This Week in Gaming: Big Walk Is Pure Friendship Goals, Neon Abyss 2 Glows Up Hard, and Splatoon Raiders Leaves Us Wanting More

The Weekly Gaming Roundup Is Back — Episode 559 🎮

Every Sunday, the crew over at Automaton drops their legendary “Now Gaming” column — a chill, no-filter weekly diary where each writer spills on whatever they’ve been playing that week. We’re now at a whopping 559 episodes, and this week’s lineup is genuinely fascinating. Let’s break it down! 👇

Big Walk — Every Moment With Friends Is Irreplaceable 🚶‍♂️✨

This is the kind of game that sneaks up on you and hits different. Big Walk is being described as a game where every single moment becomes an irreplaceable memory with your friends — and honestly? That framing alone gives us major cozy co-op FOMO vibes.

In a gaming landscape drowning in live-service grinders and battle passes, a game that makes you feel genuine warmth just from playing alongside someone is genuinely refreshing. The writers seem emotionally moved by it, which tells you everything. If you’re the type who plays games to bond with your crew, Big Walk sounds like it deserves to be on your radar immediately.

Neon Abyss 2 — The Glow-Up Is Real 🔥

Remember how rough early builds of Neon Abyss 2 looked? Well, according to this week’s column, the game has massively transformed since its early days — and the difference is night and day.

For fans of the original Neon Abyss, this is exactly the kind of news you’ve been waiting for. The sequel has clearly gone through serious refinement, and it sounds like the dev team has been listening hard and cooking something special. If you slept on early impressions, now might be the time to wake up and pay attention. The hype is building! 👀

Splatoon Raiders — Satisfying? Kind of. Enough? Not Quite. 🦑

Here’s where things get spicy. One of the writers — described as a “part-time warrior” type of player — came away from Splatoon Raiders feeling a little underwhelmed. Not disappointed exactly, but that nagging feeling of “I wanted more” is hard to shake.

For a franchise as beloved as Splatoon, the expectations are sky-high, and it seems like Raiders doesn’t fully scratch that itch — at least for the more hardcore crowd. Casual fans might find plenty to love, but if you’re a seasoned ink-slinger looking for a deep, satisfying experience, temper those expectations just a touch.

Final Thoughts — A Mixed But Exciting Week 🎯

This week’s Now Gaming roundup is a solid snapshot of where gaming is at right now — heartfelt indie experiences, promising sequels leveling up, and big franchise entries still finding their footing. Whether you’re a co-op lover, a roguelite addict, or a Splatoon die-hard, there’s something here worth talking about.

Stay locked in every Sunday for the next episode. 559 down, countless more to go. 🙌

Where to Buy & Pre-order

If any of these games sparked your interest and you want to grab Japanese editions, limited versions, or related merch and soundtracks, Solaris Japan and CDJapan are your most trusted sources for 100% authentic goods shipped straight from Japan. Don’t sleep on regional exclusives! 🇯🇵