Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (October 22-23)

This weekend I’m playing A Plague Tale: Requiem on Xbox Series X. I’m not that far into the game due to work and family obligations, but I have reached the fourth chapter and I’m loving the game. There are several situations within Chapter 3 that have been the most powerful moments I’ve ever experienced in a video game before. It’s exciting to know that narratively speaking, I’m more than likely going to have more of those moments.

All of this is fueled even further due to Amicia’s voice actress, Charlotte McBurney. She deserves tons of praise for her impeccable work. Her performance is so intense - you can feel her emotions in every word she utters. I haven’t been in awe in a video game of this nature — narrative, character development, and study of human emotion — since The Last of Us (2013).

My only genuine complaint about A Plague Tale: Requiem is that, while a linear experience, the way the game is structured prohibits exploration for collectibles throughout the several open paths you can veer off to in order to complete your objective. Your movement is limited because of the rats, human interactions, and how easily you can be spotted, even during the stealth moments. This can lead to several frustrating moments, fearing that I’m missing out on a large chunk of rewarding exploration. It’s almost as if the game forces you not to explore your surroundings.

Regardless of my one main gripe with the game, it’s still a must play title. I can’t wait to continue the story and see where it takes me. It should be a fun, albeit brutal and emotional journey.

Update: I’m now on chapter 6 and absolutely stunned. Amicia’s character is so incredible, and Charlotte McBurney is amazing and bringing this character to life. I actually feel her pain and struggle through her voice, raw emotion, character animations, and more. What a game so far.

I have doubts. Immortality is the Game Pass club game but I'd like to play A Plague Tale Requiem or replay Project Zero Maiden of Black Water.

I have realised that I don't like to rush games so if I like them I play them almost until 100% completion and if I don't like them, I give them up, something that Game Pass makes easier to do. I don't know if I'll finish Immortality but I'll finish A Plague Tale Requiem because the first game was an interesting yet rough experience, with a good story and detailed visuals.

Persona 5 Royal? I think I will purchase it on Xbox, anyway.

No Gotham Knights unless on Game Pass or very cheap.

Tried Persona and A Plague Tale Requiem but not feeling the love so far.

Plague Tale Requiem which was one of my most anticipated games of the year. I just started chapter 4 and its excellent

I was keen to play Requiem but most reviewers saying that you need to play innocence first so waiting till that goes on sale.

Restarted BOTW in the meantime.

A plague tale requiem for me just finished chapter 4 last night and it’s really good , I play on a series s and the game looks good and plays well even if it’s only 30 fps .

I'll be on the Modern Warfare 2 campaign any chance I get, already looking forward to a realism run through next.

Back to Elden Ring. Nothing else has come close to being this good all year.
I've put off playing through it again while waiting for DLC but I don't think it's coming.

Playing gas station simulator,its not as relaxing as power washer sim but I'm still enjoying it

On my Xbox it's the brilliant A plague tale requiem. Such an astonishing game. Graphics, music, voice acting and story are all top level stuff. It puts you on the edge of your seat during the stealth missions and the emotional performance from the voice actors really grabs you. The 30 fps isn't noticeable at all it plays fluidly. So don't let that hold you back from playing this brilliant game. If the rest of the game is like this it will be my personal game of the year.

Also playing Gotham Knights and Ateliers Ryza. Gotham Knights is an enjoyable game. Nothing ground breaking but also not as bad as some people make of it. Atelier Ryza is for the more relaxing moments in between.

On PS5 i will be playing Atelier Sophie 2 and Diofield Chronicle.

On switch I will be playing Mario and Rabbids sparks of hope and Xenoblade chronicles 3.

And on Series S it's Life is strange true colors and Beacon pines.

First time in a long while where I'll be mostly playing games on Game Pass this weekend. Will be focusing on A Plague Tale: Requiem and also finishing up Scorn. Scorn is a weird case of a game that starts off bad but gets better and better, lol. If I hadn't given it another chance, I would've missed out on the parts that are really good.

I'll also be playing Yo-Kai Watch 2 on 3DS on the side. Moreover, if I finish Scorn in time, then I'll probably start up Resident Evil 5 as my next horror title.

Gonna start playing Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice today and still need to finish Scorn.

Yesterday I finished Plague Tale Requiem and had a great time with it. Might actually be my game of the year.

Gotham Knights on PC. I'm on night 5. It's not an amazing game, but it's solid for what it is, and I'm having a blast with it. In fact, I can't wait to jump back in! So far, I'd round up and say 8/10

It's all about The Forgotten City (leaving gamepass soon) for me. I'm not sure why I waited so long to play this incredible game but I've been happy to put Forbidden West, Deathloop and Scorn on hold to do so. If you've somehow missed it, give it a try. It's only a 5-6 hour experience apparently and by today's insane standards (Persona!), that's very manageable for most of us..

I was completing AC: Odyssey but jumped to Valhalla to get to the Halloween event. After the event I'll go back to Odyssey but man I loved Valhalla so far.

Gotham Knights...played about 4 hours and it's great so far..I swear alot of the really negative reviews that the reviewers went in already making their mind up

@Microbius sorry but if you have a 30fps nausea how you play games before the 60fps on game appears? Its a genuine question.

Plague Tale: Requiem. I'm on Chapter Six, and god the game is too hard to put down. Quite powerful storytelling and I can't wait to see the ending. Guys, just go and play it, RIGHT NOW!

Just bought the DLC characters for King of Fighters 15. So I’ll be practicing some combos for awhile. Playing Disney Dreamlight Valley as well.

Like many others, I'm finally pulling the trigger on Persona 5 Royal. I debated for years buying it, but for some reason never did on PS4 and now that it's on game pass and I simply have no good reason not to. The trouble is I'm an adult with responsibilities and a child's birthday, so I won't get as much time with it as I'd like...

