The Punished Backlog
@punishedbacklog.bsky.social
An inclusive group of gamers who love to write. Want us to cover a game? Reach us at press [at] punishedbacklog.com.
There's a new puzzle adventure coming on January 21 from
@inkle.co: "A World War II computer. An archive of lost books. A world-changing secret." We've gotten to try TR-49 already... Let's just say you'll want to wishlist this one ASAP. #indiegames
punishedbacklog.com/inkle-tr-49-...
@inkle.co: "A World War II computer. An archive of lost books. A world-changing secret." We've gotten to try TR-49 already... Let's just say you'll want to wishlist this one ASAP. #indiegames
punishedbacklog.com/inkle-tr-49-...
You Should Be Very Excited for inkle's New Puzzle Game
TR-49, a new game by inkle Studios set to release on January 21, 2026, features a World War II computer and an archive of lost books.
punishedbacklog.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:19 PM
There's a new puzzle adventure coming on January 21 from
@inkle.co: "A World War II computer. An archive of lost books. A world-changing secret." We've gotten to try TR-49 already... Let's just say you'll want to wishlist this one ASAP. #indiegames
punishedbacklog.com/inkle-tr-49-...
@inkle.co: "A World War II computer. An archive of lost books. A world-changing secret." We've gotten to try TR-49 already... Let's just say you'll want to wishlist this one ASAP. #indiegames
punishedbacklog.com/inkle-tr-49-...
Westside Gunn. @mothersbasement.bsky.social 's anime recs. @fallout.bethesdastudios.com ASMR. Ninja Gaiden Ragebound by @thegamekitchen.com. Predator: Badlands directed by @dantrachtenberg.bsky.social. These were just some of Donovan's favorite things in 2025: punishedbacklog.com/donovans-fav...
Donovan’s Favorite Things in 2025 - The Punished Backlog
Music, anime, video games, YouTube channels, and movies --- here's what brought Donovan joy this year.
punishedbacklog.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Westside Gunn. @mothersbasement.bsky.social 's anime recs. @fallout.bethesdastudios.com ASMR. Ninja Gaiden Ragebound by @thegamekitchen.com. Predator: Badlands directed by @dantrachtenberg.bsky.social. These were just some of Donovan's favorite things in 2025: punishedbacklog.com/donovans-fav...
Our own @davidsilbert.bsky.social played a lot of #videogames in 2025 - 31 to be exact - but only one can earn the highest honor.
Here's everything he played from worst to best - capped off by his #GameoftheYear.
#GOTY #GOTY2025
punishedbacklog.com/every-game-d...
Here's everything he played from worst to best - capped off by his #GameoftheYear.
#GOTY #GOTY2025
punishedbacklog.com/every-game-d...
Every Game David Played in 2025, Ranked - The Punished Backlog
2025 was a terrific year for video games, and I played an awful lot of them. Here's every single game I played, ranked from worst to best.
punishedbacklog.com
December 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Our own @davidsilbert.bsky.social played a lot of #videogames in 2025 - 31 to be exact - but only one can earn the highest honor.
Here's everything he played from worst to best - capped off by his #GameoftheYear.
#GOTY #GOTY2025
punishedbacklog.com/every-game-d...
Here's everything he played from worst to best - capped off by his #GameoftheYear.
#GOTY #GOTY2025
punishedbacklog.com/every-game-d...
Gaming can be about so many things. For our phenomenal new writer Scarlet Hardy, it’s first and foremost about hunting for achievements. On this Boxing Day, check out her favorite games of 2025 for achievement hunting: punishedbacklog.com/2025-achieve...
Scarlet’s 2025 in Achievement Hunting - The Punished Backlog
Everyone has a list of their favorite games of 2025. Scarlet Hardy, however, talks about her favorite games specifically for achievement hunting!
punishedbacklog.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Gaming can be about so many things. For our phenomenal new writer Scarlet Hardy, it’s first and foremost about hunting for achievements. On this Boxing Day, check out her favorite games of 2025 for achievement hunting: punishedbacklog.com/2025-achieve...
"Sure, the pages turned, but it barely feels all real. But you know what did feel real in 2025? Video games." Another awesome GOTY list from one of our writers, here's are @forthekids.space 's top ten games of the year: punishedbacklog.com/gary-top-10-...
