Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 499

Well, I’d been trying to finish off Final Fantasy XVI for the past two weekends, but in that time I’ve been hospitalised by a severe Crohn’s attack, had COVID and put my back out. So I’d been pretty much bed bound for over ten days. However, I finally made it to the sofa and finished the game on Thursday. And WHAT a game it is! I put 82 hours in, completed at least four of what are my favourite boss fights in all of gaming, and fell in love with both the story and pretty much all the main NPC’s. With that in mind, Final Fantasy XVI has comfortably overtaken Tears of the Kingdom as my favourite game of 2023 and instantly become one of my top two games on the PS5 to date.

This weekend I’m going to Paris with my wife and youngest daughter to visit my sister-in-law who recently moved there for work, so the only gaming I’ll get in will be on Nintendo Switch. I don’t want to buy Super Mario Bros. Wonder because I really want to pick up Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 when I get back on Tuesday, but I’m really wobbling, folks. Please, someone send help!

I'm playing some Dead Space remake, loving the atmosphere so far! Have a great weekend folks

Jumping on Goombas and swinging through NYC. This is what gaming's all about!!

Still going through Baldurs Gate 3 co-op with my partner! We are having a blast with it. Then also platinum hunting in Black Flag also. Happy gaming all.

@Marquez Ive been using performance mode with vrr and 120 and my tv is still reporting 120hz lol

Spidey all weekend for me, only about an hour in, awesome game so far. Great to be back swinging through NY, so smooth.

Happy gaming folks

Spider-Man 2 and Super Mario Wonder. Both awesome so far!

Tekken 8 beta! Have a lovely weekend folks 😄🤘

Just a few trophies away from Saints Row Platinum. Yeah it’s not very good but if you skip every cutscene and ignore the bugs it’s ok. Will also be trying to start Cyberpunk 2077 at last.

Will be finishing Ghost Signal, then might get Hubris while it’s on sale. That or something on Extra before I let it lapse, not decided yet.

Super Mario Wonder as it was just over half the price of Spiderman 2 and I know it will end up on PS plus eventually. Getting old means budgetary constraints.

Finished Lies of P and started a NG+ run for the platinum. Easily my GOTY.

Also started Spider Man 2 and of course it’s brilliant in story so far and the evolving Arkham Style combat.

Otherwise I’ve debated picking up Baldurs Gate 3 but have reservations since I’m not a CRPG guy. Yet everyone seems to love it. So I don’t know. Convince me I suppose lol.

Spider-Man 2 has a trophy named Splat. I'm just going to assume it's a shoutout.

Spiderman 2 & loving it. IMHO takes everything from the 1st games & improves on it. The swinging & gliding are so awesome. Also got Mario Wonder, but that’ll have to wait till I’ve completed Spiderman 2.

I will be playingthe amazing resident evil 7 gold edition.the excellent dying light the following.the fantastic the last of us part 2.the wonderful days gone.and the incredible little nightmares with all the dlcs.i will be watching my 🏈Pittsburgh Steelers 💛🖤 play.i will be watching legendary sitcoms tv 📺 in Sanford and son.and saved by the bell.word up son

Probably more than 20+ years since I played an isometric game, but all this talk of these games these days I decided to get Divinity OS2. It's wonderful with a steep learning curve albeit. It's taken my attention off MHW Iceborne a bit, which I was closing in on 400hrs on my 1st save. And there I was thinking I won't have games like Skyrim/Fallout4 to spend hundreds of hours because of MS' hypocritical buyout. So yeah, it's probably these 2 this weekend.

Finishing up Gran Turismo 7 and What Remains Of Edith Finch platinums before getting on Spider-Man 2! After I’ve spent the day looking after the child with the lurgy

Super Mario Bros Wonder and Spider-Man 2

AC Odyssey & some efootball24.
Might start Alan Wake Remastered if I get the time.

Like most people, Spiderman 2, very good so far, only 3 hrs in. But I must say it's very buggy - cinematics freezing, lots of clipping issues, nothing major. But it's great fun
Plus more Starfield on XBX, one of those absolute 7/10 games yet i love it
Have a great weekend guys and gals ❤️

Unfortunately I won't be able to get Spider-Man 2 now. My next big game will be Final Fantasy XVI. For now, only 2 trophies left in Hogwarts Legacy, try to get one in Dragon Quest XI S, and maybe some Yakuza K2 or Alan Wake Remastered.

