Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 18th)

I’m still playing Octopath Traveler II (Nintendo Switch). With 65+ hours, I believe I’m nearing the end, I believe, having the 3rd and 4th chapters left of most characters. I did nothing but grind yesterday, so all of my characters are now level 60 or higher, so I’m going to push through the story now. The fatigue is starting to set in, however, as I want to get around playing some other games. That said, my opinion still hasn’t wavered: OP2 is one of the finest RPGs ever made.

I was going to get around to playing the plethora of games in my backlog, such as Wo Long Fallen Dynasty, Dead Space Remake, and a few others, but I saw that a new DLC campaign mission dropped for one of my favorite games, Sniper Elite 5, and I’ll be jumping back into that world. I find the game to be an utter masterpiece in stealth and level design, and the overall gameplay loop is addicting.

I also purchased Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion and Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo on the Nintendo Switch, so I’ll probably jump into that soon. All of these games mentioned should keep me plenty busy until The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Redfall releases.

On Switch, i'm still chipping away at Octopath Traveler 2, loving this game a lot, and it's probably my big game this weekend.

On Series X i'm also playing Dead Cells, mostly delving into the Return to Castlevania stuff.

And on PS5 I did briefly play some of the PS4 Ratchet & Clank remake earlier, dunno if i'll keep going with it, it scratched the itch I needed scratched when I did a session with it.

I played Wii U games. 🙂
1. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD
2. LEGO CITY UNDERCOVER

Also, today is 10th anniversary of LEGO CITY UNDERCOVER Wii U.

Ghosts of Tsushima
Okami
Donkey Kong 64

Probably 1/3 way through each of those, so don't expect any completed games this weekend.

I recently finished Metroid Prime Remastered so now I'm looking for a game I could replay soon...

So, for now it's Splatoon 3 this weekend! Going to take on some X battles, I managed to get back into S+ rank this week. Wish me luck!

Have a relaxing weekend everyone!

enjoying Side Pocket quite a bit.

Finally finished Xenoblade Chronicles 3! Been playing it since day one and now It's my second most played switch game behind BOTW and I reckon when I return to it to clear up the remaining side stuff plus the expansion it'll be no.1. great game! Kinda wanna play 2 now.... So I've played all three 😅
I've also gotten into Fitness Boxing which has helped me regain some motivation for exercising. Going back and forth between that and Ringfit helps a lot.
I finally tried out Kirby and the Forgotten Lands but after a great first hour or two- the repetition is really starting to sink in. Every time I play it I feel less inclined to return to it. But we'll see, maybe it gets better later.
Metroid fusion though is awesome thus far! Despite the lack of exploration it might become my favourite Metroid game!

Metroid Prime Remastered, and I will try out the additions to the Nintendo Online Service.

Just started playing BotW in hopes of finishing it before TotK comes out. My initial plan was to play on Switch but since it took me so long to get back to it and there are just 2 months left, I decided to continue my save file on Wii U instead.

Looking at my Wii U save files, I must have stopped using my Wii U as soon as I got a Switch in the summer. Would also explain why I never finished the game.

I've cleared ~70 shrines and 3/4 divine beasts. Just entered Akkala for the very first time. I'd imagine most people went there much earlier. I kind of avoided it because there was talk about weapons against Guardians early on and I wanted them to stay as a threat. I remember visiting the Tingle islands very early on and then making a u-turn.

Slowpoke is getting the community day spotlight in Pokémon Go, so I'll definitely be playing that this weekend. Meanwhile, on the Nintendo Switch, I'll be playing Metroid Fusion via Nintendo Switch Online.

I just finished Metroid Prime Remastered. I took my time just to soak it in: finished with 85% in 18hrs.

I plan to squeeze in Pikmin 3 Deluxe and, if I’m feeling appropriately mad, maybe a rudimentary 2nd playthrough of BotW. A refresh before their sequels.

Metroid Prime Remastered. Never played the original, and I am so glad for that now! What a game.

Seeing a few people state they're gonna try and replay BOTW before TOTK... Not a bad idea!