Gary's Top 10 Games of 2025 - The Punished Backlog
From flashy skating games to heartbreaking RPGs, here are Gary Wilson's favorite video games of 2025!
punishedbacklog.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:29 PM
"Sure, the pages turned, but it barely feels all real. But you know what did feel real in 2025? Video games." Another awesome GOTY list from one of our writers, here's are @forthekids.space 's top ten games of the year: punishedbacklog.com/gary-top-10-...
In a year filled with layoffs and furloughs, at least one person found solace in getting away from it all.
For his #Bestof2025 recap, our own Matt Plaus shares the top 5 #videogames he enjoyed while unemployed and cruising the U.S. highway.
punishedbacklog.com/5-games-to-p...
For his #Bestof2025 recap, our own Matt Plaus shares the top 5 #videogames he enjoyed while unemployed and cruising the U.S. highway.
punishedbacklog.com/5-games-to-p...
5 Games To Play While Unemployed on a Road Trip in 2025 - The Punished Backlog
Hop in the car, bring your gaming laptop, buckle up, and get ready to blast down I-85.
punishedbacklog.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:02 PM
In a year filled with layoffs and furloughs, at least one person found solace in getting away from it all.
For his #Bestof2025 recap, our own Matt Plaus shares the top 5 #videogames he enjoyed while unemployed and cruising the U.S. highway.
punishedbacklog.com/5-games-to-p...
For his #Bestof2025 recap, our own Matt Plaus shares the top 5 #videogames he enjoyed while unemployed and cruising the U.S. highway.
punishedbacklog.com/5-games-to-p...
It's that time of year again...the END OF IT. As always, editor @sam-martinelli.bsky.social ranks every single game he played in 2025 into a very scientific and easy-to-understand tier list. What's at the top? What's at the bottom? FIND OUT HERE: punishedbacklog.com/sams-2025-ga...
Sam’s 2025 Game of the Year Tier List - The Punished Backlog
All of the games Punished Backlog editor Sam Martinelli played in 2025, ranked in tiers. But what's at the very top?
punishedbacklog.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:37 PM
It's that time of year again...the END OF IT. As always, editor @sam-martinelli.bsky.social ranks every single game he played in 2025 into a very scientific and easy-to-understand tier list. What's at the top? What's at the bottom? FIND OUT HERE: punishedbacklog.com/sams-2025-ga...
🧵And of course, a few notable HMs for our Best #indiegames List of 2025. We'll have more Best of 2025 coming soon which will give plenty of love to
@kennysun.com, @supergiantgames.bsky.social, @teamcherry.bsky.social, and @hazelightgames.bsky.social.
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
@kennysun.com, @supergiantgames.bsky.social, @teamcherry.bsky.social, and @hazelightgames.bsky.social.
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🧵And of course, a few notable HMs for our Best #indiegames List of 2025. We'll have more Best of 2025 coming soon which will give plenty of love to
@kennysun.com, @supergiantgames.bsky.social, @teamcherry.bsky.social, and @hazelightgames.bsky.social.
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
@kennysun.com, @supergiantgames.bsky.social, @teamcherry.bsky.social, and @hazelightgames.bsky.social.
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "@tinybookshopgame.com is a love letter to not just books and reading, but to friendships, personal growth, and community... It is the cozy genre, perfected," writes Amanda about Neoludic Games' management sim in her Best of 2025 list. #TinyBookshop
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🧵 "@tinybookshopgame.com is a love letter to not just books and reading, but to friendships, personal growth, and community... It is the cozy genre, perfected," writes Amanda about Neoludic Games' management sim in her Best of 2025 list. #TinyBookshop
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵"@spookydoorway.bsky.social deftly manages the hallmarks of mysticism and detective work in #TheSéanceofBlakeManor, making it one of the best additions to the world of mystery gaming that I’ve seen in years," Amanda writes in her Best of 2025 list.
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🧵"@spookydoorway.bsky.social deftly manages the hallmarks of mysticism and detective work in #TheSéanceofBlakeManor, making it one of the best additions to the world of mystery gaming that I’ve seen in years," Amanda writes in her Best of 2025 list.
