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The Punished Backlog
@punishedbacklog.bsky.social
23 followers 7 following 62 posts
An inclusive group of gamers who love to write. Want us to cover a game? Reach us at press [at] punishedbacklog.com.
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Two class-based, massively popular, Japanese RPGs enter the ring: Which one reigns supreme?

Find out in this head-to-head crossover showdown: #FinalFantasyXIV vs. #MonsterHunterWilds!

punishedbacklog.com/ffxiv-monste...
FFXIV's Arkveld vs. Monster Hunter Wilds' Omega: The Crossover Showdown - The Punished Backlog
Both Monster Hunter Wilds and Final Fantasy XIV had crossover events featuring boss fights from each others' universes. Which did it better?
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November 6, 2025 at 6:22 PM
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"Subway Builder understands an important thing: It is fun to build trains."

Check out our #review of the public beta of Colin Miller's #SubwayBuilder! If you like train games, simulation games, and/or public transit, this is an #indiegame for you:

punishedbacklog.com/subway-build...
Subway Builder Review: All Aboard! - The Punished Backlog
In our Subway Builder review, find out if the train-building sensation is worth a ride during its public beta.
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November 5, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi both got awesome 2D entries this year. But which is better? The latest from Donovan Harrell: punishedbacklog.com/ninja-gaiden...
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound vs. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance: Which Is Better? - The Punished Backlog
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance are two new excellent 2D ninja action games. But which is the better game?
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November 4, 2025 at 4:06 PM
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Want to know the best way to play some of the best (and not-so-best) Silent Hill games this Halloween? @dancingmedievalist.bsky.social has you covered: punishedbacklog.com/best-ways-pl...
The Best Ways to Visit Silent Hill  - The Punished Backlog
With Silent Hill making a bit of a resurgence, what are the best ways to play all the old games?
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October 31, 2025 at 3:34 PM
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Even a decade after its release, SOMA's psychological thrills continue to resonate. The latest from @forthekids.space : punishedbacklog.com/revisiting-s...
Revisiting SOMA, 10 Years Later - The Punished Backlog
Even a decade after its release, SOMA's psychological thrills continue to resonate.
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October 28, 2025 at 3:12 PM
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Does @futurlab.co.uk's @powerwashsimulator.co.uk 2 do enough to justify the "2" at the end of the title?

Find out in our review:
punishedbacklog.com/powerwash-si...

#gamereview #review #videogames
PowerWash Simulator 2 Review: More of a Clean Thing
In our PowerWash Simulator 2 review, learn whether FuturLab's much-anticipated sequel adds enough to stand out from its predecessor.
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October 27, 2025 at 2:44 PM
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Want to know what it's like to make dresses, but have little patience for sewing? Check out the prototype for Dressmaker: punishedbacklog.com/dressmaker-i...
Preview: This Dressmaking Indie Game Is Adorably Addicting
Upcoming indie game Dressmaker has a free prototype available on itch.io. Based on my preview time, I can't wait to play more.
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October 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
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Yooka-Replaylee from @playtonicgames.com is a solid do-over of the original, not without its flaws but more than worth a try for 3D platformer fans. The latest review from @sam-martinelli.bsky.social : punishedbacklog.com/yooka-replay...
Yooka-Replaylee Review: A Solid Do-Over - The Punished Backlog
In our Yooka-Replayee review, learn why this remake of 2017's Yooka-Laylee is a nice do-over that rectifies many of the original's errors.
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October 22, 2025 at 6:53 PM
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Ever dream of starring in your own superhero flick? #Dispatch, the inaugural episodic adventure from @adhocstudio.com (led by former #Telltale devs) is shaping up to offer that opportunity.

Learn why Dispatch shows promise based on our initial #review:

punishedbacklog.com/dispatch-epi...
Dispatch Episodes 1 & 2 Review: A Solid Superhero Work-Com
In our Dispatch Episodes 1 and 2 review, learn if this new narrative-adventure game by Telltale veterans is worth suiting up for.
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October 21, 2025 at 3:04 PM
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Ghost of Yotei is a great "checklist" game. Maybe it's time, though, that we stopped getting these kinds of checklist worlds for a little while. The latest from @sam-martinelli.bsky.social : punishedbacklog.com/ghost-of-yot...
Ghost of Yōtei Is Hopefully the Last of Its Kind - The Punished Backlog
Ghost of Yōtei is a great "checklist" open world game. Maybe, though, we've had enough of these for now.
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October 15, 2025 at 3:22 PM
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We're big fans of the new Sheepherds! demo by @ultimodisco.bsky.social, available to try for free on Steam. Amanda shares how it's a delightful, colorful co-op game perfect for fans of Overcooked! and Castle Crashers. punishedbacklog.com/sheepherds-p...
Sheepherds! Preview: A Promising New Co-Op Game - The Punished Backlog
The demo for Sheepherds! is a colorful and fun, but definitely better with two people. Learn why in our Sheepherds! preview.
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October 2, 2025 at 3:06 PM
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How do the folks at The Punished Backlog feel about @teamcherry.bsky.social's Hollow Knight: Silksong so far? It's one of the biggest games of 2025, and we have a LOT to say about it: punishedbacklog.com/hollow-knigh...
Hollow Knight: Silksong Thoughts: How Do We Feel So Far?
Silksong has been one of 2025's biggest new releases. But how is it? Read our writers' thoughts on Hollow Knight: Silksong so far.
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October 1, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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In his latest Punished Notes, @sam-martinelli.bsky.social discusses how excited he is by all the big new games coming out...and also being OVERWHELMED by it all. punishedbacklog.com/so-many-cool...
So Many Cool Games Are Coming Out, and I’m Overwhelmed - The Punished Backlog
In this edition of Punished Notes, Sam discusses how the incredible fall game release lineup is kind of killing him, among other thoughts
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September 29, 2025 at 3:02 PM
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Despite some messiness, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls played great in its recent beta, and has a lot of potential for fighting game fans. Check out our preview: punishedbacklog.com/marvel-tokon...
MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Preview: This One Has Potential
In our MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls preview, learn why ArcSystem's latest tag-team fighter could be something truly special.
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September 25, 2025 at 3:13 PM
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Want to play something that will calm you down in a world gone mad? Check out the following emotional safety tool games: punishedbacklog.com/best-video-g...
The 9 Best Video Games for Emotional and Psychological Safety
Today's world is rough. From chill puzzlers to high-octane skater sims, here are the best video games to use as psychological safety tools.
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September 23, 2025 at 3:08 PM
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#HollowKnightSilksong has sold 4 million copies and counting, but at least one person isn't partaking in the latest #TeamCherry adventure: our own Amanda Tien.

