Ryan
@jumpmanryan.bsky.social
All things video games | Final Fantasy | Persona | Story of Seasons / Harvest Moon | Stardew Valley | Donkey Kong | Mega Man | PlayStation | Nintendo
Currently playing - UFO 50
Currently playing - UFO 50
I have just one game left to play in UFO 50. I don’t want it to end. 🥹
January 1, 2026 at 5:50 PM
I have just one game left to play in UFO 50. I don’t want it to end. 🥹
Every game I finished in 2025 ranked.
It was a great year of gaming for me!
It was a great year of gaming for me!
December 31, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Every game I finished in 2025 ranked.
It was a great year of gaming for me!
It was a great year of gaming for me!
Gave my brother a Sega DreamCast for Christmas 🎅🏼🎮🎄
a sign that says merry christmas with a dreamcast logo
ALT: a sign that says merry christmas with a dreamcast logo
media.tenor.com
December 25, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Gave my brother a Sega DreamCast for Christmas 🎅🏼🎮🎄
👀
Final Fantasy IX anime seemingly back in production at a new French studio with a 2028 release target www.rpgsite.net/news/19263-f...
December 23, 2025 at 5:01 PM
👀
My main annoyance with this is that we’ve known about Expedition 33’s use of Gen-AI for placeholders and whatnot for months. Sandfall has always been open about it.
The Indie Game Awards knew too. They’re only reacting now because of the current Larian AI debacle and conversation.
The Indie Game Awards knew too. They’re only reacting now because of the current Larian AI debacle and conversation.
The IGAs Nomination Committee is officially retracting Debut Game and Game of the Year, awarding both categories to new recipients. Additionally, we are retracting one of the Indie Vanguard recipients.
Full details can be found in our FAQ under Game Eligibility: www.indiegameawards.gg/faq
Full details can be found in our FAQ under Game Eligibility: www.indiegameawards.gg/faq
December 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
My main annoyance with this is that we’ve known about Expedition 33’s use of Gen-AI for placeholders and whatnot for months. Sandfall has always been open about it.
The Indie Game Awards knew too. They’re only reacting now because of the current Larian AI debacle and conversation.
The Indie Game Awards knew too. They’re only reacting now because of the current Larian AI debacle and conversation.
Pikmin 3 Deluxe
✅ Intuitive environmental level design
✅ New Pikmin variations are great
✅ Creatively charming all-around
✅ QoL additions polish the formula
❌ Stockpiling juice becomes trivial quickly
❌ Collectibles aren’t as fun as in prior Pikmin games
❌ Final mission is a bit annoying
8 / 10
✅ Intuitive environmental level design
✅ New Pikmin variations are great
✅ Creatively charming all-around
✅ QoL additions polish the formula
❌ Stockpiling juice becomes trivial quickly
❌ Collectibles aren’t as fun as in prior Pikmin games
❌ Final mission is a bit annoying
8 / 10
a colorful drawing of a rabbit with the words pikmin written below it
ALT: a colorful drawing of a rabbit with the words pikmin written below it
media.tenor.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Pikmin 3 Deluxe
✅ Intuitive environmental level design
✅ New Pikmin variations are great
✅ Creatively charming all-around
✅ QoL additions polish the formula
❌ Stockpiling juice becomes trivial quickly
❌ Collectibles aren’t as fun as in prior Pikmin games
❌ Final mission is a bit annoying
8 / 10
✅ Intuitive environmental level design
✅ New Pikmin variations are great
✅ Creatively charming all-around
✅ QoL additions polish the formula
❌ Stockpiling juice becomes trivial quickly
❌ Collectibles aren’t as fun as in prior Pikmin games
❌ Final mission is a bit annoying
8 / 10
Final Fantasy XIII is, and always was, a good video game.
December 17, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Final Fantasy XIII is, and always was, a good video game.