New games are quite expensive these days...

@The_Pixel_King My next game is Final Fantasy XVI. I'm a fan of the franchise since VII on the PS1, and XVI got me really hyped. Couldn't play it on launch, but I will start it in november. Sure I will love it.

Safe recovery and good trip bro!!

Finishing up Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways and then onto Spider-Man 2. I've been loving Separate Ways and Spider-Man 2 will be a given.

I finished The Calisto Protocol a few days ago and thought it was brilliant!Shame there will be no sequel.
I started Gotham Knights last night which I can't decide if I like it or not yet.
Lego Skywalker Saga will be the other game I continue this weekend.

I've started lords of the fallen. I've been dabbling with the different characters and i've gone with the cultist as its not a class i would normaly gravitate towards but i thought i'd try something different. Really liking the game so far. Have a great weekend everybody 👍..

@Northern_munkey is it worth it? I’ve seen so much back and forth on performance but that all seems to be on the PC side of things. I’ve just finished Lies of P which was so well done I’m a bit concerned LOTF will feel like a budget game by comparison.

I'm hoping to finish my first run in Baldur's Gate 3 on my PC. Been going for over 270 hours now, and loved every minute of it. Definitely going to win every single Game of the Year Award.

I'm also going to be undertaking a couple of runs of Gears 5 Horde with my mate as a duo on Insane, which is always very challenging...!

@Marquez I guess I’ll have to just take the plunge since everyone says that. I’m open to CRPGs I just keep talking myself out of it!

Spidey 2 will be started this evening…also Assassin’s Creed Mirage will get some time and Sonic Superstars will get a serious bashing with my sons…maybe stopping to eat at some point…oh an watching the Arsenal

Getting absolutely wrecked by Romeo, King of Puppets in Lies of P, mixed with the soothing joyful platforming of Super Mario Bros Wonder. It’s going to be a bipolar weekend…

AC Valhalla - have completed the starting area in Norway and the first two areas in England. Ivarr is a serious rival to Disco Elysium's Cuno as my favourite NPC of the year.

I’m having a much deserved weekend getaway with my wife so I won’t be playing much until late Sunday evening. However, I do have Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 waiting for me - preordered, downloaded, and ready to go - when I get back.

Throughout the week, I managed to beat and get the platinum trophy for Cyberpunk 2077 (the base game). It was a phenomenal experience, even after 100+hours. I’ve yet to touch Phantom Liberty, but I plan on setting that expansion to the side until I beat Spider Man 2 and Alan Wake 2.

I don’t want to risk burnout on what’s critically considered an incredible addition to what is now one of my all time favorite games. Near the end of base 2077, I felt myself not reading archived conversations, looking at my phone while some dialogue conversations played out, and simply running and gunning throughout some gigs. Clearly, I need(ed) a break, and I don’t want to do Phantom Liberty a disservice.

@Marquez Im gonna give it a try 👍

I’ve recently fallen back into Disney Dreamland for a quick session here and there as it’s been a busy week. I’ve also purchased Noel the mortal fate in the recent sale and might dig into that tomorrow.

@ErrantRob i've finished lies of p and i can tell you lords of the fallen is no budget game in any way. Even though its a souls game it has enough new things as much as lies of p has to warrant a purchase. The combat is deep and it looks gorgeous. It is a tough cookie indeed but not impossible. Is it worth a punt? If you love the souls formula then indeed it is.

Of course I've been playing Spider-man 2 for more hours than i've slept and its sooo worth it! A true next-gen experience. I cant fathome how some reviews said it was "more of the same" ect.

Enjoying your gaming everybody. Let's be Greater. Together!

Playing spiderman 2 and super mario wonder and this is the most fun gamign weekend of the year both excellent games

Picked up Spiderman 2 yesterday afternoon. It's going to dominate the PS5 in our house and I'm fine with that.

