Interestingly enough, our previous installment of this weekend guide became our most-read entry in the series to date. We are incredibly grateful for the engagement! While we aren’t overanalyzing the metrics, we truly enjoy offering these weekly suggestions. It’s a great way to share what the team is playing behind the scenes, beyond the official reviews we publish throughout the week.
With the weekend finally here, it’s time for our curated list of must-play titles. But first, let’s take a look at the most significant industry headlines from the past few days:
- Leadership Shakeup: Phil Spencer Retires, Sarah Bond Departs, and New Leadership Takes the Helm at Microsoft Gaming
- Review: The Virtual Boy Switch Collection is Hard to Recommend, but Impossible Not to Admire
- Industry Loss: Sony Disbands Bluepoint Games, the Studio Behind the Demon’s Souls and Shadow of the Colossus Remakes
- Retro Revival: Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Arriving on Switch and Switch 2 Next Week
- Slay The Spire 2 Announces 4-Player Co-Op and March Early Access Window
- NieR: Automata Reaches 10 Million Sales Milestone with a Cryptic Tease for the Future
Resident Evil 2 (2019 Remake)
Recommended by Kyle Hilliard
With the launch of Resident Evil Requiem (widely known as Resident Evil 9) scheduled for next week, the survival horror franchise is currently dominating our thoughts. While it’s often logical to play the immediate predecessor before a sequel, Resident Evil 7 and Village are somewhat self-contained stories within the broader lore. Although we don’t have full story details yet, it appears that revisiting the 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2 is the better way to prepare for Requiem. This provides a perfect opportunity to reconnect with Leon Kennedy and the haunting atmosphere of Raccoon City, both of which are expected to play a role in the upcoming title.
Additionally, if you want a deep dive into the lore, check out our Super Replay of Resident Evil Outbreak. This cult classic introduces Alyssa Ashcroft, the mother of Grace Ashcroft—one of Requiem’s lead characters. You can catch the first episode here.
Arkheron
Recommended by Wesley LeBlanc
I recently spent over two hours with Arkheron, and while the “battle royale” label didn’t initially grab me, the actual experience left me wanting more. This isometric action game pits 15 trios against one another in a dark fantasy setting reminiscent of Diablo. However, don’t let the camera angle fool you; it plays with the mechanical precision of a high-stakes shooter like Valorant. The camera pivots around your character, demanding exceptional aiming accuracy.
The loot system is particularly compelling. Most gear belongs to the “10 Eternals”—mythical beings with rotating item pools. Equipping two items from a set grants a bonus, but finding all four allows you to transform into the Eternal itself, unleashing devastating power. The servers are currently live 24/7 as part of Steam Next Fest through March 2. I’ll see you in the Tower!
Steam Next Fest Highlights
Recommended by Kyle Hilliard
Steam Next Fest is in full swing, offering a massive wave of demos to help players discover their next favorite game. While it’s impossible to play everything, here are three standout demos that have impressed us so far:
Replaced
This title is an intoxicating blend of cyberpunk visuals, the cinematic puzzle-platforming of Limbo or Inside, and the rhythmic flow of Batman: Arkham combat. It’s a striking combination that looks and feels fantastic.
Denshattack
Think of this as a modern Dreamcast-era fever dream. You control a train in a post-apocalyptic Japan, performing stunts and leaps between tracks to become the ultimate rail-racing performer. It’s unique, stylish, and incredibly fun to play.
Planet of Lana II
As a follow-up to the acclaimed original, Planet of Lana II continues to master the art of the cinematic puzzle-platformer. It retains the charm and mystery of its predecessor while expanding on the mechanics that made the first game a hit.
