Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 443

Tlou part 1 on grounded and if i get it done, tlou part 2 on grounded.... Grounded.

This weekend, I have been mostly eating... The official solo mode for the Undaunted series (Normandy, North Africa & Reinforcements).

https://ospreypublishing.com/undaunted-reinforcements

i’ve just been playing 1 game for the longest , i can’t wait til the fall/winter/spring because that’s when all the good or interesting games come out

TLoU Part 1. Once I'm done it's TLoU Part 2.
On XSX: Sleeping Dogs still (too much time playing TLoU)
On Vita: Batman Arkham Origins: Blackgate. I really like how they adjusted this game to the portable device in terms of level design.

Bloodborne for the past 2 weeks. helping others beating bosses or getting further in the game is lots of fun. I return to Yharnam every 3, 4 months. what a game. never gets old. thank you From.

Steelrising, really enjoying this. Combat is nice and snappy and their take on the stamina system is excellent. Bit janky as to be expected from Spiders but it's a solid enough game, good fun. Have a good weekend all!

Steve Jackson's Sorcery was on sale on Switch, so will go for some 80s Fighting Fantasy nostalgia I think.

I'll be playing Yakuza: Like A Dragon whenever I get the chance to do so this weekend as I need a little break from the absolutely draining first week back I've had teaching the new lot of kids

Yakuza: LAD has been a fantastic game so far (In the middle of chapter 3) with Ichiban being such a great protagonist.

Have a great weekend everyone!

The last of us part I and nothing else.

Just playing the capcom heroes mode on dead rising 4 then going to start alien isolation

On my ps5 I'm doing the new game plus on trials of mana, very nice jrpg. Working towards the platinum now. Have to do 3 playthroughs total for that but since the game isn't that long and you can skip cutscenes it isn't that bad.

On my Xbox im playing Alice madness returns. Normally not into platformers but the spooky atmosphere of this one is kinda brilliant. So that gives it a whole new dimension

A few games planned, just about to start Minecraft story mode. Played Man of Medan last night, It was good, I have Light Hope downloaded ready to go. Finished Toem during the week, may go back for 100%. Also will be playing some Ys 8, up to chapter 7.

The rather excellent, Kingdom Come: Deliverance. I've just done the quest where you meet Father Godwin and it was some CDPR level of quest writing. Absolutely brilliant.

The last of us part 1 on PS5.
Only ever played it on the PS3 and don’t remember much tbh so it’s like playing a brand new game again. Really enjoying it

Destiny 2 seeing as it’s dragged me back in 😳, just finished my first raid for 3 years last night

Playing the brilliant last of us part 1 & also playing need for speed hot pursuit remastered-which I’m also loving.

Playing 3 games at the moment, which is a rarity for me; South Park the Fractured but Whole, Lost Words, and Ghost of Tsushima. Haven’t touch GoT in a couple of weeks though. Likely will be the first two.

I decided to sift through my steam library and decide which games I wanted to pursue playing or permanently bench them to make way for the other games I know I will enjoy. So it has been a bit of a grab bag this week.

I’ve now started playing Descenders which is an oddly satisfying down hill bike riding game with procedurally generated levels, but the killer is every level so far has felt different which is quite the achievement. There is also endless possibility with user generated levels but I will probably stop playing once I beat each of the four main stages, of which I have beat two of so far. It is a surprising mix of bicycle sim/arcade game and is quite relaxing to play over listening to Spotify or a podcast.

The real game that has taken me too long to finally get to has been Blasphemous which we all know to be a Souls-Like 2d Metroidvania. This game would be an amazing fit for my horror October games playlist with the divine art style that has befallen my eyeballs with its lustrous design. I just can’t get over how much it’s staves have sunken into my skin and I can’t get enough!

Last game I’m playing is A Plague Tale Innocence which I’m replaying again before the sequel comes out. I don’t need to add to what everyone knows to this game being immaculate and have enjoyed every minute with one of the best games of the past generation.

Thanks for reading and happy gaming😋

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 post game and Kirby and The Forgotten Land

Decided to download AM2R on a whim, and am really enjoying it so far. Has a good amount of the exploration element of metroid, which I found disappointingly lacking in Dread.

