What We've Been Playing: Pokémon TCG Pocket, Star Wars Zero Company, and Moonlighter 2

Pokémon TCG Pocket continues to dominate daily play for Eurogamer's Chris Tapsell. The iPhone collectible card game has maintained its grip despite frustrating pack luck with the Team Rocket set. "My pack luck has been dreadful with the Team Rocket set - duplicates of shinies I have no interest in (Seaking, anyone?) but still missing genuinely useful cards from the main set such as Team Rocket's Raticate ex," Tapsell wrote. The Rocket set itself has proven more engaging than expected, bringing playfulness and striking card artwork to the meta, though the competitive landscape has grown somewhat stale.

Star Wars: Zero Company, the XCOM-like strategy game for PC, has Tapsell absorbed but progressing slowly. A review is in the works but has taken a back seat to other deadlines. The game's Anakin level stands out as a particular highlight. Despite the delayed coverage, Tapsell remains thoroughly engaged with the title.

Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault on Xbox Series X has proven far more captivating than its predecessor. While the original Moonlighter never quite clicked, the sequel's roguelike loop has proven moreish. The key difference lies in constant progression: meaningful upgrades, weapons, potion enhancements, shop decorations, and "blobby wobbly pets" provide continuous goals. Each acquisition can meaningfully alter how players approach procedurally generated runs and shop shifts. Improved combat makes the grind satisfying rather than tedious.

Beyond video games, Tapsell has jumped into tabletop Dungeons & Dragons as a newcomer to regular play. Playing as a Loxodon cleric with pacifist leanings, Tapsell has found himself balancing the party's chaotic tendencies. "The rest of the party is, frankly, absolutely feral, and so I've been trying to balance that out with a character who wishes to be a bit more of a pacifist," Tapsell explained. A suspicious Tiefling warlock adds intrigue to the group dynamic. Campaign progress moves slowly, but the social experience has proven rewarding.