The bulkier hardware is warming the bench again, so besides some handheld stuff (from Endless Frontier, Ever Oasis and Unwound Future to Liberty City Stories, Eternia and God Eater), most of the weekend itches are naturally Switch-based. Xenoblade DE/2/3 and Mary Skelter 2, Rune Factory 5 and My Time at Portia, Bioshock 2 and Borderlands 2, Isaac and Undermine, Saints Row 4 and GTA trilogy (currently trying to cover paramedic missions in all three, and boy, did I forget how wobbly 3's ambulances are, especially since LCS reportedly adopted car physics closer to San Andreas)... and a few others like BotW, NMS, Great Ace Attorney, Noel and Diablo 2 might chime in, too.

Metroid Prime Remastered for me, it is fantastic. I just got the power bomb and the grapple. The section up to getting the power bomb was the hardest part of the game so far? I died a few times. Some games really frustrate me if you die multiple times doing the same thing, but I haven't had this with Metroid Prime.

Bayonetta Origins will be my focus though may play some more MK8 Deluxe alongside it. Switch has been extremely busy this year, I haven't even started Return to Dream Land Deluxe yet.

Sakuna: rice and ruin. WRC 10. A little golf journey and Rocket League.

Happy gaming everyone!

@Zuljaras would you recommend Cuphead? It's been on my wish list for ages, wasn't sure about the level of difficulty vs frustration.

@eltomo would you recommend Okami? I'm not sure it's a game i'd like but a friend says it's great

@Late You should get the DLC the extra dungeons are fantastic!!

As a break from RPGs I’ve been pulled back into Dead Cells.

I played it at launch and coming back with all the dlc is a really fresh experience.

Still Octopath Traveller (the first one) for me on Switch, and Spiritfarer and Slay the Spire on iPad. Maybe have another run at Hades which I haven’t played in a while.

I bought a few super cheap 3DS eshop games too (steamworld dig 2, Kokopolo, shovel knight and a couple of others) but will probably save those for holiday.

Try and split my time between: Bayonetta Origins, Metroid Prime Remastered, Hyrule Warriors DE and FE Engage.

Well, I am putting the finishing touches on the sequel trilogy in Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga: to wit, I simply have to collect any kyber brick stragglers as well as do a few side missions, and I will achieve the oh-so-coveted 100% completion rate. On a personal note, rather unexpectedly, and clocking in at about 100 hours, this has toppled Xenoblade Chronicles as my second most played game (Breath of the Wild has yet to be dethroned in first place with 175 hours).

Assuming finishing Lego by today, it's Kirbin time: that's right, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe. A nice and breezy (if sadly short and thus somewhat bittersweet) romp through what is widely regarded as one of the pink puffball's best adventures.

Juggling between Raji: An Ancient Epic and Final Bar Line on Switch, and Against the Storm on Steam.

Raji I've beaten the first boss and am on the second area. Combat physics are a bit awkward in places, but hopefully I'll improve soon.
Final Bar Line I started a few days back (played the demo, bought the base game minus DLC for now). Sure I'm no FF veteran, but I do love me a good rhythm game from time to time.
Against the Storm I'm currently doing a run on Prestige 2 difficulty. Blightrot is here to stay now, and that's fine by me.

Just beat demon souls, so it’s probably, bloodborne, fE3H, and FF7 Remake.

Squad 51 vs Flying Saucers, the Mexican eshop is practically giving it away for free (same number in dollars, but different "value", given that 1USD is about 20MXD). Great game, worthy of its normal price in comparisson with other games and their respective prices. After that, probably Death Mark, which is about 20€ on the official store of the publisher, physically. Or at least was when I recently decided it is finally worth it at that price.

This week I will be mostly playing

Professor Layton & the Curious Village
Mario’s Time Machine
Pokémon Shuffle

I impulse bought Rise and Shadow of the tomb raider (£15 for both with all DLC packs, no brainer) so Will likely be playing through these.
I've also started playing Kartrider Drift and the ability to chat with friends while we play means it's taken over MarioKart as my current favourite Kart Racer.

After finishing Return to Monkey Island, I’ll start Assassin’s Creed II from the Ezio Collection this weekend on the Switch.

