Dominic Tarason
@dominictarason.com
Veteran freelance games crit & PR. Hyped for indie games & mods. Bylines on RPS, PC Gamer, PCGamesN. Find my work, Steam curation & contact info below - He/Him
Find me elsewhere online at dominictarason.com
Contact email: jdtarason@gmail.com
Find me elsewhere online at dominictarason.com
Contact email: jdtarason@gmail.com
Pinned
Dominic Tarason
@dominictarason.com
· Apr 26
Dominic Tarason - Games Crit & PR
Professional Profile, Contact Details & Links
dominictarason.com
Wow, I apparently cleared 10,000 followers!
You've all made a terrible mistake and are going to spend too much on obscure games!
I am terribly sorry, but relieved to see others suffering from my curse.
I also have a Steam curator page, and accept tips (which helps me find games). Details below:
You've all made a terrible mistake and are going to spend too much on obscure games!
I am terribly sorry, but relieved to see others suffering from my curse.
I also have a Steam curator page, and accept tips (which helps me find games). Details below:
Reposted by Dominic Tarason
We Were Here Together is free on Epic Games Store for the next 24 hours. Another mystery freebie tomorrow buff.ly/aadJJDg
December 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
We Were Here Together is free on Epic Games Store for the next 24 hours. Another mystery freebie tomorrow buff.ly/aadJJDg
Reposted by Dominic Tarason
So, among my Steam sale haul were a few things that just looked FASCINATING but I couldn't quite get a handle on at a glance.
I just had my first poke around Twilight Epoch, which is like... a low-fi anti-formalist experimental boomshoot/blobber JRPG hybrid with a lot of dense, flowery prose???
I just had my first poke around Twilight Epoch, which is like... a low-fi anti-formalist experimental boomshoot/blobber JRPG hybrid with a lot of dense, flowery prose???
Save 25% on Twilight Epoch on Steam
A science-fantasy FPS-RPG, taking a party of characters on a story-rich journey through a galaxy on the brink of extinction.
store.steampowered.com
December 25, 2025 at 3:10 PM
So, among my Steam sale haul were a few things that just looked FASCINATING but I couldn't quite get a handle on at a glance.
I just had my first poke around Twilight Epoch, which is like... a low-fi anti-formalist experimental boomshoot/blobber JRPG hybrid with a lot of dense, flowery prose???
I just had my first poke around Twilight Epoch, which is like... a low-fi anti-formalist experimental boomshoot/blobber JRPG hybrid with a lot of dense, flowery prose???
A great showcase of Doom mods, Doom-engine based standalone games, and other retro FPS stuff of the past year. There was a LOT. Plus a few other bits.
LAST VIDEO OF THE YEAR.
A Bunch Of Mods And Games I Liked In 2025
YouTube video by IcarusLIVES
youtu.be
December 26, 2025 at 2:48 PM
A great showcase of Doom mods, Doom-engine based standalone games, and other retro FPS stuff of the past year. There was a LOT. Plus a few other bits.
Folks doing some magical stuff with VRChat. Mindbending to think that Facebook spent tens of billions of dollars and still fell mile short of this.
Daytona USA VR Version 1.1.0 is available now!
(patch notes & additional info in replies)
vrchat.com/home/world/w...
(patch notes & additional info in replies)
vrchat.com/home/world/w...
December 26, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Folks doing some magical stuff with VRChat. Mindbending to think that Facebook spent tens of billions of dollars and still fell mile short of this.
Just a reminder that Selaco is in further-discounted bundles with both Echo Point Nova and Fallen Aces, both of which are also excellent and you should own all three if you like first-person action in general.
Seriously, play Selaco.
Seriously, play Selaco.
Oh, wow. I missed the Selaco dev-blog last week.
It's already one of my favourite indie FPS games and they're raising the bar SO much higher. The before/after shots of the Chapter 1 levels are real impressive.
It's already one of my favourite indie FPS games and they're raising the bar SO much higher. The before/after shots of the Chapter 1 levels are real impressive.
Selaco - State of Development & Chapter 2 Info - Steam News
A first proper look at what's coming in Chapter 2
store.steampowered.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Just a reminder that Selaco is in further-discounted bundles with both Echo Point Nova and Fallen Aces, both of which are also excellent and you should own all three if you like first-person action in general.
Seriously, play Selaco.
Seriously, play Selaco.
It's interesting to see how many GOTY lists Avowed ended up on despite a lot of Youtube still trying to convince the world that it is, in fact, the worst game ever made.
December 26, 2025 at 12:29 PM
It's interesting to see how many GOTY lists Avowed ended up on despite a lot of Youtube still trying to convince the world that it is, in fact, the worst game ever made.