@Northern_munkey I'm interested to hear how you get on with this one. I haven’t seen many people playing it. I'm intruigued, but not enough to gamble on it

Xbox - starfield (almost done with second new game+ run. Haven't decided if I'm doing another one or finally moving on.)
Playstation - Resident Evil 7
Nintendo - pikmin 4
PC - emulation

@Duck_Farmer I just encountered him again in a later story arc, the guy is crazy hahaha

GT7 on PSVR2

Need to buy Spider-Man 2 but first the misses birthday.

Spider-Man 2, took my full 19 inches of Venom and ready to start the journey to the platinum.

Spider Man 2 of course XD. Later I’m gonna play Yakuza 3 and a bit of Death Stranding

On PS5 I'll be playing Spider-Man 2 and Dark Pictures House of Ashes with the Mrs. On Xbox probably Starfield if i can stop playing Spider-Man 2. Also started Like a Dragon Ishin on Xbox but I'm not sure about it tbh.

BG3 still, just got to the ghost house. It just gets better and better. GOTY for me. I’ll get to Spider-Man when I’ve bought and finished Miles Morales, HFW, GOW2 and cleared some of my backlog, so a couple of years😂. Have a great weekend everyone!

Spiderman 2 of course! It's been really excellent so far. Good stuff Insomniac!

Spiderman 2 in performance mode (what an opening) and Mario wonder arrived to day and me n my son are loving it

Mario Kart with the kids, Resident Evil 4 mixed in with Starfield, Forza Motorsport and 4th play through of Elden Ring (still can’t beat Malenia) on the Xbox and Demon’s Souls on the PS5. So many great games, so little time.

Spider-Man 2 and Mario Wonder, of course!

@3Above A true current gen experience. Next gen hasn't been announced, we're playing current gen games.

Super Mario Wonder and Diablo IV

EA FC '24 trying to lead Leyton Orient to the Premiere League. Mostly going to try and get past the character creation screen of Baldurs Gate 3. I'm to indecisive and can't commit to a class or race.

@RobynAlecksys 😉

I just feels like with Spiderman 2 we're finally getting the experience they sold us on 3 yrs ago. Something that truly couldnt be on PS4. Not to mention 60fps. (I'm playing in Performance mode)

1. Spider-Man 2

Having a blast. Fun game, with a narrative that also looks fantastic! Now this is the full package I am happy to pay for.

Sony has another gem here.

I started Cyberpunk this week and hooooo boy is it better than I anticipated. I am going to be CONSUMED by this game, I can already tell.

Hopefully going to finish up the excellent Phantom Liberty and my second full play through of Cyberpunk 2077 before starting Spider-Man 2. Also fired up Cocoon on a whim and it’s just fantastic. Happy gaming!

I’ll be spending some time in the GameStop subreddit trolling GS employees. Seriously, you guys should see some of the ignorant stuff they complain about, such as being pissed off at customers that bring in consoles for trade “too late” I.e. 15-30 minutes before closing. They feel that customers should “know better”, that they shouldn’t be expected to offer all the services and products their place of employment offers during business hours. They get so triggered. It’s epic.

Other than that I really need to get back on some games. Baldurs Gate 3 feels like a daunting task to continue at the moment, so I’m thinking I’ll finally start Resi 4 remake. It’s spooky season, after all.

Well,over the week I got everyone to survive to the end of House of Ashes but then had someone die with like 10 minutes left. That was a bummer. In chapter 3 of Fate Samurai Remnant and drop 7 of Fatal Frame 5. Then some Star Rail as well.

@Lyedecker I let the girl die in my play through. She deserved it

@Dusk_Actual LOL, I lost Nick to a heartbeat qte.

I unlocked all achievements and 10ng+ runs in Starfield so now I'm taking a break from gaming before I either jump back to wrap up TotK or do another run in Cyberpunk. Have a good weekend everybody!

Finally playing the Final Fantasy 7 remake and I'm absolutely loving it. So much so that I'm preordering Rebirth, joining Breath of the Wild as the only games I've preordered in the last decade 🙂

@freddquadros Thanks for the well wishes my friend, it means a lot! I’m sure you’ll love FF16 as much as I did. Easily my game of the year so far. Hope you get around to it real soon and have a great weekend.

