Games to Play This Weekend — November 7

After publishing this week’s digital issue on Dragon Quest (I wrote the cover feature), I’ve been immersed in the series’ history. I discovered that the original Dragon Quest is available on Nintendo Switch — and currently discounted to $2.99 through November 20 — which made revisiting the franchise irresistibly easy.

Playing the 1980s original is a charming exercise: crude by modern standards but full of character and design lessons. If you’re curious about the roots of JRPG conventions or you want a taste of the series before diving into the newer releases, start here. It’s a compact, illuminating experience ahead of Dragon Quest I & II: HD-2D Remake and the newly reimagined Dragon Quest VII Reimagined.

The HD-2D remakes of Dragon Quest I and II are a brilliant way to experience these foundational titles. They preserve the spirit of the originals while adding lush visuals, an evocative score, and modern conveniences that make the journey smoother without stripping away its old-school charm.

Whether you’re returning to the franchise or approaching it for the first time, the remakes balance nostalgia and quality-of-life improvements. They showcase why these games helped define the JRPG template and remain enjoyable even decades later.

I’m looking forward to spending time with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment this weekend and preparing a review. I enjoy musou-style gameplay and have covered several entries in the genre over the years, so this return to the world of Tears of the Kingdom is appealing—even as a spinoff.

That said, I was disappointed by Age of Calamity’s narrative choices and hope Age of Imprisonment avoids similar missteps. I’ll be playing deeply and will report back with my impressions soon.

As the year winds down, I’ve been revisiting The Bazaar, an auto-battler with deckbuilder elements that I played sporadically throughout 2025. The title has evolved with meaningful changes to progression and randomness, and recent updates have shifted how players manage runs and make strategic choices.

New additions, like the character Jules whose items change when hot or cold, add interesting tactical layers. It’s a thoughtful game for evening sessions if you want something strategic but not overly demanding.