It’s been a difficult week for gaming journalism, with job cuts at both Polygon and Giant Bomb. Our best wishes to those who have been let go as they look to the future. Meanwhile, here at TSA we’ve been kept busy with a mix of games, from large RPGs to unusual indies.
I started with Revenge of the Savage Planet, exploring its alien worlds with a little assistance from Tef. It’s been a quirky, fun sci-fi adventure. Yakuza: Like a Dragon has also been my reliable choice for relaxed gaming sessions, with a little Mycopunk and the rhythm game Unbeatable joining the rotation.
Jim
Jim received his What We Played submission early and wrote about his return to Cyrodiil, with Oblivion Remastered following next. “I returned to playing my Tantō and Kanabō to complete Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” he added. Although his impressions have not fundamentally changed, late-game equipment and skill sets have added complexity to combat. The narrative held his interest, but the ending was somewhat rushed and obviously set up for eventual DLC or sequels.
Tuffcub & Aran
Tuffcub? As expected, still trudging through Destiny 2. But he’s not alone in hugging it out—Aran is just reaching the end of The Witcher 3 (just Blood & Wine remaining!) and has begun Tell Me Why, commenting that the first chapter has him wondering what’s coming next.
Gamoc & Steve
Gamoc is still whittling away at Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, declaring it “excellent,” although it’s taking longer to complete than anticipated. Steve’s also journeying through Expedition 33, having just completed the first act: “It made me feel things,” he admitted. He’s been testing out a couple of indie titles for upcoming reviews and has nearly 100% completed Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, with only the story missions left. His eldest is insisting on co-op for the final push, so coordinating schedules has become its own mini-game.
Ade
Ade has had the most varied week, flitting between Bayonetta 2, Mark of the Ninja (referred to by him as the best stealth game he’s ever played), Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and the survival adventure Atomfall. To all that, he’s also reviewing two roguelites: Kiborg and Spiritfall—keeping busy!
Tef
Finally, Tef has been in full co-op. Following the demo of Mycopunk, he partnered once more for Revenge of the Savage Planet. He’s also been heavily involved with Broken Arrow, providing early impressions of its contemporary tactical warfare.