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@callmechemical.bsky.social
Yann // 27
Writer, game hyperfixator and historian
Kusoge enjoyer
ENG/Ελληνικά/日本語OK
Now Playing | Crimson Shroud, Pinobee & Phoebee
Writer, game hyperfixator and historian
Kusoge enjoyer
ENG/Ελληνικά/日本語OK
Now Playing | Crimson Shroud, Pinobee & Phoebee
Pinobee & Phoebee (GBA, 2002)
It's definitely an improvement from the first one, more polished in terms of gameplay and presentation, though, sadly, rather than refining the more interesting mechanics from last time, it just ditches them, losing what made it so unique in the first place
It's definitely an improvement from the first one, more polished in terms of gameplay and presentation, though, sadly, rather than refining the more interesting mechanics from last time, it just ditches them, losing what made it so unique in the first place
January 11, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Pinobee & Phoebee (GBA, 2002)
It's definitely an improvement from the first one, more polished in terms of gameplay and presentation, though, sadly, rather than refining the more interesting mechanics from last time, it just ditches them, losing what made it so unique in the first place
It's definitely an improvement from the first one, more polished in terms of gameplay and presentation, though, sadly, rather than refining the more interesting mechanics from last time, it just ditches them, losing what made it so unique in the first place
Crimson Shroud (3DS, 2012)
Really great writing, fascinating mechanics and a wonderfully original aesthetic, taking RPG's back to the tabletop days. I really think Guild01 might be one of the greatest game compilations ever, with four unique titles made by legends, shame Guild02 was download only
Really great writing, fascinating mechanics and a wonderfully original aesthetic, taking RPG's back to the tabletop days. I really think Guild01 might be one of the greatest game compilations ever, with four unique titles made by legends, shame Guild02 was download only
January 10, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Crimson Shroud (3DS, 2012)
Really great writing, fascinating mechanics and a wonderfully original aesthetic, taking RPG's back to the tabletop days. I really think Guild01 might be one of the greatest game compilations ever, with four unique titles made by legends, shame Guild02 was download only
Really great writing, fascinating mechanics and a wonderfully original aesthetic, taking RPG's back to the tabletop days. I really think Guild01 might be one of the greatest game compilations ever, with four unique titles made by legends, shame Guild02 was download only
Yoshi Touch & Go (DS, 2005)
I adored the original Yoshi's Island as a kid, so seeing the mechanics reworked into an arcade score attack title is really fascinating. Definitely screams launch window title, probably could've been a DSiWare release 4 years later, but I find it quite addicting and fun!
I adored the original Yoshi's Island as a kid, so seeing the mechanics reworked into an arcade score attack title is really fascinating. Definitely screams launch window title, probably could've been a DSiWare release 4 years later, but I find it quite addicting and fun!
January 6, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Yoshi Touch & Go (DS, 2005)
I adored the original Yoshi's Island as a kid, so seeing the mechanics reworked into an arcade score attack title is really fascinating. Definitely screams launch window title, probably could've been a DSiWare release 4 years later, but I find it quite addicting and fun!
I adored the original Yoshi's Island as a kid, so seeing the mechanics reworked into an arcade score attack title is really fascinating. Definitely screams launch window title, probably could've been a DSiWare release 4 years later, but I find it quite addicting and fun!
They're running a JP-only EyeToy game for the awful block at AGDQ and I *really* need to see that shit
January 4, 2026 at 2:49 AM
They're running a JP-only EyeToy game for the awful block at AGDQ and I *really* need to see that shit
Dancing Sword: Senkō (GBA, 2003)
Before Hi-Fi Rush or even Gurumin, the first title to put the beat in beat 'em up was by a developer usually known for otome games. Pretty sparse aside from the core mechanic, and maybe I'm just bad, but I swear the timing is off from what the tutorial shows
Before Hi-Fi Rush or even Gurumin, the first title to put the beat in beat 'em up was by a developer usually known for otome games. Pretty sparse aside from the core mechanic, and maybe I'm just bad, but I swear the timing is off from what the tutorial shows
January 3, 2026 at 12:55 AM
Dancing Sword: Senkō (GBA, 2003)
Before Hi-Fi Rush or even Gurumin, the first title to put the beat in beat 'em up was by a developer usually known for otome games. Pretty sparse aside from the core mechanic, and maybe I'm just bad, but I swear the timing is off from what the tutorial shows
Before Hi-Fi Rush or even Gurumin, the first title to put the beat in beat 'em up was by a developer usually known for otome games. Pretty sparse aside from the core mechanic, and maybe I'm just bad, but I swear the timing is off from what the tutorial shows
And my biggest surprise of the year, actually really cool despite a pretty poor reception: Pac-Pix!
