Dan A.
@typewriterda.bsky.social
Writer, reader, and VG player. Combat sports enthusiast and former content creator. An absolute dork, disability advocate, and former educator.
A few years ago, Petr Yan was considered the boogeyman of the bantamweight division. Now, he faces enormous pressure as he challenges to avenge his most definitive loss. This writeup evaluates what happened as well as weighing his chances.
Link: open.substack.com/pub/danalber...
Link: open.substack.com/pub/danalber...
A Devil's Advocate Overview of Petr Yan: The Rise, The Fall and The Demands of Trying to Be Great
An analysis of Petr Yan's career and technical skillset in preparation of his attempt to challenge for the UFC Bantamweight title as the potential capstone to Merab Dvalishvilli's historic year.
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:27 PM
A few years ago, Petr Yan was considered the boogeyman of the bantamweight division. Now, he faces enormous pressure as he challenges to avenge his most definitive loss. This writeup evaluates what happened as well as weighing his chances.
Link: open.substack.com/pub/danalber...
Link: open.substack.com/pub/danalber...
You're never going to have me not be excited for a Metroid title and I'm sure P4 will be fine. That said, can definitely say a certain addition curbs a bit of my enthusiasm, especially with the drive for ambiance and exploration that has always made Metroid special to many.
November 14, 2025 at 10:21 PM
You're never going to have me not be excited for a Metroid title and I'm sure P4 will be fine. That said, can definitely say a certain addition curbs a bit of my enthusiasm, especially with the drive for ambiance and exploration that has always made Metroid special to many.
i beat metal gear railing it was about something
November 13, 2025 at 4:13 AM
i beat metal gear railing it was about something
Ryu's section is immeasurably undercooked, not just in moveset (at least compared to previous entries) but in content. The gleam abilities are solid, I enjoy playing as him far more than Yakumo. Shame he only has one exclusive boss and it's complete trash.
November 12, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Ryu's section is immeasurably undercooked, not just in moveset (at least compared to previous entries) but in content. The gleam abilities are solid, I enjoy playing as him far more than Yakumo. Shame he only has one exclusive boss and it's complete trash.
wow this ryu fella's kinda fun, they should make a whole game where you play as him
November 11, 2025 at 3:31 AM
wow this ryu fella's kinda fun, they should make a whole game where you play as him
I think NG4 is probably fine in spite of a laundry list of things that baffle me, but there's this constant thought I've not played many games recently where - and I cannot explain this if you pushed me on it rn since it's a feeling - offers so much, yet feels simultaneously scripted.
November 8, 2025 at 6:39 AM
I think NG4 is probably fine in spite of a laundry list of things that baffle me, but there's this constant thought I've not played many games recently where - and I cannot explain this if you pushed me on it rn since it's a feeling - offers so much, yet feels simultaneously scripted.
I swear they did playtest half the things in NG4 cause I cannot think of any other reasons why some stuff happens, what a bizarre mess of a game.
I think it's fine, there's enough to work with, but sometimes, I just go: wait what
I think it's fine, there's enough to work with, but sometimes, I just go: wait what
November 5, 2025 at 4:34 AM
I swear they did playtest half the things in NG4 cause I cannot think of any other reasons why some stuff happens, what a bizarre mess of a game.
I think it's fine, there's enough to work with, but sometimes, I just go: wait what
I think it's fine, there's enough to work with, but sometimes, I just go: wait what
an artist's depiction of my sentiments whilst playing ng4
November 2, 2025 at 6:04 AM
an artist's depiction of my sentiments whilst playing ng4
i am the boss to surpass big boss but the children i opened the door to provide candy to are demanding i learn yargh or some other jargon and that's where im at a loss
October 31, 2025 at 10:27 PM
i am the boss to surpass big boss but the children i opened the door to provide candy to are demanding i learn yargh or some other jargon and that's where im at a loss
Itagaki was an innovator like few others. Uncompromising as far as making something unique. Some of my favorite titles that brought me greater respect for the medium and an even greater network of friends. He embodied how special games and their creators were. RIP.