Stardew Valley for who knows how much longer. Such a nice relaxing game to decompress to at the end of a stressful work day. Been trying to convince myself to play more Persona 5, but hasn’t worked so far. 😋

@Shadeon_Koopa is Raji: An Ancient Epic any good? There was a big update last year, wasn't there?

Beat Metroid Fusion yesterday and Kirby and The Forgotten Land a few days ago.

Currently playing Captain Toad Treasure Tracker on the Switch which is fun. Also playing Forza Horizon 2 on the Xbox Series X which is the only forza game I haven’t played yet.
Lastly I just bought The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR for PS4/PSVR1 which I’ll probably play on my PS5.

Switch - Starting Bayonetta Origins and Metroid Prime Remastered today! Might also play some Smash Ultimate online.

3DS - Playing through Pokemon Red for the first time!

PS5 - GTA Online with friends and gonna try out Hitman World of Assassination.

PC - Not much on PC this weekend but might play a bit of Garry's Mod with friends.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Splatting suckers in Splatoon 3 and got a physical copy of Mario Rabbids Sparks of Hope, cause for some reason my local retailer was selling it at $27.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is my current single player project. I'm at the end of the 2nd world and I'm enjoying myself quite a bit. I don't mind that it plays a bit different than the first. I think it works. I may also grab the family NSO service this weekend and play some Splatoon 3 with my wife.

Finally got started on Crisis Core Reunion and I'll be playing it all weekend. Grind, grind, grind!

Switch - Metroid Prime Remastered, Kirby's Return to Dreamland Deluxe

PS5 - Like a Dragon: Ishin.

Doing a no death run in ocarina of time. And if I do die, then I reset back to last save. As long as counter reads zero by end.

Twilight princess HD. It’s been a while I played it so will feel a little fresh

Feeling like playing some roguelikes, so it's time for Enter the Gungeon! Maybe some GBC games as well.
Happy gaming everyone!

Disney Dreamlight Valley is still consuming nearly all my time, but I'm trying to beat some smaller games alongside it so I don't feel so bad about my backlog.
I still can't believe that I backlogged Trails to Azure because I can't play that and Disney at the same time, same is gonna happen with Ryza next week isn't it... That stings more because I always play a new Atelier game day one. Aww well XD

On the plus side I recently beat void terrarium 2 and Iris and the giant and now I've just cracked open TINY METAL first impressions are good, but we'll see how this goes. Need to actually play all the TRPGS I have.

@Anti-Matter
I'm curious what your thoughts on Wind Waker are, as that's one of my favorites and not a game I expected you to play

Chained Echoes.

This game is surprisingly both nostalgic and innovative. Best indy RPG I've played in a long time. Just got to the part where I can really start world exploration. Very good game so far. Gameplay, combat, and story hitting on all the right notes for me.

I caved and got NSO+ for Metroid Fusion and Minish Cap, and have been chipping away at them on the plane ride and down time during a mini vacation. Both are just as great as I remembered

Hoping to play some demos. Bayo Origins and Sea of Stars

Busy weekend between a surprise bday party, the Vacuum House and Yay Chores games, various errands, and some of the usual weekend suspects. It doesn't help that it's being unseasonably NOT like spring and refuses to get above freezing today....

Nothing very new from last week due to how busy I was throughout the week. Still adventuring through Dragon Quest VII - I'm about 40 hours in - and have 6 out of 8 mirror shards in Kirby and the Amazing Mirror (Wii U VC). I also plan to participate in some of Slowpoke Community Day in Pokemon Go, but I'm not sure how much....

Happy gaming! Stay warm folks.

Mario Kart 8 and Metroid Fusion

@Classic603
Well, Wind Waker was like standard 3D adventure games I have ever played from 3rd party games. The Chibi design was quite cute enough. I have zero knowledge about zelda games so I really depended on walkthrough videos to see what should I do.
The only my minor complaint was the length of one mission that very time consuming and not to mention you have to start again from latest checkpoint if you leave the game and not finished that checkpoint.
I gave one chance from Wind Waker despite it still my lowest hype but I saw a potential from Wind Waker.

Lots of great games are on sale now on the steam store.

Got yakuza like a dragon on sale. Playing now on my steam deck.

