Kraven

This sounds great. I think for the finale it should feel more concise and structured. I’m sure there will be plenty of open world activities, but less than what Rebirth had.

This weekend will be a busy one for me, so gaming might not be in the cards. My best friend is getting married today, and I’m the best man! It’s going to be a fun evening, albeit a long one on Sunday, if you know what I mean. And the following weekend I will be attending another wedding.

To provide a quick update: I’m probably 75% through Ghost of Yotei. I’m hoping to get the platinum in the next couple of (free) days I have. In addition, I’m approximately halfway through Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter and it’s one of the best remakes I’ve ever played. I’m so happy this franchise is getting more prominent in the West.

That’s about all I’m playing. I was hoping to have both games completed by the time Persona 3 Reload releases on the Nintendo Switch 2, but that is implausible. Anyway, that’s all I’ve got.

This was very unexpected, but somehow it works.

This is a really good month, with several games piquing my interest! I’ll definitely give V Rising a download.

I appreciate the confidence. I have no doubt the game will be fantastic. Hopefully, there aren’t an excessive amount of mini games, but even if there are it won’t be that big of an issue. Bring on part 3 — we still have a ton of things we need to see.

I don’t buy physical media any longer, but I remember how special game manuals used to be. I would take them to school, read them on the toilet, and just immerse myself in them. Often times, there would be extra goodies such as posters, a map, and other odds and ends. Rockstar was incredible with their approach. I also remember the Halo series having them, with a poster as well. Moreover, the Nintendo DS copy of Chrono Trigger featured one of the most gorgeous posters for a hame I’ve ever seen, and I still have it framed in my old bedroom in my parents house, long after moving out.

@Foxhound A GCK doesn’t take away a game being on Switch. Many, many people buy digital with no complaints, so saying it shouldn’t even be on the platform because of a GCK is asinine.

I think I’m a little burned out on gaming at the moment. I’ve been bouncing around with several games—something I rarely do because I typically focus on one game at a time. It’s not as if the game(s) I’m playing aren’t holding my attention; they most certainly are, but I feel overwhelmed with the amount of games currently out that I want to play.

With that said, as mentioned earlier, I am playing multiple games. This is because my wife surprised me with a Nintendo Switch 2 while I was at work. When I got home, not only did she have it set up, she even purchased and installed Donkey Kong Bananza and Cronos: The New Dawn. To say I was ecstatic is an understatement.

The games I’ve been playing are as followed:

Ghost of Yotei - I’m still enamored with Ezo. I haven’t made a ton of progress in advancing the main narrative — I’ve yet to kill the second member of the Yotei Six other than the first person that is unavoidable. The side content, however, is so engaging, and always flows back to its overarching narrative, so everything you do feels meaningful rather than checking boxes off, though there are a few trappings of modern game design. More importantly, GoY knows how and when to be a “game”. Everything in this game feels deliberate, and I think it’s a masterclass in open world game design.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter; Nintendo Switch 2 Edition - The Trails’ series has always been one of my all time favorites, and this remake is no different. To newcomers, I’ll say that the harshest negative most games in this franchise has is its opening hours are a slog to get through. If you can muster five to ten hours of slow pace world-building you will be rewarded with an incredible journey.

Cronos The New Dawn; Nintendo Switch 2 - I’ve been playing handheld and it’s been great so far. Blooper Team has clearly found their footing in the survival horror genre. I’m impressed by the pacing and excellent world-building and environment storytelling. It may not be entirely unique—it wears its inspirations on their sleeves, but it doesn’t detract its own ambitions.

That is about it so far. I’m really hoping I can finish at least a couple of the games on my docket before The Outer Worlds 2 and Ninja Gaiden 4 releases, but I don’t think it’s likely. In the next two weekends I’ll be out of town because of weddings. Oh, well; the games will still be here when I get back, and so will my anxiety.

Well, looks like I will be playing my GOTY once again. On a side note, I hope this game will get a Switch 2 release. I’d love to play this portably.

My wife just surprised me with a Nintendo Switch 2 yesterday while I was at work. This is a game I’ve been wanting to see on the platform for awhile now, so I hope it gets announced!

@springer17 This is exactly how I feel. Moreover, the distractions also flesh out the story in some facet — whether that’s evoking memories of the past that play a role in the present, or a reaction to your enemies and NPCs caused by your actions. It’s brilliant.

I can’t say I’m not disappointed, but it is what it is. Take your time and iron out all the kinks. This has been one of my most anticipated games in years so I can wait longer.

