Happy that my Resident Evil piece with @punishedbacklog.bsky.social was included in this week’s @critdistance.bsky.social ! Thank you @sam-martinelli.bsky.social for editing the piece for the site!

"I can truly see this game becoming a huge part of discussions around cute, stylized, relaxing video games, as well as a big name in the cozy gaming community." 9.3/10 from @punishedbacklog.bsky.social 🎉🥳 punishedbacklog.com/wax-heads-re...

The Game Boy Advance turned 25 this year! To celebrate this beloved handheld, @sam-martinelli.bsky.social rallied our writers to discuss the best games. (Also does this mean the GBA is retro? 👴👵) From Pokémon to Zelda to Kirby, check out our favorites here: punishedbacklog.com/best-game-bo...

The Game Boy Advanced turned 25 this year! To celebrate this beloved handheld, @sam-martinelli.bsky.social rallied our writers to discuss the best GBA games. (Also does this mean the GBA is retro? 👴👵) From Pokémon to Zelda to Kirby, check out our favorites here: punishedbacklog.com/best-game-bo...

I bought CREATURE KITCHEN (indie dev: @therat.zone) on a whim a few weeks ago. Even though I beat it in just a few hours, I'm still thinking about it. A v. unique #cozygame that brings new life to the genre! My review punishedbacklog.com/creature-kit... at @punishedbacklog.bsky.social

"Fumi Games and @playsidestudios.com have crafted something genuinely special with @mousethegame.bsky.social -- a game so fully committed to its aestheric, its world, and its characters that it's almost impossible not to fall in love with it." Our review: punishedbacklog.com/mouse-pi-for...

For 20+ years, the @backyardsports.bsky.social games have uplifted fans and ushered them from childhood to adulthood. At #PAXEast, we spoke with the series' latest steward, Lindsay, about everything Backyard ahead of @megacatstudios.bsky.social's July launch. punishedbacklog.com/interview-li...

I'm obsessed with @nthcircle.bsky.social's OF THE DEVIL. I already forced someone to listen to my passionate conspiracy theory about the story's eventual ending lol. Need more episodes asap. Great find at #PAXEast2026 @davidsilbert.bsky.social! More on my love: punishedbacklog.com/of-the-devil...

#PAXEast2026 is underway, and we've been scouring the show for gems of all kinds. Big publishers may be sparse, but the energy and creativity are as strong as ever. Here's a running list of the best games and hardware from #PAXEast. (1/??) Read here: punishedbacklog.com/pax-east-202...

I asked all the #girlgamers at @punishedbacklog.bsky.social to name their favorite femme video game characters a few years ago for Women's History Month. We've just updated the list with four new baddies. Who's your favorite? punishedbacklog.com/best-female-...

The @sxsw.com film festival is an annual highlight in Austin, TX, and 2026 was no exception. Our own Clint Morrison, Jr. enjoyed an array of innovative films, but these were his 5 favorites: punishedbacklog.com/sxsw-2026-be... #SXSW #SXSW2026 #movies #films #cinema #screenings

I wrote about Resident Evil Requiem, and how its Zombies With Jobs and approach to worldbuilding make it a kind of pandemic game, one that reminds me of the world we live in now in some ways: punishedbacklog.com/resident-evi...

Forgot to promote cuz it came out while I was on vacation, but I wrote about Dragon Quest VII Reimagined and how I think it's a great game...but I'm unsure if it's a great remake: punishedbacklog.com/is-dragon-qu...

My fave #AWP26 sesh was Prose, Poetry & Play: Game Design as a Literary Practice w/ @natmesnard.bsky.social, @brigittewinter.bsky.social, Erin Roberts, @sharangbiswas.bsky.social, @davering.bsky.social. I wrote a recap at @punishedbacklog.bsky.social: punishedbacklog.com/prose-poetry...

Had a blast chasing a milk pyramid scheme, talking to a wall, trying to flirt with an angel, eating trash, and trying to be a good person in ESOTERIC EBB by @chrisbodegard.bsky.social @rawfury.bsky.social. Check out my review at @punishedbacklog.bsky.social : punishedbacklog.com/esoteric-ebb...

