This is three weeks now that I haven’t played a single game, and by far the longest break. I did buy Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced so I might play that, but eh. I think I’m going to go to the comic store today and find some back issues from series I’ve been missing.
I’ve still yet to play anything. This is the longest I’ve gone without playing something and I’m surprisingly not missing it. At the moment I’m deeply consumed by my hobbies of collecting comic books and writing. Maybe when Assassin’s Creed Black Flag releases I will jump back into the gaming world, but we will see.
This sounds great, and a welcome challenge. I enjoyed the platinum for this, but I didn’t find a lot of replayability to be had, so this looks to remedy that problem.
I don’t have any words — this is going to be rough, and I wish everyone affected all the best. Y’all don’t deserve this whatsoever, and it’s a shame that a billion dollar company that didn’t know how to manage their people are putting it on you rather than themselves.
This weekend I am not playing much. In fact, I’m getting back into my other hobbies I’ve neglected: writing and comic books, and sometimes a mixture of both together. The majority of the time my main source of entertainment is gaming, but it’s interesting how time consuming it really is. It becomes quite easy to lose hours on your day to the medium and ignore other interests.
With that said, what I have been playing periodically is Devil May Cry 5 on the Nintendo Switch 2. I would say it’s my first time, but that’s not entirely accurate. I played the game on its original release but I didn’t like it. Playing as Nero in the beginning felt clunky due to his missing arm. Because of that, I stopped within an hour and never looked back.
And then it releases on the Switch 2, and I’m a big handheld gamer — that’s how I prefer to play it if I can — so I decided to give it another shot. I’m now a few hours in, and though I still find it cumbersome, particularly with its lock-on mechanics, I have grown to enjoy it more than I remembered.
That’s about it for me. I’m not sure how long this re-establishment of old hobbies will last, but I’m immersed in it, and actually feel happy for a change.
I trust them. Yeah, Cyberpunk had a rocky launch, but they managed to turn it around and now many consider it one of their all time favorite RPGs. And The Witcher 3 is obviously incredible. I have no doubt The Witcher 4 will be just as great.
Last Sunday I got the platinum for 007 First Light. While I [patiently] waited for The Adventures of Elliot to release, I was hankering for an RPG to play. I decided to replay The Witcher 3 for the fifth time, this instance being on Nintendo Switch 2.
I want to apologize to Elliot — you’re going to have to wait much longer to be played. I’m once again absorbed into this brutal, yet gorgeous Continent. Being able to take this adventure on the go is a godsend, and feels tailor made for that type of experience.
It’s also much better than I remembered; it ages like fine wine. There isn’t much more that can be said about this game that hasn’t been said before over the last 13 years. The writing is top notch, the characters are compelling, the main and side missions are some of the most in-depth, multilayered quests I’ve ever experienced, and exploration is consistently rewarding.
In short, this game is a bonafide masterpiece in every facet. Thirteen years later it still stands above most games today. Before Red Dead Redemption 2 and Elden Ring there was The Witcher 3. And thank God for that.
Rockstar is the only developer I ever buy physical copies from. Their artwork is sublime, and their maps included are chefs kiss. I’ll still get it digital, though, but yeah.
That is a horrible business practice, and so demoralizing for the studio and the developers. Honestly, it’s egregious. Just when you think XBOX is putting its competitive feet back in the door they do something that completely overshadows all of their positive decisions.
I just wrapped up the platinum for this last night. I thought it was solid, but had flaws. The more I think about it, the more I actually think it was better than I originally thought.
The more I see how well intertwined it is with God of War and Ragnarok and its cutscenes, the more I’m becoming really impressed and excited for this entry.
I mean, why isn’t October being used here? Seriously, the amount of games releasing that month is insane. Your goal is to standout in a crowded room. Whilst this game looks cool, I don’t see it overshadowing Control Resonant, or Phantom Blade Zero. I also don’t think GTA VI should factor into when you release a game unless it’s the same month/week. Half of these games could come out in October and still get recognized, especially if it’s good, because social media will help it.
This is looking great. I’m excited to see how the final product turns out. I imagine it will be good considering Playground’s immaculate track record, no pun intended.
I finally got 100% in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. It was excellent and immersive. The Riddler and Cluemaster puzzles were a grind. I’m glad the game is over. That said, it has gotten me back into the world of comics, and now I’m reading several Batman stories.
I also finished Mina the Hollower. After some reflection, I consider it better than Shovel Knight which is no easy task. It’s easily one of the most charming Zelda-likes I’ve ever played. The amount of secrets to uncover, from hidden bosses, new locations, additional weapons, trinkets and more, each frame features something unique if you pay attention.
The comparison to Bloodborne is hard to understand. If it’s referring to difficulty, then maybe there is an argument for that. However, if we are going to compare it to a FromSoft game then I think Elden Ring is the appropriate choice. There are several subtle nods and (secrets?) moments in Mina that are reminiscent of various secrets in ER.
And now, according to the developers, many people are missing out on approximately 50% of the game. I have an item that tracks your collectibles per location, but I’m really intrigued if there is even more to unearth if you experiment.
