Steven Nguyen Scaife
@midfalutin.bsky.social
Freelance critic for games, TV, & movies. Library worker. Bylines at Slant Magazine, Polygon, IGN, Boston Globe, Edge, Unwinnable, Fanbyte, Buzzfeed News, etc. He/him.
https://muckrack.com/steven-scaife
stvnscaife at gmail
https://muckrack.com/steven-scaife
stvnscaife at gmail
Reposted by Steven Nguyen Scaife
Epic made provably incorrect statements about the game’s content, refused to provide details supporting their claims, and has not shared their claimed AO IARC certificate, which normally includes a link for the developer to appeal. They do not ‘love that studio’, they have effectively ghosted us
Earlier this week, I spoke briefly Epic about Horses, a game that was approved for release on EGS, then blocked after a re-rating
"We love that studio," Epic VP Steve Allison said of Santa Ragione, but maintained that an AO rating was a dealbreaker
www.gamefile.news/i/186925441/...
"We love that studio," Epic VP Steve Allison said of Santa Ragione, but maintained that an AO rating was a dealbreaker
www.gamefile.news/i/186925441/...
February 7, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Epic made provably incorrect statements about the game’s content, refused to provide details supporting their claims, and has not shared their claimed AO IARC certificate, which normally includes a link for the developer to appeal. They do not ‘love that studio’, they have effectively ghosted us
Reposted by Steven Nguyen Scaife
I'm right there with @midfalutin.bsky.social: great ideas and concepts, but because it plays so much slower than Binding of Isaac, I feel like you really need to be into the TRPG *and* breeding mechanics to really get the most out of this. (Also, patience with RNG, which fits being a cat lover.)
MEWGENICS is a truly enormous game jam-packed with secrets and synergies, surprising and rewarding even when its pacing frustrates. Read @midfalutin.bsky.social's review.
'Mewgenics' Review: The Cats Aren't Alright
'Mewgenics' is a truly enormous game jam-packed with secrets and synergies, surprising and rewarding even when its pacing frustrates.
www.slantmagazine.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:46 PM
I'm right there with @midfalutin.bsky.social: great ideas and concepts, but because it plays so much slower than Binding of Isaac, I feel like you really need to be into the TRPG *and* breeding mechanics to really get the most out of this. (Also, patience with RNG, which fits being a cat lover.)
Reposted by Steven Nguyen Scaife
Looking for something to do this weekend? Julian Glander's phenomenal 'Boys Go to Jupiter' is available on HBO Max in the U.S. now.
www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film...
www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film...
February 6, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Looking for something to do this weekend? Julian Glander's phenomenal 'Boys Go to Jupiter' is available on HBO Max in the U.S. now.
www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film...
www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film...
I'm reminded that MAGELLAN has the feel-good ending of the year
February 6, 2026 at 8:13 PM
I'm reminded that MAGELLAN has the feel-good ending of the year
Reposted by Steven Nguyen Scaife
MEWGENICS is good as long as you can get past the enormous time investment and the, uh, comedy
MEWGENICS is a truly enormous game jam-packed with secrets and synergies, surprising and rewarding even when its pacing frustrates. Read @midfalutin.bsky.social's review.
'Mewgenics' Review: The Cats Aren't Alright
'Mewgenics' is a truly enormous game jam-packed with secrets and synergies, surprising and rewarding even when its pacing frustrates.
www.slantmagazine.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:45 PM
MEWGENICS is good as long as you can get past the enormous time investment and the, uh, comedy
MEWGENICS is good as long as you can get past the enormous time investment and the, uh, comedy
MEWGENICS is a truly enormous game jam-packed with secrets and synergies, surprising and rewarding even when its pacing frustrates. Read @midfalutin.bsky.social's review.
'Mewgenics' Review: The Cats Aren't Alright
'Mewgenics' is a truly enormous game jam-packed with secrets and synergies, surprising and rewarding even when its pacing frustrates.
www.slantmagazine.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:45 PM
MEWGENICS is good as long as you can get past the enormous time investment and the, uh, comedy
Reposted by Steven Nguyen Scaife
Steven on Mewgenics is, like Steven on anything, very good
MEWGENICS is a truly enormous game jam-packed with secrets and synergies, surprising and rewarding even when its pacing frustrates. Read @midfalutin.bsky.social's review.
