With the autumnal equinox just around the corner on Monday, September 22nd, the summer season is rapidly drawing to a close. This week marks your last chance to fully indulge in summer gaming! Despite the calendar, unseasonably warm temperatures persist along the East Coast, as if summer is determined to hold on. Unfortunately, this erratic weather is becoming increasingly common.
If you’re seeking an escape from reality, we’ve compiled a list of captivating games for your consideration. Let’s dive in!
Ratatan
Available On: Windows PCs (Steam Early Access, Steam Deck: Status “Unknown”)
Primary Objective: Support the Growth of My Companions
Patapon, a memorable rhythm-based strategy RPG for the PlayStation Portable, required a certain era to truly appreciate. This game involved commanding tiny, glyph-shaped characters that engage in combat with monsters, gather resources, and grow stronger through strategic battles. Its unique appeal stemmed from its charming art style, inventive genre combination, and delightful, Yoshi’s World-esque soundtrack used to guide survival tactics.
The original development team eventually dispersed, and the era of handheld gaming it exemplified faded. The prospect of experiencing a game like Patapon again seemed remote. However, against the odds, Hiroyuki Kotani and other original team members have returned with a Kickstarter-funded spiritual successor, Ratatan, that retains the series’ beauty and charm. Now in Early Access on Steam, this roguelike rhythm brawler boasts greater ambition and more intricate gameplay than its predecessor.
After only a few hours of gameplay, it feels like a refreshing start rather than a simple rehash. Ratatan’s future appears promising. A roadmap has already been released, outlining three significant updates for the remainder of the year. I eagerly anticipate its arrival on the Switch, and I’m equally excited to dedicate more time to Ratatan this weekend. – Ethan Gach
The Last Friend
Available On: Switch, Windows PCs (Steam Deck: “Playable”)
Primary Objective: Rescue the Dogs
While the intention is usually to discuss games currently being played, my current focus is on Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, which isn’t widely accessible yet. Therefore, instead of detailing my current gaming experience, I browsed my Steam library and selected a past favorite that hasn’t been previously featured in a Kotaku Weekend Guide. The Last Friend held a special place for me upon its release in 2021. I covered it extensively at my previous role, including an interview with the developers about recreating fan-submitted dogs in the game’s art style – though that article has unfortunately disappeared. However, Stonebot’s excellent tower defense game, set in a post-apocalyptic world where the last surviving dogs help protect your mobile home base as you rescue other dogs, remains. If that premise doesn’t appeal to you, we may not be compatible. – Kenneth Shepard
Little Witch in the Woods
Available On: Xbox Series X/S, Windows PCs (Steam Deck: “Playable”)
Primary Objective: Exploration!
My recent gaming experiences have been intense. Whether navigating challenging encounters in Silksong or confronting terrifying nightmares in a currently unmentionable game, my stress levels have been consistently high.
While I enjoy such experiences, I also appreciate the opportunity to unwind. This weekend, I plan to dedicate time to a “cozy” pixel-art game titled Little Witch in the Woods. Having left early access recently, it has already captured my attention, despite my limited playtime so far.
As with many “cozy games,” Little Witch in the Woods allows players to explore peaceful environments, forge friendships, gather resources, and craft items. Although many similar titles exist, the game’s playful protagonist, Ellie, a young witch, immediately evoked laughter, motivating me to further explore her adventure. Her slightly mischievous and curious nature prompts her to disregard instructions in pursuit of extraordinary discoveries. Her eccentric, if not obsessive, personality pairs well with the game’s premise of gathering and documenting wonders in this magical setting.
Plus, you get to interact with cats! – Claire Jackson
Dying Light: The Beast
Available On: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PCs (Steam Deck: “Verified”)
Primary Objective: Enhance My Beast Mode!
I’ve spent considerable time this week playing Dying Light: The Beast and have thoroughly enjoyed nearly every moment. Techland deserves more recognition as a developer, as they excel at creating expansive open-world games that are both engaging to explore and mechanically rich. The Beast exemplifies this, potentially being their finest creation to date.
Learn More: Dying Light: The Beast Stands Out as One of the Best Open-World Games of 2025
While activating BEAST MODE may seem absurd, tearing through twenty zombies in seconds is incredibly satisfying. I intend to concentrate on improving my Beast Mode abilities to become an unstoppable zombie-killing parkour master.
That concludes our selections! What are your gaming plans for the weekend?