I now have 007 First Light on the docket, but I’m not entirely in the mood to play it at the moment. In the same vein, however, I downloaded Hitman: Blood Money on the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s one of the rare games in the franchise that I haven’t played. I’m not very far, but what I’ve played has been fun, albeit archaic in its mechanics. Nonetheless, that’s sort of to be expected. And with the announcement of the original trilogy being remastered, I’m even more enthralled to be immersed in this world of Agent 47.
7/10 for me. I said it on another site, but as much as I love PlayStation, this showcase once again showed me why I’m losing steam on their exclusives. The third party adventures that have the same type of gameplay gets exhausting. Don’t get me wrong, Wolverine and God of War look great—I’ll be buying them, no doubt—but I feel like I’ve seen these worlds 100x over. It all feels the same.
There were a few announcements that are interesting to me, particularly ILL and Until Dawn 2, but aside from that it felt like a showcase I’ve seen numerous times already.
I finished the main campaign in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. It was fantastic from start to finish. I’m now slowly grinding and chipping away at the remaining collectibles to get 100%. I play for maybe 30-minutes a day to mop them up.
But what I want to really talk about most is Mina the Hollower, my most anticipated game in the last three years. I ignored reading reviews (though I did see the scores), only watched the first reveal trailer, and went in completely blind. Boy, my expectations were met and more.
I’m a few hours in, a couple of dungeons and bosses down, and I feel as if I’m only scratching the surface as to what this game actually **is**. It’s the perfect blend of 2D Zelda titles, and Soulslike difficulty. The checkpoints can be unforgiving, and if you die you lose your “bones” unless you collect them back after your death. This may turn people away — understandably, might I add — and it caught me off guard.
If you are willing, there are a ton of modifiers to help make the game easier. Some of these options don’t feel like cheating, or making your playthrough feel less than. For example, you can turn on the ability to heal faster.
The moment to moment gameplay feels fantastic, as does the handful of weapons. I’ve tinkered around with a few and settled on the hammer, but I do enjoy the Castlevania-esque whip. The RPG-lite elements are a nice touch, too. Leveling up your weapons, gear, and other trinkets creates a layer of depth that has tons of options for unique builds.
Meanwhile, exploration is consistently rewarding. Being a mouse and using its abilities such as burrowing is such a fun element to incorporate not only in its combat, but exploration. I’ve discovered numerous of secrets so far, some of obvious, while others are challenging. Mina has that rare feat where when you uncover a secret you feel as if you’re the first person to do so.
As mentioned, I’m only a few hours in so I can’t really go in depth with an analysis of the game. With what I have experienced so far, I can say it’s shaping up to be my GOTY. Whether or not that will change the further I progress is to be determined. But right now, I can confidently say Yacht Club has burrowed it out of the park again.
I can’t wait for this. It’s insane that they are making another expansion for a game over a decade old. The other two expansions were basically their own games due to the scope, so I can only imagine what they will create here.
This has been my most anticipated game for years. I’m stoked to see the game not only live up to the hype but also exceed it. I’ll probably play Mina on the Switch 2 since I find these types of games tailored made for handheld. Man, there are so many great games out right now.
I’m not digging the character models at all; it looks very generic. With that said, the game looks gorgeous from what was shown. It appears more streamlined for open world exploration. I hope it still has turn based battles, but I have a feeling it won’t and that concerns me.
I’m playing LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. I was hesitant on buying this game. My usual experience goes as follows: one half of my brain tells me to buy [these games] because it sounds fun whilst the other half says I won’t play for that long and move on to something else. Of course, I buy them and lose interest within thirty minutes.
Here I am again, being irrational with my purchase. Miraculously, my experience has been drastically different from prior experiences. I quite literally can’t stop playing. I’ve put in 15 hours already.
The first thing that stood out to me and has yet to falter is how charming the game is, not only from its game world, but the characters and their animations. I have genuinely laughed multiple times throughout my experience. It has brought out my inner kid, and makes me realize games are meant to be fun and entertaining, not always about trophies and achievements.
Gotham City itself is a story all on its own. It’s a gorgeous world to explore, and trust me, it’s massive. There are a myriad of random activities to partake in—stopping crime, of course, solving Riddler puzzles (some are actually challenging), tracking down zoo animals that have been running amok, racing trials, and a lot more.
You can also go to your Batcave at any point in time. Here you can upgrade your hideout and expand its capabilities. You’ll be able to buy nearly every iteration of the Batmobile, but also vehicles used by other characters in the bat-verse. You can upgrade your arsenal, cash in on completed challenges, open up a shop where you can buy various items for your hideout. You can also buy or unlock over 100 costumes for your character(s), paying homage to its illustrious history.
Speaking of paying its respect to its long standing history, this game is essentially a collection of the Nolan universe, and follows that trilogy. However, it takes its own liberties and remixes things to add much more fun nuances. I was initially surprised, but it’s been a welcome addition.