'Mewgenics' Review: The Cats Aren't Alright
'Mewgenics' is a truly enormous game jam-packed with secrets and synergies, surprising and rewarding even when its pacing frustrates.
www.slantmagazine.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Steven on Mewgenics is, like Steven on anything, very good
this man's choices in projects only makes me more and more hesitant to revisit CHERNOBYL
‘Baldur’s Gate’ TV Series Continuing Game’s Story In Works At HBO From ‘The Last Of Us’ Co-Creator Craig Mazin & Hasbro Entertainment deadline.com/2026/02/bald...
February 6, 2026 at 12:21 AM
this man's choices in projects only makes me more and more hesitant to revisit CHERNOBYL
Reposted by Steven Nguyen Scaife
The ABIDE KickStarter is now LIVE! Stop motion horror the likes of which have never been seen before! Back now and be involved with something very cool. www.kickstarter.com/projects/637...
January 29, 2026 at 4:57 PM
The ABIDE KickStarter is now LIVE! Stop motion horror the likes of which have never been seen before! Back now and be involved with something very cool. www.kickstarter.com/projects/637...
no jury would convict me for what I do to the car that stole the space I shoveled out yesterday
January 29, 2026 at 10:52 PM
no jury would convict me for what I do to the car that stole the space I shoveled out yesterday
CAUGHT STEALING director caught stealing
First trailer for Darren Aranofsky's new AI animated series 'On This Day... 1776'
• Tells short narrative stories about the Revolutionary War
• Uses Gen AI tools, including tech made by Google DeepMind
• Has SAG voice actors
• Tells short narrative stories about the Revolutionary War
• Uses Gen AI tools, including tech made by Google DeepMind
• Has SAG voice actors
January 29, 2026 at 6:39 PM
CAUGHT STEALING director caught stealing
Reposted by Steven Nguyen Scaife
I am not digging at anyone in particular truly but one of the ironies of the worker owned journalism movement is that it is born from instability that starts when bipoc journalists are laid off and then white editors are like “damn time to get off this sinking ship and start a bold indie venture”
January 27, 2026 at 4:47 PM
I am not digging at anyone in particular truly but one of the ironies of the worker owned journalism movement is that it is born from instability that starts when bipoc journalists are laid off and then white editors are like “damn time to get off this sinking ship and start a bold indie venture”
playing Baby Steps and walking through nearly a foot of snow are... not dissimilar experiences
January 25, 2026 at 6:08 PM
playing Baby Steps and walking through nearly a foot of snow are... not dissimilar experiences
I'd have thought they specifically corralled all the pharmaceutical ads to run during The Beauty if I didn't already know all the Hulu ad breaks are like this
January 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM
I'd have thought they specifically corralled all the pharmaceutical ads to run during The Beauty if I didn't already know all the Hulu ad breaks are like this
it has been... instructive to look at discussion for MIO: Memories in Orbit and see how many people react to the permanent health downgrades with either "please patch this out/make it optional" or "how DARE you take something away from me???"
January 24, 2026 at 2:37 PM
it has been... instructive to look at discussion for MIO: Memories in Orbit and see how many people react to the permanent health downgrades with either "please patch this out/make it optional" or "how DARE you take something away from me???"
i did not notice that both of the scenes I complained about in my review of The Pitt s2 were in the same episode Noah Wyle wrote lol
January 24, 2026 at 2:25 PM
i did not notice that both of the scenes I complained about in my review of The Pitt s2 were in the same episode Noah Wyle wrote lol
charmed as I've been by the Adams family's prior work, I found their latest to be underdeveloped and dull
Between various ritual scenes, the Adams family’s latest, MOTHER OF FLIES, gives us minimal drama. The ending, though, is solid. Read @midfalutin.bsky.social's review.