December 31, 2025 at 8:03 PM
And my biggest surprise of the year, actually really cool despite a pretty poor reception: Pac-Pix!
Okay, now that the year is over, I'm ready to call my two favorites I played this year:
Valkyrie Profile: Convenant of the Plume (DS)
Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo (Switch)
Valkyrie Profile: Convenant of the Plume (DS)
Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo (Switch)
December 31, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Okay, now that the year is over, I'm ready to call my two favorites I played this year:
Valkyrie Profile: Convenant of the Plume (DS)
Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo (Switch)
Valkyrie Profile: Convenant of the Plume (DS)
Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo (Switch)
Touhou Chireiden ~ Subterranean Animism. (2008, PC)
Finally giving this series a shot, started with the eleventh title since I heard it was the best. The bullet patterns are incredibly unique, unlike anything I've seen in any other danmaku title, and I love Zun's art too, rough as it may be
Finally giving this series a shot, started with the eleventh title since I heard it was the best. The bullet patterns are incredibly unique, unlike anything I've seen in any other danmaku title, and I love Zun's art too, rough as it may be
December 30, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Touhou Chireiden ~ Subterranean Animism. (2008, PC)
Finally giving this series a shot, started with the eleventh title since I heard it was the best. The bullet patterns are incredibly unique, unlike anything I've seen in any other danmaku title, and I love Zun's art too, rough as it may be
Finally giving this series a shot, started with the eleventh title since I heard it was the best. The bullet patterns are incredibly unique, unlike anything I've seen in any other danmaku title, and I love Zun's art too, rough as it may be
Dusting off an old classic to cap off the year
December 29, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Dusting off an old classic to cap off the year
Earnest Evans (1991, Genesis)
Jarring and hilarious as it may be, the Rumble Fish-esque animations are pretty damn impressive for the time, and it doesn't play that bad either, aside from a bit of jank. The highlight are the cutscenes by Madhouse, I'm a real sucker for Sega CD anime visuals
Jarring and hilarious as it may be, the Rumble Fish-esque animations are pretty damn impressive for the time, and it doesn't play that bad either, aside from a bit of jank. The highlight are the cutscenes by Madhouse, I'm a real sucker for Sega CD anime visuals
December 22, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Earnest Evans (1991, Genesis)
Jarring and hilarious as it may be, the Rumble Fish-esque animations are pretty damn impressive for the time, and it doesn't play that bad either, aside from a bit of jank. The highlight are the cutscenes by Madhouse, I'm a real sucker for Sega CD anime visuals
Jarring and hilarious as it may be, the Rumble Fish-esque animations are pretty damn impressive for the time, and it doesn't play that bad either, aside from a bit of jank. The highlight are the cutscenes by Madhouse, I'm a real sucker for Sega CD anime visuals
The Outfoxies (1995, Arcade)
I'd say it lives up to the hype; the combat's fun with some nuanced differences between each fighter, and stylistically it's really cool and creative. Though of course, being an arcade game, it's absolutely awful in single player with opponents taking reduced damage
I'd say it lives up to the hype; the combat's fun with some nuanced differences between each fighter, and stylistically it's really cool and creative. Though of course, being an arcade game, it's absolutely awful in single player with opponents taking reduced damage
December 19, 2025 at 1:56 AM
The Outfoxies (1995, Arcade)
I'd say it lives up to the hype; the combat's fun with some nuanced differences between each fighter, and stylistically it's really cool and creative. Though of course, being an arcade game, it's absolutely awful in single player with opponents taking reduced damage
I'd say it lives up to the hype; the combat's fun with some nuanced differences between each fighter, and stylistically it's really cool and creative. Though of course, being an arcade game, it's absolutely awful in single player with opponents taking reduced damage
Fucks me up that Mega Man will never go back to 8's artstyle
December 12, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Fucks me up that Mega Man will never go back to 8's artstyle
Milano’s Odd Job Collection (2025, Switch)
Just as adorable and charming as I’d hoped; kinda Tron Bonne-esque? The minigames actually caught me off-guard with how unique and tricky the control schemes are. Also really great to see hobbyist translators getting official work, kudos to Hilltop