It has to be Silksong for me. I was absolutely floored by the game and I can’t wait for the probable and likely DLC.

It’s been amazing so far. Everything has a purpose to it, and somehow fleshes out the story. The game does play it safe, but it’s more refined, polished, and expansive than the first game, which is what sequels should do; they don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

I might just go back and replay this game for the fourth time now. It’s a brilliant game, and I’m glad to see Remedy still supporting it after all of these years.

@SuperSilverback I’m learning that I’m finding armor in unexpected ways. For example, I decided to set up camp for a night, and some young merchant gave me his armor for free. I wasn’t expecting that at all. I like how exploration is rewarding in numerous of ways—you go to an altar to learn a new technique, but in the vicinity is a new sword you can get, or charm. It’s really well done.

I’m playing Ghost of Yōtei. For the hours I’ve put in so far, what impresses me the most is how each thing you do feels personal, but purposeful. Similar to the first game, you’ll discover bamboo strikes, hot springs to reflect, endearing NPCs, side quests, and bounties—it all feels connected because everything in Japanese culture is intertwined with the human spirit. How Sucker Punch managed to capture that essence in video game form is nothing short of incredible.

In addition to how the game feels personal, Yotei also provides a great lesson in how we take for granted the little things in life that make this world churn. And despite its inherently violent nature narratively, it is a deeply calming game that teaches patience, humility, and compassion to people, animals, and the environment. It is a reminder to be content with the basic essentials to survive as a human being.

On the gameplay side of things, it’s more Tsushima, but with a larger variety of weapons and tools at your disposal. Every weapon feels unique in its structure and satisfying to master. There is a level of strategy involved when encountering foes with different weapons. You may be able to hack-n-slash enemies by brute force, mashing the same button relentlessly, but it’s not an optimal experience. You’re encouraged to spice things up in the fly. It’s a system that offers a lot of depth, although stealth almost seems like a tacked on mechanic similar to its predecessor.

As for exploration, I think this may be Sucker Punch’s finest work to date. It flawlessly manages to be an open world that feels alive, and full of organic encounters. It reminds me a lot of Red Dead Redemption 2; one moment you’re cooking food by the campfire, the next there may be a wanderer stopping to rest, sharing their story that could lead to new clues for something to explore. This culminates into an open world where side activities feel as interval as its main narrative because you are rewarding with beneficial upgrades. It’s a very fun gameplay loop that is consistently compelling.

All of this would be meaningless if the story wasn’t engaging; thankfully, that’s not the case. While it may feature your typical (revenge) tropes, they are handled with precision and care. I love how the narrative is drip fed through flashbacks and current time simultaneously, and you piece the past together bit by bit as you traverse the world. What may feel like riding to point A-to-B may turn into an introspection on why and how you are where you are. Again, it harkens back to that organic nature of discovery.

I’ve yet to touch on other points that make Yotei standout, particularly with its cinematic fight scenes, the music that encapsulates your every moment, customization to fit your play-style, and graphics that are some of the very best I’ve seen. There is such a wide array of positives that wash out the negatives. I really can’t get enough of this game, and funnily enough it has given me an unexpected sense of purpose, like a ghost in the dark.

I am playing it. I’ve only put in a couple of hours before I had to leave for work this morning, but it’s been great so far. The story seems to tug at the heart strings, the cinematic elements are top tier, and the combat is very impressive. I can’t wait to play more later this evening.

@KundaliniRising333 I do have to agree that the game isn’t getting that word of mouth level of attention. It may be due to the recent political controversy. With that said, it is worth noting that the game has been reviewed extremely well across the board, so regardless of the exposure online, the game itself is fantastic.

I’m not sure why people are thinking this game is bad? It’s gotten incredible reviews from nearly every outlet, and is sitting at an 87 on OpenCritic. It’s obvious the game is very good, and apparently as the review states on this website, the best Sucker Punch game ever made, which is high praise considering how many bangers they have.

RIP Mass Effect 5.

Yeah, I am. It is great so far. The enhanced edition really brings the game more to life.

I want this; it looks really cool. My only concern from the trailer is the controls—they look tanky, but that could be the camera angles. Hopefully, that won’t be an issue. Aside from that, everything looks like perfection.

I need help. I’ve become unhealthily addicted to Hollow Knight: Silksong. I’ve beaten the game twice, but I can’t get enough. As I play the game I am constantly asking myself, “Is this my new favorite video game of all time?”, and the more I dwell on it the more I can confidently say it just may be. I couldn’t tell you exactly when that moment occurred—I just know it happened frequently.

