Ethan Crossfield 
Spooky season is here, but this weekend’s strongest recommendations cover more than horror. Players can take to the skies in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, explore unsettling worlds in End of Abyss and Heartworm, or choose a calmer change of pace with Toem 2 and the cooperative tabletop game Cozy Stickerville. There is also substantial role-playing fare for anyone prepared to turn one weekend into a much longer commitment.
Choose your weekend game by mood
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is the obvious pick for players who want speed and spectacle. Bandai’s latest arcade flight action game builds on the previous entry with larger battles, demanding dogfights and a dramatic story about a pilot pushed into the symbolic role of the new “Wings of Theve.” Its missions are framed by themes of wartime loss and sacrifice, giving the aerial combat more emotional weight than a simple power fantasy.
For a darker experience, End of Abyss combines the oppressive atmosphere associated with the developers’ work on Little Nightmares with exploration closer to Metroid. Its alien or otherwise deliberately mysterious map expands as new abilities unlock access to further areas. Challenging bosses and some reported bugs are worth keeping in mind, but the adventure remains a strong option for players looking for a moody exploration game.
Heartworm is the most direct Halloween recommendation. After releasing on Steam last year, the Resident Evil-inspired survival horror game is now reaching consoles with fixed camera angles and 32-bit visuals. Its camera-flash mechanic replaces the usual flashlight, briefly illuminating dark spaces and making exploration feel especially vulnerable.
Find a lighter game or a longer RPG
Toem 2 offers a welcome alternative to combat-heavy releases. Its photography puzzles ask players to document odd sights, complete scavenger-hunt tasks and use new camera tools to manipulate objects in inventive ways. The relaxed structure and playful characters make it a good fit for anyone wanting a cozy puzzle adventure.
Fallen Tear: The Ascension is the deeper dive. This large Metroidvania pairs ability-gated exploration with classic JRPG ideas, including recruitable “Fated Bonds” that can join the action. Its colorful presentation, voiced story and fairy-tale tone distinguish it from more familiar dark fantasy adventures.
Minecraft Dungeons II remains the straightforward multiplayer-friendly action-RPG choice, carrying forward the accessible structure and local cooperative focus of the original. Meanwhile, Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler II are ideal for players who want dozens of hours rather than a single weekend. Both deliver pixel-art presentation, turn-based combat and eight interconnected traveler stories, though the sequel is the stronger recommendation for those choosing only one.
What is new beyond the main game list
Blades & Battle is designed for a shared evening, with Arthur and Lancelot battling through retro-styled medieval stages in local cooperative play. Its combat can feel stiff and unforgiving, but combo juggling gives the game a satisfying arcade rhythm.
Ghost of Yōtei’s Complete Edition adds the single-player Echoes of Sekigahara campaign and the Most Wanted rogue combat mode, which includes Jin from Ghost of Tsushima as a playable character. The package costs $69.99, while owners of the existing game can purchase the additions for $14.99. Players especially invested in protagonist Atsu may want to prioritize the story expansion.
For something away from screens, Cozy Stickerville is a cooperative board game about developing a village with stickers across multiple sessions. Farms, shops and town events gradually shape a shared story, with several possible endings and no conventional losing state. It is a relaxed choice for families or friends who want collaborative play without high pressure.
What players should know
- Pick Ace Combat 8 for aerial action and a more serious war narrative.
- Choose Heartworm for fixed-camera survival horror and a distinctive camera-flash mechanic.
- Try Toem 2 for relaxed photography puzzles and playful exploration.
- Expect the biggest time commitment from Octopath Traveler II or Fallen Tear: The Ascension.
- Ghost of Yōtei owners can buy its new expansions separately for $14.99.
- Cozy Stickerville is built around cooperative, low-stakes sessions rather than competition.
Expert View
This is a particularly varied weekend lineup. Ace Combat 8 and Heartworm provide the clearest immediate hooks, while Toem 2 and Cozy Stickerville prevent the recommendations from becoming an all-action, all-horror list. End of Abyss sounds promising despite its bugs, and Octopath Traveler II remains the safest choice for a substantial RPG investment. Players should match their pick to the amount of time and intensity they want rather than chase a single must-play.