I may also buy stardew valley soon, as my life is incredibly chaotic at the moment and it sounds like gaming comfort food!

Not been on here awhile due to a dislocated shoulder then trapped nerve 😑
So, playing TLOU PT 1 and back in love with it, yes it's a remaster but remarkable
Halo Infinite multiplayer which is as peerless as ever
Otherwise working ...joy
Have a great weekend guys n gals ❤

Mafia 3 I held off for so long, but it's actually really good, if you can ignore the repetitiveness and fetch quest heavy bits. If they had designed the quests better this would have been an absolute classic. Breaking up the district's repetitive nature by interlacing some DLC action is a good way to do it though.

The soundtrack and radio scripting detail is amazing. There are some really memorable story quests. It's kind of like the atmosphere of Red Dead Redemption, more so than a GTA style copy, which is nice. And it looks pretty good still. Apart from the weird reflections and textures on vehicles. And it's absolutely brutal at times, not shy at all.

As a tone change I need to trigger the last quest in BugSnax too 😁🍔🍟🍭🍫

@ApostateMage oh, it's your first time playing KCD? I am now jealous 😁 I recently begun replaying it from the start, and loved it just as much. Might pick it up again soon, I'm maybe a few hours beyond the Father Godwin quest on this save. It's one of those games that's a 10/10 even with bugs and issues, just for the experience of it.

Nearing the end of Destroy All Humans 2 Reprobed, and I'm halfway through A Hat in Time, and I kind of want to go back and finish Dying Light 2.

Finishing my first character (Yuito) in Scarlet Nexus then I’m going to chill and play Multiversus and FF12 before football dominates my Sunday

Nioh 2 with all the dlcs.amazing gameplay.nioh games and remnant from the ashes are the best souls like games ever.and nioh are one of the best games ever made.it looks good on my ps4 pro.the story is cool.finishing watching that new Texas chainsaw massacre movie.its a good movie.watching my 💛Pittsburgh Steelers🖤 play.the nfl season 🏈 is here.watching legendary 📺 tv sitcoms comedy in in living color.familly matters.sanford and sons.the Jeffersons.saved by the bell.and martin.word up son

Well my wingman shockwave1982 just downloaded nfs heat so we are both going to be having a bit of a nfs evening and i've got a few elden ring trophys to mop up for the platinum and yes its taken me a long time to plat compared to some people on here but i just took my time and savoured every moment..have a good weekend everybody..

@playstation1995 it will be interesting to see the how the QB does this year for the steelers. For myself Im interested in seeing how my Packers do w/o Davante Adams.

I'm currently playing Lou2. It's been awhile since I have played a Naughty Dog game. They really are great storytellers. I'm also performing badly in the GT7 Pushsquare @render challenges, but having a blast doing it.

Having finished Saints Row (2022) last week I intend to spend this weekend with Steelrising. It is surprisingly good to be honest, really tight and fluid combat.

Going to try Tower of Fantasy at some point, too. But it’ll have to wait until full controller support is implemented.

I'm fully back into GT7, grinding away in Sardegna with the McLaren F1 car, always aiming to beat the 26minute mark, it's actually an enjoyable little challenge

TLoU Remastered. There are so many likeable characters in the first game (Joel, Ellie, Tess, Bill, Tommy). Just normal, realistic characters trying to survive in a world that’s gone to sh*t. I forgot how funny the interactions between Ellie and Bill were. Had me laughing out loud in parts. And Tess - Tess was such a bad*ss. I would have loved some story DLC focused on her.

It still makes me sad thinking about where they could have gone with a sequel (and where they actually went).

Uncharted The Lost Legacy. I'm in a part where the action is heating up. I will continue Ghost of Tsushima, and Assassin's Creed Rogue if I find the time. I wish a great gaming weekend everyone!!

days gone with some nfs heat to break it up a little

Trying to finish off the Red Dead Redemption 2 platinum but sheesh is there a lot to do. Don't think it'll pop by close of play tomoz sadly 😩

Probably some Sackboy Adventure with a friend.

It's just chaos and chaos in Hope County in my FarCry 5 2nd run. EA talking about a Battlefield SP, pfft whatever at least we have Metro and FC to thank for looking out for SP all these years. Then it's probably some RDR2 of course, some Mafia 3 and maybe some GT Sport.