Of course, you can’t mention Batman without synonymously mentioning combat and detective work. I’m thrilled to report that both are a main focus, and are very fun. It’s essentially the Arkham games in a LEGO skin. The combat is free flowing and works well in each environment you’re fighting in. You will also use various tools at your disposal to unlock new areas, track down suspects, and get the advantage on your enemies. The only downside is that combat can be trivially easy. It basically becomes a button mash romp, and it can get repetitive quickly. Nonetheless, the game still manages to be fun amidst its own monotony which is a huge compliment.
Ultimately, if you are a fan of the Arkham trilogy then you should feel right at home with this entry. It is essentially a new entry in that universe, but in a LEGO skin. Yes, it’s still a “kid’s” game, but it’s much more than that. Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is not only a great Batman game, but a great game in general that should be played by a wide audience. This Batman symbol shines bright.
Guess I’m buying this game after all. I’ve tried multiple Lego games before, but they never hold my attention. It sounds like this one will be the one to break the trend — I can’t wait.
I’m wrapping up my first playthrough of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. It’s still an excellent sequel. I’m excited to see what the third installment entails. However, I am kind of pissed, because the game is buggy as hell. If you’re hunting down achievements/trophies, it can be a real nuisance.
Other than that, I’ve been contemplating buying an Xbox ROG Ally X, the $550.00 version. I have been doing my research, and the Xbox Play Anywhere is very compelling. The list of games that I own or am interested in is part of this feature. I really like the idea of taking my achievements on the go. But man, that price is really damaging; ha-ha. I hear it’s an incredible device and worth the money.
I’d prefer if it isn’t on PlayStation, but either way, I think Wolverine will be more successful in terms of sales, but there is strong promise in E-Day, so it could out-review it possibly. Either way, we will be eating good regardless of what console you’re playing on.
I’m playing Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Xbox Series X). It’s been a fantastic experience, and one of the rare Star Wars stories that is genuinely great. I’m working on getting all achievements—by this time 007 First Light and Mina The Hollower should be released.
It’s a subjective opinion, but for me I’d say the game earned its praise and the awards it won. The art direction, while subjective, was top tier, in my opinion. The colors, animation, and lush backdrops during encounters really immersed you into the moment. Then there is the sound design. You can hear and feel every attack, and it feels good. Parrying or dodging has its own unique sound, and enemies have their tell too. Additionally, I think the OST is objectively fantastic, particularly with how it came to be with the SoundCloud scenario.
The story is also unique and well written, in my opinion. Not everything stuck the landing, but the characters and their motivations felt genuine. And learning why things were occurring the way they were felt satisfying. Lastly, the combat was top notch. It didn’t re-invent the turn-based wheel, but it did master it. The amount of varying builds you can create for each character is astonishing, and every character feels good to play, some of which have really unique move-sets that is unlike any I’ve played in a turn based RPG. One thing I don’t think people consider is, you can technically beat the game and never level up at all. If you get good enough at dodging and parrying you can defeat any enemy regardless of level. Granted, it may take a long time, but that isn’t something you typically see in an RPG. To me, that’s what sets it apart from every other turn based game.
There are tons of other reasons why I think the game deserves the praise it has received. I won’t say it is the best game ever made, or it brought back turn based RPGs, or what-have-you. But it did show that that genre is still capable of being unique; there is still juice left to squeeze.
Awesome preview, and I love the format of the article. I hope this shapes up to be a great 007 game. I’m a little skeptical, but the developers track record has yet to disappoint.
Shout out to South Korea, developing awesome games and celebrating those who worked hard on them. I haven’t played much of Crimson Desert, but it’s been great from what I’ve played.
In addition to beating Pragmata, I booted up Stalker 2 and loaded up an old save (I beat the game when it first released, and played 120-hours). I wanted to try out the new quest-lines that were added. This was more troublesome than I anticipated; it’s not a game you can hop back in a year later and feel comfortable. I was using med-kits when I wanted to turn on my flashlight. I wanted to fast travel, but I couldn’t until I got to a base of operations, yet that was harder than expected. I would try to run to my marker and die by anomalies and radiation. I eventually got my bearings after googling the controls, completed the new quests, and unlocked a few achievements. I can’t wait for its expansion.
Meanwhile, Hades 2 released on Game Pass. I’ve put in over 80-hours on the Switch version, but since Supergiant updated the game with new content I couldn’t resist starting a fresh playthrough. I’ve already experienced new events. Once again, I’m unabashedly addicted.
Here I am, five days left of my vacation. I was unsure what to start next. Despite my reservations due to the size of the game, I finally gave Crimson Desert a chance. All of my X/Twitter feeds have been praising the game, and the patches from the developer have been nothing but outstanding. It’s my type of game, but I still didn’t know what to expect.
Let me get the obvious out of the way: it’s overwhelming and mechanically complicated. There are so many systems at work, and they can overlap each other with the controls. With that said, I am already immersed in this beautiful and mysterious world. It’s similar to Red Dead Redemption 2 with its freedom and interactivity, and Dragon’s Dogma 2, one of my favorite games of all time, with focusing heavily on player agency and developing your own tale. I can predict that once I get used to the controls this could potentially be an all-timer for me.
