Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 549

I'm currently playing...

Switch: Star Wars Hunters and Luigi's Mansion 2 HD

PS5: Hell Divers 2 and Warhammer Space Marine 2

Continuing Star Wars Outlaws and want to give the Tomb Raider trilogy a go on the Evercade.

Happy gaming everyone

Planning to wrap up The Plucky Squire today and start either Bully or The Last of Us Part 1.

This weekend I am planning to finish The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. I’ve gotta say - this might be one of my favorite entries in this storied franchise. It’s not without its faults, but the things it does well is exceptional.

As of right now, I have a total of 16/20 hearts, acquired 115/127 echoes, 18/20 stamps, unlocked all five accessory slots, a handful of costumes, and completed five main dungeons, the last of which was the Lanayru Temple. I won’t lie - it was rather challenging. I’m now off to the Faron Wetlands and hoping I can get a 100% completion rate in the next couple of days.

I love how there is a blend of traditional top down design with influences from its modern counterparts, BoTW and ToTK respectively. It’s astounding how there is a new found sense of verticality and puzzle solving in a 2D—sort of 3D—space. Moreover, proper dungeons are back, but there are a plethora of ways to solve them, thus creating a sense of fulfillment when completing puzzles in inventive and creative ways. And yet, despite all of these tools, you can’t break the game (at least I don’t think you can) so it keeps things constructed linearly, with a priority on its narrative.

There are some areas where I think the game falters a bit, mainly regarding its extensive echo system. Similar to how you hold right on the D-Pad to select a handful of weapons in BoTW, you do the same with the echoes you obtain. And there are a lot of echoes. I mean A LOT (over a hundred). You can sort them by most used, but you have to use different ones in varying regions and sometimes infrequently, so they aren’t typically the first selection when you open up the menu. This ultimately breaks the immersion and slows down the gameplay to a screeching halt.

Another area I would like to see improved on is logging information about items obtained. I would prefer to have an overview of how many chests, hearts, and caves are in each particular region. That has always been my issue with TLoZ games. I hate missing things and yet it’s inevitable due to naturally playing the game and getting sidetracked by other activities. Granted, there is an option to see how many collectibles you have in totality, but it isn’t that resourceful.

Nonetheless, the complaints I have are minor compared to the overall experience. I’ve said this many times before, but Nintendo has a way of making you, the player, regardless of age—I’m 34-years-old—feel pure unadulterated joy, and feel like a kid discovering magic for the first time. I initially thought I wouldn’t enjoy Echoes of Wisdom, but has surpassed all of my expectations. I hope this is the beginning of a new foundation for future TLoZ games.

I also have Silent Hill 2 Remake preordered and ready to go for tomorrow evening when I get off work. I can’t wait - it will be my first time playing one of these iconic games.

Beat Mr Mosquito and Secret Agent Clank on Ps5 last week, including the platinum for Mosquito. Also beat Mega Man III on Switch/NSO.

Currently playing The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice.

The plan is to start something for spooky month after. Maybe the original Ps2 Silent Hill 2 Director’s Cut or Luigi’s Mansion 3 on Switch.

Just taking on Vader in my Unleashed run on Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2. Have enjoyed my second playthrough more than the first but it’s still nowhere near as good as the original game. 2 trophies left to pop after this run and then on to Dead Space 3.

Playing Mass Effect for the very first time. Only done the prologue mission but it's pretty decent so far.

Alternating between Demon's Souls and Bloodborne. For some reason. Never liked my sanity much anyway.

Nothing much for me, maybe scrambling for a few more of the 221 trophies in Vampire survivors but otherwise, Lego land with the kid and wife today, work tomorrow.

"My name is John Marston. I'm here to capture or kill Bill Williamson."

I’ll be playing rise of the ronan, tomb raider 2 and Star Wars tales from the galaxy on the 5. On my end table top pc I’ll be playing tiny glade and a mediocre polish pervert game.

