Our regular column detailing recent gaming experiences highlights Dom's return to the visceral action of Gears of War: E-Day, Bertie's final push in The Blood of Dawnwalker, and a surprisingly engaging session with Quake 3 played directly in a web browser.
Gears of War: E-Day on Xbox Series X has captivated Dom with its Horde Siege mode. While initially wary of its departure from the series' traditional Horde mode, the open-ended maps and potential for squad-based synergy have proven to be "pure video game popcorn movie stuff." Dom anticipates extended play, despite the proximity of other major game releases.
Meanwhile, Bertie is nearing the end of The Blood of Dawnwalker on PS5, with only one day remaining before the character Brencis' coronation and a looming threat to his family. Bertie has been deliberately extending his playtime, exploring the game's world and uncovering further narrative details. A recent encounter with Xanthe, a vampiric character, revealed more about her backstory and current activities, adding a layer of "creepy, twisted, but also heartfelt" storytelling to the game.
In an unexpected turn, Bertie has also revisited Quake 3, playing a version recompiled by AI directly in a web browser. What began as a brief test for a news story evolved into an extended session as Bertie found himself at the top of the scoreboard. The chaotic matches, with players spawning on top of each other, served as a potent reminder of the game's enduring appeal, especially with a large player count.
This feature invites readers to share their own gaming experiences from the week in the comments section.