Gaming Community Shares Weekend Playlists and Latest News

This past week has been a dynamic period in the gaming landscape, marked by significant game evaluations and key industry announcements. Notably, Nintendo of America's President, Doug Bowser, revealed his upcoming retirement, with Devon Pritchard set to assume his role and Satoru Shibata joining as CEO. The gaming community is buzzing with excitement over a variety of titles, from highly anticipated sequels like Hades II and Hollow Knight: Silksong to ongoing adventures in games such as Star Wars Outlaws and the recently announced Yakuza Kiwami 3 for the Switch 2. Players are enthusiastically sharing their diverse plans, reflecting a vibrant mix of exploring new releases and continuing progress in their favorite established games.

The gaming world experienced a flurry of activity, particularly with several major game reviews capturing attention. Among them, Hades II and Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles both received impressive scores of 9/10. EA SPORTS FC 26 was rated 8/10, while Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac earned a 7/10. Agatha Christie - Death on the Nile also garnered an 8/10, showcasing a strong week for new releases and updates. In addition to these critical assessments, industry news also made waves with the announcement of Nintendo of America's President Doug Bowser's retirement at year-end, a development that will see Devon Pritchard step into his shoes and Satoru Shibata join as CEO.

Further exciting updates include the reveal of Yakuza Kiwami 3 for the Switch 2, which will feature an entirely new storyline. Meanwhile, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds confirmed an exciting collaboration with Mega Man for its upcoming downloadable content. However, not all news was celebratory; Borderlands 4, initially slated for an early October launch, has been postponed to an unspecified future date. Despite this delay, many in the gaming community remain unfazed, citing the abundance of other compelling titles set to release in the coming weeks and expressing willingness to wait for a polished experience.

Individual players have been deeply engrossed in their gaming pursuits. One editor, Gavin Lane, recently completed Hollow Knight after nearly 30 hours, achieving a 74% completion rate. He has since continued to explore the game, reaching 81% by discovering additional masks, grubs, and defeating optional bosses. Despite the temptation to further increase his completion percentage, he acknowledges the pull of other games like Hades II and the limited utility of in-game currency. He also began playing Star Wars Outlaws, describing it as having a distinct Ubisoft feel, and acquired Nier Automata for his Switch 2, planning to test its performance there first.

Another staff writer, Ollie Reynolds, expressed intentions to revisit SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance this weekend to assess the impact of its recent resolution update, noting its graphical imperfections on Switch 2 despite being a remarkable game. He also has Hades II on his agenda and hopes to explore The Touryst: Deluxe if time permits. Furthermore, he recently purchased Silent Hill f on the PS5, which he considers a high-priority title for his weekend gaming. Staff writer Jim Norman is nearing the initial conclusion of Silksong, eager to clear his backlog before the deluge of October releases. In between Silksong sessions, he's enjoying Clair Obscur, and recently picked up Metaphor: ReFantazio and Undertale, a title he admits to never having played before. He also has Hades 2 ready for when he finds a moment.

Contributor Gonçalo Lopes is in the final stages of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, describing each level as an endurance challenge. As a fan of mechs and SRPGs, he's enjoying Relayer Advanced Definitive Edition. He highlighted Hades II's release from early access as a timed exclusive on Switch, praising its protagonist Melinoë as a worthy successor to Zagreus. He also noted his progress in UFO 50, having played 19 of the 50 games, with Golfaria being a particular standout. Star Wars Outlaws remains his game of the week; after completing Kijimi, he's now heading to Akiva in search of a droidsmith, saving Tatooine for last. Deputy Editor Alana Hagues plans to continue with Hades II to uncover all its post-credits content, although she's resisting the urge to start a new save in Silksong, especially with a weekend away. She wished everyone an enjoyable weekend as 'Spooky Season' approaches.

This overview encapsulates a vibrant week in the gaming community, highlighted by critical game reviews, significant announcements like Doug Bowser's retirement from Nintendo of America, and diverse individual gaming plans. From the highly anticipated Hades II and Hollow Knight: Silksong to ongoing engagements with Star Wars Outlaws and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, players are actively immersed in both new and cherished titles. The slight delay of Borderlands 4 barely dampens spirits, with the community’s focus firmly on the rich array of experiences available and forthcoming. As gamers delve into their weekend sessions, the shared enthusiasm underscores a thriving culture of exploration, challenge, and discovery across various platforms and genres.