So far, my vacation has been fantastic. I did what I set out to do—clean up my garage, and get a lot of yard work done. And play games, lots and lots of games.
I beat Pragmata (Xbox Series X). What a sublime experience. It may outshine Resident Evil Requiem for me which I did not expect. Capcom does something that no other current developer does: make me want to replay a game immediately after I beat it.
So, what’s the hook for this new IP? The combat. It’s really innovative. It’s a third person shooter with hacking mechanics all in one package. I was skeptical about how this would work in a proper firefight, but you’re never overwhelmed with enemies. There is a perfect balance that could have easily dismantled its entire focus, but thankfully it doesn’t. The combat also evolves with time, adding depth to the gameplay. You’ll consistently unlock new weapons, hacking nodes that caters to your style of play, and other surprises along the way.
There are finishing executions when an enemy gets weak, but there is only one variation. It’s kind of disappointing because it looks so stylish. If there were more animations with different weapons then it wouldn’t be an issue. It just gets repetitive after a while.
Exploration is also satisfying. There are five biomes to explore, each of which is approximately three hours each, maybe a little longer depending on if you go off the beaten path. If you do you’ll find benefits — new weapons, modifications, abilities, items for your shelter that liven the place up, and a lot of well written lore.
Some places are inaccessible at first, but similarly to Metroidvanias, you’ll acquire new abilities that allow you to explore areas later down the line. Thankfully, there are many checkpoint areas, so you’re able to do a quick clean up on the things you’ve missed. It took me roughly 14 hours to beat the game and find all collectibles without a guide.
The story is endearing. From all of the trailers I thought your companion, Diana, would be cumbersome and annoying. For some people, they may find this to be accurate. If you can tolerate her you will find a relatively emotional connection with her growth as a character.
Some story elements don’t always land. Pragmata pays homage to Dead Space, particularly in its opening hours — you’ll see posters on walls to emphasize this even more— and by this I mean you will succumb to horrifying loss. As such, the main protagonist, Hugh, whilst he comments on incidents that happen throughout the game, it’s his delivery, or lack there of, that isn’t handled well. You don’t feel his pain and suffering so it’s hard to relate; instead the focus is more on the “father/daughter” dynamic which is really solid.
It’s about freaking time. It may not have been Silksong long, but it has been long enough. This is easily one of my most anticipated games of the year.
Great review. I preordered the deluxe edition so I can get 48 hour early access. I have those two days off specifically, so I figured I’d use that time to play.
I can’t wait for this. Everything I see brings this new kind of excitement intertwined with nostalgia. I am curious to see how not only this turns out, but Exodus as well.
Comments 1,692
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 644
Halo: Campaign Evolved. I’m currently doing the prequel missions and they are great.
Re: 9 PS Plus Extra, Premium Games for July 2026 Announced
This is a banger month for me! A lot of good games on the list!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 641
This is three weeks now that I haven’t played a single game, and by far the longest break. I did buy Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced so I might play that, but eh. I think I’m going to go to the comic store today and find some back issues from series I’ve been missing.
Re: Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced (PS5) - Swashbuckling Classic Restored with Love and Respect
I’m excited to play this entry for the first time - it sounds great.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 640
I’ve still yet to play anything. This is the longest I’ve gone without playing something and I’m surprisingly not missing it. At the moment I’m deeply consumed by my hobbies of collecting comic books and writing. Maybe when Assassin’s Creed Black Flag releases I will jump back into the gaming world, but we will see.
Re: DOOM: The Dark Ages - Revelations Is Putting an Endgame in Your Fave PS5 Shooter
This sounds great, and a welcome challenge. I enjoyed the platinum for this, but I didn’t find a lot of replayability to be had, so this looks to remedy that problem.
Re: 'Likely the Largest Single Layoff Event in Gaming History': Ominous Words as Xbox 'Bloodbath' Looms
I don’t have any words — this is going to be rough, and I wish everyone affected all the best. Y’all don’t deserve this whatsoever, and it’s a shame that a billion dollar company that didn’t know how to manage their people are putting it on you rather than themselves.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 639
This weekend I am not playing much. In fact, I’m getting back into my other hobbies I’ve neglected: writing and comic books, and sometimes a mixture of both together. The majority of the time my main source of entertainment is gaming, but it’s interesting how time consuming it really is. It becomes quite easy to lose hours on your day to the medium and ignore other interests.
With that said, what I have been playing periodically is Devil May Cry 5 on the Nintendo Switch 2. I would say it’s my first time, but that’s not entirely accurate. I played the game on its original release but I didn’t like it. Playing as Nero in the beginning felt clunky due to his missing arm. Because of that, I stopped within an hour and never looked back.
And then it releases on the Switch 2, and I’m a big handheld gamer — that’s how I prefer to play it if I can — so I decided to give it another shot. I’m now a few hours in, and though I still find it cumbersome, particularly with its lock-on mechanics, I have grown to enjoy it more than I remembered.
That’s about it for me. I’m not sure how long this re-establishment of old hobbies will last, but I’m immersed in it, and actually feel happy for a change.
