Laika: Aged Through Blood

Play it on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, Windows (Steam Deck OK)
Current goal: Put the Caterpillar Made of Sadness out of its misery

Laika: Aged Through Blood is a side-scrolling Metroidvania Western in which you divide your time between roaming visually striking landscapes on a motorcycle and pulling off precise combat maneuvers to survive against the odds. It’s all vibe-filled exploration and one-hit deaths, an acquired taste but one that’s exceptional for those who can appreciate it. Originally released in 2023, Laika: Aged Through Blood finally came to the Nintendo Switch this week where it’s become my new preferred place to play (I don’t have a Steam Deck). It remains one of the most unique Metroidvanias out there, and its emotional storytelling and cool characters make fumbling through some of the thornier parts of the game worth it. But the best part is being able to turn a Trials-like 2D motorcycle into a Soulslike weapon of perfectly-timed destruction. Laika: Aged Through Blood is uncompromisingly hard, perhaps unnecessarily so, but bite-sized sessions have made the challenge less frustrating to deal with. I’ll probably never actually beat it, but I’m enjoying myself in the meantime all the same. — Ethan Gach

And that wraps our picks for the weekend. Stay safe and happy gaming!