Pat Holleman
@patmakesrpgs.bsky.social
Freelance RPG director, writer, designer. (Quartet, My Familiar, Threads of Time, others.) Author of the Reverse Design series of books: http://thegamedesignforum.com/books/books.html
Reposted by Pat Holleman
January 7, 2026 at 4:17 AM
They Will Kill You looks like Army of Darkness but in a hotel. Color me interested.
January 7, 2026 at 2:34 AM
They Will Kill You looks like Army of Darkness but in a hotel. Color me interested.
I stole this from David Vinc who stole it from who knows where. But MAN is this funny.
January 6, 2026 at 7:29 PM
I stole this from David Vinc who stole it from who knows where. But MAN is this funny.
Reposted by Pat Holleman
January 6, 2026 at 4:06 AM
Now do Xenogears, you cowards.
Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles has sold 1 million copies
January 6, 2026 at 2:27 AM
Now do Xenogears, you cowards.
Dustin Pedroia was my favorite player, but I don't think he deserves these Hall of Fame votes. He just couldn't stay healthy long enough. Since Cano was a dirty rotten cheater, the only 2B from that generation who deserves it is Utley. And it's pretty clear cut, I'm not sure what the hold-up is.
January 5, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Dustin Pedroia was my favorite player, but I don't think he deserves these Hall of Fame votes. He just couldn't stay healthy long enough. Since Cano was a dirty rotten cheater, the only 2B from that generation who deserves it is Utley. And it's pretty clear cut, I'm not sure what the hold-up is.
Reposted by Pat Holleman
Best new RPG I played in 2025, no hyperbole!
Clean, thoughtful experience that keeps the plot moving and the characters each pulling their own weight in battle!
One of the few games I feel accomplished everything it set out to do
Clean, thoughtful experience that keeps the plot moving and the characters each pulling their own weight in battle!
One of the few games I feel accomplished everything it set out to do
One hour left to grab Quartet 20% off! store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/...
Save 20% on Quartet on Steam
A series of unlikely train robberies. A mysterious deck of cards. A fleet of deadly airships. An accidental mage. Choose from four stories, in any order, and discover how they intertwine in this turn-...
store.steampowered.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Best new RPG I played in 2025, no hyperbole!
Clean, thoughtful experience that keeps the plot moving and the characters each pulling their own weight in battle!
One of the few games I feel accomplished everything it set out to do
Clean, thoughtful experience that keeps the plot moving and the characters each pulling their own weight in battle!
One of the few games I feel accomplished everything it set out to do
Reposted by Pat Holleman
It's amusing how few youtubers or reviewers in general are able to actually talk about games. I see so many previews for upcoming games that say nothing about said game. I think they'd save everyone's time if they just said:
"Man, these graphics look really cool!"
"Man, these graphics look really cool!"
January 5, 2026 at 2:14 PM
It's amusing how few youtubers or reviewers in general are able to actually talk about games. I see so many previews for upcoming games that say nothing about said game. I think they'd save everyone's time if they just said:
"Man, these graphics look really cool!"
"Man, these graphics look really cool!"
Reposted by Pat Holleman
Negative steam reviews will be like
“It’s a great game in every way but it’s worth maybe $10 instead of its price tag of $25, so that’s why I’m giving it a thumbs down”
and they’ve played the game for 40 hours.
“It’s a great game in every way but it’s worth maybe $10 instead of its price tag of $25, so that’s why I’m giving it a thumbs down”
and they’ve played the game for 40 hours.
January 3, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Negative steam reviews will be like
“It’s a great game in every way but it’s worth maybe $10 instead of its price tag of $25, so that’s why I’m giving it a thumbs down”
and they’ve played the game for 40 hours.
“It’s a great game in every way but it’s worth maybe $10 instead of its price tag of $25, so that’s why I’m giving it a thumbs down”
and they’ve played the game for 40 hours.
Tried Slime Rancher and did not see the appeal. It was only $5 on sale, at least.