Re: Gallery: GTA 6 Looks Phenomenal in Dozens of New PS5 Screenshots
Rockstar once again pushing the boundaries. This looks absolutely phenomenal.
Re: The Witcher 4 Can't Be Another Cyberpunk 2077, and CD Projekt Red Knows It
I trust them. Yeah, Cyberpunk had a rocky launch, but they managed to turn it around and now many consider it one of their all time favorite RPGs. And The Witcher 3 is obviously incredible. I have no doubt The Witcher 4 will be just as great.
Re: Feature: The 10 Best PS5 Games of 2026 So Far
A lot of great games on this list. I got the platinum for 007 First Light and NiOh 3. Pragmata is my personal GoTY so far, followed by RE9.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 638
Last Sunday I got the platinum for 007 First Light. While I [patiently] waited for The Adventures of Elliot to release, I was hankering for an RPG to play. I decided to replay The Witcher 3 for the fifth time, this instance being on Nintendo Switch 2.
I want to apologize to Elliot — you’re going to have to wait much longer to be played. I’m once again absorbed into this brutal, yet gorgeous Continent. Being able to take this adventure on the go is a godsend, and feels tailor made for that type of experience.
It’s also much better than I remembered; it ages like fine wine. There isn’t much more that can be said about this game that hasn’t been said before over the last 13 years. The writing is top notch, the characters are compelling, the main and side missions are some of the most in-depth, multilayered quests I’ve ever experienced, and exploration is consistently rewarding.
In short, this game is a bonafide masterpiece in every facet. Thirteen years later it still stands above most games today. Before Red Dead Redemption 2 and Elden Ring there was The Witcher 3. And thank God for that.
Re: Pragmata's Latest PS5 Update Adds Hugh's Best Outfit and Nerfs One of the Hardest Challenges
Kids nowadays won’t know the struggle we went through for that 100%. They have it good! Haha.
Re: GTA 6 PS5 Pre-Orders Open on 25th June, Cover Art Revealed
Rockstar is the only developer I ever buy physical copies from. Their artwork is sublime, and their maps included are chefs kiss. I’ll still get it digital, though, but yeah.
Re: 'Density Over Scale': Open World Cyberpunk Shooter No Law Has Serious Potential on PS5
I remember seeing this a while back and being blown away by it. I’m glad to see it’s shaping up to be a solid game; I can’t wait for its release.
Re: Review in Progress: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales (PS5) - A Delightful Revival of Classic Action RPGs
The review sounds exactly how I assumed it would which is a good thing. I’ll be picking this one up for sure.
Re: New Senua Game Reveal Used as a Way to Sell Ninja Theory to Suitors
That is a horrible business practice, and so demoralizing for the studio and the developers. Honestly, it’s egregious. Just when you think XBOX is putting its competitive feet back in the door they do something that completely overshadows all of their positive decisions.
Re: Poll: What's Your PS5 Game of the Year for 2026 So Far?
So far my GoTY is Pragmata. Not only is it another Capcom classic, but it was innovative in unique ways.
Re: Game of the Month: 007 First Light (May 2026)
I just wrapped up the platinum for this last night. I thought it was solid, but had flaws. The more I think about it, the more I actually think it was better than I originally thought.
Re: These 7+ PS5 and PS Plus Games Are Coming Out Next Week (15th-21st June)
Like others, I’m excited for The Adventures of Elliot, but I will probably wait for reviews.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 637
I’m working on finishing up the platinum for 007 First Light.
Re: PS5's God of War Laufey Dominated Summer Game Fest
The more I see how well intertwined it is with God of War and Ragnarok and its cutscenes, the more I’m becoming really impressed and excited for this entry.
Re: Add It to the Pile: Crunchy Action RPG Crimson Moon Confirms September Release on PS5
I mean, why isn’t October being used here? Seriously, the amount of games releasing that month is insane. Your goal is to standout in a crowded room. Whilst this game looks cool, I don’t see it overshadowing Control Resonant, or Phantom Blade Zero. I also don’t think GTA VI should factor into when you release a game unless it’s the same month/week. Half of these games could come out in October and still get recognized, especially if it’s good, because social media will help it.
Re: Fable PS5's Innovative Life Sim Loop Has Me Smitten
This is looking great. I’m excited to see how the final product turns out. I imagine it will be good considering Playground’s immaculate track record, no pun intended.
Re: 8 PS Plus Extra, Premium Games Announced for June 2026
Blades of Fire is immensely underrated. It has flaws, but it’s a damn good game overall.
Re: Dragon's Dogma 2 DLC Is Real, Huge Dark Arisen Expansion Releases on PS5 in October
I’ll be there day one. Dragon’s Dogma 2 is one of my all time favorite games, and this expansion looks excellent.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 636
I finally got 100% in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. It was excellent and immersive. The Riddler and Cluemaster puzzles were a grind. I’m glad the game is over. That said, it has gotten me back into the world of comics, and now I’m reading several Batman stories.
I also finished Mina the Hollower. After some reflection, I consider it better than Shovel Knight which is no easy task. It’s easily one of the most charming Zelda-likes I’ve ever played. The amount of secrets to uncover, from hidden bosses, new locations, additional weapons, trinkets and more, each frame features something unique if you pay attention.
