Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 531

Still working on Animal Well. Obviously I am not as smart as I thought I was.

If I get any spare time this weekend, unlikely though it is… I’ll be looking to start Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition. It was never a game that was on my radar but have heard a fair bit of positivity about it recently so hopefully it lives up to what people have said about it.

Currently playing through Syphon Filter 1 but i may dip back onto Assassin's Creed Origins which I left a couple of months ago.

Hubris this weekend . Might have to dog sit for family, in which case I’ll take the Portal and play some vesperia, Balatro, and/or Monster Sanctuary.

After reaching the haligtree in my prep run, i have paused, and turned to backlog. Having swine flu is a great argument for mid week gaming, so finished Diablo 4 and almost done with phantom liberty

Rounding off Returnal. Already finished the game, going for platinum now. Completing the last surveys is quite some work, but even after finishing all biomes dozens of times it’s still lots of fun.

Hellblade 2 - finished the game, really enjoyed it even if some parts were a bit weak perhaps. Looks absolutely gorgeous, sound is top notch and I liked the story even if it wasnt as good as in the first game imo. Basically though, you have to enjoy this type of game to find Hellblade 1&2 any good, but if you do you´re in for a treat!

Viewfinder - picked it up in the sale, been om my wishlist for a while. I´m only on level 2 but this is a fantastic puzzler imo. Really clever use of photos and perspective when solving the levels which makes it unique and very fun to play.

Tales of Kenzera – ZAU - Pretty good platformer, enjoying it and a nice break from other games.

Destiny 2 – waiting for The Final Shape, want to finish the story which I hope is really good and conclusive and then leave Destiny behind again with some sweet final memories. Meanwhile Im enjoying the PVP a lot more than I thought, especially Trials of Osiris which is great fun. Tried some raids but my GOD I dont have the patience nor time for that ***** anymore. That said, the gameplay is still some of the best ever, if not the best. Too bad they ***** a lot of the other stuff up.

I’ll clear up a few more trophies in FF7 Rebirth (not going for the platinum, not now at least) and then I’ll finally move onto G-Police.

Please never use The Simpsons hit n Run picture out of context on this website again

Just for a brief moment I thought........ you know

Dragon’s Dogma 2. My maxed out Thief and trusty Sorcerer, Schemer, have just reached Battahl. I sneaked in by pretending to be a slave on a phantom oxcart. It was a good time. And now we are on the hunt for a Medusa’s head in order to petrify a griffin for a sculptor. This game is an all-timer for me.

Doom 64, Far Cry New Dawn, and System Shock Remake...most likely.

Still working through Version 1.0 of Gran Turismo 6 and the campaign of Red Alert 2.

Working on my last ending on Fallout 4, the Brotherhood. Some Switch fun with the family and general beers n vindaloo.
Hope everyone has a cracking gaming weekend!

So I can't continue with ff7 rebirth for now. Have got as far as nibel and just can't do another box ticking world map. Will need to take a long break so instead I'm playing the OG Final fantasy 7 😂but with the new threat mod on my new gaming laptop, also a lot of really cool graphics upgrade mods that make the game look amazing 😍

It’s almost summer time so I’m doing my annual Uncharted 1-4 playthrough. Already done with 1-3, midway through 4. It’s my 5th or 6th playthrough and I’m still having a blast. Some Gran Turismo 5 on the side as well. Also, watching the Astro Bot trailer on repeat. Loved Astro’s Playroom so counting down the days till the sequel launches.

I started a new run of Hollow Knight this week, so I’m totally addicted to that again. Besides that, some FF XIV and Paper Mario TTYD!

The stunning Hellblade 2 on Xbox. Ignore the haters, this is superb. Combat has a real heft to it, almost like you're actually in combat. Can't recommend it enough.
More Dragons Dogma 2.... I think I'll be playing this game until the end of time. Gonna be my GOTY without doubt
Have a great weekend guys and gals ❤️

@Daleaf..happy birthday dude ! Mine tomorrow..56 😭😭😭

I’m pretty sure I’m on the final boss now in Stellar Blade. Ngl I’ve been somewhat taken aback by all the back-to-back bosses near the end of the game. In anticipation of finishing SB, I bought 2 games in sales this week - FF7 Rebirth and Like a dragon infinite wealth. Now which do I start first? 🤔 I’m also playing Paper Mario TTYD on Switch.

