think I´m somewhere around two thirds in, maybe less. I like the variation of the different places and that there are new enemy types introduced at each place as well, and that you also get new abilities or attacks that keep things fresh!

TimeSplitters - Took a trip down memory lane, which was very nice. Read that trophies are coming for all three games, so going to wait for that before playing more. Nostalgia plays a big part for me here, will se how the games hold up once that fades a bit.

@Kraven I didn't know your father passed..so sorry to hear that. My mother passed away at the end of April this year after a short battle against ovarian cancer. It will get easier with time my friend.

Black myth wukong for me and maybe I'll squeeze in a spot of rally driving.

They updated Capes!! The balancing issue is resolved!! According to what I've read online (they never did respond to me), it also adds storylines. I'm just happy I can advance now. Once the patch is downloaded, you have to delete your save (only one save spot in this game) & start over. I was fine with that since I was essentially stuck. The game flows much better now - I'm just past where I'd been stuck.

I've had a tough year & this more linear game is just what I need right now. I feel like I'm playing a comic book - fun times!!

Will update later when I've played more!

Having recently watched the excellent Alien Romulus film. I have started the Alien Isolation game. I dropped it in 2014 as it was unbearably tense. It still remains a nerve wracking game where you feel like you are constantly looking over your shoulder in fear. But I am loving it so much. Amanda Ripley's story is really interesting and would love a sequel or even an adaptation. I would argue that the xenomorph in this game is up there as an iconic boss. Something so fear inducing, knowing its unkillable and it's random AI decisions. Also playing Multi versus with my sons. Happy Gaming All

@Kraven So sorry to hear about your father,I lost my dad at the end of March this year to pancreatic cancer so I can imagine what you are going through.

I'm still playing Trails Of Cold Steel 4 and Monster Hunter World.
On the Switch I've just completed the demo for Ace Attorney Investigation collection and loved it!Last time I played Ace Attorney game was back in the days of the DS.

Mostly Dragon Dogma 2. Might get in on Street Fighter 6.

Having not played Skyrim since it was first released on PS3, I have revisited the special edition on PS5 to explore it once more. Some of it is quite dated, but it’s still an impressive and immersive game.

I put The Last Remnant Remastered on hold because i feel kinda burned out with turn-based RPG after last week i beat FF XIII.

So, i turn up Asura's Wrath on PS3 and finished it at Hard difficulty. But then i realized...i never purchase the DLC that has extra episodes and real ending. Why Capcom, why you must locked the real ending behind paid DLC? 😔
It's a very fun game though especially the over the top combat that feels like DBZ. The game could be much better if it has solid frame rate and real ending doesn't locked behind paid DLC.

Another game that i'm playing right now is AI: The Somnium Files on PS4. I'm continuing Left Side route.

Final Fantasy XI (11) baby! It's free login campaign time!

Gonna try and make more progress on the Voracious Resurgence content!

I've also been streaming Guild Wars 2's base game with a brand new character over on Twitch (the_grumblr) during the week... I'd forgotten how strange chill that game is for being an MMO

So I finally beat BG3!!! For me it was a hard game to master but when it finally clicked, it is so good! I went from giving up on the game in act 1 to rolling credits with a big grin on my face. I can imagine this being a game I will play over again just to take different paths in the future.

This weekend it's back to a steady rotation of hunting down the final costumes in Stellar Blade on PS5.
Forza 4 and Starfield (with the new vehicle) on Series X while waiting for Shattered Space next month.
And nothing on Switch OLED unfortunatly. I think my next game will be Lego Horizon on that console.

Im also really looking forward to Dragon Age Veilguard.

Have a good weekend.

If i get a chance.. Wukong + still chipping away at Elden Ring. So many amazing games, too little time.

I've been bouncing off of every turn-based game I've tried lately - SMT V Vengeance, Soul Hackers 2, Dragon Quest XI, Lost Odyssey... I really enjoyed Stellar Blade, so for giggles and grins, I booted up Final Fantasy XVI NG+ for some more action goodness and am enjoying it on Final Fantasy mode - more so than I did my first time around.