Demon Tides, out now from @fabraz.bsky.social, melds the terrific platforming of its predecessor with an admirable open world -- even if some technical issues get in the way. Our review: punishedbacklog.com/demon-tides-... #DemonTides #DemonTurf #indiegames #platformers #gamereview

@bladesonggame.bsky.social, the debut title from Sun and Serpent Creations, has only just entered early access, but it already offers riveting writing, great visuals, satisfying sword-making gameplay, and more. Our early access review: punishedbacklog.com/bladesong-re...

Big Hops from Luckshot Games offers terrific platforming that, at times, rivals Nintendo's best. Unfortunately, everything else about the game is completely forgettable. Our review: punishedbacklog.com/big-hops-rev... #BigHops #platformer #indiegames #gamereview

Point-and-clicks are known for their storytelling, but not always compelling gameplay. In #PerfectTides: Station to Station, developer @meredithgran.com expertly weaves the two together to great success. Our review: punishedbacklog.com/perfect-tide... #indiegames #pointandclicks

TR-49, the latest from @inkle.co, takes some time to fully click. Once it does, however, it's something unlike anything you've played before. Our own Amanda Tien devoured the game in two sittings and came away "absolutely riveted." Her review: punishedbacklog.com/tr-49-review

There's a new puzzle adventure coming on January 21 from @inkle.co: "A World War II computer. An archive of lost books. A world-changing secret." We've gotten to try TR-49 already... Let's just say you'll want to wishlist this one ASAP. #indiegames punishedbacklog.com/inkle-tr-49-...

Westside Gunn. @mothersbasement.bsky.social 's anime recs. @fallout.bethesdastudios.com ASMR. Ninja Gaiden Ragebound by @thegamekitchen.com. Predator: Badlands directed by @dantrachtenberg.bsky.social. These were just some of Donovan's favorite things in 2025: punishedbacklog.com/donovans-fav...

Our own @davidsilbert.bsky.social played a lot of #videogames in 2025 - 31 to be exact - but only one can earn the highest honor. Here's everything he played from worst to best - capped off by his #GameoftheYear. #GOTY #GOTY2025 punishedbacklog.com/every-game-d...

Gaming can be about so many things. For our phenomenal new writer Scarlet Hardy, it’s first and foremost about hunting for achievements. On this Boxing Day, check out her favorite games of 2025 for achievement hunting: punishedbacklog.com/2025-achieve...

"Sure, the pages turned, but it barely feels all real. But you know what did feel real in 2025? Video games." Another awesome GOTY list from one of our writers, here's are @forthekids.space 's top ten games of the year: punishedbacklog.com/gary-top-10-...

In a year filled with layoffs and furloughs, at least one person found solace in getting away from it all. For his #Bestof2025 recap, our own Matt Plaus shares the top 5 #videogames he enjoyed while unemployed and cruising the U.S. highway. punishedbacklog.com/5-games-to-p...

It's that time of year again...the END OF IT. As always, editor @sam-martinelli.bsky.social ranks every single game he played in 2025 into a very scientific and easy-to-understand tier list. What's at the top? What's at the bottom? FIND OUT HERE: punishedbacklog.com/sams-2025-ga...

"It's been a phenomenal year for #indiegames," writes Amanda Tien. "I am energized by seeing people commit to their vision and make it a playable reality!" Check out our list of the Best Indie Games of 2025 (see thread 🧵): punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...

2025 has not been an uplifting year for many people, but its superhero stories were here to remind us about hope, love, faith, and doing the work to make the world a better place. Kei Isobe starts off our End of Year coverage with this retrospective: punishedbacklog.com/hope-superhe...

What video games are good for the girlies trying to get into gaming? All the femmes on our site answered. The range covers everything from mobile to Steam Deck, beginner to advanced, cozy to shooters, #indiegames to AAAs. Check out our #girlgamers list! punishedbacklog.com/best-games-f...

"PEAK is the only game nominated in @thegameawards.com Multiplayer category that is truly innovating," Amanda Tien writes about the indie hit by @aggrocrabgames.bsky.social and @landfall.se. Read why this "ridiculous, joyful" game deserves its flowers: punishedbacklog.com/peak-should-...

"In a turbulent year, these #Fallout #ASMR broadcasts from #GoodKnightsSleep have become a small ritual calm in my life," writes Donovan Harrell. Learn why this YouTube series is so special: punishedbacklog.com/how-good-kni...

