Weekend Whammy: What’re Ya’ll Playing This Weekend?

I blinked and suddenly the weekend was nearly over! What the hell is that about? And there’s just over a week until Christmas? Oh god.

So, this week I successfully managed to get out a review of Just Cause 4, an open-world Michael Bay simulator that has an incredibly satisfying set of systems for getting around the place and plenty of ways to enjoy yourself. Now that I’ve reviewed it, though, I don’t feel any real desire to head back and goof around some more. Maybe I’m just getting old because I’m pretty sure teenage me would have loved the crap out of Just Cause 4. In fact, I know I would because I loved the hell out of the first game back in 2006 and then the second game in 2010. But now I am a crotchety old man and want more from my games. Still, as a slice of stupid fun I reckon Just Cause 4 will be worth grabbing once it goes on sale.

I’ve been delving into Red Matter on the PSVR this week after review code came in for it a few days ago. So far my impressions are pretty good, my first hour or two of walking around a mysterious base on Jupiter having been filled with enjoyable puzzle solving and some nice atmospheric work, even though the reliance on reading notes and listening to a voice over the radio for story telling is a bit tiresome.

Also on PSVR this week is Borderlands 2, which I’ve just downloaded and am uber excited to start playing. Keep an eye out for a review of this one, too.

Another game on the review list is Aground, a pixel-art 2D adventure where you crash land on an alien planet and must survive by gathering supplies and other survivors before venturing out into the world. I’m something like 10-hours into the game and having a blast so far. There are plenty of similarities to the likes of Terraria, but Aground manages to forge its own identity. So far on my adventure I’ve raised a dragon that I can fly around, built a submarine, got myself a laser gun, done a crap-load of mining for minerals and am currently working toward building a nuclear reactor. I have no idea what else is in store down the line and at this point I’m not even sure if I’m going to find the “end” before I review the game. But the point is I’m really liking it thus far.

I do need to make a confession here, though: I’m struggling to keep up with everything at this point. You may have noticed that my board game reviews have slipped away, which I’m disappointed about because I loved doing them and lots of people were dropping by the site to read them, but there’s just so many damn video games I want to cover. You might have noticed I’ve still not played God of War, either, which I’m really trying to do before I do my write up on the best games of the year. With the medicine and exercise routine I try to keep up for my Cystic Fibrosis, my nieces coming up, the dog who needs a few walks a day and a bunch of other stuff it has been a challenge to squeeze games into the day. It doesn’t help that I’m not a fast writer, either.

Ah well. Onto better things! I caught the first episode of Night Flyers this week which is based on a novel by George R.R. Martin. It follows the Night Flyer ship as it attempts to make contact with alien life, but strange things are going on and its unclear whether the telepath on board may be behind it. There’s a pretty strong horror vibe, and to that end I like how the telepath is a source if intense dislike and terror for the crew. The telepath is kept locked up, has never had a life outside of his box and is therefore rather…strange. So far the characters are interesting and the sense of mystery has got me interested in watching another few episodes at least, so for now I’m giving it a tentative recommendation.

You might have noticed that the site now asks if you want notifications. This is something new I’m playing with and basically if you say yes I’ll send out a notification every time I post a new review. All you have to do is click on it and you’ll be sent to the review.

So that’s it for now, folks. As always I hope you’re doing well, and I’d love to know what you’re playing, watching and reading.

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