Well, there’s less than a week to go now until the big day. Everything seems to be calming down on the game release and news front – which gives the team here at XboxEra a bit more time to actually do what we love; playing video games! This is our weekly feature where we let you know what we have been up to over the course of the week, and don’t forget to vote in the poll at the bottom of the article so we can see what you are playing this weekend.
Jesse (DonCabesa):
“This week the only new title I played was Keeper. I’m a little over half the way through and the game is a tight, gorgeous experience so far. The gameplay is mostly light platforming with some incredibly basic puzzle solving. I went into it as blind as possible, having no clue where things would go. I highly recommend doing that, as the game’s twists and turns have been delightful surprises.
When not keepin I’ve been dwarvin, with more Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor. It has become my go to handheld game when I decompress on the couch after Jon’s mandatory 18 hour workdays.“
Read the XboxEra reviews for Keeper and Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor.
Jon (Sikamikanico):
“This week I’ve been playing a couple of things. Firstly, the lovely Kat and I have been continuing our playthrough of Dispatch for our Patreon community. We’ve just wrapped episode 3, and we’re both super impressed by what Adhoc have put together. It’s an engaging superhero yarn, with neat bouts of management style gameplay interspersed with narrative choice driven moments and we both really love playing it. It’s like sitting through an interactive TV Show.
Elsewhere, I’ve finally picked up last years Alan Wake II, which despite owning since release, I never played more than 30 minutes of, mostly due to the game breaking on me entirely in the release period. Obviously, that’s a fair while ago, and the game has seen plenty of patches and updates since then. I played through the first two chapters on a livestream with the community earlier this week, and had a pretty good time. (Goodness me it’s a pretty game!)
Last thing I want to pick up again over the Christmas period is Abiotic Factor, which involves getting a large crew of mates together to play properly. Definitely on the list of “things to do”!“
Read the XboxEra reviews for Alan Wake 2 and Abiotic Factor.
Kat (MortonToe):
“This week I have been attempting to improve my video game skill set. Alongside playing Dispatch with Jon, which I really love, I have started Avowed on my Xbox Series X. It’s teaching me a LOT and I’m really enjoying it. It’s beautiful to look at and my teenage son saw me playing and is now all over it too.
Jon also suggested that I try out Portal to extend my education. I started it and very quickly discovered that my brain absolutely does not work in the way that is required for this kind of puzzling. I’m great in a pub quiz, or anything trivia related – but working things out in a 3-D space is a huge no-no for me, and I’m kind of embarrassed to say, but I had a bit of a tantrum and turned it off. Not my jam!
If you guys have any suggestions of games for me to play to ‘get good’ then please let me know!”
Read the XboxEra review of Avowed.
Aarsal (SoulBlazerz):
“As I continue my annual end-of-year mad rush of playing every game I already should have played, I spent a big chunk of my time this week putting together the Hollow Knight: Silksong review video! Ended up going a little over the top but I’m happy with it, give it a look!
I did also play through the beginning of Ghost of Yotei, which I, at least so far, am liking considerably more than Tsushima. Though I do wish I could skip through dialogue… But other then that most of my time has been with Doom: The Dark Ages. This is a game I know would likely make my top games of the year list so I had to start it up. So far I’m a little under halfway and already the ‘dance’ is starting to take form. When I’m in the zone, the game feels incredible, and when I’m not I feel powerless. It’s a very interesting balance to strike and I’m a little happy the game plays so drastically different from the previous Doom reboot titles.
What will I have rushed through by next time? Ninja Gaiden 4? Keeper? FF16? Who knows!”
Read the XboxEra review of Hollow Knight: Silksong.
What are you playing this weekend?
Ok, that’s enough waffle from us, it’s your turn. Are there any games from the past year you missed on release and will be trying out this weekend? Please vote in the poll and let us know what will be loading on your console or PC.
If you haven’t already done so, please go and vote in our XboxEra Community Game of the Year survey here. We would really appreciate your contribution. Voting closes December 24th.
You can also give us a shout in the XboxEra Forums or make some noise in the lively XboxEra Community Discord Server. If you’re looking to be a bigger part of an amazing community, then either choice is a good one!
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So go on, do something awesome.
