Sam(hain) Tolbert 🐺👻
@samueltolbert.bsky.social
Freelance writer for games at Windows Central, Inverse, etc. Aspiring narrative designer. Semi-accomplished himbo. Sometimes I paint figurines. Signal: 803-403-6061 | Email: samuelwtolbert (at) gmail dot com | He/him
Pinned
Alright, here's my intro. I'm Samuel, a freelance journalist with work published in Windows Central, Inverse, TechRadar, and more.
Outside of talking about video games, I can also be found reading, mixing drinks, painting Warhammer 40K figurines, and sharing pictures of my cat, Blue.
Here's Blue:
Outside of talking about video games, I can also be found reading, mixing drinks, painting Warhammer 40K figurines, and sharing pictures of my cat, Blue.
Here's Blue:
"I heard tale of a party. Drink, music, fellowship and the like."
Sinners became one of my favorite films ever the moment I saw it, I had to dress up as Remmick when I got the chance.
Happy Halloween, y'all.
Sinners became one of my favorite films ever the moment I saw it, I had to dress up as Remmick when I got the chance.
Happy Halloween, y'all.
October 31, 2025 at 10:56 PM
"I heard tale of a party. Drink, music, fellowship and the like."
Sinners became one of my favorite films ever the moment I saw it, I had to dress up as Remmick when I got the chance.
Happy Halloween, y'all.
Sinners became one of my favorite films ever the moment I saw it, I had to dress up as Remmick when I got the chance.
Happy Halloween, y'all.
Spoke with The Outer Worlds 2 directors about what went into making the sequel a bigger game with more to explore.
One fun tidbit that came out of our convo: The Rifts (a pretty big feature) wasn't originally planned for players to be able to interact with.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
One fun tidbit that came out of our convo: The Rifts (a pretty big feature) wasn't originally planned for players to be able to interact with.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Obsidian didn't add this cool feature to The Outer Worlds 2 until the game was well into development — here's how it happened
The Rifts are a huge threat in The Outer Worlds 2, but Obsidian didn't actually have them as part of the gameplay at first.
www.windowscentral.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Spoke with The Outer Worlds 2 directors about what went into making the sequel a bigger game with more to explore.
One fun tidbit that came out of our convo: The Rifts (a pretty big feature) wasn't originally planned for players to be able to interact with.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
One fun tidbit that came out of our convo: The Rifts (a pretty big feature) wasn't originally planned for players to be able to interact with.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
I played a slice of Halo: Campaign Evolved when I visited Halo Studios.
Bluntly, I was skeptical, but at least so far, this remake seems to be doing all the right things. New weapons (Battle Rifle my beloved!), new prequel missions, and more.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Bluntly, I was skeptical, but at least so far, this remake seems to be doing all the right things. New weapons (Battle Rifle my beloved!), new prequel missions, and more.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Halo: Campaign Evolved heads to Xbox Series X|S, PC, and yes, PlayStation 5 in 2026 — after playing an early demo of this remake, I'm excited
Halo: Campaign Evolved is exactly what it sounds like, a remake that aims to modernize and expand the original campaign for new and existing players.
www.windowscentral.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:29 PM
I played a slice of Halo: Campaign Evolved when I visited Halo Studios.
Bluntly, I was skeptical, but at least so far, this remake seems to be doing all the right things. New weapons (Battle Rifle my beloved!), new prequel missions, and more.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Bluntly, I was skeptical, but at least so far, this remake seems to be doing all the right things. New weapons (Battle Rifle my beloved!), new prequel missions, and more.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
The Outer Worlds 2 is more of the first game, but with a lot of small refinements...except for the combat, which is WAY better.
A fun, crunchy RPG that isn't afraid to make your skills matter all throughout with trademark Obsidian writing.
My review:
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
A fun, crunchy RPG that isn't afraid to make your skills matter all throughout with trademark Obsidian writing.
My review:
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
I've enjoyed my time with The Outer Worlds 2, and it fixes this key problem from the first game
The Outer Worlds 2 is a fairly iterative sequel, and that's not a bad thing at all.
www.windowscentral.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
The Outer Worlds 2 is more of the first game, but with a lot of small refinements...except for the combat, which is WAY better.
A fun, crunchy RPG that isn't afraid to make your skills matter all throughout with trademark Obsidian writing.
My review:
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
A fun, crunchy RPG that isn't afraid to make your skills matter all throughout with trademark Obsidian writing.
My review:
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Seeing a Brute about a car, but he's insisting on $6K.
Spending the day visiting Halo Studios.
I grew up on Halo, I have so many strong foundational memories with this franchise.
Keep an eye out on Friday.
Spending the day visiting Halo Studios.
I grew up on Halo, I have so many strong foundational memories with this franchise.
Keep an eye out on Friday.
October 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Seeing a Brute about a car, but he's insisting on $6K.
Spending the day visiting Halo Studios.
I grew up on Halo, I have so many strong foundational memories with this franchise.
