So, what are you playing?
Oh, who did we think we were kidding, So What Are You Playing? We can't quit you. I mean, when we did quit you back in February, it was a very different world. A world where video conferencing was still something of a luxury or a business directive, not a social-distancing mandate. A world where avoiding large crowds was antisocial, not an executive order. A world where your local GameStop smelled a little funny and...well, maybe they have a little more time on their hands to spray that disinfectant they should've been spraying this whole time. Don't let video games get in the way of a brisk, lonely walk outside—but don't be afraid of a long gaming session once your live-in loved ones have gotten sufficient quality time with you, too.
So, what are you playing?
Russell Archey
I've been getting back into Digimon World: Cyber Sleuth when streaming, and it's a sign of a good game when I can go for a long time without touching a game, pick it back up where I left off without researching anything, and remember almost everything about what I was doing and how the various mechanics work. Before a couple of weeks ago I hadn't touched the game in almost a year. Beyond that, I've been really enjoying Wandersong a lot more than I thought I would. Not that I thought it was going to be a bad game or anything. I tend to enjoy smaller indie games like that, but this is definitely a lot better than I thought it was going to be. If you have Xbox Live Game Pass, definitely give it a shot.
Eric Hauter
Due to travel restrictions, my son—who lives on the other side of the country—was not able to come home for Spring Break. We have always used PS VR as a means to spend time together, but now that seems more important than usual. Our current game of choice? Vertigo Games' Sky World. We are a family that really enjoys tabletop gaming, and Sky World meets that criteria in spades. For a long time in the early game, it's a turn-based strategy game, with players racing to grab land and pillage it for resources. But when battle is declared, the table flips, and a MOBA-like real-time battle begins. I have gotten a great deal of amusement sending armies of archers and battletanks electronically across the United States to whoop up on my son, though he is learning quickly. It is only a matter of time before he catches on that he needs to upgrade his units. But until then, I will be content spending time with him and ruling Sky World simultaneously.
Randy Kalista
Call me old fashioned, but when a pandemic strikes, I like to head into outer space. This time I'm using Endless Space 2 for that. It's one I've had sitting on the launch pad for a couple years now, but it's never stuck to me the way Endless Legend did—that's the fantasy-fiction counterpart to Endless Space's science-fantasy schtick. My seeming disinterest in Endless Space 2 had to do with the environment, I'm sure. I can wander forever between oceans and mountains, forests and deserts. But a skybox full of just stars doesn't spark my imagination the same way. But this time I'm really digging into the in-game artwork. Watching my scout ship fly from one blip to the next in a plain ol' spiral galaxy doesn't elevate my heart rate. But sitting on some concept art for the xeno-architecture being built on my planets, or soaking in the very British military uniforms of my vaguely fascist industrial powerhouse of a nation? That's what transforms Endless Space 2 from a "paint the map red" tactical borefest into a Mass Effect-ian space opera.
I might still be overstating it, but the game is at least getting a little bit of that stickiness I'm looking for.
Hopefully we hear back from TaleWorlds Entertainment about getting some Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord early access code. It's been a good 10, 12 years since I've played Mount & Blade. Never kept up with the expansions. But the new one looks like it'll once again put me on the ground as one sad medieval dude at the head of a Total War-sized conflict. Overwhelming odds? Dirt-poor arms and armor? Bring it.
John Yan
Now that I'm done with Half-Life: Alyx, I'm going to jump into some games I have in my back catalog that I started but didn't play for long. First up will be The Outer Worlds. I did pick this up again right before Alyx hit, so it got put by the wayside, but I'm vowing to go through and finish this one up. It's such a fun world and it needs to be played through.
Since I have my VR setup working again, I'll also get some exercise in by playing some Blade & Sorcery. The Star Wars mods look a lot of fun and I'm going to look at giving that a true.
Finally, I've installed a bunch of mods for Skyrim VR so I want to check out how Skyrim looks with all the graphical improvements I have in place.