In all honesty, I'm in a pretty big gaming lull at the moment. Mainly because I'm spoilt for choice. Deathloop, plague tale, persona 5, scorn, guardians of the Galaxy, and so many others that I'm yet to try!

So I've been concentrating on catching up on films/tv shows instead. I'm working my way through Disney+ at the moment and starting Andor tonight.

Happy gaming everyone!!

Persona! Finally get to give it a try

I'm playing Doom 2016, It's a Really good game.. ID is definitely Bethesdas top studio..

Working towards the golden ending of Grounded.

Honestly my favorite game Xbox has released this year.

After that, probably play Evil Dead or might start the new Mario + Rabbids.

@BBB really? Because i finsh the game today and with 2/3 hours play session and without any kind of problem. The only game i still cant play its the Guardians of the Galaxy but maybe its because of saturation or too many contrast. By the way the game its incredible for me one of GotY!

Plague Tale Requiem - thought it would be a no as 30fps is a slog for my eyes but I’ve been surprised and fascinated by how good it all looks. Playing at 120hz, so maybe I’m getting 40fps (?) and maybe VRR is helping too. At some points I can’t tell it’s not 60fps, but my eyes are telling me that something isn’t quite ‘right’. It does look gorgeous though, and the gameplay is ok even if it is a bit linear and the ‘acting’ is pretty wooden.

Also playing Hellblade (blimey, how did I not play this earlier?), and still enjoying Grid Legends which is way better than I thought it would be, both graphically and gameplay.

@Lavalera would you recommend GK at full price

@The-Grezzly-Bear that’s exactly what I do when I can’t decide what to play…catch up on some shows. 👍

On the Switch I’ve been playing a good bit of Splatoon 3, which is definitely the best shooter I’ve played this year. Turf War matches are usually pretty sweaty affairs; I’ve never had what I’d consider an easy win (pretty sure I lose more than win too). It’s a good time in spite of the small issues. Salmon Run is a good time, though I still haven’t taken down Cohozuna!

On the Series S, in between bouts of panic that’ll overtake me because my little gamepass box is holding back their grand, magnum opus game designs, I’ll probably play some Persona 5 and maybe start the Modern Warfare 2 campaign.
Plenty to play!!

Persona 5 Royal for me, been wanting to play it ever since my old PS4 died and I never replaced it.

@Dusk_Actual that's a tough question to answer. For me personally it is. But not everyone is the same in that regard. The game gets mixed reviews, so you might not like it and then it would be a waste of the price.so if you're sure you're going to like it, get it, but if you're not sure wait for a sale.

Playing all weekend with my 2yo kid so it’s a bit like playing a Fromsftware game (difficulty wise) in a Nintendo world but…in real world. Miss my xsx though 😔

Ive been back to the source of my forza itch, and im finally playing the original 360 Forza Horizon 1, looks like I'll have it finished tommorrow. Its fantastic.
Once thats done I want to play plague tale 2. Its installed on the series x, but if its on gp pc, i might install it there for 60fps.
Im excited for gow in a way a guy of my age shouldnt be, so everything else will be dropped when that arrives!
Whatever your playing, have fun!

The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season (Windows Store) - I'm done with the main campaign now I'm onto the 400 Days add-on.

Panzer Geekz (Windows Phone) - Finally getting back to this after a nearly week long break.

Temple Run 2 (Windows Phone) - I feel I've hit the glass ceiling with this one. Might move onto another game now and remove this from the phone.

crawls out of hole

Persona :3

goes back to hole

I'm playing a game called waiting for my PC to arrive this week. Guess this has been a long time coming as I was pondering getting a PC before I jumped back to Xbox a few months ago. Been nice exchanging opinions with you guys. Have a good weekend and see you all somewhere on the internet maybe. Cheers

Despite that I got gamepass ultimate since december 2020 till december 2023, games refused to be downloaded on pc, for no reason. No matter what I try, I just can not download gamepass games (on pc) to play. So, sadly... I (always)go back to my Nioh 2

I've been in hanheld mode this weekend. Pocky and Rocky remake on Switch and Dragons Crown on the Playstation Vita.

Vanguard and Madden 23.

I pre-ordered star ocean divine force and am waiting for that. In case you don’t know, the publisher of the star ocean games is not doing well financially and this is their final great game that will either save their company or be the last. I bought to support because I love the star ocean games.

Still playing inmortals fenix rising, what a great game, almost 40 hours.

I started The Forgotten City, since it's leaving Game Pass soon and I've read good stuff about it here.
It took a little time to hook me, but damn, it's really good! I'm really glad I tried it. Hoping I can finish it today.

I finished the forgotten city, thanks guys for the last minute recommendation. Now, trying Kentucky route zero, not sure if I am enjoying it to be honest. This is usually my type of game, but this one's got something that isn't quite resonating with me for now, gonna give it a bit longer but we'll see.

@UltimateOtaku91 how's beacon pines? Kinda attracted to it visually.

@Stamnoso I'm currently 3 hours in and it's been very good so far, its story and setting is similar to life is strange true colors, in terms of a mystery happening in a little mountainside town with a big corporation involved. You collect words which you need to fill in sentences throughout the game which alters what happens next, and most of the time you will experience a dead end or end of story moment, in which the game then let's you go back to an earlier choice to let you choose a different word instead which changes the story. There's a lot of going back and forth between chapters changing words until you get the right path, but nothing is ever the same so it's not tedious. The main story scenes also narrated by a single person (female) which gives it a storybook feel, but the characters do have an animal crossing style chat noise when chat boxes appear.

@UltimateOtaku91 Sounds good, I think I'll give it a try next, sounds like a game I would enjoy. Thanks