Arc Raiders
✅ Proximity chat encounters are consistently unpredictable
✅ Arc AI is impressive
✅ Audio design is top notch
✅ Gorgeous, well-designed maps
❌ Gameplay loop isn’t satisfying enough
❌ Lacking meaningful sense of progression
❌ Inventory management between runs gets very tedious
7.5 / 10
✅ Proximity chat encounters are consistently unpredictable
✅ Arc AI is impressive
✅ Audio design is top notch
✅ Gorgeous, well-designed maps
❌ Gameplay loop isn’t satisfying enough
❌ Lacking meaningful sense of progression
❌ Inventory management between runs gets very tedious
7.5 / 10
a man in a space suit is standing in a dark room with lights behind him
ALT: a man in a space suit is standing in a dark room with lights behind him
media.tenor.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Arc Raiders
✅ Proximity chat encounters are consistently unpredictable
✅ Arc AI is impressive
✅ Audio design is top notch
✅ Gorgeous, well-designed maps
❌ Gameplay loop isn’t satisfying enough
❌ Lacking meaningful sense of progression
❌ Inventory management between runs gets very tedious
7.5 / 10
✅ Proximity chat encounters are consistently unpredictable
✅ Arc AI is impressive
✅ Audio design is top notch
✅ Gorgeous, well-designed maps
❌ Gameplay loop isn’t satisfying enough
❌ Lacking meaningful sense of progression
❌ Inventory management between runs gets very tedious
7.5 / 10
They made me watch two pigs eat a bunch of vomit coming from a dude’s mouth.
Divinity's gruesome reveal trailer was not trying to shock the audience, rather treat them "with a level of intellectual respect." https://bit.ly/3XRxbJA
December 15, 2025 at 2:35 PM
They made me watch two pigs eat a bunch of vomit coming from a dude’s mouth.
Really great article that emphasizes why JRPGs often don’t get the same type of recognition as other games, even when those other games are remarkably similar. Especially at westernized award shows.
It’s literally just the anime aesthetic. That’s it.
It’s literally just the anime aesthetic. That’s it.
Reposting my @gamespot.com Clair Obscur article because it’s feeling relevant again
TLDR It feels like many of the JRPGs I’ve loved before but everyone likes it because it isn’t anime
www.gamespot.com/articles/cla...
TLDR It feels like many of the JRPGs I’ve loved before but everyone likes it because it isn’t anime
www.gamespot.com/articles/cla...
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Is Great, But Its Popularity Raises Big Questions About How We View Japanese RPGs
Clair Obscur isn’t like the other turn-based RPGs--at least, that’s what the worst fans want you to think.
www.gamespot.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Really great article that emphasizes why JRPGs often don’t get the same type of recognition as other games, even when those other games are remarkably similar. Especially at westernized award shows.
It’s literally just the anime aesthetic. That’s it.
It’s literally just the anime aesthetic. That’s it.
I honestly don’t think showing a brand new hero shooter from former Respawn devs was inherently a bad closer to #TheGameAwards.
However, I thought Highguard looked painfully generic and bland. The game looking boring is what made it a bad closer to me. Not that it was a free-to-play hero shooter.
However, I thought Highguard looked painfully generic and bland. The game looking boring is what made it a bad closer to me. Not that it was a free-to-play hero shooter.
December 13, 2025 at 2:02 AM
I honestly don’t think showing a brand new hero shooter from former Respawn devs was inherently a bad closer to #TheGameAwards.
However, I thought Highguard looked painfully generic and bland. The game looking boring is what made it a bad closer to me. Not that it was a free-to-play hero shooter.
However, I thought Highguard looked painfully generic and bland. The game looking boring is what made it a bad closer to me. Not that it was a free-to-play hero shooter.
Skate Story
✅ Immaculate aesthetic
✅ Weird in a great way
✅ Skating is technical and satisfying
✅ Vibey OST
❌ Task structure could’ve used more creativity
❌ Frame rate issues
8 / 10
✅ Immaculate aesthetic
✅ Weird in a great way
✅ Skating is technical and satisfying
✅ Vibey OST
❌ Task structure could’ve used more creativity
❌ Frame rate issues
8 / 10
a person is riding a skateboard on a ramp in the dark
ALT: a person is riding a skateboard on a ramp in the dark
media.tenor.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Skate Story
✅ Immaculate aesthetic
✅ Weird in a great way
✅ Skating is technical and satisfying
✅ Vibey OST
❌ Task structure could’ve used more creativity
❌ Frame rate issues
8 / 10
✅ Immaculate aesthetic
✅ Weird in a great way
✅ Skating is technical and satisfying
✅ Vibey OST
❌ Task structure could’ve used more creativity
❌ Frame rate issues
8 / 10
sad
Last night's biggest surprise was Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, led by Casey Hudson, who directed KOTOR (and Anthem). Exciting news for lots of people... but Lucasfilm says the studio was founded this year, which means that 2030 is an *optimistic* guess. Maybe it'll be a PlayStation 7 game
December 12, 2025 at 4:31 PM
sad
My 4 favorite new game reveals at #TheGameAwards last night!