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "@11bitstudios.bsky.social's The Alters is a good mix of action, existential crisis, resource management, and storytelling," Amanda writes. "It's not a perfect game (even without the AI scandal), but I still obsessively played it." #TheAlters
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🧵 "@11bitstudios.bsky.social's The Alters is a good mix of action, existential crisis, resource management, and storytelling," Amanda writes. "It's not a perfect game (even without the AI scandal), but I still obsessively played it." #TheAlters
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "Promise Mascot Agency is a glorious example of something that only an indie studio could make, free of the restrictions and oversight of a big boss," writes Amanda of @kaizengameworks.com's indie game in our Best of 2025 list. #PromiseMascotAgency
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🧵 "Promise Mascot Agency is a glorious example of something that only an indie studio could make, free of the restrictions and oversight of a big boss," writes Amanda of @kaizengameworks.com's indie game in our Best of 2025 list. #PromiseMascotAgency
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "PEAK is slapstick, colorful, bright, challenging, joyful, interesting, playful, different, innovative, difficult, funky, and, most of all, FUN," writes Amanda about @aggrocrabgames.bsky.social and @landfall.se's indie game collaboration. #PEAK
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🧵 "PEAK is slapstick, colorful, bright, challenging, joyful, interesting, playful, different, innovative, difficult, funky, and, most of all, FUN," writes Amanda about @aggrocrabgames.bsky.social and @landfall.se's indie game collaboration. #PEAK
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "Dispatch reminds players that their decisions matter. It’s funny, charming, sharp, and engaging," Amanda writes of @adhocstudio.com's debut game in our Best #indiegames List. "I eagerly replayed the game right after completing it." #Dispatch
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🧵 "Dispatch reminds players that their decisions matter. It’s funny, charming, sharp, and engaging," Amanda writes of @adhocstudio.com's debut game in our Best #indiegames List. "I eagerly replayed the game right after completing it." #Dispatch
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "The beautiful world is expertly communicated, driven by a rich story, all fueled by deeply challenging combat. Clair Obscur: #Expedition33 really is that good," Amanda writes of @sandfallgames.bsky.social's award-winning game. #clairobscur
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🧵 "The beautiful world is expertly communicated, driven by a rich story, all fueled by deeply challenging combat. Clair Obscur: #Expedition33 really is that good," Amanda writes of @sandfallgames.bsky.social's award-winning game. #clairobscur
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "Citizen Sleeper 2 is a stunning experience... I think Martin is one of the indie auteurs of the decade, and I can’t wait to see what they do next," Amanda writes of the game by @jumpovertheage.com in our Best #indiegames List. #CitizenSleeper2
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🧵 "Citizen Sleeper 2 is a stunning experience... I think Martin is one of the indie auteurs of the decade, and I can’t wait to see what they do next," Amanda writes of the game by @jumpovertheage.com in our Best #indiegames List. #CitizenSleeper2
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "I was entranced by Blue Prince," Amanda writes of the debut title by @dogubomb.bsky.social in our Best #indiegames List. "It was unrighteously snubbed at #TheGameAwards ... I can't wait for it to release on Switch so my mom can play it." #BluePrince
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🧵 "I was entranced by Blue Prince," Amanda writes of the debut title by @dogubomb.bsky.social in our Best #indiegames List. "It was unrighteously snubbed at #TheGameAwards ... I can't wait for it to release on Switch so my mom can play it." #BluePrince
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵"It’s a surprisingly cozy experience considering you’re having cocktails with a potential murderer," Amanda writes about loving the characters in Best Served Cold by
@rogueside.bsky.social in our Best #indiegames List of 2025. #BestServedCold
Read here:
punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
@rogueside.bsky.social in our Best #indiegames List of 2025. #BestServedCold
Read here:
punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🧵"It’s a surprisingly cozy experience considering you’re having cocktails with a potential murderer," Amanda writes about loving the characters in Best Served Cold by
@rogueside.bsky.social in our Best #indiegames List of 2025. #BestServedCold
Read here:
punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
@rogueside.bsky.social in our Best #indiegames List of 2025. #BestServedCold
Read here:
punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵"and Roger one of the most powerful gaming experiences I’ve had in years. Similar to Sam, I won’t say anything else — except to encourage you to try it," Amanda writes about and Roger by TearyHand Studio in our Best #indiegames List of 2025. #andRoger
Read here:
punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here:
punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
🧵"and Roger one of the most powerful gaming experiences I’ve had in years. Similar to Sam, I won’t say anything else — except to encourage you to try it," Amanda writes about and Roger by TearyHand Studio in our Best #indiegames List of 2025. #andRoger
Read here:
punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Read here:
punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
"It's been a phenomenal year for #indiegames," writes Amanda Tien. "I am energized by seeing people commit to their vision and make it a playable reality!"
Check out our list of the Best Indie Games of 2025 (see thread 🧵): punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Check out our list of the Best Indie Games of 2025 (see thread 🧵): punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
The 11 Best Indie Games of 2025 - The Punished Backlog
Amongst the best indie games in 2025 — from adventure to cozy, outer space to rural islands, puzzles to action — there's something for everyone.
punishedbacklog.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
"It's been a phenomenal year for #indiegames," writes Amanda Tien. "I am energized by seeing people commit to their vision and make it a playable reality!"
