The on-boarding for "The Mermaid Mask" is not great. I feel like it really assumes you've played the first game in the series. But once you get used to it. Holy shit. This is SO good.

My favorite part of not being a politician is not feeling required to post a statement with each event that I stumble upon in my timeline.

I haven't bought it yet, but reading the reviews, I genuinely won't be shocked if both "Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse" and "The Mermaid Mask" both end up in my top 10 this year. That would be a bizarre series of events.

Bumping this up. Thanks to everyone who recommended the Kingdom Hearts series to me. I've been at work so ive been unable to respond to much but I really appreciate all the kind messages and birthday wishes.

Westen- BigNerdGaming@bignerdgaming.bsky.social · last wk.

I'm not really big on celebrating my birthday. But it's a good opportunity to reflect. And also, I'm a sucker for easy blog content. So, for the third straight year, here are the things I learned from video games this year. Featuring: the power of friendship?? bignerdgaming.com/2026/07/29/t...

I'm not really big on celebrating my birthday. But it's a good opportunity to reflect. And also, I'm a sucker for easy blog content. So, for the third straight year, here are the things I learned from video games this year. Featuring: the power of friendship?? bignerdgaming.com/2026/07/29/t...

The Biggest Things I Learned Through Video Games at Age 37

Welcome to one of my favorite posts that I write here at BigNerdGaming. I’m actually not very big on my birthday. I’m someone who prefers to stay mostly under the radar on this day, but…

bignerdgaming.com

Square Enix reworking mobile gacha titles into console games has me thinking: what if they fixed Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered? Granted, after weeks of trying I managed to join a party last night. But my complaints remain. Catch it below!

Table for One

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles' remaster somehow made a game about togetherness lonelier than the original

open.substack.com

I subconsciously associate bsky mutuals with a food/drink and game/media. 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹: @bignerdgaming.bsky.social 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱: Four cheese pizza 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲: Unchained Echoes Unchained Echoes is on my radar thanks to Westen's high glaze and praise of the game versus his visceral hatred of Sea of Stars.

I got around 1/4 through KCD1 before getting tired of it. Got around 2/3rd through KCD2 before burning out on it. KCD3 is guaranteed to be the one I finally finish.

Bumping this up! Appreciate the support today. Coming next week: my annual bday post with reflections on what I learned from games this year. It's always a fun one!

Westen- BigNerdGaming@bignerdgaming.bsky.social · 2w ago

Welcome to part 1 of 10 for my newest ridiculous ranking project! I am ranking the best games of the 2020s so far in 10 different categories. Today, we start with a big one. These are my 10 favorite narratives of the 2020s so far. bignerdgaming.com/2026/07/24/b...

Welcome to part 1 of 10 for my newest ridiculous ranking project! I am ranking the best games of the 2020s so far in 10 different categories. Today, we start with a big one. These are my 10 favorite narratives of the 2020s so far. bignerdgaming.com/2026/07/24/b...

BigNerdGaming’s Top 10 Video Game Narratives of the 2020s (So Far)

Welcome to my newest insane project! One of my favorite projects is the “BigNerdGaming Awards.” It’s a yearly project where I take ten different categories and rank my top 10 from…

bignerdgaming.com

I'm perfectly fine with someone writing about the at times complicated relationship business can have with art. And, this paragraph is the conclusion. Everything leading up to this was fair enough. But still, if you put this in a scored review thats on MC, it's going to invite criticism.

Currently sitting outside with my oldest daughter, writing my next blog while she eats an apple and we chat. Its 70ish degrees and there's a light breeze. If the best art comes from suffering, my next post is destined to be very mediocre.

I cant believe we are almost seven months into 2026 and an Assassin's Creed game of all things is likely sitting on top of my GotY ranks. 3 out of my top 4 are games I didn't even expect to play this year. (Paranormasight and Nioh 3). The magic of video games.

I am currently working on arguably my most unhinged project to date right now.

In physical vs digital news. My zoo is now pushing their digital maps over handing out physical maps. Might be more disgusted at this than Sony tbh

Im not consistent with what difficulty setting I use for games. I feel like it's 50-50 between normal and hard. Open World games are probably 100% hard mode though. So ideal for making side quests and such feel significantly more rewarding.

Last bump. Appreciate the support today! Genuinely won't be surprised if this list only has the top 3 or even top 2 games come year-end. Already have played 2 games in July that would likely be on here 👀

Westen- BigNerdGaming@bignerdgaming.bsky.social · 3w ago

It's finally time for the most anticipated July list in all of niche video game blogging! Here are my top 10 games for the first half of 2026 (cut off was end of June). This honestly might be one of my weirdest lists to date. Enjoy. bignerdgaming.com/2026/07/17/b...