I am currently spending the weekend in hospital with my son. So gaming is taking a backseat. Will happily read what everyone else is up to though. Happy Gaming All.

I just finished Mega Man 11 for the 2nd time. I really like this game, especially the story added more layer to Dr Light and Wily characters / relationship. Now, it's been 6 years since this game released but there's no sign of Mega Man 12 from Capcom...sigh.

I'm also juggling between Mega Man Zero 1 and Mega Man 7 from the collection. I bought Zero/ZX and Legacy Collection 2 but i never get the chance to finish at least one game. So this week i'll try to finish both Zero 1 and 7.

Oh and after many many tried, i finally got Platinum trophy for Tengai and Exit Man 🤩. I love both games and reccomended for anyone who wants to have a quick fun.

Silent hill 2 on Sunday, probably Astro bot and broken sword today

I completed Broken Sword Reforged and went straight onto Broken Sword 2 remastered. Im also playing Final Fantasy Rebirth Chapter 10 clearing the map. I put a few hours into Zelda Echoes of Wisdom which is so cute. Silent Hill 2 next week!

Im still playing one of the best video games ever made in 2014 game of the year winner the incredible Dragon age inquisition game of the year edition.im almost at the end.but i got some side missions.and dlcs missions to finish first.i will also continue one of the best video games ever made in the excellent assassin creed odysey gold edition.and i will also be continued playing one of the best video games ever made in the incredible sifu.nba preaseason started and my nba 🏆 champion boston celtics 💚🖤.got theyre first preaseason win.i will watch my Pittsburgh Steelers💛🖤 play.i will watch legendary sitcoms 📺 tv comedy shows in good times.family matters.sanford and son and saved by the bell.word up son

Finishing up Blasphemous 1 for the first time. Im annoyed at myself that i slept on it when it first came out. So good. Just finished the career mode in Powerwash Simulator. I was going to hold out on SH2 until the pro comes, but i dont think theres much chance of that! Have a great weekend folks!

I'm about an hour into the Metaphor prologue and man, how I love this game! So more of that, and some more Astro Bot with the kiddo .

Starfield maybe, but not the Shattered Space DLC

Astro Bot probably play a few levels at some point

FC25 I mean, I'll have the best intentions not to play it, but then people will make me 😪😅 ah, I love it really 😛

Somewhere in chapter 8 in Dead Space, playing in short bursts as it's a bit of a stressful experience. Also plodding through Little Nightmares 2 for PS Gameclub - around halfway through chapter 4 so should have it completed in next day or so.

Happy gaming people.

Still playing wukong (still loving it) but i did download the last of us part 1 ps5 remake to see how it fares up against the remaster and also to see if I can actually finish it before terminal boredom sets in. I also have dead space waiting in the wings too. Have a great weekend everybody 👍.

I’m spending some more time in HFW, just made it to the San Francisco area. I’m enjoying it a lot more this time around.

Just finished Chapter 1 of Valkyrie Elysium on the PS5 and loving it just like I thought I would. I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was developed by Soleil, who also made Wanted: Dead which I thoroughly enjoyed despite being rough around the edges.
Happy gaming everyone!

@Yousef- it’s quite the step down from the original tbh… not terrible but not great either. Worth a punt if you’ve got nothing else to play.

Echoes of Wisdom, AstroBot (one level a day), Gran Turismo 7 (one weekly challenge a day)

Despite having half a dozen games on the go, can’t stop playing Max Mustard. The best platformer since Astro Bot Rescue Mission

Finishing the Plat for Last of Us Part 1 and might do a second run for fun

Or

Miles Edgeworth Investigations 2

Everything and nothing it feels like.

Black myth Wukong Chapter 3
Rise of the Ronin working on Chapter 2
Links Awakening Dungeon 2

Dabbling also in some indies:
Kill Knight
Black Light
And if time allows Doki Doki LC

@astro911 a fellow Wanted Dead fan! There are dozens of us! Loved that gem.

Also really enjoyed Valkyrie Elysium too so you are in for a treat!