@Ravix that's Sean Maguire in your pic right. Yeah Mafia 3 is a really good game, the combat is fun, I easily look past the repetitiveness because I feel most other games do the same and get a pass. Can't count how many repetitive forts you find in AC but it's still fun. I mean Online gaming is arguably repetitive but no matter.

@PenguinLtd I beat Sekiro quite recently and I see where you’re coming from. The game requires some serious reflexes and parry is absolutely mandatory. There’s just no in between. If you can’t dial those two things in you’re dead, full stop!

@Relygon as a disabled player that was operated on his shoulder six times so I could keep moving my arm properly, Sekiro was awful to me. It was litteraly painful for me to play it, I was forced to quit.

@PenguinLtd Sekiro remains my favorite FromSoft game, but the very final boss nearly ruined the experience for me. Even my FS standards, he is obnoxiously difficult... and not not enjoyable in any way. Took me 2 weeks to beat him, eventually I resorted to a semi-cheese 'stab-once-and-run' strategy (took >20mins to do him this way).

A sad blemish on an otherwise immaculate game

Still working my way through Soul Hackers 2 but I think im getting close to the end. It's been a blast Ringo and crew! If I end up finishing it I have had an itch to play Sly Cooper again randomly so I might fire up the good ol PS3 to try and finish platinuming Sly 4.

Hopefully "shredding" some more in the artful escape before it leaves gamepass and maybe some cyberpunk 2077, which I've been really enjoying. Surprisingly robust shooting, though I quite enjoy my electric katana! Have a good one folks

Been playing Ring of Pain, a very addictive card game. It's a roguelike, but not a deckbuilder since you simply traverse the cards (in a ring) instead of building a deck. If you like games like Slay the Spire but want something a bit different, I implore you to try it!

Some other games I tried this week that didn't really do it for me: Unrailed, Wonder Boy Dragons Trap, and Game of Thrones (board game).

@Bentleyma I am also addicted to PSO2 my friend, it's just so much fun!

I played these games. 🙂
1. K-1 World MAX 2005 PS2
2. Starfox Assault Gamecube
3. Bomberman Generation Gamecube

Continuing the excellent Arcade Paradise, the best bit is actually playing the arcade games rather than the story itself, some great games in there. As Sammy said the tunes are awesome too!
Also tempted by Midnight Fight Express so might dip in there as well

This week I played and platinumed The Last of Us Part 1. My opinion still hasn’t changed after almost a decade - it’s my favorite game of all time, and one of the greatest video games ever created. Playing it on the PS5, with no load times, updated graphics/character models, additional things added into the game from Part 2 - it makes it the definitive way to play this masterpiece.

Seriously, what other developer in the business can build such great characters and make them feel human? Their writing is on another level, only matched by old BioWare RPGs and RockStar, and more specifically, Red Dead Redemption 2. Many developers have tried imitating ND but can’t reach their heights. Even 2018’s God of War, while remarkable in its own right, just didn’t have the expertise in the writing department.

And it’s not just the writing; it’s the delivery of sentences and phrases from every character. It’s Ellie smirking and giving sarcastic replies, or her facial expression(s) and body language when Joel scolds her or doesn’t praise her when she believes she deserves it. It’s moments when Henry tells Sam he can’t have that toy he found, so he drops it on the ground and walks away, but if you look closely you can see Ellie pick it up and put it in her backpack for later.

Moreover, if I didn’t play the remake, I could still remember in vivid detail Ish’s side story told through the environment, or Bill and Frank’s relationship. You meet these characters for an hour of your playtime yet they leave a memorable impression.

To me personally, this is the greatest video game ever made, and the power of the PS5 only solidifies that (in my opinion). And I know art is subjective, whether it’s music, film, television, games, or even paintings, but I truly believe this game is objectively a masterpiece. Even if you don’t like the game, whether it’s the gameplay or the genre isn’t what you’re a fan of, it’s impossible to deny its brilliance. The Last of Us game defines the definition of art.

I'm addicted to Steelrising. I had relatively high hopes for it and it's even so much better than I expected. I'd even call it great. That's how much I love it.

