From Digital Pills to Penguin Parties: A Curious Dive into What Gamers Are *Actually* Playing Right Now
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
This week's gaming deep dive uncovers a delightful, chaotic mix of player experiences, from the 'Geometry Wars on pills' intensity of *Sektori* to a real-world escape room advent calendar, and the hilarious co-op horror of *Species Unknown*. We also witness the addictive charm of *Umamusame: Pretty Derby* and the unexpected grind of *Pokémon Legends: Z-A DLC*, proving gaming's wild variety keeps us all hooked, for better or worse.
Right then, gather 'round, folks! I've been rifling through the digital tea leaves this week, peering into the gaming habits of some rather intrepid adventurers, and bloody hell, it’s a proper mixed bag of delightful chaos and questionable life choices. You know that feeling when you've just emerged from a particularly intense gaming session, blinking in the real world, wondering what just happened? Well, this feature gives us a peek behind that curtain.
This glorious peek into the gaming lives of fellow enthusiasts comes courtesy of a recent Eurogamer feature titled 'What we've been playing - "I would throw the dumbbells at a perfect vertical angle and close my eyes"' by Editorial Director Tom Orry, published on December 20, 2025. It’s always a good yarn when you get to hear directly from the trenches, isn't it? Let’s crack on and see what digital (and sometimes cardboard) escapades have been grabbing attention.
First up, Bertie – a man who *definitely* didn't touch the pills (wink, wink) – has been absolutely spellbound by **Sektori** on PC. Now, he reckons it's like 'Geometry Wars on pills,' and if you've ever plunged into the kaleidoscopic bullet-hell madness of Geometry Wars, you'll know that's a potent cocktail. Flying a little ship with one stick, shooting with the other, dodging screen-filling waves of enemies – sounds familiar, right? But Sektori, bless its chaotic heart, adds layers. We’re talking strategic upgrade points, levels that dynamically reform around you like a wizard's mischievous spell gone right, and a powerful dash ability you can chain for extra flair. Oh, and boss battles! It's got that classic twitch-shooter vibe but with enough unique twists to make it feel fresh. Honestly, I'm already wondering if my monitor can handle that kind of visual assault, but the enthusiasm is infectious. Irresistible, he calls it. Fair dinkum, I might have to try casting that particular spell myself.
Swinging wildly from digital chaos to something wonderfully analog, we find Victoria battling a 'raucous penguin party' in the South Pole with an **escape room advent calendar**. Last year, her husband got her one, and this year, he's done it again. Talk about dedication to domestic bliss! Imagine, instead of tearing open a tiny window for a bit of chocolate, you're manipulating cardboard, folding, gluing, and turning pieces to escape from pesky penguins who’ve plundered your supplies. It's a proper tactile adventure, isn't it? Apparently, this year’s calendar is tougher, with cunning red herrings that lead to penalty points. Victoria’s racked up two – oops! But it’s all part of the fun, a delightful evening ritual. This just goes to show that sometimes the most innovative gaming experiences don't need fancy GPUs or blockchain tech; just a bit of cardboard, a pen, and a dash of imagination. And maybe a very patient husband.
Over in the serene (or perhaps soon-to-be-chaotic) world of **Animal Crossing: New Horizons** on Switch 2, Marie is in full preparation mode for a January update. She’s restarted her island, leaving her with a glorious, intimidating blank canvas. You know that feeling, right? The endless possibilities, the overwhelming freedom, the sheer panic of 'what do I *actually* want to do with this?' Clearing trees, moving in villagers, chasing that elusive 5-Star Island rating – it's a journey of creative discovery. And, as is tradition, her annual 'how bad will my next Snowboy creation be' season has begun. While some chase perfection for rewards, Marie wisely embraces the imperfection, finding more joy in the wonky creations. It’s a beautifully human approach to a game that celebrates exactly that: making your own fun.