Keep an eye out on Friday.
Spending the day visiting Halo Studios.
I grew up on Halo, I have so many strong foundational memories with this franchise.
Keep an eye out on Friday.
It's true, a real Achilles' heel for us.
men go nuts for cool jackets, they just love em
October 19, 2025 at 3:04 AM
It's true, a real Achilles' heel for us.
Been so head-down I forgot to share this on here before, but I'm reviewing Obsidian's The Outer Worlds 2! You can look forward to reading my review next week.
October 15, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Been so head-down I forgot to share this on here before, but I'm reviewing Obsidian's The Outer Worlds 2! You can look forward to reading my review next week.
Pleasantly surprised that Ambrosia Sky is launching in November...well, at least the first act.
Had a blast checking out the latest demo. Soft Rains is cooking up something seriously unique, keep an eye on this one.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...
Had a blast checking out the latest demo. Soft Rains is cooking up something seriously unique, keep an eye on this one.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...
Death, fungus, and Saturn’s rings — Ambrosia Sky Act 1 drops November 10
Immortality doesn’t come easy, but at least you can play it on Steam Deck.
www.windowscentral.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Pleasantly surprised that Ambrosia Sky is launching in November...well, at least the first act.
Had a blast checking out the latest demo. Soft Rains is cooking up something seriously unique, keep an eye on this one.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...
Had a blast checking out the latest demo. Soft Rains is cooking up something seriously unique, keep an eye on this one.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...
Amid all the (deserved) takes around Game Pass Ultimate prices going up, there's one facet that particularly interests me.
I think Xbox is trying to solve a very valid problem by pulling in the Fortnite crowd. This just isn't the way to do it.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
I think Xbox is trying to solve a very valid problem by pulling in the Fortnite crowd. This just isn't the way to do it.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
I understand what Xbox's goal is by shaking up Game Pass Ultimate, but it's not going to work
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate's price hike and new additions are trying to solve a valid problem, but it won't work.
www.windowscentral.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Amid all the (deserved) takes around Game Pass Ultimate prices going up, there's one facet that particularly interests me.
I think Xbox is trying to solve a very valid problem by pulling in the Fortnite crowd. This just isn't the way to do it.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
I think Xbox is trying to solve a very valid problem by pulling in the Fortnite crowd. This just isn't the way to do it.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Unironically, painting 40K figurines has done more for my mental health the past couple of years than basically anything else. It's extremely therapeutic and fun.
"How will we solve the male loneliness epidemic, how can adult men make friends in this day and age" literally just pick up a brush and buy a warhammer mini, it's not hard
September 30, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Unironically, painting 40K figurines has done more for my mental health the past couple of years than basically anything else. It's extremely therapeutic and fun.
Reposted by Sam(hain) Tolbert 🐺👻
My Hades 2 review is up. In short, it's phenomenal. Supergiant Games has dialed up everything that made the first game excellent, resulting in a far bigger game and more compelling narrative while not diluting all the small details.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...
Hades 2 is a fantastic experience
I'm thrilled Supergiant Games proved itself yet again with another masterpiece, blending roguelike action with a compelling story and characters.
www.windowscentral.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:34 PM
My Hades 2 review is up. In short, it's phenomenal. Supergiant Games has dialed up everything that made the first game excellent, resulting in a far bigger game and more compelling narrative while not diluting all the small details.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...
Reposted by Sam(hain) Tolbert 🐺👻
Help a trans woman start her new life!!!
Next week I'll be making my way down to Oklahoma to be with my boyfriend of 10 years! However- it's going to cost upwards of $2k. If anyone could help out I'd appreciate it! Info below!
Next week I'll be making my way down to Oklahoma to be with my boyfriend of 10 years! However- it's going to cost upwards of $2k. If anyone could help out I'd appreciate it! Info below!
September 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Help a trans woman start her new life!!!
Next week I'll be making my way down to Oklahoma to be with my boyfriend of 10 years! However- it's going to cost upwards of $2k. If anyone could help out I'd appreciate it! Info below!
Next week I'll be making my way down to Oklahoma to be with my boyfriend of 10 years! However- it's going to cost upwards of $2k. If anyone could help out I'd appreciate it! Info below!
My Hades 2 review is up. In short, it's phenomenal. Supergiant Games has dialed up everything that made the first game excellent, resulting in a far bigger game and more compelling narrative while not diluting all the small details.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...
Hades 2 is a fantastic experience
I'm thrilled Supergiant Games proved itself yet again with another masterpiece, blending roguelike action with a compelling story and characters.
www.windowscentral.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:34 PM
My Hades 2 review is up. In short, it's phenomenal. Supergiant Games has dialed up everything that made the first game excellent, resulting in a far bigger game and more compelling narrative while not diluting all the small details.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...
...alright I'll take the birthday gift, but still.
Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse is releasing on June 18, 2027 deadline.com/2025/09/spid...