Oh dang, Pathologic 3's out just after the holiday break. Loved the demos (plural) for that. Still impressed at how completely different a game it is despite sharing an engine, setting, characters, etc.
December 26, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Oh dang, Pathologic 3's out just after the holiday break. Loved the demos (plural) for that. Still impressed at how completely different a game it is despite sharing an engine, setting, characters, etc.
Reposted by Dominic Tarason
, A Study of English Writing 1476 to the Present
We are perfectly capable of making boneheaded mistakes without the assistance of computers
December 26, 2025 at 6:57 AM
, A Study of English Writing 1476 to the Present
Reposted by Dominic Tarason
Next taste-testing: Entering Host, which bafflingly has only THREE user reviews despite coming out in August.
From the few levels I've played so far, it's a very polished, cinematic puzzle-platformer where you control a tiny spider-drone that can hack and control larger robots with new abilities.
From the few levels I've played so far, it's a very polished, cinematic puzzle-platformer where you control a tiny spider-drone that can hack and control larger robots with new abilities.
Save 40% on Entering Host on Steam
Take control of a robotic parasite caught in a massive conflict between man and machine. Use its unique abilities to solve challenging puzzles and outsmart dangerous enemies in this bug-infested platf...
store.steampowered.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Next taste-testing: Entering Host, which bafflingly has only THREE user reviews despite coming out in August.
From the few levels I've played so far, it's a very polished, cinematic puzzle-platformer where you control a tiny spider-drone that can hack and control larger robots with new abilities.
From the few levels I've played so far, it's a very polished, cinematic puzzle-platformer where you control a tiny spider-drone that can hack and control larger robots with new abilities.
Oh, wow. I missed the Selaco dev-blog last week.
It's already one of my favourite indie FPS games and they're raising the bar SO much higher. The before/after shots of the Chapter 1 levels are real impressive.
It's already one of my favourite indie FPS games and they're raising the bar SO much higher. The before/after shots of the Chapter 1 levels are real impressive.
Selaco - State of Development & Chapter 2 Info - Steam News
A first proper look at what's coming in Chapter 2
store.steampowered.com
December 26, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Oh, wow. I missed the Selaco dev-blog last week.
It's already one of my favourite indie FPS games and they're raising the bar SO much higher. The before/after shots of the Chapter 1 levels are real impressive.
It's already one of my favourite indie FPS games and they're raising the bar SO much higher. The before/after shots of the Chapter 1 levels are real impressive.
Oh nice, there's DLC coming for Mirage Feathers - a very good (if slightly too easy) After Burner-like from last year.
store.steampowered.com/app/2719060/...
The dev has mentioned that the DLC picks up where the original game left off difficulty-wise, so this first stage looks INTENSE.
store.steampowered.com/app/2719060/...
The dev has mentioned that the DLC picks up where the original game left off difficulty-wise, so this first stage looks INTENSE.
ミラージュフェザーズ 開発中のゲームプレイ | Mirage Feathers Dev Gameplay 20251224
YouTube video by oyasumi製作所
www.youtube.com
December 26, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Oh nice, there's DLC coming for Mirage Feathers - a very good (if slightly too easy) After Burner-like from last year.
store.steampowered.com/app/2719060/...
The dev has mentioned that the DLC picks up where the original game left off difficulty-wise, so this first stage looks INTENSE.
store.steampowered.com/app/2719060/...
The dev has mentioned that the DLC picks up where the original game left off difficulty-wise, so this first stage looks INTENSE.
Another one that's high on my 'play over the holidays' list.
It seems so much more at home on PC rather than the Playdate.
store.steampowered.com/app/3323850/...
It seems so much more at home on PC rather than the Playdate.
store.steampowered.com/app/3323850/...
Finished Blippo+. In some ways the most formally exciting, beautiful, and profound game I’ve played since Kentucky Route Zero. Gonna miss my Confetti Cowboys.
December 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Another one that's high on my 'play over the holidays' list.
It seems so much more at home on PC rather than the Playdate.
store.steampowered.com/app/3323850/...
It seems so much more at home on PC rather than the Playdate.
store.steampowered.com/app/3323850/...
Very flashy one-map mod for Doom. Definitely going to give it a stab later.
✳️ The Triad's Reliquary is OUT. :) ✳️
GZdoom or UZdoom required.
Hardware requirements likely to be high due to size and lighting.
Get it here:
www.moddb.com/mods/the-tri...
❓ Let me know how it works for you if you try it out! :D
GZdoom or UZdoom required.
Hardware requirements likely to be high due to size and lighting.
Get it here:
www.moddb.com/mods/the-tri...
❓ Let me know how it works for you if you try it out! :D
December 25, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Very flashy one-map mod for Doom. Definitely going to give it a stab later.
