What We Have Been Playing: From Agent 47 Comfort Runs to the Reality of Linear Blockbusters
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Our weekly round-up covers comfort gaming in Hitman, nostalgic MMO trips, design critiques of Marvel's Wolverine, co-op antics in Big Walk, and platformer frustrations with Spyro.
As the fall release calendar ramps up, our team has been unwinding with everything from comfort replays to deep dives into ongoing genre staples. Robert Purchese highlights how returning to Hitman World of Assassination offers an oddly relaxing routine of exploration and creative eliminations, proving that sometimes players just need a sandbox where they can orchestrate chaos at their own pace. Meanwhile, preparing for the upcoming revival of MapleStory Classic World sent another team member down a nostalgia spiral in the modern MMORPG, highlighting just how much social spaces in virtual worlds have evolved over the years.
The conversation also turned to Marvel's Wolverine on PlayStation 5, where a critical look at excessive hand-holding sparked a broader debate about modern game design. While the constant signposting can feel frustratingly infantilising, critics note that the game's bigger identity crisis stems from its status as a high-budget rollercoaster rather than purely mechanical hand-holding. It is built as a brain-off cinematic ride, raising familiar questions about how much agency players actually want when charging through heavily scripted linear adventures.
On the more communal side of things, co-op sessions in Big Walk reminded everyone that chasing credits or rushing toward an endgame often misses the point of multiplayer spaces. The true value of these digital hangouts lies in getting lost together and sharing unscripted moments of chaos. Rounding out the week, a quick return to the Spyro Reignited Trilogy for the purple dragon's birthday proved that even lifelong fans still hit a wall when those notoriously tricky flying time trials refuse to cooperate.
Tags: Action Games, MMORPG, Co-op, Platformers, Industry Trends
Original article: Eurogamer