"I (a grind-loving idiot) am enjoying #Borderlands4. However, when convincing my friends to try it, I've never had so many 'buts' in my elevator pitch," Jason writes in his list: 4 Big Things Holding Borderlands 4 Back. "Please, @gearboxofficial.bsky.social." punishedbacklog.com/4-big-things...

"Faith in Despair is an interesting experience that’s as satisfying to play as it is challenging; great for hardcore deck-builder fans, leaving little room for error." Read our review of Muddasheep's materia-like deck-building roguelike! #indiegames t.co/wByV3qyXRg

"The love that has been poured into Blake Manor — literally and in-game — is apparent," @amandajotien writes in her glowing review of The Séance of Blake Manor, developed by @spookydoorway.bsky.social and published by @rawfury.bsky.social #indiegames Read here: t.co/d9dpAtZiLV

2025's been packed with terrific games. So, if you're not careful, you might miss the occasional gem. GigaSword, developed by Hybrid Games and published by @akuparagames.bsky.social, is one such game. Learn why this heartfelt metroidvania shouldn't be missed. punishedbacklog.com/gigasword-re...

Video games have changed immensely across decades. What hasn't changed? Apparently, @sam-martinelli.bsky.social 's appreciation for "Doritos and Mountain Dew" games: punishedbacklog.com/punished-not...

"While you could watch #Dispatch alongside your favorite streamer or experience it in a six-hour YouTube video, I would wholeheartedly recommend experiencing it for yourself." Read our #review of the finale episodes of @adhocstudio.com's superhero delight: punishedbacklog.com/dispatch-rev...

Two class-based, massively popular, Japanese RPGs enter the ring: Which one reigns supreme? Find out in this head-to-head crossover showdown: #FinalFantasyXIV vs. #MonsterHunterWilds! punishedbacklog.com/ffxiv-monste...

"Subway Builder understands an important thing: It is fun to build trains." Check out our #review of the public beta of Colin Miller's #SubwayBuilder! If you like train games, simulation games, and/or public transit, this is an #indiegame for you: punishedbacklog.com/subway-build...

Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi both got awesome 2D entries this year. But which is better? The latest from Donovan Harrell: punishedbacklog.com/ninja-gaiden...

Want to know the best way to play some of the best (and not-so-best) Silent Hill games this Halloween? @dancingmedievalist.bsky.social has you covered: punishedbacklog.com/best-ways-pl...

Even a decade after its release, SOMA's psychological thrills continue to resonate. The latest from @forthekids.space : punishedbacklog.com/revisiting-s...

Does @futurlab.co.uk's @powerwashsimulator.co.uk 2 do enough to justify the "2" at the end of the title? Find out in our review: punishedbacklog.com/powerwash-si... #gamereview #review #videogames

Want to know what it's like to make dresses, but have little patience for sewing? Check out the prototype for Dressmaker: punishedbacklog.com/dressmaker-i...

Yooka-Replaylee from @playtonicgames.com is a solid do-over of the original, not without its flaws but more than worth a try for 3D platformer fans. The latest review from @sam-martinelli.bsky.social : punishedbacklog.com/yooka-replay...

Ever dream of starring in your own superhero flick? #Dispatch, the inaugural episodic adventure from @adhocstudio.com (led by former #Telltale devs) is shaping up to offer that opportunity. Learn why Dispatch shows promise based on our initial #review: punishedbacklog.com/dispatch-epi...

Ghost of Yotei is a great "checklist" game. Maybe it's time, though, that we stopped getting these kinds of checklist worlds for a little while. The latest from @sam-martinelli.bsky.social : punishedbacklog.com/ghost-of-yot...

We're big fans of the new Sheepherds! demo by @ultimodisco.bsky.social, available to try for free on Steam. Amanda shares how it's a delightful, colorful co-op game perfect for fans of Overcooked! and Castle Crashers. punishedbacklog.com/sheepherds-p...

How do the folks at The Punished Backlog feel about @teamcherry.bsky.social's Hollow Knight: Silksong so far? It's one of the biggest games of 2025, and we have a LOT to say about it: punishedbacklog.com/hollow-knigh...