Looking to get into retro gaming, but feel a little hesitation? Don't worry: @sam-martinelli.bsky.social is here to give you some helpful tips before diving into some oldies! punishedbacklog.com/get-into-ret...

How To Get Into Retro Gaming - The Punished Backlog

If you want to get into retro gaming, you need the right mindset. Here are a few suggestions to make the whole experience easier for you.

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Creating a tactics game that lives up to both the #StarWars and #XCOM pedigrees is no small feat, but @bitreactor.com and #EA absolutely nail it with Star Wars Zero Company. Our review: punishedbacklog.com/star-wars-ze... #ZeroCompany #review #videogames

Star Wars Zero Company Review: A Forceful Successor - The Punished Backlog

In our Star Wars Zero Company review, learn why this tactics game from former XCOM developers lives up to its spiritual predecessors.

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"Metroid is the pinnacle of Nintendo’s haunted houses. Even without her suit, Samus never screams — but her series’ influences, mysteries, and creatures provide more than enough reason for us to catch our breath," writes @dancingmedievalist.bsky.social. Read here: punishedbacklog.com/nintendos-sc...

Nintendo’s Sci-Fi Haunted House: Celebrating Metroid’s 40th Anniversary - The Punished Backlog

The Metroid games deserve more attention as Nintendo's best attempt at a haunted house.

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Happy National Dog Month! Celebrating with 21 of the best video game doggo. See 🧵for the list of dogs from indie games and AAAs, those with magic and those without, chonky and lithe. Honorable mentions: our irl dogs, @canyoupetthedog.com, @weratedogs.com. Read: punishedbacklog.com/best-video-g...

The 21 Best Video Game Dogs - The Punished Backlog

In our list of the Best Video Game Dogs, we highlight the old and the new, the lithe and the chonky, the magical and the normal. They are all good dogs!

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Made my return to @punishedbacklog.bsky.social and of course I came back writing about my favorite game ever: Ocarina of Time. Yes, I'm a Water Temple guy. punishedbacklog.com/ocarina-of-t...

Ocarina of Time’s Water Temple Is Great the Way It Is - The Punished Backlog

Many consider the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time to be the worst dungeon in the game. In reality, it might be one of the best.

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Hands-on previews of @insomniac.games' Marvel's WOLVERINE just dropped! @amandatien.bsky.social checked them out and wrote a spoiler-free preview of the previews about what's looking good with our favorite knife-handed guy (sorry, Edward Scissorhands): Read here: punishedbacklog.com/wolverine-pr...

@marveltokon.bsky.social Fighting Souls has the juice! Vaughn writes, "ArcSys delivers one of the best new fighting games we’ve seen in a while, offering us the Saturday morning cartoon hand-to-hand action we used to reenact with action figures." punishedbacklog.com/marvel-tokon...

Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls Final Preview: It Has the Juice

In our final Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls preview before launch, learn why it excels as a modern fighting game. Plus, tips for new players.

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Our review of @sovereigntower.bsky.social is live! "The narrative is as rich as the kingdom you’ll end up leading. I had a blast wearing the crown," - @amandatien.bsky.social writes. Releases 8/6, developed by @wildwits.games, published by @curvegames.com. Read: punishedbacklog.com/sovereign-to...

Sovereign Tower Review: A Medieval Management Delight - The Punished Backlog

In our Sovereign Tower review, discover the joys (and pitfalls) of micro-managing knights on quests and holding court with nobles.

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If it's a day ending in y, then @amandatien.bsky.social and @forthekids.space are talking about Mass Effect. In today's piece, they debate the home hubs of the Citadel vs Afterlife in the original @bioware.bsky.social @masseffectgame.bsky.social trilogy. punishedbacklog.com/the-citadel-...

The Citadel vs Afterlife: Making a Home in Mass Effect - The Punished Backlog

In this Mass Effect showdown, two fans of the series debate whether the Citadel or Afterlife is the better hub.

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I went hard on this feature about how freaking awesome it is to see Moneypenny get a glow-up in @007firstlight.bsky.social. From Spy Fox to Dame Judi Dench to DEI to Bond girls and bikinis, I talk abut it all at @punishedbacklog.bsky.social : punishedbacklog.com/moneypenny-0...

Moneypenny Finally Gets a Promotion in 007 First Light - The Punished Backlog

In their hit game 007 First Light, IO Interactive gives Moneypenny a computer science degree and a lot of responsibility.

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"The Mermaid Mask is the long-awaited sequel to Tangle Tower, and it raises the bar in every single way," writes @amandatien.bsky.social of the new indie game by @sfbdim.bsky.social @sfbtom.bsky.social (w/ art by @catherineunger.bsky.social!). Read our review: punishedbacklog.com/the-mermaid-...