It might be slightly more moral to pirate the game at this point, considering that the money-men fired all the lead creatives on the Disco Elysium team, but if you've ever wanted to own one of the best RPGs/narrative experiments in gaming and didn't already... It's free today.
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is free on Epic Games Store for the next 24 hours. Another mystery freebie tomorrow buff.ly/aadJJDg
December 25, 2025 at 4:36 PM
It might be slightly more moral to pirate the game at this point, considering that the money-men fired all the lead creatives on the Disco Elysium team, but if you've ever wanted to own one of the best RPGs/narrative experiments in gaming and didn't already... It's free today.
Next taste-testing: Entering Host, which bafflingly has only THREE user reviews despite coming out in August.
From the few levels I've played so far, it's a very polished, cinematic puzzle-platformer where you control a tiny spider-drone that can hack and control larger robots with new abilities.
From the few levels I've played so far, it's a very polished, cinematic puzzle-platformer where you control a tiny spider-drone that can hack and control larger robots with new abilities.
Save 40% on Entering Host on Steam
Take control of a robotic parasite caught in a massive conflict between man and machine. Use its unique abilities to solve challenging puzzles and outsmart dangerous enemies in this bug-infested platf...
store.steampowered.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Next taste-testing: Entering Host, which bafflingly has only THREE user reviews despite coming out in August.
From the few levels I've played so far, it's a very polished, cinematic puzzle-platformer where you control a tiny spider-drone that can hack and control larger robots with new abilities.
From the few levels I've played so far, it's a very polished, cinematic puzzle-platformer where you control a tiny spider-drone that can hack and control larger robots with new abilities.
So, among my Steam sale haul were a few things that just looked FASCINATING but I couldn't quite get a handle on at a glance.
I just had my first poke around Twilight Epoch, which is like... a low-fi anti-formalist experimental boomshoot/blobber JRPG hybrid with a lot of dense, flowery prose???
I just had my first poke around Twilight Epoch, which is like... a low-fi anti-formalist experimental boomshoot/blobber JRPG hybrid with a lot of dense, flowery prose???
Save 25% on Twilight Epoch on Steam
A science-fantasy FPS-RPG, taking a party of characters on a story-rich journey through a galaxy on the brink of extinction.
store.steampowered.com
December 25, 2025 at 3:10 PM
So, among my Steam sale haul were a few things that just looked FASCINATING but I couldn't quite get a handle on at a glance.
I just had my first poke around Twilight Epoch, which is like... a low-fi anti-formalist experimental boomshoot/blobber JRPG hybrid with a lot of dense, flowery prose???
I just had my first poke around Twilight Epoch, which is like... a low-fi anti-formalist experimental boomshoot/blobber JRPG hybrid with a lot of dense, flowery prose???
That's nice - the Haunted PS1 collective are hosting a game jam next month in honor of David Lynch.
Catching ideas: David Lynch inspired Game jam
YouTube video by 靄 MOYA HORROR
www.youtube.com
December 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
That's nice - the Haunted PS1 collective are hosting a game jam next month in honor of David Lynch.
Took a little while but the re-release version of Temple Of Elemental Evil is up on GOG, and free if you had the original release. And better still, you can switch between the two versions freely if you like.
It includes all the fixes & restored content from the Co8 & Temple+ mods, but no expansion
It includes all the fixes & restored content from the Co8 & Temple+ mods, but no expansion
The Temple of Elemental Evil
Game purchase includes both the Legacy Edition and Updated Edition with over a thousand
www.gog.com
December 25, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Took a little while but the re-release version of Temple Of Elemental Evil is up on GOG, and free if you had the original release. And better still, you can switch between the two versions freely if you like.
It includes all the fixes & restored content from the Co8 & Temple+ mods, but no expansion
It includes all the fixes & restored content from the Co8 & Temple+ mods, but no expansion
What up, Goth Gamer Nation
(No, wait, that's the other guy, fuck)
But here's a good thread of gothy, metally cool games going cheap.
(No, wait, that's the other guy, fuck)
But here's a good thread of gothy, metally cool games going cheap.
CHRISTMAS EVE GAME RECCOMENDATIONS
Im gonna rec a badass game ya'll should buy int between set
first up
one of the GOATS
Dungeons of Blood and Dreams!
badass blood magic Tradrogue first person dungeoncrawler
store.steampowered.com/app/2488590/...
Im gonna rec a badass game ya'll should buy int between set
first up
one of the GOATS
Dungeons of Blood and Dreams!
badass blood magic Tradrogue first person dungeoncrawler
store.steampowered.com/app/2488590/...
