After reading about the claude code source map leak I am now even more convinced that I somehow got stuck on the joke route of a visual novel. But not, like, a particularly happy one.

What a freaking vibe

RE5 is such a strange hill to fight you on. But I guess that's where we're at these days.

I am writing a new essay. It is called "The Quest to Rebuild P.T. and Other Crusades For Lost Art". It is about P.T. and its many recreations, yes, but also a study re authenticity & art.

The man saved the president's daughter. I would hope he could afford a fancy car.

Every Resident Evil's First Zombie, Ranked & Remembered YouTube video by Mason Miller

Looking for something to watch while you wait for Resident Evil's release? Might I suggest my most recent video? About the history of RE through the lens of each game's first zombie. But also a meditation on our (and the series') obsession with the past.
youtu.be/4QeBD3fIgQc?...

Me but Diablo II

Oh man! Jealous. Thing looks killer.

Whole industry is. Insanity.

Oh, I gotta watch that one. His videos on the MGS games are still some of my favorites. They're probably 15+ years old at this point.

"Watchable" is a good word for Two Towers honestly. It's *fine*

Thanks so much 😊

The Actual Best Games of 2025 Aren't What You Think YouTube video by Writing on Games

NEW VIDEO! Super timely bumper video on my favourite games of 2025. Only one of the games in the thumbnail makes the main list. A lot of talk of living a good life.

I sincerely hope you enjoy hearing my thoughts. If you do, sharing it with others would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

So, I'm trying out new thumbnails for the Death Stranding and RE vids. Never been my strong suit tbh. Feedback welcomed :)

Go birds etc etc

Tough fuckin week. I hope you are doing well.

Excited to check it out!

"Got our best men working on it"

Real Chief Wiggum energy there.

I loved these games too. Metroid Prime 4's probably the weakest for the reasons everyone mentioned. Ninja Gaiden felt like a return to form, but still missing the exploration of the 2004 reboot. Donkey Kong Bananza and Cronos could be swapped with any of the four in my initial post. Good stuff.

Fav games of '25. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 felt like virtual tourism, vacationing in a faraway land. Silent Hill f captures, for me, the spirit of the original Team Silent games if not the moment-to-moment gameplay. Please play The Hundred Line. I don't have much to add re Clair Obscur. It's good.

Top 4 games not released in 2025 that I played in 2025. Lies of P, as many have said, is the best soulslike not by From. SF6 is my pick for best current fighting game. 1000xRESIST is a must play if you enjoy story-based games. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes reignited my love for puzzle games.

Oops.

Links for consumption:

Death of the Author tinyurl.com/48k7ah5a
How CS Took Over My Life tinyurl.com/3d479tnc
Mantracks tinyurl.com/33cjurt6
Bluey tinyurl.com/3ccdyn4z
Space Truck Sim tinyurl.com/4ssh7zkv
Trans Day of Vanishing tinyurl.com/3fvm8ean
DS2's Porters tinyurl.com/y7rjxxfx

Fav essays cont'd

My Quest to Uncover the Mystery of Death Stranding 2's Porters - @writingongames.bsky.social
Trans Day of Vanishing - Lily Alexandre
The Space Truck Sim where you're Doomed to Fail - @lambhoot.bsky.social

My fav essays of 2025

How Counter-Strike Took Over My Life - @nakeyjakey.bsky.social
Death of the Author: An Alan Wake Series Retrospective - @noahgervais.bsky.social
Mantracks: a True Story of Fake Fossils - @foldablehuman.bsky.social
Bluey Is Perfect, And That Terrifies Me - @mml.bsky.social

Top TV picks for 2025. Andor, The Pitt, and Adolescence all deserve their critical acclaim. Task was the biggest surprise for me -- I think I enjoyed it even more than Mare of Easttown. Have not seen Pluribus. The American Revolution nearly made the list (I would maybe swap it out for The Pitt).

Some honorable mentions.

Top four flicks 2025. A lot has been written about Weapons and One Battle After Another. Don't have a lot to add. Predators was a revealing, layered essay that I wrestled with long after viewing. Train Dreams is a haunting journey through the myth of America. Strongly recommend both.