The comparison to Bloodborne is hard to understand. If it’s referring to difficulty, then maybe there is an argument for that. However, if we are going to compare it to a FromSoft game then I think Elden Ring is the appropriate choice. There are several subtle nods and (secrets?) moments in Mina that are reminiscent of various secrets in ER.
And now, according to the developers, many people are missing out on approximately 50% of the game. I have an item that tracks your collectibles per location, but I’m really intrigued if there is even more to unearth if you experiment.
I now have 007 First Light on the docket, but I’m not entirely in the mood to play it at the moment. In the same vein, however, I downloaded Hitman: Blood Money on the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s one of the rare games in the franchise that I haven’t played. I’m not very far, but what I’ve played has been fun, albeit archaic in its mechanics. Nonetheless, that’s sort of to be expected. And with the announcement of the original trilogy being remastered, I’m even more enthralled to be immersed in this world of Agent 47.
Re: Stellar Blade: Blood Rain Is the PS5 Sequel You've Been Waiting For
I’ll be there day one. One of my favorite games this generation, and I thoroughly enjoyed my platinum.
Re: Poll: How Would You Rate State of Play for June 2026?
7/10 for me. I said it on another site, but as much as I love PlayStation, this showcase once again showed me why I’m losing steam on their exclusives. The third party adventures that have the same type of gameplay gets exhausting. Don’t get me wrong, Wolverine and God of War look great—I’ll be buying them, no doubt—but I feel like I’ve seen these worlds 100x over. It all feels the same.
There were a few announcements that are interesting to me, particularly ILL and Until Dawn 2, but aside from that it felt like a showcase I’ve seen numerous times already.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 635
I finished the main campaign in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. It was fantastic from start to finish. I’m now slowly grinding and chipping away at the remaining collectibles to get 100%. I play for maybe 30-minutes a day to mop them up.
But what I want to really talk about most is Mina the Hollower, my most anticipated game in the last three years. I ignored reading reviews (though I did see the scores), only watched the first reveal trailer, and went in completely blind. Boy, my expectations were met and more.
I’m a few hours in, a couple of dungeons and bosses down, and I feel as if I’m only scratching the surface as to what this game actually **is**. It’s the perfect blend of 2D Zelda titles, and Soulslike difficulty. The checkpoints can be unforgiving, and if you die you lose your “bones” unless you collect them back after your death. This may turn people away — understandably, might I add — and it caught me off guard.
If you are willing, there are a ton of modifiers to help make the game easier. Some of these options don’t feel like cheating, or making your playthrough feel less than. For example, you can turn on the ability to heal faster.
The moment to moment gameplay feels fantastic, as does the handful of weapons. I’ve tinkered around with a few and settled on the hammer, but I do enjoy the Castlevania-esque whip. The RPG-lite elements are a nice touch, too. Leveling up your weapons, gear, and other trinkets creates a layer of depth that has tons of options for unique builds.
Meanwhile, exploration is consistently rewarding. Being a mouse and using its abilities such as burrowing is such a fun element to incorporate not only in its combat, but exploration. I’ve discovered numerous of secrets so far, some of obvious, while others are challenging. Mina has that rare feat where when you uncover a secret you feel as if you’re the first person to do so.
As mentioned, I’m only a few hours in so I can’t really go in depth with an analysis of the game. With what I have experienced so far, I can say it’s shaping up to be my GOTY. Whether or not that will change the further I progress is to be determined. But right now, I can confidently say Yacht Club has burrowed it out of the park again.
Re: Mina the Hollower (PS5) - Masterpiece for Many, But Not for Me
@DennisReynolds The exact same thing happened to me, and I also picked it up on the Switch 2.
Re: The Witcher 3's New Songs of the Past Expansion Could Be as Big as Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
I can’t wait for this. It’s insane that they are making another expansion for a game over a decade old. The other two expansions were basically their own games due to the scope, so I can only imagine what they will create here.
Re: Round Up: Mina the Hollower Earns Critical Acclaim, Best-Rated Game of 2026 in First Reviews
This has been my most anticipated game for years. I’m stoked to see the game not only live up to the hype but also exceed it. I’ll probably play Mina on the Switch 2 since I find these types of games tailored made for handheld. Man, there are so many great games out right now.
Re: Dragon Quest 12 Renamed and Re-Revealed After Development Restart, First Gameplay Shown
I’m not digging the character models at all; it looks very generic. With that said, the game looks gorgeous from what was shown. It appears more streamlined for open world exploration. I hope it still has turn based battles, but I have a feeling it won’t and that concerns me.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 634
I’m playing LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. I was hesitant on buying this game. My usual experience goes as follows: one half of my brain tells me to buy [these games] because it sounds fun whilst the other half says I won’t play for that long and move on to something else. Of course, I buy them and lose interest within thirty minutes.
Here I am again, being irrational with my purchase. Miraculously, my experience has been drastically different from prior experiences. I quite literally can’t stop playing. I’ve put in 15 hours already.