@kyleforrester87 yeah the new Season Of Loot update has really transformed the game for me. Addictive like crack

@TheOfflineGamer ....sounds awesome. Old school gaming, those were the days. Red Alert 3 is an all time classic

@Zuljaras Half Life 2 will never leave my all time Top 3. Ever. Has never been bettered to this day

I'm just messing around on Elden Ring to prepare.

I'm in a very rare "story game" mood, so I finally got round to starting the 4th season of The Walking Dead. I forgot how good these games actually are. I also picked up The Last Campfire for dirt cheap in the PSN sale and have been enjoying that too. Enjoy your weekends everyone 👍

Finished Stellar Blade last week. Great game. Need a big meaty game like that to get absorbed in.

A few smaller scale/length games will do for now. Just started Planet of Lana this morning. 20 to 30 mins in and it's impressing me. Art style is beautiful.

May also take a shot at crow country as liked the demo

Sea of Stars (available on PS+ Extra)
Currently I am on chapter 7 and enjoying this. The game gives nostalgic memories of playing FF7 on the PS1

Submerged Hidden Depths

Exploration/adventure that consists of part boat driving and part Uncharted style platforming in a sunken city. Third person but played in gorgeous VR though UEVR. Sony should really consider this option for PSVR2 players in non-VR games.

Citizen Sleeper

More akin to playing a tabletop game with dice while reading a book than a typical game. Still a pretty engaging and atmospheric journey about a lost and decaying android on a strange space station. If you love games with LOTS of text and with a interesting gallery of characters, like Disco Elysium, you should consider this one.

Nioh 2

I just started this yesterday but it took me about 2 hours to make a character and choose the starting weapons. Embarrassing, but that's just how I roll when there is too much to customize/choose from...

I’m in chapter 2 of RDR2. Not really feeling it, but I think I’ll keep at it. I’m sure it’ll click at some point

@kirkn you use the * at the beginning and end of the word you want in bold. No space between the symbol and letters

Fallout 4 probably but I'm not sure if I'll play anything I've been in a gaming rut the last few weeks nothing seems to be holding my attention for long so maybe need a break for a few weeks.

Currently heading towards the end of Fallout 4 with appeasing the Railroad and stupid Preston and his band of uselessness. Gutted as my save got bugged so I can’t even start the brotherhood quest, to wrap them all up in one save. Apart from that I started prison architect on the side, which I’m enjoying.

I'll be finishing Lies of P this weekend. Just about to start the final Simon Manus battle and then tie up some loose ends to get the few remaining trophies.

After that, I'll probably dip back into Tomb Raider Remastered. I finished TR1 a while back, so I'm looking forward to playing TR2 which was always my favourite one on the PS1.

I'm still in hospital and bored of Fallout Shelter now so I'm going to be watching 70s and 80s horror flicks. Currently Q: The Winged Serpent.
I'd quite like to go home soon. 😕

@Zuljaras Blimey ! The Orange Box.
That takes me back.

@Gigawatt-Kapow get well soon mate.

I'm playing as a renegade Femshep in one of my all time favourite games - Mass Effect.

I'm also back playing Starfield. I've just started another NG+ with the alternate universe featuring your own player character as a recruitable companion. Love this feature.

I bought myself a thrustmaster T150 steering wheel with the frame so I'm mostly rally driving this weekend on wrc generations. It's very good but it's bloody scary as well. I'll probably be spreading a bit of democracy on hd2 as well. Have a good weekend everybody.

Plugging away with a bit more stellar blade. Only a few more trophys to go for the plat but i will need another run after this one to get the 3rd ending. I need to renew my + sub so will look for some cheap credit (shopto seem the cheapest) and take advantage of the days of play offer.
May play some Paper Mario on the switch.

Fallout 4 and Dredge for me. 75 hrs on Fallout since PS5 release, loving playing it again and surprised how much I’m enjoying Dredge.