Having bought it at launch and proceeded to neglect it ever since, I’ve finally gotten into Super Mario 3D All-Stars this past week, and I’m having an absolute blast with Super Mario Galaxy in particular.

Having recently finished yet another play through of Super Mario Odyssey, once I’m done with Galaxy, I’ll be excitedly moving onto Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine, both of which I’ll be playing for the very first time. On a hardcore Mario kick at the minute!

I am now 90 hours into Persona 5 Royal and I'm towards the end of the 7th palace! I just found out that Shido is Akechis father! I really wasn't expecting that. Anyway, the Akechi fight was really something crazy. Towards the end I saw the cognitive version of Akechi and he has the creepiest faces in the game so far 😅 Idk how close I am to the end but I think I might try and finish the game this weekend if possible!

I'm also 12 hours into Final Fantasy XIII and this game really isn't as bad as I've heard everyone say imo. Sure it's a bit linear but it hasn't bothered me and I've been loving the combat system!

It’s my daughter’s bday party today, so no gaming till late tonight. Tomorrow I hope to soldier on in Fire Emblem Engage or hop around more in Spelunky.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

I'm digging back into Breath of the Wild in a big way. I want to finish it before the sequel drops.

On Xbox DMC4 SE
On Switch Metroid Prime Remastered
On my 3ds Phantom Hourglass

What a banger of a weekend

Finished Fusion, so I'm playing through Metroid Dread again.

Last night I played the RE4 remake demo. I was skeptical before, but the demo was fantastic. Really looking forward to the full game. Also, super happy it's coming to PS4, as I have no intention of getting a PS5 anytime soon.

Currently alternating between Hi-Fi Rush, Dead Space Remake, and Fire Emblem Engage, so at least one of those will get played at some point this weekend. And also Marvel Snap but that's a given.

Octopath Traveler II!!

I can't tell you how special the music is to me. I can literally boot up the game and simply listen to the nighttime tracks while I make green tea/coffee, or take one last stroll around the towns at night before bedtime. The ambience is seriously incredible in this game.

It's such an underrated feature to be able to switch to nighttime at the press of a button, and it feels like a privilege that they lovingly created unique song arrangements for every place between day and night.

I actually began with Ochette the Hunter, because I love the idea of setting sail for the two continents along with her for the first time, being just as much a fish out of water as she is when she leaves home and finds a new adventure.

Everyone who is open to getting Octopath Traveler II, please show Square Enix that we do want more Switch games like this that are beautiful and unique, and don't wait to buy this game! The music, presentation, the gorgeous graphics, the cozy role-playing gameplay, all add up to one amazing game.

Elden Ring had somehow sucked me in again, after taking my longest ever break from it (6.5 months) I couldn't fight the urge to jump back in anymore. The world, the combat, the bosses... Elden Ring is the best game I have ever played next to Breath of the Wild

Kirby Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Switch. Really fun going back to the game, I like the new minigame modes and look forward to seeimg the epilogue, which sounds a good addition.

I like that the minigames are based on past entires.

I'm playing Guardian Tales on Switch as well. Trying to get through side content in the main worlds and then side stories.

I might give Metroid Prime ago sometime in the future but leaving it for now.

Darksiders Genesis, of all things. I keep seeing Diablo 4 coverage, but I can't support that game and kind of loathe Diablo. People say its an action series, and I don't get it. I'm not saying I'm some rad gamer God, but I didn't die once in the 20 hours I played 3 and 2 felt like it played itself. I need a little more input or something. Anyway, DG is fun.

Still making my way through Fire Emblem Engage. This is my first Fire Emblem, and playing Classic Mode on Maddening is equally daunting as it is satisfying.

I'm still mainly working on Fire Emblem Engage! I'm on chapter 10 now and I'm having a lot of fun with the game. The story is still meh so far, but everything else is amazing.

@MarioBrickLayer I'd recommend Okami to someone who likes early 3D Zelda games, but also someone who's got interest in Japanese culture, it's quite heavy in Okami.

Found some time to catch up with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's expansion cups, so I've been playing that along with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, which I recently got on sale and am glad I did, as it hits all the correct nostalgia notes.