The first thing that stood out to me and has yet to falter is how charming the game is, not only from its game world, but the characters and their animations. I have genuinely laughed multiple times throughout my experience. It has brought out my inner kid, and makes me realize games are meant to be fun and entertaining, not always about trophies and achievements.
Gotham City itself is a story all on its own. It’s a gorgeous world to explore, and trust me, it’s massive. There are a myriad of random activities to partake in—stopping crime, of course, solving Riddler puzzles (some are actually challenging), tracking down zoo animals that have been running amok, racing trials, and a lot more.
You can also go to your Batcave at any point in time. Here you can upgrade your hideout and expand its capabilities. You’ll be able to buy nearly every iteration of the Batmobile, but also vehicles used by other characters in the bat-verse. You can upgrade your arsenal, cash in on completed challenges, open up a shop where you can buy various items for your hideout. You can also buy or unlock over 100 costumes for your character(s), paying homage to its illustrious history.
Speaking of paying its respect to its long standing history, this game is essentially a collection of the Nolan universe, and follows that trilogy. However, it takes its own liberties and remixes things to add much more fun nuances. I was initially surprised, but it’s been a welcome addition.
Of course, you can’t mention Batman without synonymously mentioning combat and detective work. I’m thrilled to report that both are a main focus, and are very fun. It’s essentially the Arkham games in a LEGO skin. The combat is free flowing and works well in each environment you’re fighting in. You will also use various tools at your disposal to unlock new areas, track down suspects, and get the advantage on your enemies. The only downside is that combat can be trivially easy. It basically becomes a button mash romp, and it can get repetitive quickly. Nonetheless, the game still manages to be fun amidst its own monotony which is a huge compliment.
Ultimately, if you are a fan of the Arkham trilogy then you should feel right at home with this entry. It is essentially a new entry in that universe, but in a LEGO skin. Yes, it’s still a “kid’s” game, but it’s much more than that. Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is not only a great Batman game, but a great game in general that should be played by a wide audience. This Batman symbol shines bright.
Re: LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (PS5) - Brick Gaming at Its Joyful Best
Guess I’m buying this game after all. I’ve tried multiple Lego games before, but they never hold my attention. It sounds like this one will be the one to break the trend — I can’t wait.
Re: Poll: Would You Buy an inFAMOUS Collection for PS5?
I’d buy this collection in a heartbeat. I didn’t care too much for the PS4 title, but the first two games are perfection to me.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 633
I’m wrapping up my first playthrough of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. It’s still an excellent sequel. I’m excited to see what the third installment entails. However, I am kind of pissed, because the game is buggy as hell. If you’re hunting down achievements/trophies, it can be a real nuisance.
Other than that, I’ve been contemplating buying an Xbox ROG Ally X, the $550.00 version. I have been doing my research, and the Xbox Play Anywhere is very compelling. The list of games that I own or am interested in is part of this feature. I really like the idea of taking my achievements on the go. But man, that price is really damaging; ha-ha. I hear it’s an incredible device and worth the money.
Re: New Gears of War Could Go Head-to-Head with Sony's Wolverine, But Will It Be on PS5?
I’d prefer if it isn’t on PlayStation, but either way, I think Wolverine will be more successful in terms of sales, but there is strong promise in E-Day, so it could out-review it possibly. Either way, we will be eating good regardless of what console you’re playing on.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 632
I’m playing Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Xbox Series X). It’s been a fantastic experience, and one of the rare Star Wars stories that is genuinely great. I’m working on getting all achievements—by this time 007 First Light and Mina The Hollower should be released.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 631
All I’m playing is Saros. I just reached the third biome, and I’m having a literal blast. Housemarque has cooked once again.
Re: Poll: One Year Later, Did Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Deserve All the Praise?
It’s a subjective opinion, but for me I’d say the game earned its praise and the awards it won. The art direction, while subjective, was top tier, in my opinion. The colors, animation, and lush backdrops during encounters really immersed you into the moment. Then there is the sound design. You can hear and feel every attack, and it feels good. Parrying or dodging has its own unique sound, and enemies have their tell too. Additionally, I think the OST is objectively fantastic, particularly with how it came to be with the SoundCloud scenario.
The story is also unique and well written, in my opinion. Not everything stuck the landing, but the characters and their motivations felt genuine. And learning why things were occurring the way they were felt satisfying. Lastly, the combat was top notch. It didn’t re-invent the turn-based wheel, but it did master it. The amount of varying builds you can create for each character is astonishing, and every character feels good to play, some of which have really unique move-sets that is unlike any I’ve played in a turn based RPG. One thing I don’t think people consider is, you can technically beat the game and never level up at all. If you get good enough at dodging and parrying you can defeat any enemy regardless of level. Granted, it may take a long time, but that isn’t something you typically see in an RPG. To me, that’s what sets it apart from every other turn based game.
There are tons of other reasons why I think the game deserves the praise it has received. I won’t say it is the best game ever made, or it brought back turn based RPGs, or what-have-you. But it did show that that genre is still capable of being unique; there is still juice left to squeeze.