Just had to go back to the PS6 game - Red Dead Redemption II.

@ApostateMage RDR makes Bill & Javier seem so bad you'd think they were Micah.

@ErrantRob Thank you good sir! I see you also have impeccable taste. I hope you enjoy your time with Ronin as much as I did!

I'm on a lovely repeat binge while I'm waiting for the new Dragon Age.

Switch: Sidequests/adventures in TotK.
Series X: BG3, started a second playthrough as a Bard this time.
PS5: Alan Wake 2, The final draft (ng+).

Recently finished:
Shattered Space DLC. Enjoyed everything it had to offer. There are some things I wished would have been there but nothing to complain about. If you liked the base game I'm sure you will like Shattered Space as well.

I also played the Metaphor demo and it seems great!

Enjoy your weekend!

My 'Silent Hill 2' (PS5) physical disc arrived today, so my weekend is fully booked lol

I might have enough time to finish the Metaphor demo this weekend. The good news is that it's getting colder outside, so unless I find a place to go hunting this year, I should be able to get some more gaming out of the way. I was cautiously optimistic about the Silent Hill 2 remake, but after the reviews dropped, I went ahead and preordered it. I should have it in hand by the 11th.

Today I really need to finish the work I had planned for last week. My brother's wedding turned in to a day of work from 8:30am to 12:45am with a few hour party in between - lots to do today. My riding mower is struggling hard, so today it finally gets some TLC.

This weekend, I'll be playing:

• Epic Mickey Rebrushed (Almost done with Lonesome Manor)
• Trails of Cold Steel 2 (Rescuing Alisa's Mother and saving Roer)
• Hogwarts Legacy (Finally got my broom in the Griffyndor Route and now doing some side quests).

Just three more weeks until Sonic, Dragon Age and YS X come out.. Oh boy, i'll be real busy then lol!

I’ll see if I can play a bit more of The Last of Us: Part 1 (played it years ago on PS4, now enjoying the “free” PS5 version released on PS Plus), and Mafia: Definitive Edition on Xbox Series S (what an incredible game …).

was pushing to finish the platinum for vampire survivors and got it ahead of the next week release of the 1st Diablo 4 DLC. I will finish the remaining trophies for the expansion of Survivors I bought today and tomorrow and start Doki Doki Literature Club.

@DrVenture69 finished Blasphemous a few weeks ago. Excellent game. Enjoy it

Started Space Marine 2 after platniuming Vampire Survivors

Kill Knight - What a brilliant game and its not a roguelike/lite just a pure arcade rush 😃👍

Well, I got a PSVR2 yesterday.
Literally thinking of returning it tomorrow.
I had the original PSVR, and absolutely loved it.
This one feels like a step backwards.
From the lack of high quality games to the annoying lenses.

Star Wars Outlaws

Yes, I know I'm slow with the game, but I'm still enjoying it.

this weekend I am playing some ea sports fc 25 and some more until dawn I might also start the first final fantasy as I received my copy of the pixel collection on ps4 today hope everyone has a great weekend

I finished Harold Halibut. It is not much of a game, and yet it was for me one of the greatest games I ever played (weird to write this in the same sentences). It is less a game than a slightly interactive story, beautiful set in scene, both visually and acoustically, mostly good voice acting, and story with interesting thoughts. The story apparently does not hit for everyone (e.g. push square review). In my opinion the "game" deserves to be experienced by many people!

Then I started Doki-Doki Literature Club since it is on ps+ and I was curious what it is about. I cannot say much yet. So far it kept my attention, but I have not made up mind whether I like it or not.

Silent Hill 2 - that is all 😌

I will start the Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn DLC, already got the plat. Diving into Star Wars Outlaws more and more. It's a similar case to Days Gone, the more you play, the better the game gets!! The systems become more solid, we get more resources. And I'm still in the 1st open planet, Toshara. A very good game in my opinion.

I will find some time to work on Yakuza 4, as I must end it to move to Y5, and Dave The Diver. I'm very close to platinum on it too.