Tom (Orry himself, I reckon) has finally delved into **Thank Goodness You're Here!** on PS5, a game he describes as a 'bizarre, funny slice of English life.' He's taking his sweet time with it, deliberately savouring every joke, every quirky moment, fearing it'll be over too quickly. That’s the mark of a truly engaging narrative experience, isn't it? When you want to linger in its world, absorbing every detail, rather than just blasting through to the credits. It speaks volumes about the game’s wit and charm if it can make a seasoned gamer actively slow down their playstyle.
Shifting gears to something a bit more... squishy, Kelsey has been diving into **Species Unknown** on PC, a four-player sci-fi horror early-access title. She admits it's been a while since a co-op horror genuinely hooked her (sorry, *Resident Evil 5* and *6*!), and this one sounds like a blast. The premise isn't groundbreaking – go to abandoned spaceships, complete objectives, don't become alien chow – but it's the *execution* that shines. For a mere £8.50, you get gorgeous visuals, fully customisable characters, and the autonomy to choose your objectives. Whether you're capturing or killing specimens (some deceptively adorable, apparently!), it leads to hilarious co-op fun that makes you belly-laugh as much as it makes you squirm. Now that's the kind of optimistically chaotic horror I can get behind! Finding gold in early access titles is always a treat, mate.
Connor, bless his cotton socks, admits December has been a bit rough, leading him back to 'bad habits': too much takeaway, too much mulled wine, and too much **Umamusume: Pretty Derby** on PC. This TGA 2025 award winner (talk about having its hooks in ya!) sounds like a truly unique beast. The only problem? He can’t play it on his phone at the gym, for fear of being seen playing a game about anime horse girls. "I would throw the dumbbells at a perfect vertical angle and close my eyes," he quips. The sheer dedication to Mihono Bourbon, his ride-or-die horse girl, despite her not being top-tier, is a testament to the game's addictive charm and the personal connections players form. He’s promising to sort his life out by New Year’s, but we’ve all been there, haven't we? Some games just refuse to let go, even if it means risking gym embarrassment.
Ed and his significant other have found common ground on the sofa with **Dispatch** on PS5. Despite differing tastes and his competitive streak (and his partner’s penchant for trolling, classic!), this episodic, TV-show-like game has united them. Neither is particularly into superhero stuff, but the hilarious writing has drawn them in. Ed notes the developers aren't afraid to "go there" right from the start – now *that* piques my curiosity! And the actual dispatching minigame is surprisingly fun. Game of the Year contention, he reckons. It’s a wonderful reminder that gaming can be a shared experience, a way to connect and laugh, even if your tastes are usually miles apart. Finding a game that appeals to different palates is like stumbling upon a hidden potion recipe that just *works*.
Finally, we hit a bit of a snag. Taps has been wrestling with **Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Mega Dimension DLC** on Switch 2, and his opening gambit is a rather blunt, "I absolutely hate it." Ouch. While the trademark humor and goofy characters are still there, along with the chaotic-yet-alluring battles and the focused Lumiose City setting, the problem lies in the 'mega dimension.' It's a grind-fest of 'incredibly naff, time-limited tasks' that give you resources to… grind more naff tasks for more resources. Euuugh. Sounds like a classic case of a wizard trying to fix something that wasn't broken by adding endless, repetitive fetch quests. He *hears* it gets good, eventually, after smashing many, many more floating Pokè Balls. Thankfully, the silver lining is that TCG Pocket is still great. It's a stark reminder that even beloved franchises can trip over their own spellcraft, leaving players questioning their life choices. Here's hoping it does eventually get good, eh, Taps?
So there you have it, mate. A whirlwind tour through the wildly varied gaming landscapes currently captivating our fellow digital travellers. From the intense, psychedelic action of Sektori to the charming, if grindy, world of Pokémon, and even a good old-fashioned cardboard escape room, it’s a testament to the sheer breadth and depth of experiences gaming offers. It's never dull, is it? Always something new, something weird, something to make you laugh, or even make you want to throw dumbbells at the ceiling. Keep gaming, friends!
Tags: Gaming Experiences, Indie Games, Co-op Gaming, Player Stories, Game Reviews
Original article: Eurogamer