Playing

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (PS5) - about 80% through the main story. Just started the Snotinghamscire arc.
• Diablo IV (XSX) - finished Act 2. Doing some side missions before starting on Act 3.
• F1 Manager 2023 (XSX) - starting at the bottom by managing Williams and am into my second grand prix weekend in Saudi Arabia.

Paused

• Divinity: Original Sin (XSX)
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)
• Yakuza: Like A Dragon (PS5)

Backlog

• Days Gone
• Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
• Persona 3: Reload
• Red Dead Redemption 2
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

I'm rotating between Stellar Blade, Witcher 3, and Diablo IV. Im also really trying to get into Fallout 4 and Baldurs Gate 3 again but those games just arent clicking for me at all (yet).

@hypnotoad Thanks man. One of my lungs isn't pulling it's weight, but hopefully I'll be home in a day or two. Been here more than a week. 🙄

I’m going away today and travelling light, so no gaming for me for 2 whole weeks. I’ll have to be content with playing through games in my mind.

Im playing Abiotic Factor which is Half Life mixed with some survival and crafting. Stellar Blade and went back to finish Banishers Ghosts of New Eden

@Gigawatt-Kapow get well soon

I'm finishing up my Honkai catch up and playing the Diablo 4 lootmageddon season. I also finished up my Destiny 2 prep for The Final Shape.

I've felt like I've been in a holding pattern for a while, waiting on The Erdtree's Shadow and Dawntrail and not really wanting to commit to anything too major.

@Zemo55 they got 3 likes so that's definitely not true.

The new Elden Ring run has begun. What was supposed to be a Samurai build has seen my character abandon the ways of the samurai and run around with claws, stripped to the waste. He had a difficult childhood.

@Perturbator @Zemo55 I care - especially about Nioh 2. One of my favourite PS4 games

Having snagged the Stellar Blade Platinum, i am now working in the Animal Well Platinum too. Finished the game technically, but I know that the eggs and other things mean there is much more to do.

Dove back into Rebirth. Left off on Chapter 11, going to finally see it through so I have more time for Rise of the Ronin. That should cover the weekend!

Next week I’m out of town a few days, right when V Rising comes out, so I’ll have that to return too!

@Darude84 I loved the platinum hunt. One or two ciphers were a bit grindy, but as you said it never got old and I got so good at recognizing what rooms had spawned I knew within a minute whether to restart that biome.

@rusty82 I know, I'm one of the likes 😜🤣

After having my ass handed by a boss in Tales of Arise , I managed to defeat him yesterday, so today is more of this game!! In the weekend I plan to put more time on the addicting Dave The Diver, on my confort game Uncharted 2, and more runs on the Forgotten Saga in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Buckle up!!

My OLED Steam Deck arrived yesterday so I’ll be playing around with that this weekend. I’m also nearly 20 hours deep in my Kingdom Hearts 2 replay and maybe halfway through Stellar Blade. My game time is definitely scattered right now. Have a great weekend, friends!

@Zuljaras I’ve missed your posts the last few weeks!

Im going to try and finish Plague Tale Requiem this weekend as well as Arizona sunshine 2 on the PSVR.

I need to try and push on with Tunic as well.

Still playing SF 6 because new balance patch is quite fun.

But i'm also working on some of my backlogs bit by bit, which i'm gonna continue one of Secrets of Mana, Trials of Mana, or FF Type-0 .

@rusty82 Much appreciated!

@ErrantRob Do you have any hints for biome 2? I still need 3 more ciphers and in the last couple of runs not a single one spawned. Does it help to kill the boss of biome 2 first before exploring all rooms?

Still on the FromSoft artistry - ER & BB. A bit of Mafia 3, DiRT Rally or AC Valhalla.

