A New Look at What We’re Playing – A Necessary Change

For years, our weekly “What We’ve Been Playing” column has been a staple, a regular roundup of the latest and greatest titles capturing our attention. It’s a space where we share our thoughts on new releases, hidden gems, and the evergreen classics we just can’t put down. However, the world of gaming is constantly evolving, and so must we. In a move to provide more focused and in-depth reviews, we are making a change. Instead of a rapid-fire list of short impressions, we will now dedicate this column to a single, deep-dive review each week. Don’t panic—this isn’t a goodbye to the variety you’ve come to expect, but a shift towards offering more value and a richer understanding of the games that matter most right now.

This week, our focus is on a game that is not just a commercial success but a critical darling: Split Fiction. Developed by Hazelight Studios, the team behind the co-op masterpieces A Way Out and It Takes Two, this game has been a massive hit since its release in March. It’s a game that has earned a rare 10/10 score from multiple critics and is a must-play title for anyone who loves cooperative gaming. For those who haven’t heard, Split Fiction is a co-op-only adventure that follows a writer struggling with a massive case of writer’s block. To get his creative spark back, he must enter the world of his latest novel, a dark, gritty sci-fi story. The twist is that his in-game character is a complete softy, a stark contrast to the hard-bitten mercenary his co-op partner plays. The game’s success is a testament to Hazelight’s commitment to making games that are not just fun, but truly unforgettable cooperative experiences.

A Look at the Games We’re Still Playing

The decision to change our format came from a simple truth: with so many incredible games releasing this year, a short paragraph simply wasn’t enough to do them justice. The second half of 2025 has been particularly explosive, with a number of high-profile titles dominating the conversation. Here’s a brief look at some of the games that have been on our collective radar, and that we will be covering in-depth in the coming weeks:

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: A sequel that, by all accounts, improves on the original in every way. Its journey through 15th-century Bohemia offers an engaging and incredibly polished RPG experience that is not to be missed.
• Doom: The Dark Ages: This spin on the classic series from id Software has been a major hit. It trades the typical sci-fi setting for a more medieval one, complete with new weapons and a demonic dragon you can ride. It’s a game that has captured the imagination of everyone who has played it.
• Mafia: The Old Country: This prequel to the Mafia series has been praised for its cinematic story and stunningly detailed Sicilian setting. In a world of expansive open-world games, its linear, narrative-driven approach is a welcome return to form.
• Elden Ring: Nightreign: FromSoftware subverted expectations with this co-op multiplayer roguelike set in the world of Elden Ring. It’s a thrilling, fast-paced, and ruthless adventure that condenses the core Souls-like experience into a new, exciting format.

These titles represent just a small fraction of the incredible games that have been released or are on the horizon. From the highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Borderlands 4 to the full release of inZOI, the gaming world has never been more vibrant. We believe that by focusing our attention on one game at a time, we can provide you with the detailed, thoughtful analysis that these titles deserve. This is a positive change, a step towards a more robust and insightful format that will allow us to celebrate the games we love with the depth they deserve.