- Mega Man: Dual Override
- Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
- Orbitals
- Coven of the Chicken Foot
- Mega Man: Dual Override
- Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
- Orbitals
- Coven of the Chicken Foot
December 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
My 4 favorite new game reveals at #TheGameAwards last night!
- Mega Man: Dual Override
- Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
- Orbitals
- Coven of the Chicken Foot
- Mega Man: Dual Override
- Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
- Orbitals
- Coven of the Chicken Foot
The Game Awards 2025 was great!
Lots of really great reveals, announcements, and trailers. And while the awards of it all was extremely predictable, it was well-deserved.
Lots of really great reveals, announcements, and trailers. And while the awards of it all was extremely predictable, it was well-deserved.
December 12, 2025 at 4:16 AM
The Game Awards 2025 was great!
Lots of really great reveals, announcements, and trailers. And while the awards of it all was extremely predictable, it was well-deserved.
Lots of really great reveals, announcements, and trailers. And while the awards of it all was extremely predictable, it was well-deserved.
I really love The Game Awards.
I know this time of year can annoy people in the gaming community as a lot of *discourse* takes place. But we get to sit and enjoy a celebration of video games for 3 hours while simultaneously seeing trailers / reveals for what’s next.
Always a good time.
I know this time of year can annoy people in the gaming community as a lot of *discourse* takes place. But we get to sit and enjoy a celebration of video games for 3 hours while simultaneously seeing trailers / reveals for what’s next.
Always a good time.
a low poly statue of a woman with wings holding a torch
ALT: a low poly statue of a woman with wings holding a torch
media.tenor.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I really love The Game Awards.
I know this time of year can annoy people in the gaming community as a lot of *discourse* takes place. But we get to sit and enjoy a celebration of video games for 3 hours while simultaneously seeing trailers / reveals for what’s next.
Always a good time.
I know this time of year can annoy people in the gaming community as a lot of *discourse* takes place. But we get to sit and enjoy a celebration of video games for 3 hours while simultaneously seeing trailers / reveals for what’s next.
Always a good time.
Red Dead Redemption
✅ Well-written, kooky cast of characters
✅ Dynamic open world
✅ Tragic storytelling
✅ Undead Nightmare
❌ Clunky controls
❌ Side activities lack substance
❌ Mission structure can be too formulaic and bland
7 / 10
✅ Well-written, kooky cast of characters
✅ Dynamic open world
✅ Tragic storytelling
✅ Undead Nightmare
❌ Clunky controls
❌ Side activities lack substance
❌ Mission structure can be too formulaic and bland
7 / 10
a man with a beard and mustache is wearing a cowboy hat and a leather jacket .
ALT: a man with a beard and mustache is wearing a cowboy hat and a leather jacket .
media.tenor.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Red Dead Redemption
✅ Well-written, kooky cast of characters
✅ Dynamic open world
✅ Tragic storytelling
✅ Undead Nightmare
❌ Clunky controls
❌ Side activities lack substance
❌ Mission structure can be too formulaic and bland
7 / 10
✅ Well-written, kooky cast of characters
✅ Dynamic open world
✅ Tragic storytelling
✅ Undead Nightmare
❌ Clunky controls
❌ Side activities lack substance
❌ Mission structure can be too formulaic and bland
7 / 10
Been away for a bit! I spent the last several days on a bender in the mountains with some friends. Amazing time.
Now back to playing video games.
🫡
Now back to playing video games.
🫡
December 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Been away for a bit! I spent the last several days on a bender in the mountains with some friends. Amazing time.
Now back to playing video games.
🫡
Now back to playing video games.
🫡
Started Red Dead Redemption since it came to PS5 recently. I’m enjoying it!
I’d never really *loved* Rockstar games until GTA V. But I’ve grown to appreciate and enjoy their prior games to a certain level over the last few years.
I’d never really *loved* Rockstar games until GTA V. But I’ve grown to appreciate and enjoy their prior games to a certain level over the last few years.
a man in a cowboy hat holds a gun
ALT: a man in a cowboy hat holds a gun
media.tenor.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Started Red Dead Redemption since it came to PS5 recently. I’m enjoying it!