Tomonobu Itagaki (creator of Ninja Gaiden 2004, Dead or Alive) has passed away according to his Facebook
October 17, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Itagaki was an innovator like few others. Uncompromising as far as making something unique. Some of my favorite titles that brought me greater respect for the medium and an even greater network of friends. He embodied how special games and their creators were. RIP.
I played E33 earlier this year & it's obvious that it takes inspiration from a great number of titles by people who loved them.
It's inherently contradictory to then read how it puts 'the rest of the genre to shame' and tells me, as usual, people don't get RPGs.
It's inherently contradictory to then read how it puts 'the rest of the genre to shame' and tells me, as usual, people don't get RPGs.
October 12, 2025 at 12:02 AM
I played E33 earlier this year & it's obvious that it takes inspiration from a great number of titles by people who loved them.
It's inherently contradictory to then read how it puts 'the rest of the genre to shame' and tells me, as usual, people don't get RPGs.
It's inherently contradictory to then read how it puts 'the rest of the genre to shame' and tells me, as usual, people don't get RPGs.
I beat Doom (2016). I'm not really much of an FPS guy, but it's an embarrassment that I've so little time with the genre, let alone the Doom franchise. I had a decent amount of fun.
September 28, 2025 at 11:23 PM
I beat Doom (2016). I'm not really much of an FPS guy, but it's an embarrassment that I've so little time with the genre, let alone the Doom franchise. I had a decent amount of fun.
This is a writeup on Lost Soul Aside I made. It's a game of shortcomings just as much as its a title of achieving despite its odds. I choose to be optimistic about things that I don't feel get discussed re: mechanics or in the big picture cause I'm a sap.
backloggd.com/u/Typewriter...
backloggd.com/u/Typewriter...
TypewriterDA's review of Lost Soul Aside | Backloggd
Like many, I saw the original <em>Lost Soul Aside</em> work years ago and shared all the sentiments, most of them awe at what one man’s passion for the games he liked could do. Hearing that his work g...
backloggd.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:36 AM
This is a writeup on Lost Soul Aside I made. It's a game of shortcomings just as much as its a title of achieving despite its odds. I choose to be optimistic about things that I don't feel get discussed re: mechanics or in the big picture cause I'm a sap.
backloggd.com/u/Typewriter...
backloggd.com/u/Typewriter...
I beat Lost Soul Aside and have started playing a little with the boss rush and hard modes. It was what I thought it was. Pacing a bit of a mess, but the combat elevates it so much more than what it is. The passion of the project comes through and that's what should matter.
September 9, 2025 at 2:16 AM
I beat Lost Soul Aside and have started playing a little with the boss rush and hard modes. It was what I thought it was. Pacing a bit of a mess, but the combat elevates it so much more than what it is. The passion of the project comes through and that's what should matter.
Wrote a short study of one of my favorite fights, Nieky Holzken vs Yoann Kongolo.
Link: danalbert.substack.com/p/the-freest...
Link: danalbert.substack.com/p/the-freest...
The Freestyle Workshop: Nieky Holzken vs Yoann Kongolo
In combat sports, experience accounts for a good number of things.
danalbert.substack.com
September 6, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Wrote a short study of one of my favorite fights, Nieky Holzken vs Yoann Kongolo.
Link: danalbert.substack.com/p/the-freest...
Link: danalbert.substack.com/p/the-freest...
Just got the scythe in Lost Soul Aside and the combat continues to kick ass. The pacing and non-combat sections aren't the best and there have been glitches/errors (audio, etc.), though, frankly, think this game got tons of undeserved criticism for how much it does right.
September 5, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Just got the scythe in Lost Soul Aside and the combat continues to kick ass. The pacing and non-combat sections aren't the best and there have been glitches/errors (audio, etc.), though, frankly, think this game got tons of undeserved criticism for how much it does right.
Yeah so, with the right allocations with gear and accessories, you can deal better stagger damage to their bar and weaponize status effects.