Spider-mens 2 at 30fps and red dead redemption at 60 fps

Literally just finished BG3. My first time with a game like this and overall I really enjoyed but I will say as it got close to the finale I just wanted to be done with it. Will play some EA FC and Mario Wonder as palate cleanser.
RIP Sir Bobby, sad news few hours before kickoff.

I'm playing NBA 2k24 and Weird West. I didn't think I'd like WW but it's not a bad game.

I'll be in Dogtown playing as a NUSA agent in the superb Phantom Liberty.

Just started Horizon Forbidden West on PS5. Stunning! Tried the 40 fps mode but found it too choppy. Performance mode is butter smooth and often hits over 60 fps with VRR. Glad I waited until this one was all patched up.

@Northern_Munkey. Just wanted to compliment your new profile pic (or at least I think it is new). Love Warren Ellis and Transmetropolitan.. Recognized the glasses. Nice.

Passing on Spiderman until Xmas. Currently playing the 7th guest vr and immortals fenyx rising.

@Northern_munkey awesome to hear. I’ll probably snag it this week then. I’ve seen graphically where it looks gorgeous but I’ve heard so much about performance it seemed like it might be a wait to buy on sale option.

@Stevemalkpus yes i love spider jerusalem..thanks bud🤪

@ErrantRob the performance issues have been non existent so far and i've been playing it pretty much all day off and on. I'm loving it.

Plants vs. Zombies (Windows Phone) - This game is a guilty pleasure of mine. I'll probably pick this on my wife's Android phone at some point so I can play it down the road. Time to beat it again and clear it off of this dying phone for now though!

Doodle God Blitz (Windows Phone) - Haven't played in a week or so, need to get back to it!

I played the first mission of Spider-Man 2, loved it. But now I’m hesitant to keep going because I’ll just steamroll it to the end. I have no control. 10000% I’m playing it in an hour tho because yolo

Playing Spider-Man 2 and really loving it!

One of the open world things that uses the wingsuit makes me want to see insomniac games​ creating an Iron Man, Thor and Superman game. They are the only developers I'd trust that could do an amazing job with them

I’m on the receiving end of all 19 inches of Venom! Spider-Man 2 is so good! Have a great weekend, everyone!

I grabbed HELLBOY: Web Of Wyrd on release day for $20 and so far I’m enjoying it quite a good bit. Such a great looking game if you like Mike Mignola’s artwork!

I’m also working through some of the last trophies I need in Black Ops 2 DLC for 100%. I really enjoy the early zombies maps. After Black Ops 3 zombies really started to fall off for me although it’s still decent here and there.

Just platinumed assassin's creed mirage. Will start spiderman 2 tomorrow

PS5 - Assassin's Creed Mirage, Spider-Man 2

Switch - Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Xbox Series X - Sonic Superstars

I’ve received both Spider-Man 2 and Super Mario Wonder but they’ll have to wait. I’m knee deep in Lords of the Fallen and I only play one game at a time.
I reckon I can start my next game in 1-2 weeks. It’s been a crazy year and I haven’t even started Zelda: TOTK or Armored Core 6… I need more time!

Few games of fifa on the ps5 and the back to mario sunshine on the gamecube. Tbh im more into emulation that ever this gen and its really amazing how little graphics have come on when you play a ps2 game in 4k, resolution means more than you think...

Still very much enjoying Lords of the Fallen. It's a great souls like that was largely pandered for hypocrisy as well as deserved critique for a lack of release day technical polish.

Aside from all that though it's a solid one.

Spider-Man 2 Digital Deluxe. Used my stars points to discount it. What a great game. Have about 4 hours so far. Graphics are great. Game play is familiar with tweaks to add some freshness to the mechanics. Opening to the game is awesome. Show off what the PS5 can do IMO. I'm not regretting my purchase.

I’m getting a new tv next weekend - honest non-fanboy recs regarding OLED burn-in risks?? Samsung quality control??

Spider-Man 2, natch.

More BG3. The third act is ridiculously layered. It'll probably be another week at least before I'm done. And then...possibly a second playthrough to catch what I missed.

On Steam, Bioshock. Classic game and still looks great somehow.

