It feels like we’re enjoying a high point of the summer, with a bunch of big game releases out this past 7 days, albeit with a focus on grand expansions instead of full new games.
I spent last weekend playing and reviewing F1 22, for example, just ahead of the British Grand Prix this weekend, and have now dipped a toe into Outriders: Worldslayer to see how the co-op shooter’s first major expansion holds up – spoiler: it still has far too many loading screens. That’s before considering fan-pleasing releases like Cuphead: The Last Delicious Course or Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak.
So, can we reveal what the [redacted] game from last week was? Yes we can! It was Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak! Dom and Nic B have been playing it an awful lot in recent days and weeks, so much so that Pokémon Go’s barely had a look in for Nic. Shocker!
Aran wrapped up a playthrough of Quantum Break and actually rather enjoyed it. The story was good, the acting well done and the gameplay mixing powers with weapons were very satisfying. I rather agree, and think it’s a shame that the game wasn’t appreciated by more after struggling through the Xbox One’s early years.
Tom’s been mighty impressed by the Nintendo Switch port of Wreckfest, while also working his way toward the end of Elden Ring, and always getting sidetracked by the optional bosses.
There was just a little bit of Dead by Daylight for Nick P, who’s probably just been watching the RGB fans of his new PC cycling colours, so we’ll move swiftly along to Reuben, who’s been playing a lot more of TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge – “I’ve now finished my first run through with Donatello, the obviously superior turtle, and am now tinkering with the other characters.” – He’s also been playing Fortnite, Final Fantasy XIV and [redacted].
You’re joking… not another one?
Secrets aside, Jim has been playing an “embarrassing amount” of For Honor, which is mainly embarrassing because he’s getting beaten in the game! So he’s gone all the way back to the original Syphon Filter via PS Plus. “The controls are delightfully archaic and the level designs are obtuse. It’s fun in the sense of experiencing how wacky action game control schemes were until everything was homogenised during the 360/PS3 era.”
Ade’s also continued on his TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge trip (tapping out a review this week), but has mainly been churning through book reviews and giving sage advice – “DON’T GO IN THERE!!!” – to his son, who’s currently obsessed with Among Us.
Between Last Stop and getting back into Souldiers for a review, Steve finally played something on his PS5!
“It was the beautiful Astrobot Playroom which was a joy from beginning to end. It’s such a love letter to Sony’s history as well as being a superb demonstration of the DualSense’s capabilities. Just so many stand out moments. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed just running between grass and clear floor to feel the haptic delights. I hate standard rumble so am excited to try out more games that fulfil this potential.”
Rounding things out, Gamoc played SpellForce 3 for our review, Tuff played Destiny 2, Lumote: The Mastermote Chronicles and a dab of Outriders: Worldslayer with me, and Miguel mixed DNF Duel with AI The Somnium Files Nirvana Initiative, and tried out The Cycle to take a break from the usual battle pass games.
Now then, what have you played?
willbuchanan
I’ve been playing a bit of Lego Star Wars Clone Wars, but I’ve been mainly recovering from watching Rammstein play live in Coventry last weekend and the resulting cold/mild Covid (I really can’t tell which it is).
TSBonyman
No gaming this past week as i’m completely obsessed with a new pussy – 2 actually. I adopted 2 little kittens and they are still in needy mode so lot’s of playtime and then sleeping in my lap for hours. Adorable little purrbags, i can’t bring myself to disturb them when they’ve settled so i’m getting nothing else done atm :D
Stefan L
I demand to know whatever cutesy names you’ve come up with for them.
MrYd
Mostly things from the new and improved PS+.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales was far too short, but as good as the first game it was clearly supposed to be DLC for. So polished that off quickly (second platinum since the new PS+ after The Artful Escape)
Then Guardians of the Galaxy, which is lots of fun too. Loving the weird huddle bits in the middle of a fight when you can guess the random 80s music as soon as it starts. If you’re old enough to remember the 80s. Which I am.
And then Last Stop, which is another of those little indie games that you can easily miss. 3 slightly odd stories that come together after playing each one over 6 chapters for a couple of hours each. And while the art style is very non-realistic, it gets bonus points for the actual design. I’ve walked past places like that in London and elsewhere. Also gets extra points for the music and voice acting.
Plus various other things I gave a go, but I’ve not got time to list them all because the last 2 episodes of Stranger Things are apparently 3 hours long and broke Netflix this morning. So I’m going to watch them now.