'Mother of Flies' Review: Occult Atmosphere, Dramatic Anemia
Between various ritual scenes, Mother of Flies gives us minimal drama.
www.slantmagazine.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:04 PM
charmed as I've been by the Adams family's prior work, I found their latest to be underdeveloped and dull
Reposted by Steven Nguyen Scaife
Gotys 2025
5) Keeper @leepetty.bsky.social @doublefine.com
4) Poco
3) Horses @santaragione.com (fan art in next post)
2) Angeline Era (pictured) @hantani.bsky.social @even-kei.bsky.social
1) Pipistrello @pockettrap.bsky.social
5) Keeper @leepetty.bsky.social @doublefine.com
4) Poco
3) Horses @santaragione.com (fan art in next post)
2) Angeline Era (pictured) @hantani.bsky.social @even-kei.bsky.social
1) Pipistrello @pockettrap.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Gotys 2025
5) Keeper @leepetty.bsky.social @doublefine.com
4) Poco
3) Horses @santaragione.com (fan art in next post)
2) Angeline Era (pictured) @hantani.bsky.social @even-kei.bsky.social
1) Pipistrello @pockettrap.bsky.social
5) Keeper @leepetty.bsky.social @doublefine.com
4) Poco
3) Horses @santaragione.com (fan art in next post)
2) Angeline Era (pictured) @hantani.bsky.social @even-kei.bsky.social
1) Pipistrello @pockettrap.bsky.social
this is what it looks like to not watch 100 Meters or Boys Go to Jupiter tbh
And this year's Oscar nominees for Animated Feature:
- Arco
- Elio
- KPop Demon Hunters
- Little Amelie
- Zootopia 2
- Arco
- Elio
- KPop Demon Hunters
- Little Amelie
- Zootopia 2
January 22, 2026 at 1:54 PM
this is what it looks like to not watch 100 Meters or Boys Go to Jupiter tbh
watched The Electric State because sometimes it is useful to have perspective for how bad a film can truly be
January 22, 2026 at 3:41 AM
watched The Electric State because sometimes it is useful to have perspective for how bad a film can truly be
Reposted by Steven Nguyen Scaife
Under the influence of new medications, herbs, and the Sand Pest, I wrote a Pathologic 3 review for Pathologic sickos.
I love philosophizing Russians, Strugatskian towns, and stories about plague.
Always appreciate a read and a share.
I love philosophizing Russians, Strugatskian towns, and stories about plague.
Always appreciate a read and a share.
Playing The Plague Doctor
A Pathologic 3 review for Pathologic sickos
www.stopcar.ing
January 21, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Under the influence of new medications, herbs, and the Sand Pest, I wrote a Pathologic 3 review for Pathologic sickos.
I love philosophizing Russians, Strugatskian towns, and stories about plague.
Always appreciate a read and a share.
I love philosophizing Russians, Strugatskian towns, and stories about plague.
Always appreciate a read and a share.
Reposted by Steven Nguyen Scaife
Super Mario Strikers and Mario Strikers Charged contain a threatening comment in the code for the shot accuracy variable: "DO NOT TOUCH THIS NUMBER MIKE INGLEHART". Ironically, the number has in fact been touched, since it was cut in half between the two games.
January 19, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Super Mario Strikers and Mario Strikers Charged contain a threatening comment in the code for the shot accuracy variable: "DO NOT TOUCH THIS NUMBER MIKE INGLEHART". Ironically, the number has in fact been touched, since it was cut in half between the two games.
Reposted by Steven Nguyen Scaife
*deep breath* i have finished and reviewed Pathologic 3.
"Not only does the Town-on-Gorkhon still make for one of the medium's most transportive settings, but Daniil Dankovsky emerges as one of the medium's richest protagonists."
"Not only does the Town-on-Gorkhon still make for one of the medium's most transportive settings, but Daniil Dankovsky emerges as one of the medium's richest protagonists."
PATHOLOGIC 3’s great achievement is its reexamination of the series from a new perspective. Read @midfalutin.bsky.social's review.
'Pathologic 3' Review: Time-Bending Psychological Horror
The 'Pathologic' series has always demanded tolerance for a certain level of frustration because the payoff is so splendid.
www.slantmagazine.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:42 PM
*deep breath* i have finished and reviewed Pathologic 3.
"Not only does the Town-on-Gorkhon still make for one of the medium's most transportive settings, but Daniil Dankovsky emerges as one of the medium's richest protagonists."
"Not only does the Town-on-Gorkhon still make for one of the medium's most transportive settings, but Daniil Dankovsky emerges as one of the medium's richest protagonists."