The Best Video Games of 2026 So Far - We rounded up 18 of our favorites, from the big AAA adventures to the indie gems. Games are highlighted in 🧵! punishedbacklog.com/best-video-g...

The Best Video Games of 2026 So Far - The Punished Backlog

Some of the best indie games and AAA games of 2026 are already here! Our list covers 18 (and counting) great video games.

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@denshattack.bsky.social, out today from Undercoders, @fireshinegames.bsky.social, and Boltray Games, boasts "a vibrant world and cast of characters who have something critical to say." Read more in our full review: punishedbacklog.com/denshattack-... #Denshattack #GameReview

"A great remake of an already tremendous video game." Learn how @assassinscreed.ubisoft.com Black Flag Resynced from @ubisoft.com maintains the heart of the original game while shining even brighter at times. Our review: punishedbacklog.com/assassins-cr... #AssassinsCreed #BlackFlag #GameReview

"Fans of environmental puzzles, delightful character design, and straightforward combat will love Moss: The Forgotten Relic (@polyarcgames.com)." Out this Thursday 7/16 for PC and consoles. Read our review, 8.5/10: punishedbacklog.com/moss-the-for...

The latest episode of The Punished Podcast is here! This time, we dive into the Video Game Hype Cycle, E3 (and not-E3) showcases, and even make up our own showcase full of fake mouse games inspired by @polyarcgames.com 's Moss series. Check it out! punishedbacklog.com/podcast-vide...

Podcast: Discussing E3, "Not E3," and the Video Game Hype Cycle

In this episode of The Punished Podcast, we discuss the rise and fall of E3, game trailers, authenticity, and the big bucks.

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One month with @paralives.com in early access: Alexia reflects, "Paralives does have a long way to go, but I really believe that we’re in good hands with this one. It’s been worth the wait." #indiegames #cozygames punishedbacklog.com/paralives-pr...

Paralives Preview: Impressions After One Month in Early Access

In our Paralives early access preview, learn why this indie life sim game is already a worthy alternative to The Sims 4.

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REVIEW: "If I consider MINI MURDER MYSTERIES (@pointandclickd.bsky.social) as an extended demo of an upcoming game, then it makes sense as a sample platter. As long as you don’t go in expecting a full entree, you’ll have a good time, especially for $4.99." Read: punishedbacklog.com/mini-murder-...

Mini Murder Mysteries Review: A Whodunit Appetizer - The Punished Backlog

In our Mini Murder Mysteries review, learn if this bite-sized mystery game is worth its $4.99 price point.

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Check out our lists of best N64 games of all time @punishedbacklog.bsky.social !!! punishedbacklog.com/best-nintend...

The 16 Best Nintendo 64 Games of All Time - The Punished Backlog

From the bird and the bear to the earliest console shooters, here are The Punished Backlog's top 16 Nintendo 64 games of all time!

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🧵: Curio Shop, Goat’s Odyssey, The Great Sassanelli @digitalesgames.bsky.social, Last Night, Last Call @rogueside.bsky.social, The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian, Lost in Art, Milki Delivery @wholesomegames.com, Moss, Rivage @rawfury.bsky.social, Sovereign Tower @wildwits.games

Want some indie games to play this weekend? Try one of my top 10 fave demos from Steam Next Fest! Wrote about them at @punishedbacklog.bsky.social. Games in thread! punishedbacklog.com/best-demos-s...

Steam Next Fest June 2026: The Best New Indie Game Demos

From cozy to scary, swashbuckling to puzzles, check out our favorite demos from the June 2026 Steam Next Fest.

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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!

Critical Distance | Where’s all the good writing about games?@critdistance.bsky.social · 4mo ago

This week: Mixtape, Marathon, Mass Effect, Metroid, Moominvalley, and a couple other games that don't start with M, I promise. critical-distance.com/2026/05/11/m...

"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...

Wax Heads Review: Another Beautiful Day at Repeater Records - The Punished Backlog

In our Wax Heads review, learn why this cozy game about selling vinyl records is a labor of love from top to bottom.

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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...

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Review - Case Closed - The Punished Backlog

In our MOUSE: P.I. For Hire review, learn how this infamous first-person cartoon shooter game lives up to the hype.

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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...

An Interview With Lindsay Barnett, CEO of Playground Productions

After years away, Backyard Baseball is back. Ahead of its July 2026 release, I interviewed the new steward of the franchise, Lindsay Barnett.

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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...

I Desperately Need You To Try This Stylish, Ace Attorney-Like Indie

of the Devil, releasing episodically over the course of five episodes, is an excellent murder mystery game I can't stop thinking about.

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#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...

PAX East 2026: The Best Games From Boston's Expo So Far

PAX East is back in Boston, and we're covering the event all through the weekend. Here are the best games from PAX East 2026 so far.

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