January 4, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Tried Slime Rancher and did not see the appeal. It was only $5 on sale, at least.
Any hall of fame that admits Andy Pettitte but leaves out Kevin Brown is a joke. Brown pitched through the same era and has an ERA a full half-run lower than Pettitte's completely unimpressive 3.85.
January 4, 2026 at 3:29 AM
Any hall of fame that admits Andy Pettitte but leaves out Kevin Brown is a joke. Brown pitched through the same era and has an ERA a full half-run lower than Pettitte's completely unimpressive 3.85.
Reposted by Pat Holleman
Reposted by Pat Holleman
Quartet by @somethingclassic.bsky.social
is a JRPG on the more serious side with great character dynamics and more adult themes. The real reason why you want to play it is actually the writing. If you like Final Fantasy 6 or Octopath you might enjoy this one.
store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/...
is a JRPG on the more serious side with great character dynamics and more adult themes. The real reason why you want to play it is actually the writing. If you like Final Fantasy 6 or Octopath you might enjoy this one.
store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/...
Save 20% on Quartet on Steam
A series of unlikely train robberies. A mysterious deck of cards. A fleet of deadly airships. An accidental mage. Choose from four stories, in any order, and discover how they intertwine in this turn-...
store.steampowered.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Quartet by @somethingclassic.bsky.social
is a JRPG on the more serious side with great character dynamics and more adult themes. The real reason why you want to play it is actually the writing. If you like Final Fantasy 6 or Octopath you might enjoy this one.
store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/...
is a JRPG on the more serious side with great character dynamics and more adult themes. The real reason why you want to play it is actually the writing. If you like Final Fantasy 6 or Octopath you might enjoy this one.
store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/...
Reposted by Pat Holleman
2025 was a year blessed with great indie games. Here are 4 interesting hidden gems:
1. Deck of Haunts @mantisgames.bsky.social
2. Dragon Ruins II @yomigael.bsky.social
3. Kingdoms of the Dump @kingdomsofthedump.bsky.social
4. Quartet @somethingclassic.bsky.social thingclassic.bsky.social
1. Deck of Haunts @mantisgames.bsky.social
2. Dragon Ruins II @yomigael.bsky.social
3. Kingdoms of the Dump @kingdomsofthedump.bsky.social
4. Quartet @somethingclassic.bsky.social thingclassic.bsky.social
January 2, 2026 at 5:25 PM
2025 was a year blessed with great indie games. Here are 4 interesting hidden gems:
1. Deck of Haunts @mantisgames.bsky.social
2. Dragon Ruins II @yomigael.bsky.social
3. Kingdoms of the Dump @kingdomsofthedump.bsky.social
4. Quartet @somethingclassic.bsky.social thingclassic.bsky.social
1. Deck of Haunts @mantisgames.bsky.social
2. Dragon Ruins II @yomigael.bsky.social
3. Kingdoms of the Dump @kingdomsofthedump.bsky.social
4. Quartet @somethingclassic.bsky.social thingclassic.bsky.social
Reposted by Pat Holleman
Best storytelling
KCD2 has excellent writing in both main and side quests, winning this category.
Quartet got some of the best writing I've seen in an indie retro-inspired RPG, and Clair Obscur had a more ambitious story, but also more flaws in its narrative, ending 3rd.
KCD2 has excellent writing in both main and side quests, winning this category.
Quartet got some of the best writing I've seen in an indie retro-inspired RPG, and Clair Obscur had a more ambitious story, but also more flaws in its narrative, ending 3rd.
January 2, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Best storytelling
KCD2 has excellent writing in both main and side quests, winning this category.
Quartet got some of the best writing I've seen in an indie retro-inspired RPG, and Clair Obscur had a more ambitious story, but also more flaws in its narrative, ending 3rd.
KCD2 has excellent writing in both main and side quests, winning this category.
Quartet got some of the best writing I've seen in an indie retro-inspired RPG, and Clair Obscur had a more ambitious story, but also more flaws in its narrative, ending 3rd.
