23rd May
Hello again, and welcome back to our continuing column where we share a little about the games we’ve been getting stuck into. This week, Bertie is admiring the anatomical detail in digital characters; Connor sets off on an adventure and realizes he may be the most inquisitive person he knows; and Kelsey is diving beneath the surface.
So, what have you been playing this week?
And here’s another question: do you remember what you were playing during the previous week? No worries—you don’t have to. The What We’ve Been Playing archive is ready to help.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, PS5
I kept putting off starting this game because I wanted a “together” experience with my partner—how considerate, right?—but since she never seems to be in the mood to play, I’ve somehow arranged a rather prickly situation for myself. I can’t really justify playing by myself now, since that wouldn’t be very fair. Oh no, what have I gotten myself into?
Still, we’ve recently managed to begin Diablo 4’s newest expansion, and one thing that keeps impressing me about it—something I bring up with my partner more often than I probably need to—is how striking the character creation looks. What stands out most to me is the way the characters’ musculature is depicted. I’ll admit, I’m a bit fixated on muscular anatomy; I used to be into bodybuilding, and I suspect that’s where it all started. What I enjoy about Diablo 4’s body designs is how convincing they feel.
They differ from class to class. Take the Barbarian: they’re big and solid, exactly as you’d expect from a raw, power-focused fighting style and their heavy arsenal. Meanwhile, the Necromancer is almost gaunt—close to skeletal—yet still keeps a lean, tight, wiry look. In each case, the body shape fits the class, and the characters feel like real people who live those kinds of lives.
Someone at Blizzard—probably more than one person—must have put a huge amount of work into investigating and bringing all of this to life, and I genuinely want to say thank you to them, just in case they’re reading What We’ve Been Playing. Honestly, why wouldn’t they: your efforts are noticed. Thanks!
-Bertie
Secret activities and airport RuneScape, PC
This week I’m in the USA for a particularly confidential work task. As a result, I’ve had to trade the comfort of my home office (bedroom) for something less familiar. As you might expect, that makes gaming a lot more difficult. It’s not just the deadlines and work commitments I still have to meet, either—my save files are literally on the other side of the ocean.
That said, it’s not entirely out of reach. While I was waiting for a flight (delayed, naturally), I slipped into some low-key Old School RuneScape. I’ve managed to improve my agility a little and picked up a battlestaff at a decent price. Beyond that, there isn’t much to add—except for my belief that games with lighter hardware requirements really are a good option for working adults who don’t have a strong PC and don’t have the time for much else.
I also want to point out a playful pastime you can only truly enjoy when you’re travelling: paying attention to what other people are playing. I’ve spotted a well-dressed businessman working through Balatro, an older woman getting stuck into Monopoly Go, and even a guy at LAX messing around with a Warhammer 40,000 mobile title while collecting luggage. It’s a pretty clear reminder that British fiction and mobile dark patterns can still grab the attention of international travellers—even now.
-Connor
Subnautica 2, PC
I’ve been moving around a lot, so I haven’t had much chance to game outside of work lately, but that hasn’t stopped me from trying to fit in some time with friends when I can in Subnautica 2.
Even though it’s still in Early Access and the content is limited, I’ve been genuinely enjoying exploring Proteus’s underwater world with them, as well as getting to know all the unusual creatures living there. Our first run in our Tadpole Divers nearly ended with us becoming Leviathan snacks, but we’re building momentum—putting together a proper base and figuring out ways to communicate with, and even directly challenge, those fishy aliens.
With a long weekend on the way, we’re hoping we can carve out time for another Tadpole Diving trip without meeting the same fate. Keeping my fingers crossed.
-Kelsey