Save 60% on Dungeons of Blood and Dream on Steam
Play as a mighty Blood Wizard on a quest to escape a death-loop of psychedelic dungeons. Slay disgusting creatures using a large array of bladed weapons and unnerving spells, harness the power of curs...
store.steampowered.com
December 25, 2025 at 2:52 AM
What up, Goth Gamer Nation
(No, wait, that's the other guy, fuck)
But here's a good thread of gothy, metally cool games going cheap.
(No, wait, that's the other guy, fuck)
But here's a good thread of gothy, metally cool games going cheap.
Reposted by Dominic Tarason
2 hours left!
We are looking for new Pixel Artists and a Japanese Translator!
Please share this with anyone you think might be interested!
Submit your applications by December 24th at 11:59 PM EST:
Pixel Artist Form: forms.gle/1wahmdiujtXf...
JP Translator Form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Please share this with anyone you think might be interested!
Submit your applications by December 24th at 11:59 PM EST:
Pixel Artist Form: forms.gle/1wahmdiujtXf...
JP Translator Form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
December 25, 2025 at 2:46 AM
2 hours left!
Reposted by Dominic Tarason
you think about scrooge and he basically gave cratchit reasonably stable long term employment and paid him more or less enough to raise a family on a single income and he's still a fucking villain. today's billionaires are like 10x worse
December 25, 2025 at 2:23 AM
you think about scrooge and he basically gave cratchit reasonably stable long term employment and paid him more or less enough to raise a family on a single income and he's still a fucking villain. today's billionaires are like 10x worse
Oh wow, Dragon Ball FighterZ mods are hitting the next level. Yami Yugi isn't just some reskin - he's a full on puppeteer character with a card-drawing/summoning mechanic.
He looks like he could be an official DLC guest character.
He looks like he could be an official DLC guest character.
DRAGON BALL FighterZ - Yami Yugi Character Mod Trailer
YouTube video by Kongmeng
www.youtube.com
December 25, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Oh wow, Dragon Ball FighterZ mods are hitting the next level. Yami Yugi isn't just some reskin - he's a full on puppeteer character with a card-drawing/summoning mechanic.
He looks like he could be an official DLC guest character.
He looks like he could be an official DLC guest character.
A nice intro to Boktai, a Kojima-directed GBA action RPG with a solar sensor built into the cart that fuels your weapon in-game.
It was rad. Also it got a fan-made sequel this year too which uses internet weather services to replicate the effect, and tag-team protagonists better at day/night.
It was rad. Also it got a fan-made sequel this year too which uses internet weather services to replicate the effect, and tag-team protagonists better at day/night.
December 25, 2025 at 12:54 AM
A nice intro to Boktai, a Kojima-directed GBA action RPG with a solar sensor built into the cart that fuels your weapon in-game.
It was rad. Also it got a fan-made sequel this year too which uses internet weather services to replicate the effect, and tag-team protagonists better at day/night.
It was rad. Also it got a fan-made sequel this year too which uses internet weather services to replicate the effect, and tag-team protagonists better at day/night.
Wild that there were TWO games released this year about being a funny little goblin tinkerer that cleans up and restores weird artifacts. Also that they're both apparently great.
Trash Goblin and Wyrmhall: Brush & Banter, respectively.
Trash Goblin and Wyrmhall: Brush & Banter, respectively.
December 25, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Wild that there were TWO games released this year about being a funny little goblin tinkerer that cleans up and restores weird artifacts. Also that they're both apparently great.
Trash Goblin and Wyrmhall: Brush & Banter, respectively.
Trash Goblin and Wyrmhall: Brush & Banter, respectively.
Not given this one enough shout-outs. Recently re-tuned and improved. A short (a couple hours at most) adventure through a tiny slice of a vast megatructure and a glance at the clashing cultures that have evolved within it.
I want a 20-hour-long odyssey through the stratas and biomes and cultures.
I want a 20-hour-long odyssey through the stratas and biomes and cultures.
hiiiii, Metal Garden is on sale right now both on Steam and Itch dot io! if you ever wanted to buy it, now's a really good time!
store.steampowered.com/app/3539440/...
tinerasoft.itch.io/metal-garden
store.steampowered.com/app/3539440/...
tinerasoft.itch.io/metal-garden
Save 20% on Metal Garden on Steam
Travel through an overgrown megastructure, and discover what lies beyond it. Metal Garden is a short, atmospheric singleplayer FPS game.
store.steampowered.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Not given this one enough shout-outs. Recently re-tuned and improved. A short (a couple hours at most) adventure through a tiny slice of a vast megatructure and a glance at the clashing cultures that have evolved within it.
I want a 20-hour-long odyssey through the stratas and biomes and cultures.
I want a 20-hour-long odyssey through the stratas and biomes and cultures.