Lords of the fallen, just finished up first playthrough, went to rest at the " bonfire" before starting NG+, game crashes, corrupts my save file, sets me back the final 5hrs of the game (which are absolutely infuriating), for some reason the game made no saves for 5 hrs or didn't sync any with psn, strangley enough kept the unlocked class for Radiance ending tho,
I'm.not even sure if the game is good enough to redo those last few hours again...

Finished act 2 of Baldurs gate 3 last night (although I managed to miss one of the primary objectives so no bear-man friend for me)

I love this game so much. I’m excited to get to Baldurs Gate. Unless act 3 really falls apart this is my GOTY and quite possibly my favourite game of all time.

I'll be continuing with Saints Row. 45% through it. It's not bad.

SM2 and Mario Wonder for the win. Also, almost finished with the absolutely amazing Sea of Stars

this weekend was mainly about teambuilding trip with my colleagues but I'm going to return to Elden Ring tonight and explore new area in the game...this game is so addictive.

Enjoy rest of a weekend, folks!

Oh boi what a absolutely amazing down right WOWIE ZOWIE weekend it’s been and I’m just so happy. Saw the new Scorsese movie Killers Of The Flower Moon and honestly it was just excellent. Little slow to start but Martin really is a visionary. Of course like everyone else I’ve been playing loads of Super Mario Bros Wonder. I love it so much it’s utterly excellent and honestly might be my GOTY. I’m blown away each new level I do. Of course that’s not the only new game that came out that I’m checking out. I also dabbled in some Spider-Man 2 and honestly there are moments in it so far that if you ask me make Final Fantasy XVI blush. I think I’ll also take a break off of Mario Wonder today to do some Sonic Superstars I’m very excited for that one. Also I’ll probably wrap up the RE7 DLC later tonight too so I can move onto the Seperate Ways DLC for Resident Evil 4 Remake this week. Finally playing some new RE content for Halloween feels good. Of course I’ll be doing the usual rotation of games this week of Rain Code and FFXVI and TOTK and Fire Emblem and Sea Of Stars and stuff but of course throwing in some of our new additions there too. And of course that’s not even counting the fact that yeah I still have a new game this week in the absolutely legendary Alan Wake II. Granted I’ll probably delve into that next week as my yearly special Halloween game I start on Halloween but to say I am excited is a understatement. Extremely good time for gaming hahaha. As for the Fall Anime I’ve shook out some clear winners. Spy X Family, Shangri-La Frontier, 100 Girlfriends who really love you, Eminence In Shadow, Inexperienced Love Story and Frieren. All simply superb and excellent intros too. As for the podcasts this week we got the usual awesome killers like Castle Superbeast, Big Think Dimension and Into The Aether. But of course we got Remap Radio and Minnmax coming in hot again as just really excellent things to listen to while really getting into some of these excellent games coming out. Hope everyone is having a excellent weekend and Happy Gaming.

I Finished Judgement earlier in the week which was a fantastic game. RGG are probably my favourite studio can't wait to play all the games that follow.

I've put about 5 hours into Spider-man 2 since Friday and it's fantastic. So much excellent things going on in this game.

Enjoy what's left of the weekend folks!

Super Mario Brothers; Wonder and I am having a blast with it. I love this game!

I will buy Spider Man 2, eventually, because Venom has always been one of my favorite cb characters.

@Marquez
I have a 120hz TV and play in performance mode. Is Fidelity mode at 40fps better?

I am mostly playing Spiderman 2 and it is really really good. i got the digital deluxe edition . even took Friday off from work. Constantly having a smile while playing this one. I platinumed the first one so planning to do the same here. I like the side quests /missions and they have improved it further here.
Also completed the last portion of TellTale Batman Season 2. This is also really really good.

@Dusk_Actual Maybe perhaps get a life, instead of trolling employees for a company you don't actually work for?

@thebizniznizbiz LMAOOOOO

Ok guy on the internet, I’ll do as you say bc you say so

Don’t forget to throw your cape on

@Dusk_Actual Don't have to take my advice, honestly. Was just pointing out that what you mentioned you were doing - sounded a little pathetic.

@thebizniznizbiz Nobody cares what you think dude. But by all means, keep this going.