What to Play This Weekend: Final Fantasy Resonance, Peak and More

This weekend’s picks span a new retro-inspired RPG, a packed motion-controlled sports collection and a co-op mountain climb now open to console players. There’s also a horror adventure for Halloween season, a substantial update to return to, and a couple of new releases that caught our writers’ attention before they could play them. The week also brought difficult news for BioWare fans: the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age is closing amid layoffs.

For more on the studio and the week’s other major stories, explore the report on BioWare’s closure, a 2016 oral history of the developer, and coverage of a reported Mass Effect 5 trailer. The roundup also includes an update on Amazon’s Mass Effect television series, a review of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and Remedy’s discussion of a memorable Control Resonant sequence.

Final Fantasy Resonance

Matt Miller’s early hours with Final Fantasy Resonance brought back a particular kind of RPG anticipation: the feeling of discovering a grand adventure in the style of Final Fantasy IV or VI for the first time. Resonance builds on that classic pixel-era appeal with a fresh cast and story, while adding modern conveniences, detailed visuals and more depth to the experience.

The journey brings together an entertaining party, giant summoned creatures, an airship for crossing the world and turn-based battles filled with extravagant spell effects. Miller calls it one of his favorite games of the year, praising its deliberate return to the series’ earlier adventures and the warmth of the journey. It’s a strong choice for players who want a substantial RPG with familiar foundations and a new story to follow. Read the full review.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

Modern Warfare 4 arrives with a strong single-player story, additions to competitive multiplayer and DMZ, an extraction shooter mode. Miller’s first hours with the story point to a tense, often brutal adventure that moves among several character perspectives. He also highlights responsive-feeling gunplay, satisfying movement and melee, and effective performances that help ground the story’s dramatic turns.

The early impression is of an entry with several reasons to engage, whether players are drawn by the story or its multiplayer modes. A fuller assessment is available in the complete review.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort builds on a series that began with Wii Sports in 2006, keeping the focus on accessible group play while providing more to do. Its 12 sports accommodate different group sizes, and the Island Crown ladder offers solo players a sequence of increasingly difficult opponents.

That wider range of activities gives the collection more appeal across play styles without losing the approachable motion controls that define the series. It looks suited to a group gathering, while the solo challenge gives players a reason to keep practicing after everyone else leaves.

Tenebris Somnia

Halloween season makes Tenebris Somnia an apt pick for players after a horror game with a distinct presentation. The adventure combines retro-inspired game design with live-action horror film sequences. Its mystery centers on a nightmare-haunted apartment building, where the player confronts threats while trying to rescue a trapped former partner.

The survival horror mechanics are familiar, but the puzzles provide the sharper hook: they’re consistently inventive, giving players more to work through than a string of scares. The game isn’t built around flashy visuals; instead, its atmosphere draws strength from creepy environments and well-made live-action scenes. It joins a year that has also brought horror releases such as Resident Evil Requiem, Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse and Silent Hill: Townfall. Read the full review.

One Piece: Grand Gourmet and Stupid Never Dies

Kyle Hilliard hasn’t played One Piece: Grand Gourmet yet, so this is an expression of interest rather than a review. The pixel-art game puts Sanji in charge of a restaurant, a premise that seems well suited to a series that can support very different kinds of stories and settings. Hilliard’s enthusiasm also comes from his long-running affection for the One Piece anime: his cat is named Nami, and his dog is named Luffy. The game is out now.

Stupid Never Dies is another release Hilliard hasn’t tried. Its pop-punk soundtrack and 2000s aesthetic are what caught his attention, bringing to mind the era of learning Blink-182’s “Dammit” on guitar and playing Devil May Cry. Those influences give it nostalgic appeal, though its play still needs to make the case.

The Blood of Dawnwalker update

Version 1.1 gives players a practical reason to return to The Blood of Dawnwalker, which has been out for just over seven weeks. The update includes hundreds of bug fixes and smaller improvements, alongside a new, easier difficulty setting and a potion that lets players reset all their skill points. The added options make it easier to continue a stalled playthrough or adjust a character’s abilities.

There’s a smaller addition with clear appeal for animal lovers: players can now pet dogs and cats. It’s one more reason to pick up the adventure again this weekend.

Peak on consoles

Peak brings its physics-driven mountain-climbing co-op to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2 after becoming a breakout multiplayer game on PC in 2025. Players can climb alone or bring up to three friends along to tackle procedurally generated mountains full of hazards. The terrain may be absurd, but success depends on coordination—and proximity chat means teams need to stay close.

That setup makes cooperation essential and creates room for accidental, or deliberate, mischief along the way. The console release includes all post-launch content and supports crossplay across platforms, so console players can team up with friends wherever they play.

Tabletop pick: Azul Kids

Azul Kids adapts the tile-drafting appeal of Azul for younger players. Children create mosaic displays from colored tiles, with rules simple enough for players around five or six to follow. Choosing tiles and completing a design still offer approachable strategic decisions, giving the whole family something to enjoy together.

For players choosing a screen-based adventure, Final Fantasy Resonance offers the weekend’s most substantial journey, while Peak is ready for a group climb. And if you’d rather gather around a table, Azul Kids brings the same pleasure of making something piece by piece to family game night.