Platinumed Elden Ring on Xbox. Probably the greatest gaming achievement of my life. What a game.

I'm going to beat the true arena in Kirby's Return to Dreamland Deluxe. So far. I've made it as far as the Crowned Doomer but it's still been pretty hard.

DS: Advance Wars: Dual Strike
PS3: Atelier Escha & Logy

Ace Attorney 3: Trials and Tribulations on Switch. Currently on Episode 2, first investigation phase. I played through the first two games this week, and I've already logged 50 hours!

Naturally, I've been on an eShop spree this month (only nine days left!), and because of that I have six more Ace Attorney games to play after this one. Of all the games I bought, this series has definitely been the cream of the crop so far!

@MarioBrickLayer So far it's alright, nothing spectacular. There's potential in combat (i.e. using walls and pillars to execute mid-air attacks), though more often than not I'm having to constantly dodge attacks.

Enemies aside, the world kinda feels empty at the moment. Hardly any NPCs, and not much else to do besides solving a few puzzles and battling, since game progression is pretty much linear. The cutscenes and voice acting are pretty solid though.

Demo should still be available in the eShop (at least in EU) if you're interested.

@eltomo How are you finding Okami?

I've almost finished Professor Layton Vs Phoenix Wright, it was a lot longer than I expected. Some Ring Fit Adventure too and if I get the time I want to start Metroid Prime Remastered.

For singleplayer, I’ve got a few games I’m playing right now. I just finished the main story of Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, and I have to say, I didn’t really enjoy it too much. It only got interesting for me in the final world, which was only a couple of levels. I’m probably going to play Magolor Epilogue and maybe the Arena, but that’ll likely be it for me. I’m also still playing Metroid Prime Remastered. I’m currently at the Phazon Mines, and I’m making steady progress overall. I’ll also be playing Persona 5 Royal, which I haven’t played in a few months. I left off right at the beginning of the 3rd palace, so I’m excited to jump back in.

For multiplayer, I think it’ll just be Fortnite this weekend.

Finally jumped into Hades after hearing for forever that it is a masterpiece. I’m enjoying it, but it’s just okay. Not really sure why it got such gushing praise. Still, it’s fun.

Just finished my second play through of metroid prime remastered now im working on record of agarest war switch version.

@ComfyAko I really enjoy it, the Switch version is HD so the scenery really pops and smooth gameplay.

I kind of wish I spent time with the Wii version to try out the WiiMote with it, but heard its not actually that good.

Reincarnation from The House in Fata Morgana and Crystar. Should be finished with both in the next few days.

@Diogmites I played D3 on Hard and put the game down after mowing down everything w no problems at all. I know it has like twenty difficulty levels, I know people call it an ARPG (I had the first game on PS1 back in the day). I felt it didn't do action well (or really even at all), and that the RPG elements were boring. I was pretty surprised that anyone was in to it.

It'll be the Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon demo for me, probably also the Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope demo too. Some MK8D, and a sprinkle of various NSO games.

I've spent part of the day playing Slowpoke Community Day in Go, and got five shinies!

Been working on grinding money and levels in NEO The World Ends with You, just trying to get my file to 100%. It's taking a LOT of money to do so.

Might start Breath of the Wild tonight, or I'll do that tomorrow night. I do want to work more on the first Professor Layton game if I get some time to. Tomorrow I'll also be working on my Pokemon Scarlet Pink Shinies Only SBQ! I'm hoping to find a Mareep or Hoppip I can evolve into a Jumpluff.

I'm playing Disco Elysium and Metroid Prime remake, both on the Switch. Really sinking my teeth into Disco and loving it's style. Fits the handheld aspect of the Switch nicely.

And still playing HiFi Rush here and there. Such a cool game and great style.

@JohnnyMind
Thanks Johnny! We enjoyed a nice little party just for family. One bummer was the bicycle I ordered for her hadn’t come in yet, so I put a printout of the bike and a note in her bday card.
But 2 minutes after she read her card, the local bike shop called to tell me the bike is ready for pickup! It was a bday miracle! 🤩

So overall I think my daughter had a great day. It was a treat for me to see her so happy. ☺️

Hope your Saturday was a good one, too!

