What we've been playing – Xbox decks, walls, arcs, vampires, and grassy hills

18th October

Hey and welcome again to our common characteristic the place we write a bit bit about among the video games we have been taking part in. This week, Tom wraps his arms across the Xbox Steam Deck with a foolish identify; Kelsey hits a wall in Silksong; Connor finds steadiness; Bertie bites numerous necks however will get bored; and Ed needs for a bit extra Sonic in Sonic Racing.

What have you ever been taking part in?

ROG Xbox Ally X

Even though it has one of many worst names for a handheld in a world the place nearly each handheld has a horrible identify, I’ve spent a big chunk of time with the ROG Xbox Ally X this week. In brief, should you hate all issues Xbox and Home windows, keep away from this. Should you do not, it is a very good handheld that runs fashionable, demanding video games acceptably – one thing the previous Steam Deck merely cannot do any extra. Sure, it may need some Home windows apps put in that I do not want (I’ve seen chat on-line about MS Groups being on there), however frankly I would not have realised had somebody not pointed it out on social media.

-Tom O

Hole Knight: Silksong, Nintendo Swap 2

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I’ve managed to sink simply over 60 hours into Silksong now, and I am nearly prepared for Act 3. I’ve solely a few bosses and instruments to mop up earlier than I transfer on, however this has grow to be a little bit of a problem for me: I feel I’ve lastly hit a wall in Silksong.

I am now questioning if Crew Cherry did maybe get a bit too bold with the problem right here. Even with nearly each software at my disposal, each Masks, and every kind of skills, I simply can’t appear to progress, or I not less than lack the motivation to take action. I have been totally loving exploring Pharloom, however the one factor driving me ahead at present is sheer frustration and it does not really feel nearly as good because it as soon as did.

I joked final week about whether or not I would attain Act 3 or obtain Silksong burnout first… The latter wins for now. However I will be again. I’ve bought bugs to save lots of!

-Kelsey

Arc Raiders and 2XKO, PC

It is the server stress-test weekend for Arc Raiders, which implies I will be sinking a good portion of my time into the sport one final time earlier than its full launch on the finish of October. It is a great extraction shooter with a definite aesthetic, and it is darn endearing.

Apart from that, 2XKO is on the playing cards. Having returned from Evo France I’ve bought the starvation for combating video games once more, which is bound to final till some new reside service recreation comes and rips the aspirations from me. I am at present taking part in Teemo and Darius, throwing out mushrooms and having a very good time.

This could make for a very good mixture of video games, really – the high-intensity of 2XKO with the slower, extra methodical exploration of Arc Raiders. My week ought to finish in steadiness.

-Connor

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, PC

I spent final weekend and the primary portion of this week taking part in Bloodlines 2 – a recreation I have been ready some time for, as I am positive lots of you’ve got. Sadly it is not superb. I like The Chinese language Room for taking it on and making one thing out of the field of elements it inherited from Hardsuit Labs, and it has managed to make one thing of some price, with some redeeming options. But it surely’s an empty-feeling recreation, like biting right into a cake – or a, um, neck? – with no filling. The shine of a neatly introduced exterior quickly fades on an journey that feels dated and boring.

-Bertie

Track Racing: CrossWorlds, PS5

That is my first Sonic Racing recreation (I’ve all the time simply caught to the platformers), however I’ve discovered myself pleasantly stunned with CrossWorlds within the wake of disappointment with Mario Kart World. The monitor portals are neatly carried out, dealing with is nice (although the boat sections are garbage), and it is giving me the form of how-dare-you-overtake-me-on-the-final-corner thrills usually present in Nintendo’s rival video games.

My solely gripe, actually, are the tracks themselves, which border on generic. Why are we racing in a shopping center or a museum? I would like Sonic. The sport is at its peak when dashing down Radical Freeway or when the saxophone kicks in throughout Cyber Area. However past a handful of tracks and references, I am lacking the chequerboard environments, the grassy hills, the Robotnik innovations of the classics. Have been these in earlier Sonic Racing video games? Or am I an excessive amount of of an previous purist?

-Ed

Child Steps, PC

Principally, my week has been taken up fascinated about Double Wonderful’s Keeper which (in case you did not discover the 5 gold stars plastered throughout the homepage) is magical; simply completely bloody great. However in these moments after I wanted a break from furiously hammering the screenshot button, it is again to Child Steps I did go. I haven’t got any anecdotes to share – I am at present navigating the sand dunes and slowly mastering the artwork of the confidently purposeful stride (oh, and I’ve someway managed to hold onto my hat this time) – however it stays completely fascinating. Should you’ve been uncertain about giving it a go, it is not actually something like the craze recreation you is perhaps anticipating – though there’s a few of that should you intentionally try to make life tough for your self – however it’s enormously satisfying, even unexpectedly affecting. However should you’re not seeking to be moved whilst you’re transferring, it is also bought a load of huge dongs.

-Matt