Felix Sanchez, video producer
What’s on the menu this weekend? Well, aside from my grandma’s wonderful cooking, we have Pikmin 4 and Outer Wilds! Both are space-based, but very different games. Pikmin 4 really surprised me with how good the gameplay loop is, and all the music tracks are just sublime. And Outer Wilds surprised me with what you can do with an exploration game. There are so many mysteries, but always enough clues here and there to keep you moving. All in all, I’m a happy boy!
Ollie Reynolds, staff writer
It’s Christmas, so of course that will probably mean that some form Jackbox Party Pack will annually appear at some point over the next few days.
Other than that, I don’t think I’ll be doing too much gaming as we approach 2023. I’m currently in one of those moods where it doesn’t matter what game I’m trying to play, I’ll start hold it up for 10 minutes before throwing the controller back and finding something else to earn. I think I just need a little break from gaming, you know. Read some books, maybe. Walking a little.
Jim Norman, staff writer
I meditate that I’m just about to finish Outer Wilds. To be honest, this is the fourth time I’ve thought that, only to discover 22 minutes later that I was sorely mistaken. But this time it feels different. I think I’m finally there.
Now the question is what should I do next? Honestly, it’s Christmas weekend so my Switch will probably become a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe device for a few days and I’m totally fine with that. Throw in some mindless Nintendo Switch Sports after a big dinner and I’ll be sorted.
Gonçalo Lopes, associate
It’s the season again! This is always a nostalgic time of year for me, so I’m going to have a lot of fun with my mini-consoles, starting with the Super NES Classic Edition. Just the way I watch it again die Hard hoping that Hans Gruber will win (maybe this year… maybe) and I’ll marathon special editions Lord of the Rings, I’m also doing a full Donkey Kong Country rendition. Don’t ask me why this game always feels like Christmas, but for some reason, the 1994 cult classic has stuck with me. Not just for the rather challenging snow world, but I believe the soundtrack explains a lot of my nostalgia.
That’s pretty much my plans for the holidays so I hope you all have a great time with your family and friends and I hope to write to you next week assuming I survive my food coma this weekend.
Gavin Lane, editor
Too late to make the GOTY list, I picked up Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition last week and hope to explore it over the holidays. The performance issues with the Switch version sound in line with similar issues with Cocoon, which I only recently played and still love.
Other than that, there are dozens of things I’d like to play, but I’ll settle for my Christmas tradition of firing up my prepared Banjo-Kazooie rescue and blasting my way through Freezeezy Peak. We wish you all well!
Kate Gray, Associate
I JUST BOUGHT TWO SWITCH GAMES: Paranormasight, which sounds like 100% my jam, and The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood, which sounds awesome, but the title bothers me. I always think it’s a tipfeller, but it’s not. I’m sure it will be fine and I’ll get over it.
BUT! First of all, I still have to get through Apollo Justice for the review. I still can’t believe I own it. Madness. I just hit the third case in AJ:AA, Turnabout Serenade, which is one of my all-time favorites, despite everyone else hating it. I think Lamiroiro’s story is cool and I really like the way the song is incorporated into the case!
And there is, you know, Christmas game. I partner and I just played Chants of Sennaar together and now we need something to play over the holidays. He suggested Ocarina of Time. Will it last? Am I going crazy because of the terrible camera controls on the N64? I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.
Alana Hagues, Deputy Editor
Since it’s the holidays, I’m in full comfort gaming mode. I’m back on Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster so I can settle in with Origins one more time — I’m pretty early, but I’m excited to make some progress over the next week. I’m also going to fully commit to Blasphemous 2 as I obviously need a little more religious symbolism with the holiday season…
That’s probably it — gaming won’t be a big priority for me so I can spend time with my partner. Currently playing Super Mario RPG. But whenever it breaks Elden Ring on, I have a pleasant time for Switch games. Happy holidays, have a great time and let’s hope for a great 2024!
There are our plans for the holiday weekend, but what about you? Wrap up the game you’ll be running in the poll below, then slide down the chimney to the comments and let us know what else you have on your cards.
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