I’m surprised by this because I am not someone who typically enjoys Metroidvania games, but I simply can’t stop playing. I do want to clarify: I wouldn’t say I’m great at the game. I’m not skilled as others; I can’t do any “no damage” runs, and boss fights can still take me up to double digit attempts. However; I’m good enough to complete the game 100% without a guide. That is the best compliment I can give the game and myself, and I’m proud of it.

I promise; next week I will (hopefully) be singing the praises of another game—probably Hades 2.

My hype for the game has now arrived. I wasn’t sold on the premise until this review and a few others. I’m really looking forward to Atsu and the other performances.

This looks really incredible. Insomniac does not disappoint, and their set pieces in this particular trailer remind me of Uncharted (that’s a good thing, too).

This looks really good, but I won’t lie, I was kind of disappointed in the reveal. I kind of expected the same formula as is Returnal, but this looks almost like an exact copy. If you would have shown me this and Returnal at the same time I would think it is the same game.

That will be an awesome addition. I already own it and have the platinum for it, but I haven’t played the DLC yet. With spooky season coming up, I think it’ll be the perfect time to jump back in.

@Oram77 What do you mean? They have released several trailers and a handful of gameplay demos in the past couple of months. I think they are doing a great job promoting the game.

I’m glad to see this got a good review — I was expecting it would. This month is so stacked for games. I’ve been enamored with Silksong, so much so that I haven’t even started MGS Delta, Hell Is Us, Cronos, Silent Hill F, and Shinobi. And I mistakingly thought I’d play at least one of those games. Now, there is this and it will be added to my backlog. We are eating good this month, and next month looks to be following the same trend.

@LiamCroft Cmon, you know how it is, they read the header and ignore everything else 😅

I can’t wait to see what Saros is, but I’ll be there day one regardless. Housemarque always delivers the goods. I honestly don’t care if they announce any other exclusive—I’m drowning in games as it is, so I have plenty to keep me busy for the very foreseeable future.

@StitchJones Okie dokie, cya later!

@Yusuo You’re right. I just think they are leaning too heavily in the numerous of trailers. I mean, I appreciate the marketing and building hype, but sometimes too much can be a bad thing.

@StitchJones Why not? It’s the reviewer’s opinion, after all. The game is sitting at an 87 on OpenCritic with 76 reviews. Clearly the game is above average, and even great. I don’t see why some outlets giving it a 10/10 is them being paid when it’s obvious numerous outlets feel close to the same.

Maybe it’s just me, but the over saturation of this game has actually dampened my hype. I feel as if I’ve seen more of this game than the games I’ve played at this point.

@StitchJones Ah, the classic “reviewers were paid to score it high” excuse. That is not a thing, and feel free to find me one credible source that says that not only happens, but happens often. We are talking Silent Hill—not some new TLOU/Uncharted game, or God of War. It’s a niche series, and aside from these “no name sites”, there are also many mainstream outlets that are ranking it quite high. Your argument is very flawed.

God forbid the reviewer has a different opinion regarding what the score of a game should be. If a 7 rather than an 8 is all that bothersome, perhaps you should do some self reflecting. Regardless, other outlets are scoring this game very highly - on par with the Silent Hill 2 Remake. It seems to me this is another great game for 2025.

I’m still early on, but it feels excellent, and possibly has the best combat system in the entire franchise. I’m happy this series is getting the recognition it deserves. Let’s hope the Ys franchise also gets the same treatment.

Well, I beat Hollow Knight Silksong finally. It took me approximately 50 hours. It is without doubt a modern masterpiece that will continue to surprise you up until the very end, and then go even farther once you think you are done.

Throughout my personal journey in Pharloom, I’ve heard the discourse online about how difficult the game is. Honestly, I don’t understand this sentiment. This is coming from someone who typically dislikes the Metroidvania genre and am mildly decent, if not bad at Souls-likes. As long as you put in the work it will be a fair experience, albeit challenging, but manageable nonetheless.

To contradict myself, there was a moment in the High Halls where I thought I was going to give up the game entirely. It was an absolute grueling experience that changed my outlook on the game itself. I stopped having fun.