I will continue playing one of the best rpgs ever made the excellent instant classic in 💚octopath traveler 2.im playing Oswald story.hes the best.the gameplay.the story and the boss fights is amazing.and i will be playing another one of the best rpgs ever made in the incredible 🖤 divinity original sin 2 definitive edition.im playing as a wizard.the gameplay.the graphics.the story and the boss fights is amazing.my boston Celtics 💚🖤 🏀 🏆 is in the nba finals.lets get banner 18.i will be watching legendary sitcoms 📺 tv comedy. In Sanford and son.good times.the Jeffersons and saved by the bell 🛎.word up son

On Steam Deck I fired up my favorite game of all time, Nier Automata. Besides that, my son and I jumped into Hypercharge Unboxed and I’m continuing my journey through Stellar Blade.

@Blaze215 I could deal with the open world checklist, it was the endless bloat of mandatory mini games that completely killed my enjoyment of Rebirth.

@Odium completely agree on the mini games too, but just dealing with the checklist and not actually enjoying it is such a shame in modern gaming. This isn't just a rebirth problem it's a massive problem of all open world games these days, in my opinion anyway

On ng++ demons souls gunning for.old monks soul to finally hit that shiny platinum after that I need a rest hahah

I'll be monster hunting rise on the weekend. And might play a bit of persona 3.

@playstation1995 ...I think you're gonna be watching those sitcoms forever and always ...how many years now ? 🤣🤣

I am dipping more into GTA Online, but as I’ve never played it before, it’s hard to know where to even start.

Otherwise a few rounds of Multiversus which is fun, but I don’t know how much longevity it has as it’s about as deep as a puddle.

Hades ll and maybe Dodgeball Academia off extra before it goes.

Also, going to go hang with my pops for a lil bit and play some Backgammon with him, which is such a fun freaking game. I assumed it be boring af before I first played it, but man, it curb stomps every other board game imo. We don't do the gambling aspect of it tho, just for the "crown" (whoever has the most wins hehe)

Still on my second play through with Stellar Blade. I honestly need to get back on Street Fighter 6 too. I’m also playing Danganronpa Another Story I got on sale awhile back. Throw in a little bit of WWE 2K24 as well.

Slogging my way through Quantum Error. Easily one of the worst, cheapest, most frustrating and poorly made games I’ve played in as long as I can remember. Can’t wait to be done w it so I can move on to ASSASSIN’S CREED: Odyssey. Never played a console version of an AC game before (only on the Vita) so I’m quite looking forward to it. And the fact that Odyssey was part of PS Extra and I got all the DLC for $18 (I think it was) which includes AC III, makes it even sweeter.

This weekend I’m done traveling for work for a couple weeks. So with that I’m actually playing Spider-Man 2 after picking up on sale. To my surprise I’m lik liking it quite a bit! I’ll definitely see it through. I’m also playing GPolice, What a nice nostalgia trip! And as always more Gran Turismo 7. They just keep making that game better and better! 130hours in now, and I see no end in sight. Have a great weekend!

After finishing Jedi Survivor, I am staying in space with I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. It is a really fantastic game, but hard to describe: a sci-fi setting lifestyle sim with a card game/deck builder for challenges and another mechanic too story related to spoil. That is the best I can do. I highly recommend, especially if you like games about building connections with people, or time management, or sci-fi or card games in your games. I am very impressed with this gem.

I finally picked up FF7 Rebirth in the sale. I have been holding off as I didn’t particularly gel with the last one but I am enjoying this way more than I thought I would.

I will be peppering in some Age of Wonders 4 as well. I picked it up again recently and it has hooked me big time.

@DETfaninATL Get ready to be impressed. AC Odyssey is a fantastical game, the ambience of that world... You will lose himself in it. And, PLAY WITH KASSANDRA. I can't stress that enough!!

I feel like in my case Dragon's Dogma II is pretty much a certainty for every one of these articles this year 😂 the only downside I'm finding is the wait for the inevitable expansion.

There's also Fallout 4 on PS5... My second most-played game on PS4 but I really fancied playing the DLC again. Although I'm finding it's making me miss the older titles more. Having a voiced character was a huge "NO" imo.

And sadly I'm stuck on Stellar Blade so it's taken a back seat for now

@KingPev. Oh yeah haha.its a marathon.and those sitcoms are legendary.word up son

I hope to finally be able to finish Final Fantasy VII Rebirth this weekend, so I can unbox, install and play my Baldur's Gate III Special Edition .

