Matthew Buzzi
@buzzi.bsky.social
💻 Lead PC & Gaming Analyst at PCMag
📖 Featured in "Video Game of the Year"
🌐 Most Likely to Be Online ™️
📍 NYC
📖 Featured in "Video Game of the Year"
🌐 Most Likely to Be Online ™️
📍 NYC
A beautiful sunset on MAMDANI'S NEW YORK tonight 😌
November 5, 2025 at 10:09 PM
A beautiful sunset on MAMDANI'S NEW YORK tonight 😌
Chelsea, world champions! What an outing
July 13, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Chelsea, world champions! What an outing
Tough task but gave it a shot~
June 24, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Tough task but gave it a shot~
Had a super busy week covering Computex. Taiwan showed me a great time in my few free hours, which is a testament to what an interesting place it is
May 25, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Had a super busy week covering Computex. Taiwan showed me a great time in my few free hours, which is a testament to what an interesting place it is
Every new detail that comes out about Switch 2 since the stream ended
April 2, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Every new detail that comes out about Switch 2 since the stream ended
1. DREAD DELUSION
The most engrossing game world in 2024. Its worldbuilding, writing, and atmosphere operate at such a high level—especially for a small team—with a striking visual style all its own. It left the most lasting impression on me this year and, I suspect, will do so for far longer.
The most engrossing game world in 2024. Its worldbuilding, writing, and atmosphere operate at such a high level—especially for a small team—with a striking visual style all its own. It left the most lasting impression on me this year and, I suspect, will do so for far longer.
December 31, 2024 at 10:30 PM
1. DREAD DELUSION
The most engrossing game world in 2024. Its worldbuilding, writing, and atmosphere operate at such a high level—especially for a small team—with a striking visual style all its own. It left the most lasting impression on me this year and, I suspect, will do so for far longer.
The most engrossing game world in 2024. Its worldbuilding, writing, and atmosphere operate at such a high level—especially for a small team—with a striking visual style all its own. It left the most lasting impression on me this year and, I suspect, will do so for far longer.
2. Helldivers 2
Launching in February has somewhat diminished its impact by the end of the year, but looking back on 2024, I loved HD2. A great time, every time. Succeeds as a unique live game, a silly satirical sandbox, and an intense shooter. A generator for great gaming memories with friends.
Launching in February has somewhat diminished its impact by the end of the year, but looking back on 2024, I loved HD2. A great time, every time. Succeeds as a unique live game, a silly satirical sandbox, and an intense shooter. A generator for great gaming memories with friends.
December 31, 2024 at 10:29 PM
2. Helldivers 2
Launching in February has somewhat diminished its impact by the end of the year, but looking back on 2024, I loved HD2. A great time, every time. Succeeds as a unique live game, a silly satirical sandbox, and an intense shooter. A generator for great gaming memories with friends.
Launching in February has somewhat diminished its impact by the end of the year, but looking back on 2024, I loved HD2. A great time, every time. Succeeds as a unique live game, a silly satirical sandbox, and an intense shooter. A generator for great gaming memories with friends.
3. Balatro
I admire the simple genius of Balatro's design as much as I enjoy playing it. Throw the rules of poker out the window, manipulate your deck, hunt for synergies, and watch the numbers run up. So much style in a small space, and that theme song...!
I admire the simple genius of Balatro's design as much as I enjoy playing it. Throw the rules of poker out the window, manipulate your deck, hunt for synergies, and watch the numbers run up. So much style in a small space, and that theme song...!
December 31, 2024 at 10:19 PM
3. Balatro
I admire the simple genius of Balatro's design as much as I enjoy playing it. Throw the rules of poker out the window, manipulate your deck, hunt for synergies, and watch the numbers run up. So much style in a small space, and that theme song...!
I admire the simple genius of Balatro's design as much as I enjoy playing it. Throw the rules of poker out the window, manipulate your deck, hunt for synergies, and watch the numbers run up. So much style in a small space, and that theme song...!
4. Astro Bot
Distilled joy. In addition to its hyper-inventive levels and powers, there are so many small touches that did not remotely *need* to be there, but bring a smile to your face because they are. For me, the Sony nostalgia is just a foot note in this pure expression of fun and creativity.
Distilled joy. In addition to its hyper-inventive levels and powers, there are so many small touches that did not remotely *need* to be there, but bring a smile to your face because they are. For me, the Sony nostalgia is just a foot note in this pure expression of fun and creativity.
December 31, 2024 at 10:16 PM
4. Astro Bot
Distilled joy. In addition to its hyper-inventive levels and powers, there are so many small touches that did not remotely *need* to be there, but bring a smile to your face because they are. For me, the Sony nostalgia is just a foot note in this pure expression of fun and creativity.
Distilled joy. In addition to its hyper-inventive levels and powers, there are so many small touches that did not remotely *need* to be there, but bring a smile to your face because they are. For me, the Sony nostalgia is just a foot note in this pure expression of fun and creativity.
5. Dragon's Dogma II
For all its attributes, DD2 is at its best as an exploration simulator—a feeling I loved, especially early on. The intentional hostility and friction were big draws for me. There was a time I thought this may be my GOTY, but the second half didn't quite hold its spell over me.
For all its attributes, DD2 is at its best as an exploration simulator—a feeling I loved, especially early on. The intentional hostility and friction were big draws for me. There was a time I thought this may be my GOTY, but the second half didn't quite hold its spell over me.
