Hello everyone! We’re back to share our latest gaming adventures from the past week.
While we hunker down during storms in Dawnfolk, we reflect on our choices involving chickens in Resident Evil Village, and then we leap into the ever-expanding universe of No Man’s Sky.
Dawnfolk Demo, PC
Let me introduce you to Dawnfolk, a captivating city-building game that a good friend from Eurogamer urged me to try.
It initially appears to be another standard city builder, thanks to its tile-based mechanics and delightful pixel art.
Yet, there’s a darker twist lurking beneath the surface that adds an intriguing layer.
In Dawnfolk, players begin by converting the tiles under their control into homes and resource-generating structures, mirroring the mechanics of traditional city-building games.
As your territory expands, you unlock additional tiles, engaging in strategic placement for adjacency bonuses and tackling mini-games—from hunting deer to harvesting timber.
But just when you think you’re safe, the game introduces a storm cycle that shifts everything dramatically.
As storms approach, the gameplay transforms from peaceful expansion to a frantic struggle to safeguard your constructions.
The anxiety of risking the loss of tiles and economic setbacks amplifies the stakes.
Surviving a storm allows for rebuilding, but with the ever-present threat of another storm, you’re trapped in a cycle of growth and loss.
This tension perfectly encapsulates the fragile balance of human existence against the unpredictable forces of nature, which is beautifully reflected in the game’s title, Dawnfolk.
No Man’s Sky, PC
Kudos to Hello Games! They’ve managed to pull me back in yet again—not that I ever really fell out.
After a year of rapid updates in No Man’s Sky, I finally found some time during the Christmas break to dive into the Expedition Redux events and gather exclusive rewards I had previously missed.
I must admit, though, that the limited-time nature of these events can be quite vexing; it’s especially disheartening that such engaging content isn’t a permanent part of the game.
Over the past year, players have encountered narratives that range from a fisherman’s obsession to chilling experiences reminiscent of Starship Troopers, alongside eerie tales of doomed starship crews and time-warping escapades in a fractured universe.
These Expeditions not only refresh the gameplay but also enrich the sprawling lore, weaving in captivating story elements while offering enticing rewards.
Now, my attention has shifted to the first update of 2025, which brings not only thrilling new features but also reignites long-standing story arcs and reintegrates a previously overlooked entity into the mix.
The ability to shape this vast universe gives me an exhilarating sense of agency—knowing that a small, permanent change in No Man’s Sky is a result of my decisions.
This newfound power suggests exciting gameplay possibilities on the horizon.
Moreover, the Worlds Part 2 update maintains the adventurous spirit of last year’s content while rejuvenating older areas, making them feel fresh and inviting.
I’ve been particularly captivated by the introduction of gas giants, lush jungles, ancient artifact-filled planets, and, most thrillingly, real water worlds.
The vast oceans present a mix of fear and allure.
Diving into their depths reveals dark, crushing environments teeming with bizarre aquatic life and stunning bioluminescent displays.
It draws me deeper, entangled in a dance of beauty and terror with my Nautilon.
Resident Evil Village, PS5 Pro
After completing Resident Evil Village, I can say it was a thoroughly enjoyable journey.
My main critique rests on the final boss encounter; it felt a bit underwhelming—a common issue across many titles.
Although the concluding segments are packed with outrageous storytelling, I don’t mind this deviation since the Resident Evil series is known for embracing the fantastical over realism.
The highlights of my gameplay included intense encounters with the fish monster and a doll-like antagonist, paired with the claustrophobic tension of navigating a factory’s narrow corridors.
However, one unsettling moment stood out: the act of shooting chickens for meat.
Despite the game’s absurd nature, targeting these defenseless creatures left me feeling guilty.
Knifing one out of desperation due to a lack of ammunition weighed heavily on my conscience for an entire afternoon.
It’s an unusual emotional reaction, but it highlights the complexities that video games can evoke.
Source: Eurogamer