Weekend Gaming Guide: Top Picks You Can't Miss!

Alright folks, it's the first Friday of December, and that means the holiday season is officially in full swing! Whether your December plans involve battling alien hordes, unwinding with a cozy puzzle game, or just surviving your family gatherings, remember to take a little time for yourself. For many of us, that means sinking into a good video game. And with the year-end rush upon us, chances are your backlog is looking less like a manageable list and more like Mount Everest. Sound familiar? Don't worry, you're not alone!

Weekend Gaming Guide: Top Picks You Can't Miss!

It's been a hectic week here at Game Informer. We just wrapped up our massive, end-of-year issue – if you're a subscriber, keep an eye on your mailbox! If not, well, there's still time to hop on board. Plus, we've been cranking out reviews left and right, including some big ones like *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*, *Marvel Cosmic Invasion*, and *Octopath Traveler 0*. We're not just about reviews, though; we keep our finger on the pulse of the gaming world, bringing you all the biggest news as it happens.

Speaking of news, let's quickly recap the highlights from the week, in case you missed anything:

*Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* Review – Worth The Wait

*Marvel Cosmic Invasion* Review – Making The Dream Work

*Octopath Traveler 0* Review – Going From Zero To Hero

Steam And The Epic Games Store Refuse To Sell Indie Horror Game *Horses* – Here's Why

Paramount Announces A New *Sonic* Universe Film For Holiday 2028

*Helldivers* Movie Lands *Fast and Furious* Director Justin Lin

Sony Set To Publish Four-Player Co-Op Shooter Developed By JJ Abrams' Bad Robot Games

Okay, with that out of the way, let's get to the good stuff – the games you should be playing this weekend! Our team's got a couple of solid recommendations to help you escape the holiday madness, if only for a few hours.

***Routine*** **– Wesley LeBlanc**
Wesley's been digging deep into *Routine*, a game that's been on the radar for a long time. He's working on the full review, which will drop next week, but he gave me a sneak peek. He describes it as a seriously atmospheric survival-horror game where you play an engineer investigating a creepy incident on a lunar station. What sets it apart? It's less about blasting aliens and more about exploration and puzzle-solving. You'll be fiddling with computers, reading documents, and using a handheld device to uncover the station's secrets and, hopefully, find a way out.

Wesley really emphasized how *tactile* everything feels in *Routine*. He kept mentioning the detailed interactions with the environment – the computers, the devices, even just flipping switches. Plus, the whole thing has this cool 1970s sci-fi vibe, like *Alien*, complete with that grainy film look. So, if you're into being alone and terrified in space, solving puzzles, and exploring meticulously crafted environments, *Routine* is definitely worth checking out.

***Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*** **– Kyle Hilliard**
Finally! After 18 long years since *Metroid Prime 3*, and eight years after *Prime 4* was first announced, it is finally here. Kyle Hilliard says the wait has been worth it. While it doesn't reinvent the wheel, it delivers that classic *Metroid Prime* experience we've all been craving. He enjoyed it so much he played it twice back-to-back! He suggests backing up your save before the point of no return if you're aiming for 100% completion... and he mentions something about collecting green cr...