Games People Are Playing This Weekend

February 21, 2026byadmin

### Weekend Gaming Plans: A Glimpse into the RPS Team’s Adventures

As the weekend approaches, many gamers find themselves contemplating how best to spend their Saturday mornings away from the hustle and bustle of work and commitments. For the Rock Paper Shotgun (RPS) team, this weekend promises a blend of nostalgia, excitement, and discovery in gaming. Let’s dive into the weekend plans of RPS staff members and see what they’re looking forward to.

#### Graham’s Anticipated Showdown

The weekend begins with a humorous, albeit intense, anticipation of a showdown with Graham Smith, co-founder of Jank.cool, who is humorously dubbed as a “disgraceful champagne socialist.” With a playful spirit, the writer—presumably Edwin—envisions a light-hearted conflict featuring exaggerated martial arts moves. Whatever the outcome, the weekend has a lighthearted undertone mocking typical gaming rivalries.

#### Mark’s Racing Adventures

Mark is set to indulge in some exhilarating zero-g action with **BallisticNG**, a game that takes inspiration from classic racing titles, hoping to master its challenging tracks. He plans to complement this with a few stages of **Dirt Rally 2.0**, appealing to those who enjoy realistic racing simulations. Additionally, he’s excited to explore the Next Fest demo of **Outbound**, drawn in by the creative aspects of camper van house building, signaling a desire for relaxing yet stimulating gameplay.

#### James’ Demo Dive

James anticipates exploring a variety of Steam Next Fest demos, following the trend of premature game releases for marketing purposes. He has his sights set on **Denshattack**, a game that typically merits playful competition, and **Far Far West**, a sci-fi comedy co-op FPS that promises an engaging blend of humor and action. His plans exemplify the spirit of discovery prevalent in the gaming community during these events.

#### Ollie’s Return to Baldur’s Gate 3

Ollie is revisiting the critically acclaimed **Baldur’s Gate 3**, where he continues his journey as a Cleric of Selûne. His intention to tackle the goblin camp with a fresh perspective showcases the game’s depth and the enriching experience of rediscovering choices missed in previous playthroughs. His commitment to the game illustrates how engaging narratives can lead gamers to sacrifice sleep in pursuit of adventure.

#### Jeremy’s Next Challenge

Wrapping up his time with **Nioh 3**, Jeremy is eager to transition to the next game on his coverage list, suggesting a relentless pace in the world of game journalism. While his cryptic reference to “taking some baddies to suplex city” hints at a fast-paced action title, it leaves readers curious about his next gaming challenge.

#### Julian’s Match-3 Marathon

In a humorous turn, Julian finds himself indulging in some classic match-3 games, such as **Bejeweled 3** and **Puzzle Quest**. His accidental foray into a “horny” match-3 game leads him back to safe and familiar territory. This playful exploration of the genre highlights how beloved classics can still captivate players, regardless of emerging trends.

#### Edwin’s Mysterious Engagements

Lastly, Edwin teases a “Secret Thing” alongside potential gameplay of **Pathologic 3**. His mention of curing a plague reflects a commitment to in-depth exploration and critical analysis within the realm of gaming. As he works on his “Butchering Pathologic” series, his dedication to refining his articles shows the meticulous efforts that go into gaming journalism.

### Community Engagement

As the writer wraps up this entertaining overview of the team’s weekend plans, they invite readers to share their own gaming aspirations. Engaging with the audience fosters a sense of community among gamers, where sharing what one plays not only enhances the enjoyment but can lead to new connections and recommendations.

#### Conclusion

This weekend promises a delightful mix of exploration, competition, and nostalgia amongst the RPS team. Whether through racing in **BallisticNG**, battling in **Nioh 3**, or rediscovering the intricacies of **Baldur’s Gate 3**, each member brings their unique gaming flavor to the table. For readers, this glimpse into the weekend gaming realities serves as an invitation to reflect on their own experiences and perhaps discover new titles to enjoy. What will you be playing this weekend?

Styx: Blades of Greed Confirms Release Date, Set to Launch Sooner Than Expected

“Where the hell did that goblin go?” asks a mean knight of some sort whose English accent is of questionable authenticity at the beginning of the latest trailer for Styx: Blades of Greed. This is a reasonable question! When the goblin stealth game was revealed earlier this year, it was slated for a 2025 release, except the rest of the year is in very short supply. So, this trailer acts as a double way: a confirmation of a delay, and the announcement of a proper release date.