Not the most easy thing to see when it happens though, what with how chaotic bosses are.
Not the most easy thing to see when it happens though, what with how chaotic bosses are.
It is what it is, I'm enjoying myself. I think you can inflict status effects on bosses too (still testing), though stagger bar depletions the big weakness in quality. Mobs are more or less good, decently aggressive, even can threaten in air sometimes.
RPG stuff mattering as do atk choices. It's ok.
RPG stuff mattering as do atk choices. It's ok.
September 1, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Yeah so, with the right allocations with gear and accessories, you can deal better stagger damage to their bar and weaponize status effects.
Not the most easy thing to see when it happens though, what with how chaotic bosses are.
Not the most easy thing to see when it happens though, what with how chaotic bosses are.
If there's one thing academia nailed into my skull, it was an exasperation with hypercynical pseudointellectualism. It's like those people have lost the ability to even try to feel joy.
August 31, 2025 at 11:23 PM
If there's one thing academia nailed into my skull, it was an exasperation with hypercynical pseudointellectualism. It's like those people have lost the ability to even try to feel joy.
There's a lot of cool stuff in this game, I'm enjoying myself. It's undercut with things that hold it back. Bosses and elites have all these patterns/gimmicks that elevate the fights + you somehow have enough to be aggressive despite heavy armor. The problem is, still heavy armor.
August 31, 2025 at 4:45 AM
There's a lot of cool stuff in this game, I'm enjoying myself. It's undercut with things that hold it back. Bosses and elites have all these patterns/gimmicks that elevate the fights + you somehow have enough to be aggressive despite heavy armor. The problem is, still heavy armor.
I’m pretty tolerant of super/hyperarmor in boss design (e.g. hitstun) compared to most so long as I can find ways to interact w/ it. But I’m asking if there’s a stagger bar to give me ways of deal with it past chip damage w/ no alteration per hit or it’s just this boring add on.
August 30, 2025 at 11:22 PM
I’m pretty tolerant of super/hyperarmor in boss design (e.g. hitstun) compared to most so long as I can find ways to interact w/ it. But I’m asking if there’s a stagger bar to give me ways of deal with it past chip damage w/ no alteration per hit or it’s just this boring add on.
I was surprised to read how many people were expecting LSA to be some gold standard bearer for modern action games. I can say as someone who was excited for it and who’s enjoyed it for what it is through 3 hrs, it’s rather strange to see some statements when you’re realistic with expectations.
August 30, 2025 at 3:48 AM
I was surprised to read how many people were expecting LSA to be some gold standard bearer for modern action games. I can say as someone who was excited for it and who’s enjoyed it for what it is through 3 hrs, it’s rather strange to see some statements when you’re realistic with expectations.
I'm just watching old footage of Metroid Prime trilogy boss design and the fact that so many FPS games get outdone by games made for children dude.
August 29, 2025 at 3:09 AM
I'm just watching old footage of Metroid Prime trilogy boss design and the fact that so many FPS games get outdone by games made for children dude.
"Hell" is an understatement. That is the worst boss fight I've ever experienced and memory didn't even do it justice. I cannot remember the last time I actually got mad playing a fucking video game.
August 26, 2025 at 12:52 AM
"Hell" is an understatement. That is the worst boss fight I've ever experienced and memory didn't even do it justice. I cannot remember the last time I actually got mad playing a fucking video game.
the pre-final boss shinobi ps2 boss tier list
August 25, 2025 at 3:35 PM
the pre-final boss shinobi ps2 boss tier list
6B's stage boss is one of the worst I've ever fought, amazing that the final boss is worse. The following two were at least made by sane people. 7B is the best boss of the game, no doubt.
It's only now that replaying Shinobi PS2 that I realize that the final boss being transcendently the worst thing ever hid how utterly shit the rest of the bosses are. Thank god for instant kill tactics.
August 25, 2025 at 1:19 AM
6B's stage boss is one of the worst I've ever fought, amazing that the final boss is worse. The following two were at least made by sane people. 7B is the best boss of the game, no doubt.