Learn why Amanda's skipping #Silksong -- and why it's perfectly okay if you do, too.

punishedbacklog.com/its-okay-not...

#HollowKnight
It's Okay Not To Be Excited About Hollow Knight: Silksong - The Punished Backlog
I once was desperate for Hollow Knight: Silksong. But after several years, I've moved on. Here's why.
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September 17, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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Anime. We don't discuss it often on the site, but when we do, we go all out.

In the latest Punished Chat, we talk the "Big Three," our favorite starter anime, hidden gems, shojo, and much more.

punishedbacklog.com/best-anime-b...

#anime #NARUTO #BLEACH #ONEPIECE #DragonBallZ #SailorMoon
Best Anime: The Big Three, Hidden Gems, Starter Series, and More
From the classics to new releases, we discuss the "Big Three," the best anime ever, and what makes these series stand the test of time.
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September 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
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The GameCube is one of the most beloved consoles in Nintendo's history. But what are its best games? Check out the latest Punished Favorites! punishedbacklog.com/best-gamecub...
August 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
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No matter how badly you think God of War III holds up, its worse. Check out the latest from @sam-martinelli.bsky.social : punishedbacklog.com/god-of-war-i...
God of War III Holds Up Worse Than You Think - The Punished Backlog
Even knowing that it's a 15-year-old game, Santa Monica Studio's God of War III holds up much worse than you can imagine.
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August 19, 2025 at 4:13 PM
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And Roger is one of this year's best new games, but if you want to really enjoy it? Go in blind. That and more in the latest Punished Notes from @sam-martinelli.bsky.social :

punishedbacklog.com/and-roger-is...
And Roger Is Amazing, but Go in Blind - The Punished Backlog
In the latest edition of Punished Notes, Sam talks about Lumines, visual novel and Roger, and other random thoughts from random games.
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August 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
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Donkey Kong Bananza is one of this year's biggest games. Nearly a month after its release, how do our writers feel about it? Check out our thoughts in the latest edition of Punished Chat: punishedbacklog.com/donkey-kong-...
Donkey Kong Bananza Thoughts: How Do We Feel So Far?
Donkey Kong Bananza is one of the biggest game releases of 2025. Does it work? Does it deserve its score of 91? We share our thoughts.
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August 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
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Is Assassin's Creed Shadows good? Our own Amanda Tien argued with herself in two dueling pieces this morning:

7 Things #AssassinsCreedShadows Gets Right: punishedbacklog.com/things-assas...
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9 Things #AssassinsCreed Shadows Gets Wrong: punishedbacklog.com/things-assas...

#videogames #Ubisoft
August 6, 2025 at 4:07 PM
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Love classic 2D action series? We've never been more back.

In our review of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, learn why the latest from @thegamekitchen.com and @dotemu.bsky.social has the makings of a potential classic.

punishedbacklog.com/ninja-gaiden...

#NinjaGaiden #NinjaGaidenRagebound
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Review: A Beautiful Return to 2D Form - The Punished Backlog
In our Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound review, learn why this new 2D entry in the legendary action series has the makings of an all-time classic.
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August 1, 2025 at 6:54 PM
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🎙 New pod alert! 🎙

In the latest episode of The Punished Podcast, we talk video game difficulty. What makes a game tough, and does that equate to "fun"?

We also talk #Soulslikes, #Roguelikes, #ClairObscurExpedition33, and much more.

punishedbacklog.com/the-punished...

#podcasts #videogames
The Punished Podcast: Episode 19 - Video Game Difficulty
In this podcast episode, we discuss the history of video game difficulty, what makes a game "fun," Clair Obscur, Souls-likes, and more.
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July 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
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In our Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (@playwuchang.bsky.social) review, learn whether this lightning-fast #SoulsLike from Leenzee Games and @505games.com is worth a play despite some story issues and nasty performance woes.

punishedbacklog.com/wuchang-fall...

#Wuchang #WuchangFallenFeathers
#videogames
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Review: The Weight of a Feather - The Punished Backlog
In our Wuchang: Fallen Feathers review, learn why this fast-flying Wuxia title is more than just another Souls-like.
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July 28, 2025 at 7:39 PM