@Perturbator I'm playing Ring Of Pain too but mines from a dodgy curry last night 🤣🤣🤣

@Ravix I did actually start to play it on the PS4 a couple of years back but never got that far into it. I do agree about it being great even though a lot of the systems feel clunky and it's a little buggy. Reminds me of Skyrim a little. I'm playing on the PS5 and despite it being only 30fps, it's surprisingly smooth.

Continue playing Splatoon 3's single player. Splat 3's single player is already leagues better than Splat 2's single player. I'm having an absolute blast with it.

Lamenting the fact that I have to be back in work on Monday, I have finally got around to the Last of us which is so pretty. Unfortunately, it has been pushed to the side due to Disney dreamlight which has taken my full interest.

@KingPev Hey if you love curry like me it was probably worth it

If I get time, I'll try and finish out the original Ninja Turtles game from the Cowabunga Collection (PS4). I will say the rewind an save features that have been added make the difficulty of the game plummet. Eventually, I plan to get good enough again to beat it in 30 min without losing a single turtle as I used to be able to do in my childhood.

@TheArt Ah yes, none other than good old Sean MacGuire drunk at camp (parties/drinking at camp is great for photo mode) 😁

I was surprised at Mafia 3 being so good, I think the consistent 6 ratings are very harsh on it, lots of games are buggy and repetitive, and it's got to be a solid 8 I'd say and I'm only about half way through, about to head off to Cuba for 'Stones Unturned' as a little break, and I've already done the 'Faster Baby' story in Sinclair Parish (short, but very good as an interlude) It is definitely filling the RDR/AC void, as I really love historical fiction in my games (and books and movies) but it's definitely more akin to RDR for story quality

I don't have much trouble ignoring the repetitiveness because the story and character pay off is very good, and like you say the gameplay can be fun. I know if I find myself doing too much stealth I will think "why not just have a gun fight and throw some grenades" and it's fun doing it this way, especially as a shotgun or rifle will absolutely wreck your health, and you have to improvise from there.

I also like how in districts you can weigh up whether a specific task is worth doing with your own logic, as the risk/reward/damage and the short description giving you a clue as to what lies ahead can let you know what needs to be done if you pay attention to it. It's not super advanced, but it means you don't have to mindlessly clear every icon

Still going through SOUL HACKERS 2. and a little bit of GRANBLUE FANTASY VS on the side (thanks PS+)!

• Enjoy yourselves folks!

@Hengist

Osprey publish some nice games. I just picked up a couple by Peer Sylvester, looking to try solo.

1. Soul Hackers 2 (PS5)
2. Try out GrandBlue VS RPG mode (PS+/PS5)
2. Steel Rising (PC)
3. F1 (PC) Italian GP Weekend 🏁

Fortnite with the boys, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and maybe even Cuphead (if I can tolerate it).

It’s been about 2 weeks since I played Multiversus, so I’ll jump on that for a bit.

Finished the last of us part one yesterday now started my second run on part 2 with modifiers for fun I forgot how good these games are. Also playing some fifa 22 because the ultimate team addiction never stops even this late in the game 😂
Also a little dreamlight vally it's surprising addictive

I picked picked up Steelrising this week and so far I'm really enjoying it. This game has done a better job at scratching my Bloodborne itch than any game in the last five years. And whoever at Spiders suggested the assist mode deserves a medal.

Just got the platinum in DBZ Kakarot. Would’ve got it last night night if it wasn’t for one trophy that was glitched as I started the game without the latest update. Deleted the game, downloaded the update started it again & got the trophy within 10mins. Probably wasted a good 5hours on that😔.

I’m also playing Afterparty which is really fun. I’m pretty much at the end & it’s been one hell of a ride.

Steelrising for me. I can’t get over the setting and robotic enemies. It’s an AA game but I love Spiders take on settings so I’ll be obsessed with it all weekend.

I’ll take a break for more Triangle Strategy on Switch and maybe some GamePass games I’d like to progress through before they’re gone.

Too much to play and too little time. Curse you Adulting!

@dschons agreed. It’s one of the rare games beside Elden Ring and Triangle Strategy that when I’m not playing it this year I am still thinking about it.

