Ethan Crossfield 
The week brought major Nintendo announcements, news about Hideo Kojima’s next project, and several high-profile reviews. If you would rather play than follow the headlines, this weekend offers tactical cats, virtual hockey, asymmetrical horror, cooperative hide-and-seek, and a Final Fantasy VII prequel. There is also new Dungeons & Dragons material for tabletop groups preparing their next campaign.
What is worth playing right now
Mewgenics is the strongest recommendation for players who enjoy systems-heavy strategy. Each run begins with four cats whose stats and quirks shape their classes, equipment, and tactical options. The large number of interactions between characters, enemies, items, and environments gives every session room for unexpected outcomes. Its humor and visual style may not appeal to everyone, but the underlying design is remarkably rich, and its arrival on consoles makes this a convenient time to try it.
NHL 27 is a more straightforward choice for hockey fans waiting for the real season. Its commentary does not always land, and it does not make a major leap beyond last year’s game, but the core play remains solid. Players seeking current-roster virtual hockey should find enough here to enjoy a few matches.
Who should pick each release
Halloween: The Game is aimed primarily at multiplayer groups. IllFonic’s latest horror adaptation has bugs, uneven civilian onboarding, and progression rewards that are not especially compelling, yet the matches themselves deliver the scares and chaotic fun that define the experience. A single-player campaign exists, but it works mainly as an introduction to the multiplayer systems rather than a substitute for them.
Meccha Chameleon offers another kind of group entertainment. Players hide by painting themselves into their surroundings, turning each round into a high-stakes game of concealment and discovery. It is especially suited to friends looking for something silly and social, and using a mouse on Switch 2 should make the painting mechanics more enjoyable.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion is best for fans exploring the wider Final Fantasy VII universe. Its combat remains entertaining, if somewhat repetitive, while the story is uneven but gains importance in its final act. It is not required for following the remake trilogy, though it supplies useful context before Final Fantasy VII Revelation.
What tabletop players should watch next
Two Dungeons & Dragons books, Arcana Unleashed and Arcana Unleashed: Deadfall, are scheduled to reach general availability next Tuesday. Arcana Unleashed is the broader addition, bringing new subclasses, spells, magic items, an updated arcane archer, and feats built around familiars. Those options should appeal to many campaigns, particularly groups interested in magical companions.
Deadfall is a high-level adventure designed for parties from levels 11 through 20, with a particular fit for magic-focused groups. Its audience is narrower, but it supports a tier of play that many campaigns never reach. Both books also stand out for their artwork, making them attractive even to readers who are not ready to run them immediately.
What players should know
- Choose Mewgenics for deep tactical experimentation and emergent stories.
- Pick Halloween: The Game for multiplayer horror, not a substantial solo campaign.
- Meccha Chameleon is built around social hide-and-seek and benefits from mouse control on Switch 2.
- Crisis Core adds Final Fantasy VII background but is optional for the remake trilogy.
- NHL 27 offers dependable hockey gameplay without a major evolution from last year.
Expert View
This is a week for matching a game to your preferred group and mood rather than chasing one universal standout. Mewgenics has the most compelling long-term systems, while Halloween and Meccha Chameleon are better social picks. Crisis Core is worthwhile supplementary material, and NHL 27 remains a safe choice for dedicated hockey fans.
