The Video Games and More You Should Play This Weekend – September 4, 2026

Onimusha: Way Of The Sword

By Wesley LeBlanc

Remember Capcom’s beloved early-2000s samurai franchise—essentially Resident Evil with katana battles—that you likely admired from afar because parental controls kept it off your shelf? Rejoice, because it has finally returned. Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks the series’ grand comeback after more than twenty years. Following extensive coverage throughout our Game Informer cover story hub, I am thrilled to confirm the final release easily justifies your investment. The combat is wonderfully intricate, demanding precision while constantly evolving. Although the arena designs lean a bit repetitive, slicing through demonic hordes with Musashi’s blade remains endlessly satisfying. It launches today, and you can peruse my full Onimusha: Way of the Sword review while the installation finishes. Fret not about the challenge either, as the game features an exceptional easy mode that expertly teaches parrying fundamentals.

The Blood Of Dawnwalker

By Charles Harte

While colleague Brian Shea’s preview features left me optimistic, I remained genuinely surprised by how deeply I connected with The Blood of Dawnwalker. Players step into the shoes of Coen, a dual-natured protagonist operating as a vampire by night and a human by day, racing against a strict 30-day limit to rescue his family from a tyrannical vampire lord. Every completed quest ticks the clock forward, forcing deliberate choices since time is finite. Intriguingly, there is no rigid main storyline; instead, players dictate their own priorities—such as forging an ancient legendary blade over forming alliances with local revolutionaries. This systemic freedom makes every decision carry tangible weight. Accompanied by directional combat, distinct day-and-night gameplay loops, and a rich atmosphere, it’s a triumph for choice-driven narrative enthusiasts. Though our reviewer Diego held a more moderate view, narrative RPG fans shouldn’t miss this one.

Game Informer’s The Blood of Dawnwalker Review

Orbitals

By Charles Harte

Orbitals is a title I admire rather than adore. Visually, it is an absolute stunner, boasting 1980s anime-inspired aesthetics paired with a phenomenal soundtrack, expressive menus, and delightful characters. The overall presentation oozes charm, though the core gameplay lands closer to average. Built strictly for cooperative play, the six-hour adventure tasks you and a partner with solving puzzles aboard a failing space station. While conceptually sound, it struggles to truly distinguish itself within a crowded co-op genre, and the narrative stumbles slightly toward the finish line. Even with these minor critiques, it delivers a genuinely delightful weekend experience if you share it with a friend. Read my complete thoughts in my official review.

Halloween: The Game

By Wesley LeBlanc

IllFonic, the studio behind Friday the 13th: The Game, has finally delivered the asymmetrical horror experience I’ve craved since my early days playing as Jason and camp counselors. Halloween: The Game is technically available now—provided you purchase the premium early-access edition (a monetization practice built on FOMO that remains frustrating). For everyone else, the official rollout hits on September 8. Having completed its single-player campaign ahead of multiplayer testing next week, I can confirm it serves as a loving homage to John Carpenter’s cinematic masterpiece. However, running at just a couple of hours long, the campaign functions primarily as a glorified tutorial for mastering Michael Myers in the main multiplayer arena. Therefore, picking it up strictly for solo play is a hard pass, but asymmetrical horror fans or newcomers looking for IllFonic’s signature multiplayer fun will find plenty to love.

Crimson Moon

By Marcus Stewart

Though it borrows heavily from Souls-like combat philosophies, Crimson Moon leans much closer to a run-based roguelike. Players assume the role of a nephilim—a celestial human-angel hybrid—embarked on purging grotesque legions of demons. The narrative motivations may feel hazy, but the engaging combat, forgiving multi-life run structure, and lavish production values easily justify its budget-friendly $20 price tag. It’s an immensely entertaining romp, particularly when tackled in two-player co-op. Check out the stream VOD below to catch my opening two-hour playthrough in action.

NBA 2K27

By Brian Shea

The NBA 2K series remains sports gaming’s ultimate paradox. It boasts arguably the finest mechanics, presentation, and Franchise mode in the genre, yet its economy is bogged down by aggressive microtransactions that often rival free-to-play titles. Fortunately, developer Visual Concepts has scaled back the monetization within MyCareer, allowing players to escape the live-service distractions of The City and focus entirely on player progression. Better yet, users can now choose between experiencing a narrative-driven prologue detailing an injury comeback, diving straight into the NBA, or stepping back in time to play through legendary eras featuring titans like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. Combined with the perennial excellence of the Franchise mode, this iteration secures its place on the hardwood throne.

Marsupilami 2: Salsa Palombia

By Matt Miller

Overlooking this hidden gem would be a tragic misstep for fans of classic 2D platformers akin to Donkey Kong Country. This vibrant, highly approachable adventure supports solo or cooperative play, inviting users to swing and bounce through lush jungle environments while mastering an unexpectedly deep control scheme. While it starts gently, the difficulty curve steadily spikes, demanding precise switching between three distinct marsupilami characters.

Catchy audio design, dazzling visuals, and polished level design elevate the package further. An unlockable “Salsa Mode” injects extra replayability by syncing score accumulation to the musical beat. While narrative depth is minimal, the pure platforming mechanics shine brightly on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Keeper

By Kyle Hilliard

The recent industry-wide Microsoft layoffs have left deep scars, but a rare ray of hope is Double Fine’s successful spin-off to regain independent studio status (read about the studio’s transition here). Despite the hurdles, the legendary creators of Psychonauts are back to developing games independently.

Their final project under the Microsoft banner, Keeper—where players control a sentient lighthouse—is now available on PlayStation 5. While production workflows likely began prior to the corporate split, its release carries profound symbolic weight for their newfound freedom. Matt Miller previously lauded the title as “an astonishingly beautiful visual experience,” making our comprehensive Game Informer Keeper review essential reading.

Tabletop Pick – Fibbage

By Matt Miller

Fans of Jackbox Games need no introduction to Fibbage, a staple party game format since 2014. However, stepping away from screens occasionally is healthy, which inspired Jackbox to adapt the digital hit into a physical card game that captures all the comedic tension around a physical table.

Players take turns presenting bizarre trivia prompts—such as an Osaka burglar stumbling into a building containing 20 sumo wrestlers—writing down correct answers while competitors invent convincing bluffs. Points are awarded for successfully tricking friends, alongside bonus accolades for the funniest falsehoods. It’s lighthearted, brilliant fun, and an ideal centerpiece for your next game night gathering.