@playstation1995 My man! Octopath is such a gem. Me and the Wife are on a sitcom rotation of Sanford & Son, Cheers, Hogan's Heroes and The Cosby show .

As for gaming this weekend iv already played a few matches in Foamstars new season. Hoping to get back to Rebirth as I'm about to enter Mt Nibel. And still holding out hope of playing a little coop Salt and Sacrifice with the lads.

Happy gaming everybody!

@3Above. Definitely octopath traveler 2 is a excellent game.and yes im watching the legendary Sanford and son marathon now.amazing extremely funny sitcoms TV 📺 comedy show.word up son

Hoping to get a bit more tidying done tomorrow and hopefully start building up my next Lego set.
For gaming wise though
VII remake Rebirth, Cult of the Lamb and MGS2 for PS5.
ESO, Tunic, Dark Cloud, Days Gone, Klonoa 2 and either Dragon’s Dogma or Mass Effect for PS4.

@KingPev I never liked RA3. 2 & Yuri’s revenge all the way. Takes some work getting it working on Windows 10 but it’s worth it. When my new XP machine is up and running it will be even better.

@freddquadros Thanks for the heads up! I’m really looking forward to it as I enjoy Greek mythology which is partly why I decided to go with that one as my first real AC game. That and I had heard it was one of the best ones too.😉 And I was intending to play as Kassandra so glad to hear that’s the better choice. 💪🏽

I just finish Man of Medan. I may go back to catch up The Ascent

Still playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

I’ll be ripping my ps1 and 2 collection while playing immortals of avian flu and g police on the 5. Along with gta vice city stories and flatout on pcsx2.

@TheOfflineGamer ..it should run directly all OK through Steam ?

I’ve arrived at the end of Stellar Blade, ran out of steam last night. With about 40 hours invested, it’s a much bigger game than I was anticipating. Provided I wrap that up this evening, my next journey will be the indie double bill of Indika and Planet of Lana. Happy gaming!

I wish I could play Hit & Run but I only have a Playstation.

Well, we're having a Scream movie marathon, but if I can squeeze a quick game in, I'll try and find the last missing dragon in GoW

@Kyushutrail i was there, i gave up half way through chapter 3 first time around. But Arthur kept popping into my head, i restarted it after a few months away, and probably not a day goes by that i dont think about Arthur, or listen to the sound track. Give it its due, and it will pay back in kind tenfold over

@Jimmer-jammer yeah stellar blade was longer than I expected but don't feel it out stays it's welcome.

I've been playing planet of lana today. Love a decent cinematic platformer

I need to replay hit and Run, so good. I’ve just splurged on a PSVR2 after the price drop, and oh my God! I was ready to not be that bothered and possibly return it, but I absolutely love it! I don’t think I could go back to GT7, and Arizona Sunshine 2 is a blast, fantastic gun play. It’s my first experience of VR and I’m blown away. I hope they put VR mode in more games, but I’d be happy just using it for GT7. With a set oh H9’s it’s giving my neck muscles a workout too. Happy gaming folks!

@rusty82 Yeah, I agree. It’s a good length for this type of game and realistically could have been shorter had I not chose to complete the majority of side content I crossed. Planet of Lana looks great! I’m really looking forward to starting it.

I'm currently addicted to Wuthering Waves !!! I'm enjoying it a lot more than Genshin.

Finished off the Dave The Diver platinum during the week there so I've started Dredge after it had dlc in DTD. I've also took advantage of the ps plus discount and upgraded to premium for the rest of the sub. Started the Sly series for the very first time. Also took advantage of the trial for topspin 2k25! Decent!

AC Origins on the Portal. Great for map icon clearing whilst watching Sports on TV.

Still making my way through Rise of the Ronin. I might also play Hellblade 2 if I have time.

Ravenous Devils
Hitman

@Blaze215 I’m right there with you. I get so worn out so quick with most open world games because I want to do everything but then it becomes a chore. I’d rather a concise 15 hour game than a bloated 100 hour game any day. I loved Remake and want to love Rebirth but just can’t.

