Can you feel that chill in the air? It’s fall again, which means it’s been a year since Deathloop launched on PS5 and PC. We assumed it was a year-long console exclusive and it looks like we were right, as Colt and Julianna are now shooting each other all over again on Xbox.
If you’re not into shooters, The Diofield Chronicle is Square Enix’s latest JRPG, and I’m still playing Triangle Strategy, Square Enix’s non-latest JRPG. The Yakuza series also has a spot on this list (but not from the editor you’d expect), slimes are bred in Slime Rancher 2, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have offered a collective cowabunga.
Andrew King, Feature Editor
I’ve been traveling all week, first to Kentucky for a working vacation, then to New York City to catch a game, so this weekend I’ll be all about staying in one place. That means lying in bed and hopefully playing Triangle Strategy for hours. I can also catch up on the new shows I’ve been dying to see, like Rings of Power and The Boys. However, all those plans are secondary to doing nothing. Doing nothing is out of the question.
Amanda Hurych, Evergreen Content Lead
This weekend I know I’ll be playing two things: Deathloop and Slime Rancher 2. Deathloop just came to Xbox Game Pass, which means I finally get a chance to try it out! I’ve played it for a few hours so far, and kicking Eternalists seems to be the best thing about it. I’m not a hundred percent sold on the PvP aspect of the game, but we’ll see if that changes over time. And as for Slime Rancher 2, gosh, I’m so excited! Can’t wait to get back to Plrt Market with my little Slime Farm complete with all new Slimes! I’ve purposely kept myself in the dark so I don’t know if the Tarr will still be a thing or if Roostros and Hen Hens will remain a viable meat option for my more predatory Slimes. This weekend is going to be great.
Justin Reeve, news editor
I was just old enough to take part in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles phenomenon, but a little too young to remember the games, so I’m planning to spend most of this weekend diving into the Cowabunga collection. I’ve already cheated a bit and started to be completely honest. So far, my overall impression is that most of these games have really stood the test of time and play like something that could very well have come out yesterday. I mean, the graphics are definitely dated, but they kind of look like a retro throwback, so you barely notice. In any case, I plan enough pizza time in the coming days.
Stacey Henley, Editor-in-Chief
It gets to that point in the year when a lot of major releases come out, so I’m trying to cross off the bright sparks of 2022 before that happens. This means going back and forth between completing Immortality and I Was A Teenage Exocolonist and starting Hardspace: Shipbreaker, Slime Rancher 2, and Metal: Hellsinger.
Burn Lizardi, Evergreen Editor
The fun answers: Yakuza Kiwami, Cult of the Lamb, Bear and Breakfast. I’ve delved into the management components of Cult of the Lamb and Bear and Breakfast, and the Switch’s portability allows me to laze on the couch while doing so. However, the Yakuza games are the current “watch with dinner” entertainment for me and my wife. Now that Zero has just finished, let’s move on to Kiwami. It’s a bit odd to feel the culture shock between both the in-game eras and the stylistic choices for gameplay, mostly with Majima’s personality. Still, I’m excited to see what comes next for Kiryu and his single brain cell.
James Troughton, news/photo editor
Surprise surprise, I’m not playing a Yakuza game this week. I finished 6 on my vacation and got stuck in Tales of Arise. I have to admit I’m a little mad at myself for not putting it on my GOTY list last year because it’s damn brilliant. It has all the quirks of a high-octane anime adventure, complete with a handsome himbo who can’t feel pain.
Quinton O’Connor, specialist writer
Square Enix has been using their own famous battle term, ‘Active Time Battle’ for as long as I can remember. The latest example is ‘Real-Time Tactical Battle’, the phrase of choice among marketers in the run-up to the launch of The DioField Chronicle. Since every RPG reviewer in the world likes to compare a Japanese strategy game to Final Fantasy Tactics, I’ll go ahead and note that, no, The DioField Chronicle doesn’t really feel like Final Fantasy Tactics. It does have one thing in common, I think: an excellent medieval setting with bits of tasty knowledge. Looking forward to really diving into it this weekend.
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