Check out our list of the Best Indie Games of 2025 (see thread 🧵): punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
Check out our list of the Best Indie Games of 2025 (see thread 🧵): punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
2025 has not been an uplifting year for many people, but its superhero stories were here to remind us about hope, love, faith, and doing the work to make the world a better place. Kei Isobe starts off our End of Year coverage with this retrospective: punishedbacklog.com/hope-superhe...
Superhero Year in Review: Love, Hope, and Faith in Capeslop 2025* - The Punished Backlog
Even in tumultuous times, we can find solace in all sorts of things --- Kei argues that 2025's "capeslop" of superhero content gives hope.
punishedbacklog.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:55 PM
2025 has not been an uplifting year for many people, but its superhero stories were here to remind us about hope, love, faith, and doing the work to make the world a better place. Kei Isobe starts off our End of Year coverage with this retrospective: punishedbacklog.com/hope-superhe...
🧵Best Video Games 🎮 for #GirlGamers: #Minecraft, #RegencyLove by Tea for Three Studios, Reigns: Her Majesty by @nerial.bsky.social, #TheSims4, Sticky Business by @spellgardengames.com, Tangle Tower by @sfbtom.bsky.social and @sfbdim.bsky.social , and @tinybookshopgame.com by neoludic games. 💃🏾
December 9, 2025 at 5:46 PM
🧵Best Video Games 🎮 for #GirlGamers: #Minecraft, #RegencyLove by Tea for Three Studios, Reigns: Her Majesty by @nerial.bsky.social, #TheSims4, Sticky Business by @spellgardengames.com, Tangle Tower by @sfbtom.bsky.social and @sfbdim.bsky.social , and @tinybookshopgame.com by neoludic games. 💃🏾
🧵Best Video Games 🎮 for #GirlGamers: Kingdom Two Crowns by @rawfury.bsky.social, Littlewood by @seanyoungsg.bsky.social, #LoveNikki: Dress Up Queen, @marvelrivalsglobal.bsky.social, Mass Effect from @bioware.bsky.social, Minami Lane from @dodoot.bsky.social and @blibloop.bsky.social, continued...
December 9, 2025 at 5:46 PM
🧵Best Video Games 🎮 for #GirlGamers: Kingdom Two Crowns by @rawfury.bsky.social, Littlewood by @seanyoungsg.bsky.social, #LoveNikki: Dress Up Queen, @marvelrivalsglobal.bsky.social, Mass Effect from @bioware.bsky.social, Minami Lane from @dodoot.bsky.social and @blibloop.bsky.social, continued...
🧵Best Video Games 🎮 for #GirlGamers: #AppleArcade, @assassinscreed.ubisoft.com Odyssey, Boyfriend Dungeon by @kitfoxgames.com, @fieldsofmistria.bsky.social, Frostpunk from @11bitstudios.bsky.social, Good Coffee, Great Coffee by #TapBlaze, Hades I and II by @supergiantgames.bsky.social, continued...
December 9, 2025 at 5:46 PM
🧵Best Video Games 🎮 for #GirlGamers: #AppleArcade, @assassinscreed.ubisoft.com Odyssey, Boyfriend Dungeon by @kitfoxgames.com, @fieldsofmistria.bsky.social, Frostpunk from @11bitstudios.bsky.social, Good Coffee, Great Coffee by #TapBlaze, Hades I and II by @supergiantgames.bsky.social, continued...
What video games are good for the girlies trying to get into gaming? All the femmes on our site answered. The range covers everything from mobile to Steam Deck, beginner to advanced, cozy to shooters, #indiegames to AAAs. Check out our #girlgamers list!
punishedbacklog.com/best-games-f...
punishedbacklog.com/best-games-f...
The 23 Best Games for Girls Who Want To Get Into Gaming - The Punished Backlog
Girl gamers, unite --- we picked the best video games for the girlies, from beginner-friendly puzzles to next-level action shooters.
punishedbacklog.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:08 PM
What video games are good for the girlies trying to get into gaming? All the femmes on our site answered. The range covers everything from mobile to Steam Deck, beginner to advanced, cozy to shooters, #indiegames to AAAs. Check out our #girlgamers list!
punishedbacklog.com/best-games-f...
punishedbacklog.com/best-games-f...