A Reimagining of an 18-Year-Old Chinese RPG, Not Clair Obscur

## Delving into the Excitement Surrounding *Sword and Fairy 4: Remake*

With the recent debut of the latest trailer for *Sword and Fairy 4: Remake*, numerous gamers are making parallels to the renowned RPG *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*. This rising phenomenon of comparing *Sword and Fairy 4: Remake* to *Clair Obscur* highlights a broader discussion regarding originality in the gaming industry, particularly in light of a trend where many developers might incorporate aspects from successful games.

### An Exceptional Comeback to a Classic

Released by CubeGame, *Sword and Fairy 4: Remake* signifies a major revival of the 2007 edition, leveraging the sophisticated capabilities of Unreal Engine 5. This makeover not only boosts the graphics but also introduces gamers to a new storyline where the main character, Tianhe Yun, embarks on a quest that reveals long-hidden truths. The elevated production quality and engaging turn-based combat mechanics showcased in the new trailer have garnered the interest of both longtime fans and newcomers.

### Unique Visual and Gameplay Characteristics

The resemblances between *Sword and Fairy 4: Remake* and *Clair Obscur* largely arise from common features in their combat systems. Both games present vibrant cinematic animations, filled with motion blur and slowed-down action scenes, immersing players in visually stunning conflicts. Furthermore, the incorporation of a command wheel in the battle interface—a break from more conventional HUD configurations—has intensified these parallels. The utilization of Unreal Engine 5 in *Sword and Fairy 4: Remake* introduces a degree of realism that mirrors the visual presentation given by *Clair Obscur*.

### The Significance of Context in Game Development

It’s crucial to acknowledge that while some media sources may simplify *Sword and Fairy 4: Remake* to just “Clair Obscur-like” status, the game possesses its own rich heritage. The *Sword and Fairy* series, which originated in 1995 as an homage to *Final Fantasy* grounded in Chinese mythology, has consistently exhibited its distinct identity. While the newest version reverts to turn-based mechanics after the real-time action format seen in *Sword and Fairy 7*, the game has long served as an important cultural touchstone in the gaming domain.

### A Cycle of Influence and Creativity

As the gaming community contemplates the triumph of *Clair Obscur*, many are curious if *Sword and Fairy 4: Remake* will play a role in a broader shift in turn-based gameplay. Felipe Pepe, editor of *The CRPG Book*, criticized the tendency of gaming media to oversimplify discussions surrounding titles coming from China, claiming that such misunderstandings diminish the significance of these games. The design elements evident in *Clair Obscur* are not merely its creations; they are inspired by a tradition of JRPGs, including legendary series like *Persona*.

### Conclusion: A New Journey Beckons

As excitement mounts for *Sword and Fairy 4: Remake*, the title serves as a testament to the dynamic evolution of RPGs. The game is set to not only revisit a cherished classic but also to reshape expectations for future generations of turn-based titles. Whether it establishes a standard for new developers or remains a unique experience within its series, *Sword and Fairy 4: Remake* encourages players to embark on a journey that intertwines nostalgia with contemporary innovation.

Larian Studios CEO Addresses Concerns Over Generative AI Usage: Ongoing Internal Discussions Highlighted

A few hours ago, reports surfaced that Larian are making use of generative AI during development of their new RPG Divinity – specifically, to come up with ideas, produce placeholder text, develop concept art, and create materials for PowerPoint presentations. In the same Bloomberg article, Larian CEO Swen Vincke sought to balance these revelations with the promise that Divinity won’t directly contain any AI-generated materials, commenting that “everything is human actors; we’re writing everything ourselves.”

As with generative AI in gamedev generally, the disclosure has sparked anger online – anger that is all the sharper for the love that has hitherto been directed at Larian, creators of amazing fantasy RPGs with sexy bears and demons. Inevitably, some of the outrage is from people who appear minimally familiar with game development, and in a few cases, haven’t read the report in full (unhelpfully, it’s behind Bloomberg’s paywall). Some of it, though, is from other game developers.

Related Posts