Our regular feature on what games have been capturing our attention returns this week, with writers sharing their experiences across a variety of titles. Bertie continues to delve into a vampire-themed RPG, Kelsey has been engrossed in breeding battle cats, Mat has been strategically managing units in a tactical RPG, Marie is embracing chaos with a certain goose, and Connor has found himself drawn back into the world of Warcraft.
Dawnwalker, PC
Bertie is still dedicating spare moments to the vampire-themed RPG Dawnwalker, even after its review. While exploring the game world, new and bizarre quests have surfaced. Unintended bugs have also provided some of the most memorable moments, including NPCs locked in perpetual combat which halted quest progression. A fix for one quest inadvertently pulled Bertie from another, requiring a lengthy process of retracing steps and using in-game abilities to bypass a now-blocking bookshelf. Another ongoing issue involves a broken Sacred Stone ritual that has rendered a portion of the world impassable due to a permanent magical storm.
Mewgenics, Switch 2
Mewgenics has been a compelling handheld experience for Kelsey on the Switch 2, particularly with its support for the touch screen. The game has led to nearly all spare time being dedicated to breeding an army of battle cats. Alongside playing Silent Hill Townfall for work, Mewgenics has contributed to a highly enjoyable period of gaming, albeit at the expense of a social life.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Switch 2
Mat finds the core strategic elements of Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave to be its strongest aspect, particularly in min-maxing character stats for specific scenarios. One heavily defensive unit excels at melting mounted units, taking no damage on enemy turns while quickly dispatching them. An archer has been equipped with a ring that boosts dodge chance against other archers, creating a tactical standoff. However, Mat feels that other aspects of the game, such as the social link interactions, serve as padding between combat. The necessity of wandering around areas, even with fast travel options, to reach every quest giver is a point of contention, reminding Mat of similar pacing issues in other titles.
Untitled Goose Game, Switch 2
Marie is enjoying her role as an accomplice to a mischievous goose in Untitled Goose Game. The gameplay involves tasks like stealing toys, trapping a child, and creating distractions, which Marie describes as embracing chaos.
World of Warcraft: Forever Beta, PC
Connor has been drawn back into World of Warcraft, despite attempts to avoid it. What began as a brief exploration has become a regular evening activity, with dungeon runs and boar-hunting replacing planned outdoor excursions. The current beta, limited to levels one to 20, has made a strong positive impression. The new starting zone, Zephras Isle, with its expansive grasslands and celestial pillars complemented by new lighting effects, is particularly noteworthy. Connor anticipates the full release of Forever in November, expecting it to consume his free time.