The team at Eurogamer is back with their weekly rundown of what they've been playing, offering a diverse look at recent gaming experiences. This installment features the tactical depth of Warhammer 40K: Kill Team, the casual cruising of Forza Horizon 5, the cooperative challenges of Split Fiction, and the focused action of 007: First Light.
Warhammer 40K: Kill Team
Bertie delves into Warhammer 40K: Kill Team, describing it as a small-sided tabletop game that shares similarities with the XCOM series. Despite a complex ruleset filled with specialized terminology, the game offers a wealth of tactical options and team variety. Players can engage in various team configurations, including 2v2, 2v1, or even against a non-player enemy faction, with additional options for a 'CPU' enemy or a large monster affecting both players in a 1v1 scenario. The miniatures used are the same as those in the main Warhammer 40K line, but the gameplay focuses on turn-based tactical combat where units maneuver between cover and utilize limited action points.
Forza Horizon 5
Marie finds relaxation in Forza Horizon 5, alternating between it and Lego Batman. The game's appeal lies in its casual nature, allowing players to explore Japan in their chosen vehicles across different seasons. The open-world driving is complemented by various races, with a particular enjoyment of street races. Marie is also focused on collecting and customizing cars, aiming to recreate the iconic Dodge Charger from the Fast and Furious franchise. A key aspect of Forza Horizon 5's enjoyment for Marie is its accessibility, enabling players to easily drop in and out of gameplay without requiring a significant time commitment.
Split Fiction
Victoria recounts an unexpected turn of events while playing Split Fiction with her husband. After a corrupted save file necessitated a restart, her husband questioned the benefit of playing on a larger screen. Victoria's initial dismissal of the idea was followed by a peculiar incident the next day: their television stopped working entirely. While not accusing her husband directly, Victoria notes the timing of the television's demise, especially as he had been eyeing a larger replacement model. The co-op experience itself involves navigating sci-fi levels and engaging in combat, as evidenced by Victoria's use of a laser whip against enemies.
007: First Light
Bertie also highlights his experience with 007: First Light, praising its straightforward, linear action as a refreshing change from more expansive adventures. He commends the game's pacing, describing its forward momentum as breezy and engaging. The tutorial section is noted as a particular strength, serving as an extended introduction that effectively immerses players in the game and the relationships with other training recruits over simulated months. This approach represents a notable shift for a studio accustomed to developing more open-ended sandbox levels.