Dredge , Puzzling Places and Crisis Brigade 2

Other than that I got a garden to mow with two lawn mowers that refuse to give me an easy time

Finally cleared some time to go back to the Kingdom of Drangleic. So far I’m enjoying Dark Souls II, more than I thought I would. Is it as good as Bloodborne or the first Dark Souls? Well, no. But it’s still great.

@Shepherd_Tallon How does G-Police hold up because back in the day it was a hard game as you get into it. Still can't believe they've brought it back I hope to see Colony Wars at some point

Rocket League. Forever Rocket League :'
Occasionally other games tho...

Guys...
Finally I bought PS5 machine yesterday. 😁

And I played these two PS5 games on this Sunday after I have installed all my 16 PS5 games.
1. Kao the Kangaroo
2. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

I'll be working on Bloodborne DLC, Horizon Zero Dawn and Jak and Daxter.

Issy van der Velde atleast one person has good taste in games on this staff, lol. I wish someone over at Disney would make a remake happen for Hit n' Run and Road Rage.

@Daleaf On the plus side, at least you now have the secret of life, the universe, and everything 😁

@Fakeplastictree I remember you from dtoid.

In completionist mode for Ghost of Tsushima. I probably need to up the difficulty. I'm a little too over powered now

Well this is a bit of a late WAYP this week but you gotta forgive me it’s what occurs when you gotta deal with the state of Maryland. Yes I’m officially back home and done with vacation. That’s where I wanna start actually as I just feel really sentimental. Got a lot of cool stuff that happened over the vacation. Beat loads of games like Another Code and Princess Peach and the FFXVI DLC. Got to start cool new ones like Paper Mario. Stuff like experiencing Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 261 in the midst of a brutal sunburn just absolutely destroying me making me feel like I was in the chapter will be memories for years. Getting into X-men or seeing King and Queen of the Ring equally as awesome. But really yall the thing that was the best was quality time with my stepdad on the beach. The most beautiful beach you could ever imagine. The most delicious dinners you’ve ever had. The most relaxing times you could ever imagine. I guess I’m saying all this to encourage all of yall to take a step back from games sometimes and enjoy a beautiful thing like a beach. Anyway onto the games like these things are meant for ahaha. Weekend was chill with just some Nayuta before Trails Through Daybreak and yet some more Persona 3 Reload before Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. Honestly in between going back to work this week I’m thinking this weeks gonna be kinda chill with games. Just some Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door. Some Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth. Some AI:Nirvana Initiative. Some Stellar Blade. Some Sand Land. Some Star Ocean 2. Next big game I’m working on is gonna be Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and I wanna get that done before the launch of FFXIV: Dawntrail at the end of this month. Only other real plans is Furiosa on my birthday on Saturday. Oh and Summer Game Fest on Friday too ahaha. Got these excellent Japan only Monster Hunter Stories amiibos too they’re absolutely beautiful. Anime of the week gotta go to Kaiju No.8, The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio, Delicious in Dungeon and Urusei Yatsura of course. Simply excellent shows that always make me smile. Podcasts of this week gotta go to the usuals of Castle Superbeast, Big Think Dimension, Into The Aether, RPGsites Tetracast,Minnmax, Jeff Gerstmann, Kit and Krysta, Last Stand Media, Easy Allies, Second Wind and Cultaholic Wrestling. And of course we wouldn’t be quite done without a big amazing shoutout to my dear friend over at twitch,tv/akibread and their superb streams please give them a watch. As we head into the Summer Game Fest streams by all these different companies I gotta admit I’m pretty dang excited. Oh and Happy Pride to all. But as always yall stay safe, be kind to each other, have a excellent week and weekend and Happy Gaming.

@Darude84 sorry for the delay! What I remember for the ones I needed (once I looked them up) was doing the run backwards from the end of biome 2 so I could access the room faster. Depends on what you need but most of the ciphers have a pattern that once you know what room it is supposed to be in and the rooms that may lead to that you can quickly sprint through then die.

@ErrantRob Thanks, just platinumed it today The one for biome 2 was hidden in an artifact room and my 2 glyphs and 1 recording for biome 6 I all got in just 2 runs.

@Darude84 congrats! Such a satisfying platinum when it all comes together like that