Feel that chill in the air? It's fall yet again, which means that it's been a year since Deathloop launched on PS5 and PC. We presumed it was a one-year console exclusive and it looks like we were right, given that Colt and Julianna are now shooting each other all over again on Xbox.
If you're not into shooters, The Diofield Chronicle is the lastest JRPG from Square Enix, and I'm still playing Triangle Strategy, the non-latest JRPG from Square Enix. The Yakuza series also has a spot on this list (but not from the editor you might expect), slimes are being ranched in Slime Rancher 2, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have offered up a collective cowabunga.
Andrew King, Features Editor
I've been traveling all week, first to Kentucky for a working vacation, then to New York City to cover a game, so this weekend will be devoted to staying in one place. That means lying in bed and, hopefully, playing Triangle Strategy for hours on end. I may also catch up on the new shows I've been meaning to watch, like Rings of Power and The Boys. All of those plans are secondary to doing nothing though. Doing nothing is non-negotiable.
Amanda Hurych, Evergreen Content Lead
This weekend, I know I will be playing two things: Deathloop and Slime Rancher 2. Deathloop just came to Xbox Game Pass, which means I finally have a chance to try it out! I’ve played a couple hours of it 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 down the line. And as for Slime Rancher 2, god, I’m so excited! I can’t wait to get back into the Plort market with my little Slime farm, complete with wholly new Slimes! I’ve purposefully 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 continue to be a viable meat option for my more predatory Slimes. This weekend is going to be awesome.
Justin Reeve, News Editor
I was just old enough to get in on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles phenomenon, but slightly too young to remember any of the games and so for most of this weekend, I’m planning on diving into the Cowabunga Collection. I’ve already cheated a little bit and gotten started to be completely honest. So far, my overall impression is that most of these games have really stood the test of time, playing like something that could very well have come out yesterday. I mean, the graphics are definitely dated, but they look pretty much like any retro throwback, so you barely notice. In any case, I plan on plenty of pizza time in the coming days.
Stacey Henley, Editor-in-Chief
It’s getting to that point in the year where a lot of big releases are coming out, so I’m trying to get the bright sparks from 2022 crossed off before that happens. This means I’ll be flitting between finishing Immortality and I Was A Teenage Exocolonist, as well as starting Hardspace: Shipbreaker, Slime Rancher 2, and Metal: Hellsinger.
Branden Lizardi, Evergreen Editor
The fun answers: Yakuza Kiwami, Cult of the Lamb, Bear and Breakfast. I’ve been getting deep into the management components of Cult of the Lamb and Bear and Breakfast, and the Switch’s portability means I can laze about on the couch while I do so. The Yakuza games, however, are the current ‘watch with dinner’ entertainment for me and my wife. Having just recently finished Zero, we’re moving on to Kiwami now. It’s a little strange, feeling the culture shock between both the eras in-game 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 holiday and got stuck into Tales of Arise. I have to admit, I’m a little upset with myself for not including it on my GOTY list last year because it’s bloody brilliant. It has all the quirks of a high-octane globe trotting anime adventure, complete with a handsome himbo who can’t feel pain.
Quinton O’Connor, Specialist Writer
Square Enix has been riffing their own famous combat term, ‘Active Time Battle’, for as long as I can remember. The latest example is ‘Real-Time Tactical Battle’, the marketers’ favorite phrase during the lead-up to the launch of The DioField Chronicle. Since every RPG reviewer in the world loves to compare any Japanese strategy game to Final Fantasy Tactics, I’ll go ahead and note that, no, The DioField Chronicle doesn’t feel much like Final Fantasy Tactics. It does have one thing in common, I suppose — an excellent medieval setting with chunks of tasty lore. I look forward to really diving in this weekend.