Bumping this up! #1 will SHOCK you. It's a massive plot twist 👀 #TheWeebsWon

Westen- BigNerdGaming@bignerdgaming.bsky.social · 3w ago

It's finally time for the most anticipated July list in all of niche video game blogging! Here are my top 10 games for the first half of 2026 (cut off was end of June). This honestly might be one of my weirdest lists to date. Enjoy. bignerdgaming.com/2026/07/17/b...

It's finally time for the most anticipated July list in all of niche video game blogging! Here are my top 10 games for the first half of 2026 (cut off was end of June). This honestly might be one of my weirdest lists to date. Enjoy. bignerdgaming.com/2026/07/17/b...

BigNerdGaming’s Top 10 Games of the First Half of 2026

Gaming content has become pretty depressing these days. We have literally had news of massive layoffs, price increases, or the end of physical games happen pretty much weekly in recent months. Desp…

bignerdgaming.com

Man. I love this scene so much. My instinct is also to decline gifts that I view as overly generous. I imagine id be forced to say yes in this instance the way Edward was 😭. Lucy is too good. Loving Black Flag.

Both Edward and his officers in Black Flag are super compelling without a whole lot of dialogue. It's stunning to me, because I really haven't been compelled by any AC characters even close to this before (ezio is fine). This is so out of nowhere for me.

Ok @brianfargo.bsky.social, you have my attention. The more I hear about Clockwork Revolution, the more Im convinced we might have an all-timer coming.

One time I was browsing bluesky with my daughter on my lap and she happened to see a @hananomaude.bsky.social post. Now this is what I deal with whenever I grab my phone and shes cuddling with me.

The Xbox reset strategy has been in the news with lots of pain and reflections on the brand. I decided to write about my reassessment of Phil Spencer’s legacy and what the Asha era can bring, with a little historical context thrown in. 🙅🏽 #xbox #promosky #videogames #substack

Opinion - The Xbox Reset

The Chaotic Start of the Asha Era Reveals A lot

open.substack.com

Bumping this up. Really appreciate the great response today. This is genuinely the best episode to date. Even Andres liked it!

Westen- BigNerdGaming@bignerdgaming.bsky.social · 3w ago

The BigNerdGaming Podcast is LIVE w/ @dsundy.bsky.social and @themcmr.bsky.social! -Where should all the Xbox studios affected by layoffs go from here? -Just how big of a deal is Sony killing physical games? -Top 5 most anticipated games for the rest of the year. youtu.be/Ji_EYw7Gaew?...

Easily our best podcast yet. Hopefully I did a good job explaining the importance of physical media but also the importance of digital rights/protection. Appreciate you all ❤️

Westen- BigNerdGaming@bignerdgaming.bsky.social · 3w ago

The BigNerdGaming Podcast is LIVE w/ @dsundy.bsky.social and @themcmr.bsky.social! -Where should all the Xbox studios affected by layoffs go from here? -Just how big of a deal is Sony killing physical games? -Top 5 most anticipated games for the rest of the year. youtu.be/Ji_EYw7Gaew?...

I’M BAAAAACK, BITCHES! Been a while! Only missed an episode of the pod, but I’ve been very absent this past month plus, not just on social media but socially period. We had a death in the family and I’ve been in a bad way, but I’m feeling more myself. Look forward to catching up. Missed yall. 💜

Westen- BigNerdGaming@bignerdgaming.bsky.social · 3w ago

The BigNerdGaming Podcast is LIVE w/ @dsundy.bsky.social and @themcmr.bsky.social! -Where should all the Xbox studios affected by layoffs go from here? -Just how big of a deal is Sony killing physical games? -Top 5 most anticipated games for the rest of the year. youtu.be/Ji_EYw7Gaew?...

The BigNerdGaming Podcast is LIVE w/ @dsundy.bsky.social and @themcmr.bsky.social! -Where should all the Xbox studios affected by layoffs go from here? -Just how big of a deal is Sony killing physical games? -Top 5 most anticipated games for the rest of the year. youtu.be/Ji_EYw7Gaew?...

Xbox Layoffs, Sony Kills Physical Games + Our Top 5 Most Anticipated Games: Episode 10

YouTube video by BigNerdGaming

youtu.be

We love our fans over here at the BNG podcast almost as much as they love us.