Baldur's Gate III, Concord and Valkyrie Elysium on PS5.
Famicom Detective on Switch

@UltimateOtaku91 Hi Otaku, i have sent you a friend request on PS5. I play Concord too and i always read your comments👍

Bastion

I needed something fairly short to play before Star Wars Outlaws arrives next Tuesday. I seem to be nearing the endgame. I've enjoyed it for the most part as long as I just keep focusing on the story and none of the side content.

Finished blasphemous definitely worth checking out. In that game limbo now as to what to play next.

Black Myth: Wukong and i finally bought Gris in the current sale on PSN. Enjoying both a lot!

finishing Black Myth and working towards i AM the batman trophy,happy times

Cult of the lamb has grabbed me this weekend.

@iPaud I loved blasphemous.. but I hit a wall at the first boss (floating head). Seemed insurmountable, am I missing something?

I've been playing a lot of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga in the past few days.

My son and my brother-in-law finally wore me down and got me to play Red Dead Redemption 2. Since I platinum what I play, I’ve decided to knock out the MP portion of the trophies first. Certainly a good game and the online aspect of it is well done with lots to do but man oh man is it a LOOOOOOT of just riding around and the grind to level 50 is something else. Otherwise it’s good.

Recent Borderlands movie news had me wanting some Borderlands. So last night I started a replay of Tiny Tina's assualt on Dragon Keep One Shot game. I know it's only a silly video game, but I like it, (guitar riff), I like it, I like it, yes I do.

@DETfaninATL As someone who has the attention span of a toddler and rarely even finishes most games, let alone platinums them. The sentence “Since I platinum what I play” is fascinating to me. Do you genuinely not start anything unless you intend to 100% it?

@GeeEssEff Pretty much. There’s a few I couldn’t be bothered to finish but those are few and far between. Have a look:

https://psntrophyleaders.com/user/view/DETfaninATL#games

It’s just how I enjoy gaming…..

I played some of Dead Space Remake. Also, my in-laws have the kids for the weekend, so my wife and I ordered a nice dinner and laid in bed playing It Takes Two for about six hours. What an incredible game. Plus, it was just great having that time with just my wife, even if it’s a strange theme for that exact moment. 😂

@DETfaninATL That’s awesome. Some insanely difficult platinums in there! Which one are you most proud of? I only have Elden Ring because it’s my favourite game and Spiderman 2 because it was fairly quick and easy.

@Sequel this is definitely in the top 2 most difficult bosses of the game. No great advice other than not get too greedy and use the side walls to get away from those beams. Also you can deflect those fireballs with your sword to damage the boss. I can't wait to start Blasphemous 2 later in the year

Dark Souls Remastered DLC (ps5) - few days ago I beat Knight Artorias and it´s definitely my favorite boss battle so far in the whole game (final boss of base game still to beat). Now I´m at Kalameet and Manus and they´re beating my ass like hell Let´s see, hope I will beat Manus at least tonight and if I do it´s just final boss of the game. But in general, what a game, what a masterpiece!

After that I´ll try demo of Visions of Mana and probably start The Last of Us Part2 Remastered before anything else. Definitely will need a break from souls(like) games for some time

Have a nice weekend and happy gaming, everyone!

@GeeEssEff Thanks m8! Honestly, the two toughest plats I’ve ever tackled are Sekiro Shadows Die Twice (that whole game has some REALLY tough boss fights in it and I’m not good at parrying to begin with) and Vanquish (the ‘Tactical Challenger’ trophy is insanely hard in what’s otherwise an easy and incredibly awesome game).

So far...a little CF25 to coincide with the actual season kickoff!..Concord which is actually a great shooter...still trying to finish FFXVI...I am getting close! I also started Cult of the Lamb...what a cool concept for a game lol prolly gonna continue playing Concord through the rest of the weekend. Game on people!