It was that moment when I had an epiphany: this entire time I stupidly hadn’t upgraded my weapon (needle). After retracing my steps and upgrading it to level 3, I beat the section where I struggled for hours on my second attempt. I had another revelation—I’ve been fighting every boss up until that point without upgrades. I could have made the majority of my play-through easier, but in a way I’m glad I didn’t because I felt as if I got more of a raw pure experience. From then onward, I felt like Silksong was literally perfect.

For the first time in a long time I genuinely considered this medium an art-form, particularly with the boss fights. In fact, some confrontations felt like peak cinema, from the cinematography, music, and combat that pushed you to your limits. It’s exhilarating—you feel like a gymnast on a stage meant for ballerinas, and in some instances you are.

I’m now revisiting the game and cleaning up optional side quests and areas that I didn’t fully explore. I don’t often do this. Once I see the credits roll I am typically satiated with my experience; however, Silksong is just fun to play, and I’m still uncovering secrets in the most unique of ways.

Now onto Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter.

This franchise is weird for me, and yet other people share the same sentiment - I loved the first game (got the platinum), but for some reason this sequel does nothing for me whatsoever. I know it will be good, but I’m not excited about it. Those feelings aren’t stemmed from the recent political controversy, or the over saturated gameplay trailers in the last few weeks; it just hasn’t captured my attention. I will still buy it and play it, of course, but I’m not chomping at the bit for it.

Oh, my! I can’t wait for this! I’ll probably get it on the Switch because these games are made for handheld, and I’ll be doing a lot of traveling in the coming weeks. I’m glad this turned out to be as good as I hoped it would.

This is music to my ears. I’m glad these games are finally getting remade, and getting more exposure. I can’t wait for Friday so I can jump into the first remake.

This will be welcomed. It’s the perfect time to build more hype for GoY and bring news of other notable games that may release before Christmas. I think we will get Saros gameplay, and a release date plus new gameplay trailer for Wolverine.

Incredible game and well deserved money for the studio. I have got the platinum for it and still want to replay the game which is rare for me. I listen to the OST at least once a week.

The only games I’m interested in are Trails in the Sky and Dying Light The Beast. The latter I’m going to hold out until reviews, and the former will be a day one purchase.

This weekend I am playing Hollow Knight Silksong. There are so many wondrous things I can say about the game, but I want to use one word to describe my experience: exhilarating.

I could also discuss how incredible the world design is, from its atmosphere, intertwining levels that connect together, the music by Christopher Larkin, but I won’t. What I will talk about is how the game makes me feel, and how this culminates.

I’ve reached Act 2 and I’ve realized how brilliantly paced it is, particularly with its difficulty. It’s been challenging, yet fair. There were a few boss fights that had me stuck for an hour or two, but I eventually overcame my adversity.

Silksong gradually introduces you to new mechanics (obviously, it’s a Metroidvania), but also enemies and bosses. It will start you off with enemies that will take three hits to finish; a boss encounter with one phase; or a region that has more traps than the previous area. This happens just when you, the player, begin to feel like you’re getting comfortable with its design, and subsequently makes you uncomfortable momentarily. The crescendo is the boss fights that make you remember everything you have learned up until that point. And then you discover a second phase, and then a third.

It is at this moment your skills and reflexes take over. When they do, my goodness - you feel like a God. It reminds me of the movie Dodgeball, with the quote, Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge! You begin to realize you are memorizing enemy patterns. Muscle memory starts to take over, and suddenly you are jumping, dashing, dodging, and parrying attacks all at once and in between multiple enemies. It is utterly satisfying.

I haven’t felt this type of emotion since Bloodborne. I have fond memories of fighting bosses, dying repeatedly, but inching my way closer to victory each time. And when I knew I had the enemy on the cusp of defeat my adrenaline would start pumping, my hands got sweaty, my arms got shaky, and I entered the zone. It’s been 11 years since I’ve experienced those same dopamine spikes, and I didn’t think I’d ever have that again from a video game. Thank goodness, I was wrong. As I said in the beginning: it is exhilarating.

P.S. Screw Sinner’s Road and its bench!

I’m looking forward to this, although I’m not entirely sold on the art-style. I’m sure it will grow on me with time, though.

Maybe it is a little premature of me, but I’m giving it a 10/10. My opinion could change the more I progress, but as it stands I find it to be masterful. The map is fun to explore and not overly complicated, combat is crunchy and versatile, with new abilities that really expand how you approach traps and enemies, the sound design and audio is sublime, and the game is the right amount of difficult. It’s crazy that I feel this way about the game considering I didn’t enjoy Hollow Knight at all.

That’s a pretty solid month overall! There are a lot of great games in this list.