September 25, 2025 at 12:12 AM
...alright I'll take the birthday gift, but still.
Shanah Tovah, y'all.
September 23, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Shanah Tovah, y'all.
Without institutional knowledge any profession or team falls apart. People who are experienced are replaced by people with less experience, who are in turn replaced by people under them with even less experience, and round and round we go.
Games reporting is a victim of this.
Games reporting is a victim of this.
September 15, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Without institutional knowledge any profession or team falls apart. People who are experienced are replaced by people with less experience, who are in turn replaced by people under them with even less experience, and round and round we go.
Games reporting is a victim of this.
Games reporting is a victim of this.
Hades 2 is gonna take over my brain (again) later this month.
September 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Hades 2 is gonna take over my brain (again) later this month.
I enjoyed the new DLC for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. MachineGames' writing continues to be superb, and I appreciate how puzzle-dense the whole experience is.
Antagonists definitely can't hold a candle to the main game, though.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Antagonists definitely can't hold a candle to the main game, though.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Rome, ruins, and cultists: Indy’s latest DLC delivers
MachineGames delivers another strong Indiana Jones chapter — but its next move might be even more exciting.
www.windowscentral.com
September 10, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I enjoyed the new DLC for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. MachineGames' writing continues to be superb, and I appreciate how puzzle-dense the whole experience is.
Antagonists definitely can't hold a candle to the main game, though.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Antagonists definitely can't hold a candle to the main game, though.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Reposted by Sam(hain) Tolbert 🐺👻
settings > content & media > autoplay video & gifs = off
September 10, 2025 at 6:59 PM
settings > content & media > autoplay video & gifs = off
Reposted by Sam(hain) Tolbert 🐺👻
FRIENDS.
THIS SUNDAY!!
It’s the first day of #FlameFatales and my first ever GDQ RUN EVER is that night!!!
Come support an amazing cause and bounce to some rhythm game fun!
Miku wishes to see you there!
@framefatales.com
THIS SUNDAY!!
It’s the first day of #FlameFatales and my first ever GDQ RUN EVER is that night!!!
Come support an amazing cause and bounce to some rhythm game fun!
Miku wishes to see you there!
@framefatales.com
September 1, 2025 at 11:28 PM
FRIENDS.
THIS SUNDAY!!
It’s the first day of #FlameFatales and my first ever GDQ RUN EVER is that night!!!
Come support an amazing cause and bounce to some rhythm game fun!
Miku wishes to see you there!
@framefatales.com
THIS SUNDAY!!
It’s the first day of #FlameFatales and my first ever GDQ RUN EVER is that night!!!
Come support an amazing cause and bounce to some rhythm game fun!
Miku wishes to see you there!
@framefatales.com
Best news I've heard in months tbh.
An increasing number of women are pulling on up to 40 kilograms of steel armour to take part in historic medieval combat.
Fighting like a knight 'extremely freeing' as all-female teams grow
An increasing number of women are pulling on up to 40 kilograms of steel armour to take part in historic medieval combat.
www.abc.net.au
August 31, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Best news I've heard in months tbh.
Oh yeah, and I also reviewed it. It's a solid effort, but the big point here is it being a multiplatform release. Cross-play and cross-progression are great for co-op.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
August 26, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Oh yeah, and I also reviewed it. It's a solid effort, but the big point here is it being a multiplatform release. Cross-play and cross-progression are great for co-op.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Gears of War: Reloaded is a second remaster, and I appreciate that it has a really cool approach to game credits.
The credits for all three game versions (Original, Ultimate Edition, Reloaded) are all available to view immediately, with nothing left out.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
The credits for all three game versions (Original, Ultimate Edition, Reloaded) are all available to view immediately, with nothing left out.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Gears Reloaded quietly honors its devs — and it’s a big deal for game history
Finally, a remaster that remembers who made the original worth remastering.
www.windowscentral.com
August 26, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Gears of War: Reloaded is a second remaster, and I appreciate that it has a really cool approach to game credits.
The credits for all three game versions (Original, Ultimate Edition, Reloaded) are all available to view immediately, with nothing left out.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
The credits for all three game versions (Original, Ultimate Edition, Reloaded) are all available to view immediately, with nothing left out.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...
Reposted by Sam(hain) Tolbert 🐺👻
Hollow Knight: Silksong launches September 4.
Extremely soon, happy for all the sickos that have been waiting eagerly.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/hollo...
Extremely soon, happy for all the sickos that have been waiting eagerly.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/hollo...
Hollow Knight: Silksong finally has a release date, and it's much closer than you think
Developer Team Cherry held a special presentation during Gamescom 2025 to confirm that Hollow Knight: Silksong is launching on September 4.
www.windowscentral.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Hollow Knight: Silksong launches September 4.
Extremely soon, happy for all the sickos that have been waiting eagerly.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/hollo...
Extremely soon, happy for all the sickos that have been waiting eagerly.
www.windowscentral.com/gaming/hollo...