Gaming Highlights

This week in our gaming roundup, Kelsey explores a new puzzle game on Steam reminiscent of unpacking, while Tom finally gets his Steam Deck up and running smoothly. Marie slips into her Spider-Man costume, eager for some superhero action, and Ed ventures into the world of Blue Lions, immersing himself in its story. Ian gets a kick out of executing drop kicks in his latest gaming session, and Will defends Battlefield 2042, claiming it wasn't as flawed as critics suggested. Chris remains tight-lipped about his current playthrough—it's classified, but hints involve Pokémon. Meanwhile, Bertie finds himself captivated all over again by the addictive Vampire Survivors gameplay.

What about you? What games have you been enjoying lately?

For more insights, check out previous editions in our "What We've Been Playing" archive.

Exploring cozy digital spaces has become a delightful pastime lately. One standout experience is a game called Whisper of the House, which I discovered on Steam shortly after its late August release. Fans of unpacking will quickly recognize the familiar concept: designing and tidying up homes and local shops for community members, all while upgrading your own cozy residence.

What sets this game apart is its extensive customization options. With a wide variety of furniture and decorative pieces, plus a color mixer to personalize each item, players can truly make each space their own. The diverse environments offer plenty of opportunities for creative expression, fulfilling a common desire that unpacking only touched upon. It’s an engaging way to spend hours, especially if you’re eager for more decorating challenges.

In another tech adventure, I finally managed to get my Steam Deck to run smoothly after some troubleshooting. Installing GeForce Now via NVIDIA’s website in desktop mode opened up a whole new world of cloud gaming. The experience was remarkably seamless—so much so that I often forget I’m streaming from the cloud, provided my internet connection holds steady.

Now, I’m eager to explore the platform’s latest features and to set up gaming on my TV. It’s a bit of a work in progress, but I look forward to making the most of these advancements and enjoying high-quality gameplay across different devices.

Unable to locate a suitable video for Spider-Man Remastered, I decided to share footage from Spider-Man 2 instead—check it out on YouTube.

My enthusiasm for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 makes it one of my top titles to explore, so diving into the original Spider-Man Remastered was a natural choice. Even though I experienced the sequel first, this classic still delivers delightful surprises that excite my inner comic fan.

Fighting off street criminals, rescuing civilians from wrecked vehicles, and confronting some of Spider-Man's most legendary foes made for an ideal Friday night activity.

• Marie

Following the announcement of the upcoming Fire Emblem game, Fortune's Weave, during last week's Nintendo Direct, I felt the need for a break from the unsettling world of Silksong. I finally revisited Fire Emblem: Three Houses and embarked on my second playthrough, a plan I've had for years. My first run was with the Black Eagles; now, I’m enjoying the Blue Lions. The experience is just as captivating as I remembered—rich characters, the enchanting school atmosphere, and smooth tactical battles. The constant progress—numbers rising, goals being achieved—keeps me thoroughly engaged all over again.

• Ed

Gaming Highlights

Exploring the lighter side of gaming lately has been a refreshing escape from the usual grind. I recently found myself chuckling endlessly while taking out zombies in a game that’s all about chaotic fun. Punting infected skulls across the landscape might sound absurd, but it delivers pure joy when executed perfectly—especially when you send one flying off a cliff, watching it tumble into the abyss. While the Dead Island series popularized this gruesome sport, Dying Light: The Beast takes it to a new level, turning zombie punting into a comedic spectacle. For now, I’ve sidelined the main story to indulge in the silly, satisfying violence of feral foes face-first into my kicks. It’s not about progression; it’s about the simple thrill of laughter and destruction. Sometimes, that’s exactly what I need in a game.

Switching gears, I’ve been immersing myself in Battlefield 2042 over the past month. Surprisingly, I’ve found a lot of fun in what some might call the “weakest battlefield.” Despite its rocky launch, recent updates have sharpened the experience—more dynamic maps, improved weapon feel, and modes that really shine. Returning to classics like Iwo Jima for conquest battles and diving into dense breakthrough matches on tight maps rekindled my appreciation for the series. While anticipation for Battlefield 6 grows, I believe 2042 deserves a fresh look, especially given how much it’s improved. It’s a reminder that sometimes, patience and updates can turn a rough start into something worth playing.

Meanwhile, I’m waiting on a few embargoed titles to lift, so I can’t spill all the beans just yet. One thing I can mention is that I’ve been playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket again—yes, still! Want to hear more? Well, I’ve been experimenting with a counter-meta Alolan Exeggutor deck—though I got rugby-tackled mid-sentence by Bertie before I could finish explaining. Sorry!

On a different note, I revisited the roguelike genre recently with Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, and it reignited that spark of excitement I always feel with these games. I love titles that jump straight into the action without lengthy tutorials, letting you discover mechanics on the fly. Roguelikes excel at this because their loop is all about immediate engagement—play first, learn later. It’s a perfect model for pure, unfiltered fun, and I couldn’t be happier to dive back into that kind of gameplay. Emoji heart-eyes all around.

What is Pokémon TCG Pocket and Poké Gold?

Poké Gold serves as the primary in-game currency in the Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, allowing players to buy valuable items, restore stamina, and unlock exclusive collectibles like special cards and unique covers. By using Poké Gold, users can enhance their overall gaming experience and expand their card collections within the app. Players can conveniently obtain Poké Gold by topping up through trusted platforms such as Lootbar.gg, which offers reliable service for all your in-game currency needs.

Why do you choose Lootbar.gg for Poké Gold Top up?

If players are looking to buy Poké Gold for the Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, they may want to consider using the lootbar game trading platform. Lootbar.gg stands out by providing a seamless and efficient top up experience, making it easy for Pokemon TCG fans to quickly enhance their in-game currency balance and enjoy exclusive features.

One of the main advantages of using lootbar is its competitive pricing, offering special discounts so players can save more on every purchase. Additionally, lootbar guarantees 100% secure transactions with advanced encryption technology, ensuring that both payments and personal data remain protected. The platform is known for its quick delivery, often completing Poké Gold transactions within just three minutes. Moreover, with 24/7 customer support, players can always get timely help with any questions or issues, making lootbar.gg a reliable and convenient choice for anyone looking to buy Poké Gold.

A Step-by-Step Guide to top up Pokémon TCG Pocket on LootBar

To begin the Pokémon TCG Pocket Poké Gold top up process on the Lootbar trading platform, first visit the official Lootbar.gg website and make sure to select your preferred language and currency settings before logging into your account. On the homepage, locate and navigate to the Pokémon TCG Pocket Poké Gold top up section. Here, you can decide on the specific amount of Poké Gold you wish to purchase and then proceed by clicking the “Top-up Now” button.

Next, you will be asked to enter important account details such as your login information, password, and character name to ensure a secure transaction. Following the prompts, select your desired payment method from the available options and click “Pay Now” to complete the payment. After your order has been confirmed, the purchased Poké Gold will be credited to your Pokémon TCG Pocket account within just a few minutes, allowing you to enjoy your new currency in the game without delay.