This is how people start making a JRPG together
January 2, 2026 at 2:55 PM
This is how people start making a JRPG together
Pluribus is about receiving a terminal diagnosis, and how different people respond to that.
January 2, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Pluribus is about receiving a terminal diagnosis, and how different people respond to that.
Reposted by Pat Holleman
Dear gamers, we're proud to announce:
THE 2025 GOTYEE AWARDS as presented by the GOAT of GOATS, the GOUDA BOI himself: Manny "Manchego" the GOTY goat with the greatest goatee in gaming
We guarantee these game awards won't be like any others you've seen...
Read: www.deargamers.net/features/the...
THE 2025 GOTYEE AWARDS as presented by the GOAT of GOATS, the GOUDA BOI himself: Manny "Manchego" the GOTY goat with the greatest goatee in gaming
We guarantee these game awards won't be like any others you've seen...
Read: www.deargamers.net/features/the...
January 1, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Dear gamers, we're proud to announce:
THE 2025 GOTYEE AWARDS as presented by the GOAT of GOATS, the GOUDA BOI himself: Manny "Manchego" the GOTY goat with the greatest goatee in gaming
We guarantee these game awards won't be like any others you've seen...
Read: www.deargamers.net/features/the...
THE 2025 GOTYEE AWARDS as presented by the GOAT of GOATS, the GOUDA BOI himself: Manny "Manchego" the GOTY goat with the greatest goatee in gaming
We guarantee these game awards won't be like any others you've seen...
Read: www.deargamers.net/features/the...
It's interesting that the main campaign of Celeste is really about creativity and problem solving... but the B-sides and challenge content are mostly about dry, technical precision. Lots of hardcore platformer enthusiasts are here for that precision, but the difference is so stark.
January 1, 2026 at 3:55 AM
It's interesting that the main campaign of Celeste is really about creativity and problem solving... but the B-sides and challenge content are mostly about dry, technical precision. Lots of hardcore platformer enthusiasts are here for that precision, but the difference is so stark.
Reposted by Pat Holleman
2025 was a big year for us: "Quartet" received great enthusiasm and feedback.
In addition, our friends Shrine's Legacy and Geo Mythica released their excellent games as well.
2026 is going to the year we get to consoles and launch our newest free expansion
Happy New Years!
In addition, our friends Shrine's Legacy and Geo Mythica released their excellent games as well.
2026 is going to the year we get to consoles and launch our newest free expansion
Happy New Years!
December 31, 2025 at 11:44 PM
2025 was a big year for us: "Quartet" received great enthusiasm and feedback.
In addition, our friends Shrine's Legacy and Geo Mythica released their excellent games as well.
2026 is going to the year we get to consoles and launch our newest free expansion
Happy New Years!
In addition, our friends Shrine's Legacy and Geo Mythica released their excellent games as well.
2026 is going to the year we get to consoles and launch our newest free expansion
Happy New Years!
Ted Woolsey doesn't get enough credit. With the constraints he had, he performed miracles.
December 31, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Ted Woolsey doesn't get enough credit. With the constraints he had, he performed miracles.
Reposted by Pat Holleman
Making a very late appearance in my games-of-2025 is Quartet, an RPG heavily influenced by the best 16-bit games -- I'm only about six hours in so far, but the story, graphics, music, combat systems all feel very strong.
store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/...
December 31, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Making a very late appearance in my games-of-2025 is Quartet, an RPG heavily influenced by the best 16-bit games -- I'm only about six hours in so far, but the story, graphics, music, combat systems all feel very strong.
store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/...
store.steampowered.com/app/1307960/...
This is the internet equivalent of becoming a made man in the mafia.
December 31, 2025 at 6:22 PM
This is the internet equivalent of becoming a made man in the mafia.
Expedition 33 is the Bridges of Madison County of JRPGs. I will not be taking questions at this time.
December 30, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Expedition 33 is the Bridges of Madison County of JRPGs. I will not be taking questions at this time.
Reposted by Pat Holleman
December 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM