A few of the things that have us hooked this week.
7th February
Hello and welcome back to our regular feature where we write a little about the games we’ve been playing. This week, Bertie discovers handheld gaming and gets all excited; Marie struggles to impress Mama; Kelsey experiences Nioh for the first time, and loves it; Will plays another mech game and also, somewhat predictably, loves it; and Victoria reveals a passion for skateboarding that I never knew she had. What have you been playing?
If you’re looking for something else to read, or a reminder of what you once wrote, there’s a whole What We’ve Been Playing archive to delve into.
Hades 2, Switch 2
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I’m such a dinosaur: I’ve never taken a proper handheld gaming device on a plane before. But last week, when I jetted off to Blizzard, which was exciting, I took a Switch 2. My Switch 2, by the way – I didn’t pinch it off someone. And it was a revelation! Who knew that you could burn so much time by playing games? Don’t answer that.
Hades 2 was my poison of choice, with a sprinkling of Songs of Conquest, which didn’t work brilliantly on the small-screen though it’s still a good game. Even Hades 2 felt a bit cramped after playing it on my TV for so long. But overall it was perfect for the occasion in hand.
There was a wonderful moment on the return flight when I was sitting next to a German Twitch-streamer and they pulled out their Switch 2 to play Slay the Spire (great choice). There we were, two Switch 2-ers, merrily tapping away. How plane journeys have changed.
-Bertie
Cooking Mama 2, 3DS XL
My battle with Cooking Mama continues. I experienced a short-lived wave of confidence after my pizza got a perfect score, but it didn’t take long for Mama to crush that, with flames in her eyes, over my poorly de-boned fish.
At this point I have no logical reason why I keep dragging myself back to that kitchen. I know the standards are higher than my stylus skills can keep up with. So I inexplicably chose to raise the stakes by cooking steak and paid the price; Mama demands perfection, not whatever it was I ended up serving. Every time I enter the kitchen I know her eyes are boring into my soul, waiting for me to make a mistake that she can ‘fix’.
Why do I keep coming back for more? Is it the shiny gifts I open when I get enough stars? I don’t think so. I think it’s because I achieved perfection once and now I feel as though I can do it again…
-Marie
What We’ve Been Playing: Our Top Gaming Picks and insights
Current Favorites: Games That Captivated Us
We’ve been diving deep into a variety of games recently, covering genres from immersive RPGs to fast-paced shooters and cozy indie titles. Our gaming sessions have been a mix of exploration, competition, and storytelling, perfect for every type of gamer. Below are some highlights:
- Elden Ring – A masterpiece of open-world fantasy action RPG, blending rich lore with brutal combat and breathtaking environments.
- Valorant – Tactical shooter with unique agent abilities raising the bar for competitive gameplay and teamwork.
- Stardew Valley – The ideal choice for relaxing farming simulation and heartwarming town interactions.
- Hades – Roguelike action game with gorgeous art,smooth combat,and an engaging narrative.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Perfect for social simulation and creative island living in a stress-free environment.
Gameplay Insights and First-Hand Experiences
elden ring
The expansive open world combined with the challenging combat mechanics really put our skills to the test. We appreciated the freedom to explore and the variety of build choices. The atmospheric storytelling stands out, making every finding feel rewarding.
Valorant
valorants focus on strategy and dialog has us constantly learning.Every match requires coordination, and the agent-based abilities add a unique twist to traditional shooter gameplay, keeping it fresh and exciting.
Stardew Valley
Spending time on the farm after intense gaming sessions is surprisingly therapeutic. The rhythm of planting crops, mining, and socializing provides a nice balance to more action-packed titles.
Hades
The fast-paced combat and procedural levels keep each run unique. We were impressed by the characters’ depth and evolving story that unfolds with each attempt to escape the underworld.This game sets a high standard for roguelikes.
animal Crossing: New Horizons
Creating and personalizing the island is truly engaging.The community aspect and seasonal events provide ongoing content that keeps the experience fun and evolving.
Benefits of Diverse Gaming Choices
Mixing different genres enhances both enjoyment and cognitive benefits:
- Improved Problem-Solving: Puzzle and strategy games like Elden Ring and Stardew Valley challenge your thinking and planning.
- Enhanced Coordination: Shooters such as Valorant develop rapid reflexes and hand-eye coordination.
- Stress Relief: Cozy games like Animal Crossing offer a relaxing escape from the daily grind.
- Story Engagement: Narrative-driven games like hades provide emotional and immersive experiences.
Practical Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Gaming Sessions
- Set Playtime Limits: Avoid burnout by taking regular breaks and monitoring session length.
- Try new Genres: Stepping outside your comfort zone can refresh your gaming routine.
- Join Communities: Engage in forums or multiplayer groups for new friends and strategies.
- Customize Controls and Settings: Tailor games to your preferences for better comfort and performance.
Comparison Table of Our Featured Games
| Game | Genre | Platform(s) | Ideal For | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | Action RPG | PC, PS4/5, Xbox | Explorers, Challenge Seekers | 9.5 |
| Valorant | Tactical Shooter | PC | Competitive Players | 8.7 |
| stardew Valley | Simulation/RPG | PC, Consoles, Mobile | Casual, Relaxation | 9.0 |
| Hades | Roguelike Action | PC, Consoles | Action Fans, Story Lovers | 9.3 |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | Social Simulation | Nintendo Switch | Casual, Creatives | 8.9 |
Upcoming Games to Watch
We’re eagerly anticipating some releases that promise to shake up the gaming landscape even more:
- Hogwarts Legacy: Dive into the wizarding world in an open-world RPG filled with magic and mystery.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: The much-awaited sequel expected to expand the open-world experience dramatically.
- Starfield: Bethesda’s ambitious space exploration RPG is poised to offer vast adventures in the cosmos.
Nioh 3, PlayStation 5
Nioh 3 Review
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I’ve never played a Nioh game before despite knowing the series was likely to be right up my alley, and covering Nioh 3 for guides has seen me finally give the series the time that it deserves.
And what a time it’s been so far! You can read all about just how great the game is in Dom’s review, but let’s just say that Nioh 3 is, without a doubt, home to some of the most satisfying and fruitful combat I’ve ever engaged with. I’ve been having a real blast, and I no doubt have another 20 hours to go so that’s my life for the foreseeable. Wahey!
-Kelsey
BattleTech, PC
BattleTech Review
Me, writing about playing a game where giant pilotable humanoid war machines fight each other again? How dare you. Anyway, Battletech is the turn-based strategy complement to the real-time, FPS-like MechWarrior games, and I thought it would be a perfect way to enjoy some mech-fighting action on a work trip this week.
Playing the stock 2018 game works surprisingly well on the Xbox Ally X Windows handheld that I took with me, thanks to Steam’s library of community control schemes, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that even the heavy BattleTech Extended mod, which bundles together an incredible amount of extra content, runs okay. I think 40-60fps is more than playable territory for this sort of game, and some lengthy load times couldn’t dampen my enthusiasm for guiding my fledgling mercenary company across deserted city streets or foggy mountaintops in search of sneaky enemy squads (which I’d then salvage to build my forces further).
Still, there’s nothing quite like a mouse and keyboard, and I’m not ashamed to admit that one of the most exciting parts about being home – beyond the thrill of sleeping in my own bed – is being able to transfer my save games across to the big PC to play there. Sourdough’s Irregulars will become the foremost mercenaries in the Inner Sphere!
-Will
Skate Story, PS5
Skate Story – Official Launch Trailer | Out NOW
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Not many people know this – probably because I live in an area where we mostly have snow/ice/rain for a large chunk of the year, so I don’t get out as often as I would like – but I really enjoy skateboarding. My board is called Aeryn Sun-set, after Aeryn Sun from Farscape (my board has a sunset scene on its deck).
Anyway, to cut to the chase, I haven’t been able to get on my board all year, because of that aforementioned snow and rain. We had nearly 2ft of snow last month – it went over my boots! So, the other night when I was looking wistfully at the world outside, which seemed so close and yet so far, I decided to boot up Skate Story and have a meander around its demonic world.
I didn’t play for long, maybe 40 minutes or so, but ah, the vibes of this game are chef’s kiss. I love the music, I love the crystalised visuals, I love the wacky philosopher heads. I don’t know if I’m totally sold on the overall mechanics – there was one time I was trying to perform a trick combo under a tightish time limit and accidentally quit the game due to my frantic button mashing – but damn, Skate Story nails the atmosphere. So for now, as I write watching more snow fall outside, this will be how I get my skateboarding fix until the sun decides to show its face again. Only – checks calendar – three more months to go!
-Victoria