I’d never really *loved* Rockstar games until GTA V. But I’ve grown to appreciate and enjoy their prior games to a certain level over the last few years.
I’d never really *loved* Rockstar games until GTA V. But I’ve grown to appreciate and enjoy their prior games to a certain level over the last few years.
Randomly thinking about Octopath Traveler II.
Not only one of the best JRPGs, but also one of the best games *in general* I’ve ever played.
Memorable & endearing characters, one of the best OSTs to grace gaming, a perfect turn-based combat system with immense depth to it, etc.
One of the GOATs.
Not only one of the best JRPGs, but also one of the best games *in general* I’ve ever played.
Memorable & endearing characters, one of the best OSTs to grace gaming, a perfect turn-based combat system with immense depth to it, etc.
One of the GOATs.
December 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Randomly thinking about Octopath Traveler II.
Not only one of the best JRPGs, but also one of the best games *in general* I’ve ever played.
Memorable & endearing characters, one of the best OSTs to grace gaming, a perfect turn-based combat system with immense depth to it, etc.
One of the GOATs.
Not only one of the best JRPGs, but also one of the best games *in general* I’ve ever played.
Memorable & endearing characters, one of the best OSTs to grace gaming, a perfect turn-based combat system with immense depth to it, etc.
One of the GOATs.
Man, what a horrible situation. Just really bad management all-around by Yacht Club.
Shovel Knight should have several mainline games by now. They could’ve gone the Mega Man route with the series and would be massively successful.
Poor management mixed with wild ambition has tanked the studio.
Shovel Knight should have several mainline games by now. They could’ve gone the Mega Man route with the series and would be massively successful.
Poor management mixed with wild ambition has tanked the studio.
Yacht Club Games next game 'Mina the Hollower' is a make or break. They laid of staff of its 3D platformer project and set the game on hold to focus on 'Mina the Hollower'. They need to sell at least 200K copies and if the game is a hit, there could be a sequel.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
December 2, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Man, what a horrible situation. Just really bad management all-around by Yacht Club.
Shovel Knight should have several mainline games by now. They could’ve gone the Mega Man route with the series and would be massively successful.
Poor management mixed with wild ambition has tanked the studio.
Shovel Knight should have several mainline games by now. They could’ve gone the Mega Man route with the series and would be massively successful.
Poor management mixed with wild ambition has tanked the studio.
I’ve been playing Arc Raiders for a week or so now. And, while the moment-to-moment gameplay is fun and sometimes unpredictable, the progression system and player goals are really lackluster.
Why should I even *care* about getting good loot if what I do with it is just more of the same?
Why should I even *care* about getting good loot if what I do with it is just more of the same?
a logo for the arc raiders with a rainbow background
ALT: a logo for the arc raiders with a rainbow background
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I’ve been playing Arc Raiders for a week or so now. And, while the moment-to-moment gameplay is fun and sometimes unpredictable, the progression system and player goals are really lackluster.
Why should I even *care* about getting good loot if what I do with it is just more of the same?
Why should I even *care* about getting good loot if what I do with it is just more of the same?
Nine Sols
✅ Incredible parry-based combat system
✅ Genuinely great philosophical storytelling
✅ Fantastic art direction
✅ Traversal & exploration are fun and rewarding
✅ Some of the best boss fights I’ve experienced
❌ Lore dumps near the end hurt overall pacing
9.5 / 10
✅ Incredible parry-based combat system
✅ Genuinely great philosophical storytelling
✅ Fantastic art direction
✅ Traversal & exploration are fun and rewarding
✅ Some of the best boss fights I’ve experienced
❌ Lore dumps near the end hurt overall pacing
9.5 / 10
a cartoon drawing of a man holding a stick standing in front of a cave
ALT: a cartoon drawing of a man holding a stick standing in front of a cave
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Nine Sols
✅ Incredible parry-based combat system
✅ Genuinely great philosophical storytelling
✅ Fantastic art direction
✅ Traversal & exploration are fun and rewarding
✅ Some of the best boss fights I’ve experienced
❌ Lore dumps near the end hurt overall pacing
9.5 / 10
✅ Incredible parry-based combat system
✅ Genuinely great philosophical storytelling
✅ Fantastic art direction
✅ Traversal & exploration are fun and rewarding
✅ Some of the best boss fights I’ve experienced
❌ Lore dumps near the end hurt overall pacing
9.5 / 10