December 31, 2024 at 10:12 PM
5. Dragon's Dogma II
For all its attributes, DD2 is at its best as an exploration simulator—a feeling I loved, especially early on. The intentional hostility and friction were big draws for me. There was a time I thought this may be my GOTY, but the second half didn't quite hold its spell over me.
For all its attributes, DD2 is at its best as an exploration simulator—a feeling I loved, especially early on. The intentional hostility and friction were big draws for me. There was a time I thought this may be my GOTY, but the second half didn't quite hold its spell over me.
6. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Like Remake, it feels like a miracle Rebirth exists. It (mostly) succeeds in modernizing its open map, and combat is thrilling, but it's lovable chiefly for the characters and small stories. Sidetracked by its (too many?) side missions, I need to finish out the story
Like Remake, it feels like a miracle Rebirth exists. It (mostly) succeeds in modernizing its open map, and combat is thrilling, but it's lovable chiefly for the characters and small stories. Sidetracked by its (too many?) side missions, I need to finish out the story
December 31, 2024 at 10:09 PM
6. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Like Remake, it feels like a miracle Rebirth exists. It (mostly) succeeds in modernizing its open map, and combat is thrilling, but it's lovable chiefly for the characters and small stories. Sidetracked by its (too many?) side missions, I need to finish out the story
Like Remake, it feels like a miracle Rebirth exists. It (mostly) succeeds in modernizing its open map, and combat is thrilling, but it's lovable chiefly for the characters and small stories. Sidetracked by its (too many?) side missions, I need to finish out the story
7. Marvel Rivals
Yes it's Marvel, and yes, it's a hero shooter OW clone, but it's also...good? Fun, fast, and stylish, Rivals really filled a growing void for this type of game. Suited well to casual and competitive play, with a big, varied roster. A very pleasant surprise I will continue to play.
Yes it's Marvel, and yes, it's a hero shooter OW clone, but it's also...good? Fun, fast, and stylish, Rivals really filled a growing void for this type of game. Suited well to casual and competitive play, with a big, varied roster. A very pleasant surprise I will continue to play.
December 31, 2024 at 10:05 PM
7. Marvel Rivals
Yes it's Marvel, and yes, it's a hero shooter OW clone, but it's also...good? Fun, fast, and stylish, Rivals really filled a growing void for this type of game. Suited well to casual and competitive play, with a big, varied roster. A very pleasant surprise I will continue to play.
Yes it's Marvel, and yes, it's a hero shooter OW clone, but it's also...good? Fun, fast, and stylish, Rivals really filled a growing void for this type of game. Suited well to casual and competitive play, with a big, varied roster. A very pleasant surprise I will continue to play.
8. Unicorn Overlord
A serviceably generic fantasy story with nice art, but that's secondary to the gameplay. Unicorn Overlord is mix of things I enjoy about tactics, strategy, and RPGs, assembled in a way that hooked me for many hours. The writing is exactly as expected, but a good overall package.
A serviceably generic fantasy story with nice art, but that's secondary to the gameplay. Unicorn Overlord is mix of things I enjoy about tactics, strategy, and RPGs, assembled in a way that hooked me for many hours. The writing is exactly as expected, but a good overall package.
December 31, 2024 at 10:02 PM
8. Unicorn Overlord
A serviceably generic fantasy story with nice art, but that's secondary to the gameplay. Unicorn Overlord is mix of things I enjoy about tactics, strategy, and RPGs, assembled in a way that hooked me for many hours. The writing is exactly as expected, but a good overall package.
A serviceably generic fantasy story with nice art, but that's secondary to the gameplay. Unicorn Overlord is mix of things I enjoy about tactics, strategy, and RPGs, assembled in a way that hooked me for many hours. The writing is exactly as expected, but a good overall package.
9. Age of Mythology: Retold
As much as I played Age of Empires, AoM always had a special place in my heart, and it was great to revisit a remastered version. They put care into it, added content, and made it really enjoyable to play years later while keeping the charm.
As much as I played Age of Empires, AoM always had a special place in my heart, and it was great to revisit a remastered version. They put care into it, added content, and made it really enjoyable to play years later while keeping the charm.
December 31, 2024 at 9:53 PM
9. Age of Mythology: Retold
As much as I played Age of Empires, AoM always had a special place in my heart, and it was great to revisit a remastered version. They put care into it, added content, and made it really enjoyable to play years later while keeping the charm.
As much as I played Age of Empires, AoM always had a special place in my heart, and it was great to revisit a remastered version. They put care into it, added content, and made it really enjoyable to play years later while keeping the charm.
10. Tactical Breach Wizards
Uncommonly funny writing and premise make it especially memorable. My love for it lessened a little as I accepted it was more of a puzzle game than strategy or tactics game, but it's very clever.
Uncommonly funny writing and premise make it especially memorable. My love for it lessened a little as I accepted it was more of a puzzle game than strategy or tactics game, but it's very clever.
December 31, 2024 at 9:50 PM
10. Tactical Breach Wizards
Uncommonly funny writing and premise make it especially memorable. My love for it lessened a little as I accepted it was more of a puzzle game than strategy or tactics game, but it's very clever.
Uncommonly funny writing and premise make it especially memorable. My love for it lessened a little as I accepted it was more of a puzzle game than strategy or tactics game, but it's very clever.
Now watching (first time):
December 7, 2024 at 7:50 PM
Now watching (first time):