Risk of Rain, had it in my backlog for ages. It's a great little game, with a lot of fun synergies...but damn it's straining my eyes. Not very console/tv friendly, going to have to sit closer to the telly if I want to keep playing it.

Started up Silent Hill 1 on my Odin 2 handheld yesterday, it's amazing what they could squeeze out of the PS1. Oozing atmosphere, I can only imagine how great it would look on an actual crt screen

Polishing off Astrobot, last challenge left. Then I'll be finishing Guardians of the Galaxy (2nd play through), which will clear the way for the Dead Space Remake in time for Halloween.

@JonnyAces A safe recovery to your kid bro!

Just finishing up Thief, not bad but certainly not great either although I guess we have to take what we are given in the stealth genre.
Also watched For a few dollars more so itching to replay RDR2 but I will have to resist as my backlog is crazy.
Up next is RE village in VR and probably puzzling places to calm down.

@colonelkilgore I quite enjoyed Dead Space 3, played it in coop, there are coop trophies.

Some Skyrim on the Steam Deck, trying to get myself back into FFVII Rebirth so I can actually finish it, but Zelda Echoes of Wisdom is taking up the majority of my game time.

@CaptD yeah I got the co-op stuff done a few years ago, so it’ll be good to finally get it cleared from the backlog. Clearing a long-time partially-complete game is even more satisfying than a fresh plat I find 😏

Back to Last Of Us part 1. Haven’t played nearly as much as I’d have liked, but loving it!

And… booked my trip to Japan next year (it’s a long way off, but already counting down the days 😄) so might start something like Persona 3 or one of the Yakuza games I haven’t played yet (not that I plan on punching people on the streets while
I’m out there).

Have fun everyone!

I'm about 2/3 of the way through Dark Souls Remastered. I'm having a fun time with it.

Finally started Death Stranding. It's been really enjoyable so far but it hasn't gripped me like his other more famous series MGS. That said, man what a start. When he has to go to the incinerator, it was intense. I hope there's more of that soon cause I want more

The actual game play so far has been different to say the least lol. I'm actually kinda liking how they made trekking across bases a struggle. I mean when you're carrying the ridiculous amounts of cargo that Sam does, it should be 😂. I wanna see where all this goes

Metaphor demo (finished already but I am doing an optimized save for the final game XD) and Octopath Traveller 2 because I hate myself and I started replaying it.

And SF6, as always.

@Judal27 I was pleasantly baffled by how it all kinda made sense at the end.

Trying to take it easy today, been a very stressful week. Wanna give Foamstars a go again as it's now F2P and I have an urge to jump back into Horizon Forbidden West just for photo mode (already platinumed) but I definitely need to play more Unicorn Overlord.

@JonnyAces Sorry to hear, I hope he's OK and makes a quick recovery.

@freddquadros @3Above cheers all. It's a long road ahead of us as he is being treated for cancer. But he is a warrior and getting through it day by day.

Astro Bot - still makes me smile every second I play this amazing game. Just a few levels and some trophies left now 🥲

Road 96 - finished and platinumed. Some good bits and an interesting game where you play as different teenagers meeting the same people over different chapters where each chapter is one teenagers journey to Road 96. Enjoyed it quite a bit overall but its not Life is Strange good.

Terminator Resistance Enhanced - recently watched Terminator 1&2 (great movies) with the son and when I saw the game on sale I had to get it. Its fun in an old school kind of way, dont need to things too much and blasting T-800s are great. Playing it reminds me of playing Fallout but without VATS, and mutants and… still, not a bad thing and I will continue to enjoy this game later this evening 🙂

Dragon Quest 11 for the first time. I played the demo when it came out and enjoyed it, but a friend completed it recently and raved about it so I bought it on Steam last week. Loving it so far.

@JonnyAces That's a rough deal. Makes you appreciate the small things in life. Hope he beats that ***** and have a quick recovery. 🤞