I often get tired after work... Usually, I don't have time to play games at the day time or evening time... And I don't have powers to play games at the night time. I don't have time, powers, nor opportunity to play games... Almost everyday... That's annoys me... Sigh Let's move on...
Phantom Breaker: Omnia – finished Yuzuha Fujibayashi's story on 100%. Completed Ria Tôjô's and M's stories on 100%. Completed Ren Tatewaki's story on 90%.
NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition – 56 hours in. Route B. Completed a few sub-quests. Total amount of completed sub-quests - 49, if I don't confuse. According to Wiki, in total, there are 65 sub-quests in the game. And I will complete all of them.
What's about gaming (not quite) related things... I finished reading Dostoyevsky's «Netochka Nezvanova(Неточка Незванова)». Depressing and sad. That's Dostoyevsky's style, I think. After that, I will begin read George Orwell's «1984».
That's all. Have a nice gaming weekend, everyone.

@eltomo I'm glad you like it! I played PS2, PS3 and Switch version and while the PS2 is the original one and sadly there was a bit of an overhaul for the remasters, I still think Switch is the way to go with it.

So, you're like 1/3 of the game? What's your favorite location?

@JohnnyMind
Thanks for the follow-up! That Saturday of yours sounds heavenly - it’s been so long since I’ve just hung out with a group of friends.

I’ve been meaning to ask you - are you playing FE Engage with Japanese voice and text? I’ve been lazy, using Jpn voice but English text (well, partially so my daughters could follow along a bit when they watch me play. It’s been neat to see/hear the subtle changes made for the NA localization. But so often I can’t quite understand a Japanese phrase or bit of vocabulary, so I may switch to Jpn display, too, when the kiddos aren’t around.

Finally getting to BotW... it was the first Switch game I got but never got too far into it the first time. I was playing in a hurry and that is absolutely not the way to have a good time with it. Enjoying it much better this time around, hit about 25 shrines and I'm just now thinking about Vah Rutah 😀.

My wife also observed that the Koroks are just teaching the youth to walk into fae traps in the name of exploration.

@JohnnyMind
You’re right, it is illuminating and less work to play with the localized text. I just turned on Jpn text and it’s a bit jarring to have to relearn the thousands of people, place, and item names in Japanese now - there’s no spoken audio or yomigana to help with all those readings! But the unity in the cutscenes is nice, and it’s good language practice, so I may stick with it.

I played so many games in all-Japanese back when I lived in Osaka, but in this wonderful multi region/multilingual Switch era we enjoy now, it’s tough to choose which way to play sometimes!

Although I will say, I’m like you and Jpn audio is absolutely my default way to play any Japanese game.

I am continuing my playthrough of Metroid Prime Remastered this weekend and have been having a blast with it. Every time I get stuck or start to get bored, there is another secret to find. A game like this can be highly addictive, though I will say that due to life constraints, I only play about 2 hours in a sitting. That is still plenty of time to get a bunch accomplished though.

I'm about 8 hours into Octopath II after having 100%'d Tropical Freeze for the second time. Really enjoying it! From the reviews it seems the main complaint is that it's too similar to the first one - but since I didn't play the first one, that's not a negative to me at all. Music is great, combat is good, and the storylines are intriguing so far. I just wish they could turn down the random encounter rate sometimes or have avoidable enemies. Also, while I appreciate the retro style, I wish they could up the resolution just a bit to give more detailed pixel art, and please let me turn off the depth of field like I did in Triangle Strategy (which I also loved.)

Started FF7 as it’s on sale and it’s been on my list for ages, also hunted down more shrines in BotW.

@Diogmites yeah, it's just not for me. I love a good ARPG, but these days I'm more about Ys or something like that.

@Diogmites it's great. I think I like Felghana the best, but 8 and Origins are also wonderful.

I picked up Metroid Prime Remastered on Saturday, and what a beautiful game. It didn't grab my interest as a child when it came out, but I played and loved prime 3. I've almost met the cap on the Octopath Traveler II demo as well, and I've really enjoyed it so I plan to pick that up in the near future. It overall plays a lot smoother and faster than the first one in my opinion.

Who else wants Xenogears and Xenosaga ports on switch?