While the RPS editorial team is gearing up for a variety of digital diversions this weekend, one staff member is attending a live magic show. For the author, the prospect of seeing mentalist Derren Brown involves a personal challenge: to appear engaged rather than intently trying to decipher the tricks.
Elsewhere, the team's gaming plans span a broad spectrum. Mark is finally attempting to complete Assassin's Creed 3, having previously lost momentum with the remaster. He's curious to see how the American Revolution narrative concludes, with a touch of skepticism about its historical impact.
James plans to explore DayZ Badlands, an expansion for Bohemia's zombie sandbox that introduces a desert environment. This follows a missed opportunity to try it at Gamescom due to technical issues with their PCs.
Callum anticipates continuing with Star Wars: Zero Company but is also preparing for his annual tradition of marathoning horror games. He's particularly drawn to a demo for Haunted Paws, described as a co-op game akin to Little Nightmares but featuring dogs in hats, and Rolla, a game where players control a "mass of pulsing flesh" rolling through a city.
Jeremy will continue his work on an exhaustive walkthrough of Castlevania: Belmont's Curse. Despite some critiques in the game's review, he personally finds it enjoyable, noting the recurring fan debates that emerge with each new Castlevania release, spanning classic vs. Metroidvania interpretations and timeline arguments.
Ollie intends to introduce his visiting brother to Factorio, a game he holds in high regard, aiming to make the experience memorable with the assistance of alcohol. Edwin, on the other hand, is contemplating creating a simple text adventure, though he anticipates the endeavor will become far more complex than initially planned.
Julian has a secret game he's looking forward to playing, alongside a full playthrough of Dreadline Express, a train mystery he enjoyed at Gamescom. When not gaming, he will be participating in two book clubs, reading SAS: Rogue Heroes for one and Happy All The Time for another.
What are you playing this weekend?