Mainly P3 Reload, Last of us and Ghost of Tsushima.
Do a bit of questing on MH Rise, hopefully carry on with Dragon’s Dogma Dark Arisen and Days Gone.
Also hoping to start Stray and play a bit of the Cult of the Lamb.
Most likely going be spending quite a bit of time tomorrow tidying though since it’s bank holiday and I won’t be at work

Well here we go with another amazing WAYP. Been a stupendous week around here. On the Switch I made it through Chapter 1 of Trails Through Daybreak and honestly I absolutely love it. The trails games never seem to miss one bit. Love Agnés the most of this cast. Otherwise I beat FFVII Rebirth which honestly may be GOTY it absolutely destroyed me and is an absolute work of art. But that’s not the only one I also beat PERSONA 3 RELOAD. Yes after 6 months I finally beat Persona 3 for the first time. I would never have been able to do it without the help of my best friend and I send these to him each week so I wanna say right here thank you to him. Now I get like two weeks off of P3R until The Answer comes out and then it’s ALL IN again. Also played a little Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD and man do I still love that game too it’s so cozy and fun. Also bought all of JJK from a guy on eBay and what with the series ending I’m pretty excited for those. Also got a preorder in on Bakeru and can’t wait for that. Rest of the weekend I’m thinking is gonna be some Dawntrail in celebration of FFVII Rebirth and P3R being done. Certainly the two games I’m swapping in their place are gonna be Dawntrail and SMTV:V. Otherwise I’m thinking this week is mostly gonna consist of some Monster Hunter Stories, Trails Through Daybreak, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, Dragons Dogma 2, Emio when that ships and gets in, Concord, Star Wars Outlaws and Visions of Mana. Those last 4 are all first time play sessions since three of them come out this week. I do wanna give Concord its fair shake tho I’m not just gonna mindlessly hate it. Getting super hype for WWE Bash In Berlin too that’s gonna be kinda cool. I seriously can’t wait for Kevin Vs Cody, Rhea and Damian Vs Liv and Dirty Dom, CM Punk Vs Drew, Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn vs Jade and Bianca and GUNTHER Vs Randy Orten. That’s right all the matches are announced and I’m gonna update my rating and say it’s a solid A Tier PLE. Anime of the week gotta go to Mayonaka Punch, VTUBER Legend, Oshi No Ko and Mission Yozakura Family. Oshi No Ko continues to be magnificent like always and Mission Yozakura Family is gonna sub in for Delicious in Dungeon as the long lasting 24 episode show. And a special shoutout to a show I got absolutely addicted to this week and destroyed the first season of, Only Murders In The Building. Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin are absolutely amazing and it’s such a wonderful show. Podcasts of this week gotta go to Castle Superbeast, Big Think Dimension, Into The Aether, RPGsites Tetracast, Minnmax, Jeff Gerstmann, Kit and Krysta, Last Stand Media, Easy Allies, Second Wind, Nextlander, Cultaholic Wrestling and Remap Radio. As always yall stay safe, be stupendous to each other. Have a totally awesome weekend and of course Happy Gaming.

Christ i wish i had the same amount of free time as some of ya here, anyway when ive had time its been the excellent Deadlink.

@DETfaninATL Yeh I can imagine Sekiro gave you some fun. I also saw Returnal on there which is one that leapt out at me as something I would not have the patience to even consider. Well respect my friend, I will check back every now and then to drop my jaw at the progress….you are not picking easy games to platinum 😂

Finishing up FF7 Reburth! What a ride. Definitely my GOTY so far this year! Some Yakuza 4 afterwards 👍🏻

I am playing Super Wooden GP 2. An absolutely spot on isometric racer, straight out of the 90s. Even the music is some 90s-ass techno. I'm really glad I put it on. Went through some depression and overall cynicism that made it difficult to enjoy anything besides Knee Deep in the Dead and Quake...everything Quake. I was really happy to find something that I am excited to play more of.
Also this segment still makes me think of Hey Ash, watcha Playin'? Games are better now, but gaming sure was better then.

@Jrs1 I want to try it. I liked Severed Steel's rogue like mode a lot.

Golf, as in real golf. And a fair bit of Farming sim on the deck. Oh and f1 23 on my pc via psvr2 to actually have a vr racing experience. The Gt7 gimble, that I can't find the off switch for, really annoys me.

@LikelySatan Quality game Severed Steel👍

Currently playing
PS5
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (harder than I thought)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
PS4
Tetris Effect
Streets of Rage 4
PS2 via my new to me crt
Devil May Cry 3