@HallowMoonshadow the first week of teaching is exhausting in a way that’s hard to describe to those outside the profession. We’ve been back here in the States for a month and I still feel it.

Just mopping up the last collectibles trophies on The Last of Us Part 1, likewise for Tinykin and continuing Act 2 on Inscryption. Other than that I’m replaying the much maligned but hugely underrated Biomutant on PS5 and hoping for a handful of movies to watch. But right now I’m bloody tired so I’m having a cuppa and contemplating a brief nap as I’m getting older and haven’t the energy or concentration I once had …

… hope everyone has a fun weekend anyway, given the recent tragic news, I’m sure they don’t read Pushsquare but my thoughts are with the Royal family and should they stumble across this message then feel free to add me on PSN 🤴🏻x

RDR2 forever. What a game. I put off playing it way too long.

Splatoon 3. Although I haven't touched the single-player campaign yet. Turf wars is just too addicting.

Mahjong by Microsoft (Android) - Nearly done with the final medals I need for completion.

World At Arms (Windows Phone) - Kinda boring and slow so far, I might just drop it.

Temple Run 2 (Windows Phone) - Great for toilet breaks and etc.

The excellent Horizon Forbidden West and the bizarre Inscryption. I’d really like to play Steelrising but it’ll have to wait. Happy gaming!

got the platinum in avengers last weekend and being playing guardians of the galaxy since then, hopefully get it wrapped up this weekend!

Toem, a little indie game that was on PS Plus this month. It’s a joy to play. This is the type of game that is ideal for the subscription service. I only wish I had it on Switch because it would be perfect for a hand held system, with its ability to zoom in and out and rotate the environment. Can’t wait for Chicory (I have been eyeing it for over a year in the store sales) and Spiritfarer when they hit Extra in a couple of weeks. Keep the indies coming Sony.

playing these games this weekend

Ni No Kuni II
little bit of Zelda Skyward sword or Paper mario origami

@Vacuumator
Yes, I agree. They have some great games. Also, with the rising cost of energy, they're cheaper to play when compared to electronic games

@Elodin. It will be interesting indeed.we will see.haha.word up son

STEELRISING and Cult of the Lamb which I’m still really enjoying. Bought and downloaded INSCRYPTION but won’t get to it for a days, I’m on vacation this week so I get some game time

Disney dreamlight valley has been strangely compelling. Its free on game pass so I decided it would be rude not to look. Its unexpectedly compelling for some reason, but I can see its setting me up for daily check ins and eventual loot boxes, so im bailing now. Over 6 years caught in Summoners Wars taught me you can get caught, even if if you have your eyes open!

Myself and my wife have gone back to Forza Horizon 4, and with the grace of hindsight I now see this was a better title than its flashier successor, which drops off quick after a few months.

Very unusual for me to be using the Series X, its been unused much of the year! Im sure ill start something on ps5 this week, or go back to trials of mana, which is safe simple fun.

Just bought Horizon Forbidden West from a well known key distributor for 29 quid, been waiting a while to find the right price, damned if I'm paying Sony another 70 quid for a digital first party title. Also, worked out I can remote play my PS5 through Steam deck, talk about propitious timing! Good times ahead.

Euro Truck Simulator 2, Coromon, Hades on Steamdeck and on PS5 I decided too give up on yet another large openwork game Cyberpunk 2077 (which I have had fun with) and begin another in Days Gone.
So far Days gone has been good craic.

Im out of the country so its Switch only, been cycling between these 3 games:

Ace Attorny Trilogy
Coming up to the last episode on first game, wow truly love it. Blown my mind about what a visual novel could be. The humor is adorable and silly, but the investigations and trials will have you on the edge of your seat.

Diablo 3
Feels great on the portable space. Never played any entry before, but have played games that we're inspired by the series so it feels familar. Just feels great to go out, kick all sorts of ass and grab loot. Felt a bit easy so upped it to Expert, am on level 20 halfway through Act 1.

Yooka Laylie and the Impossible Layer
Love myself 2D platformers (much more then 3D collecathons) and this one does alot right. Although really could do without all the hub puzziling etc...it just feels like filler.