Re: 007 First Light: A Full Debrief After 3 Hours with IO's New James Bond Game
Awesome preview, and I love the format of the article. I hope this shapes up to be a great 007 game. I’m a little skeptical, but the developers track record has yet to disappoint.
Re: PS Plus Essential Games for May 2026 Announced
Nine Sols might be a game I download and check out, but I have to be in a certain mood to play that particular type of difficult game.
Re: Crimson Desert Devs Get Huge Bonuses as Korean PM Praises PS5 Hit
Shout out to South Korea, developing awesome games and celebrating those who worked hard on them. I haven’t played much of Crimson Desert, but it’s been great from what I’ve played.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 630
In addition to beating Pragmata, I booted up Stalker 2 and loaded up an old save (I beat the game when it first released, and played 120-hours). I wanted to try out the new quest-lines that were added. This was more troublesome than I anticipated; it’s not a game you can hop back in a year later and feel comfortable. I was using med-kits when I wanted to turn on my flashlight. I wanted to fast travel, but I couldn’t until I got to a base of operations, yet that was harder than expected. I would try to run to my marker and die by anomalies and radiation. I eventually got my bearings after googling the controls, completed the new quests, and unlocked a few achievements. I can’t wait for its expansion.
Meanwhile, Hades 2 released on Game Pass. I’ve put in over 80-hours on the Switch version, but since Supergiant updated the game with new content I couldn’t resist starting a fresh playthrough. I’ve already experienced new events. Once again, I’m unabashedly addicted.
Here I am, five days left of my vacation. I was unsure what to start next. Despite my reservations due to the size of the game, I finally gave Crimson Desert a chance. All of my X/Twitter feeds have been praising the game, and the patches from the developer have been nothing but outstanding. It’s my type of game, but I still didn’t know what to expect.
Let me get the obvious out of the way: it’s overwhelming and mechanically complicated. There are so many systems at work, and they can overlap each other with the controls. With that said, I am already immersed in this beautiful and mysterious world. It’s similar to Red Dead Redemption 2 with its freedom and interactivity, and Dragon’s Dogma 2, one of my favorite games of all time, with focusing heavily on player agency and developing your own tale. I can predict that once I get used to the controls this could potentially be an all-timer for me.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 630
So far, my vacation has been fantastic. I did what I set out to do—clean up my garage, and get a lot of yard work done. And play games, lots and lots of games.
I beat Pragmata (Xbox Series X). What a sublime experience. It may outshine Resident Evil Requiem for me which I did not expect. Capcom does something that no other current developer does: make me want to replay a game immediately after I beat it.
So, what’s the hook for this new IP? The combat. It’s really innovative. It’s a third person shooter with hacking mechanics all in one package. I was skeptical about how this would work in a proper firefight, but you’re never overwhelmed with enemies. There is a perfect balance that could have easily dismantled its entire focus, but thankfully it doesn’t. The combat also evolves with time, adding depth to the gameplay. You’ll consistently unlock new weapons, hacking nodes that caters to your style of play, and other surprises along the way.
There are finishing executions when an enemy gets weak, but there is only one variation. It’s kind of disappointing because it looks so stylish. If there were more animations with different weapons then it wouldn’t be an issue. It just gets repetitive after a while.
Exploration is also satisfying. There are five biomes to explore, each of which is approximately three hours each, maybe a little longer depending on if you go off the beaten path. If you do you’ll find benefits — new weapons, modifications, abilities, items for your shelter that liven the place up, and a lot of well written lore.
Some places are inaccessible at first, but similarly to Metroidvanias, you’ll acquire new abilities that allow you to explore areas later down the line. Thankfully, there are many checkpoint areas, so you’re able to do a quick clean up on the things you’ve missed. It took me roughly 14 hours to beat the game and find all collectibles without a guide.
The story is endearing. From all of the trailers I thought your companion, Diana, would be cumbersome and annoying. For some people, they may find this to be accurate. If you can tolerate her you will find a relatively emotional connection with her growth as a character.
Some story elements don’t always land. Pragmata pays homage to Dead Space, particularly in its opening hours — you’ll see posters on walls to emphasize this even more— and by this I mean you will succumb to horrifying loss. As such, the main protagonist, Hugh, whilst he comments on incidents that happen throughout the game, it’s his delivery, or lack there of, that isn’t handled well. You don’t feel his pain and suffering so it’s hard to relate; instead the focus is more on the “father/daughter” dynamic which is really solid.
Re: It's Been 84 Years! GBC-Inspired Adventure Mina the Hollower Is Finally Ready for PS5 Release
It’s about freaking time. It may not have been Silksong long, but it has been long enough. This is easily one of my most anticipated games of the year.
Re: Saros (PS5) - Housemarque at the Peak of Its Powers with Its Best Game Yet
Great review. I preordered the deluxe edition so I can get 48 hour early access. I have those two days off specifically, so I figured I’d use that time to play.
Re: Round Up: The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Really Does Sound Like the PS5 Mass Effect Successor We Need
I can’t wait for this. Everything I see brings this new kind of excitement intertwined with nostalgia. I am curious to see how not only this turns out, but Exodus as well.