#video-games

#video-games

"That kind of political weight and social satire is a real common thread between Deus Ex and Dishonored,"

To play is human. It's how toddlers experience and learn about the world they just entered. It's also how we as adults rewire our brains and learn new things most effectively. In a world in which consumers are flooded with choices, companies are fighting ferociously to capture and maintain the consumers' attention. The business leaders who are successfully steering their organizations in this digital-first world are using a secret weapon that taps into our most human desire to play: video games.

From new places to dine al fresco to amazing animation and and classic film comedies, there is a lot of fun stuff to do and see this weekend, so let's get to it, shall we? (As always, be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines or other details.) Meanwhile, if you'd like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

So what could be the next activity on the cards once you're done building your Batman-themed LEGO sets? A Batman movie, perhaps, or a game themed on the action-packed and secretive life of the Caped Crusader. That wish seems to have materialized with the official LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight game set to be released on major gaming console platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

Nintendo's Kirby Air Riders, a revival of the 2003 classic, will release exclusively on Switch 2 on November 20, with Masahiro Sakurai leading its development.

Gunn emphasized cross-platform storytelling, noting that actors would portray their characters across all forms of media--including video games.

The Science Museum is hosting adults-only evenings of retro gaming in the Power Up arcade this winter, featuring over 160 consoles and classic games.

Denari, a Swiss military veteran, introduces a game-changing defensive strategy with his T.R.I.P. connectors that create damaging laser traps, influencing enemy movement.

August features significant video game releases, including titles for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch 2, appealing to a wide gaming audience.

Mafia: The Old Country stands in stark contrast to Mafia 3 and the modern gaming landscape. It is succinct, clocking in at around 12 hours, and carries a $50 price tag.

Ratshaker offers a unique horror experience, tasking players with solving puzzles through a bizarre narrative that initially appears quirky but soon reveals unnerving truths.

Madden NFL 26 doesn't break through to the series' former glory, but it does maintain the series' upward trajectory.

Time has been surprisingly kind to 50 Cent: Bulletproof, which is 20 this November. In this shooter, 50 Cent gets caught up in a shadowy underground network full of dodgy terrorists, racist biker gangs and mouthy mafia members.