Just as adorable and charming as I’d hoped; kinda Tron Bonne-esque? The minigames actually caught me off-guard with how unique and tricky the control schemes are. Also really great to see hobbyist translators getting official work, kudos to Hilltop
December 12, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Milano’s Odd Job Collection (2025, Switch)
Just as adorable and charming as I’d hoped; kinda Tron Bonne-esque? The minigames actually caught me off-guard with how unique and tricky the control schemes are. Also really great to see hobbyist translators getting official work, kudos to Hilltop
Just as adorable and charming as I’d hoped; kinda Tron Bonne-esque? The minigames actually caught me off-guard with how unique and tricky the control schemes are. Also really great to see hobbyist translators getting official work, kudos to Hilltop
How come the only game I’ve been looking forward to this year has to unlock on a Monday
December 7, 2025 at 5:18 AM
How come the only game I’ve been looking forward to this year has to unlock on a Monday
Pinobee: Wings of Adventure (2001, GBA)
Wow, there's a lot more going on here mechanically than I figured there'd be, including a karma system with multiple endings? It's a fun, unique platformer altogether, though I'm more interested to check out the Japan-only sequel which is supposedly better
Wow, there's a lot more going on here mechanically than I figured there'd be, including a karma system with multiple endings? It's a fun, unique platformer altogether, though I'm more interested to check out the Japan-only sequel which is supposedly better
November 27, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Pinobee: Wings of Adventure (2001, GBA)
Wow, there's a lot more going on here mechanically than I figured there'd be, including a karma system with multiple endings? It's a fun, unique platformer altogether, though I'm more interested to check out the Japan-only sequel which is supposedly better
Wow, there's a lot more going on here mechanically than I figured there'd be, including a karma system with multiple endings? It's a fun, unique platformer altogether, though I'm more interested to check out the Japan-only sequel which is supposedly better
Neo ATLAS 1469 (2016, Vita)
The newest entry in Artdink's classic sim series, which manages to strike the right chord between accessible and dense. Captures the age of exploration really well, I especially love how the world and its continents will be shaped by the paths you take to explore
The newest entry in Artdink's classic sim series, which manages to strike the right chord between accessible and dense. Captures the age of exploration really well, I especially love how the world and its continents will be shaped by the paths you take to explore
November 16, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Neo ATLAS 1469 (2016, Vita)
The newest entry in Artdink's classic sim series, which manages to strike the right chord between accessible and dense. Captures the age of exploration really well, I especially love how the world and its continents will be shaped by the paths you take to explore
The newest entry in Artdink's classic sim series, which manages to strike the right chord between accessible and dense. Captures the age of exploration really well, I especially love how the world and its continents will be shaped by the paths you take to explore
Agartha-S (2018, Switch)
This one starts off slow, but once it gets going, it's actually so fun and unique. It's like if a retro platformer had the terrain / digging physics of Worms, and there's so many ways to tackle each level with multiple characters and routes. Gotta love Japanese indies
This one starts off slow, but once it gets going, it's actually so fun and unique. It's like if a retro platformer had the terrain / digging physics of Worms, and there's so many ways to tackle each level with multiple characters and routes. Gotta love Japanese indies
November 9, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Agartha-S (2018, Switch)
This one starts off slow, but once it gets going, it's actually so fun and unique. It's like if a retro platformer had the terrain / digging physics of Worms, and there's so many ways to tackle each level with multiple characters and routes. Gotta love Japanese indies
This one starts off slow, but once it gets going, it's actually so fun and unique. It's like if a retro platformer had the terrain / digging physics of Worms, and there's so many ways to tackle each level with multiple characters and routes. Gotta love Japanese indies
THE GIRL FROM GUNMA Kai (2025, PC)
Absolutely in love with the artstyle, especially that gorgeous, cluttered marquee surrounding the screen. It's just too bad the shooting is so insanely dry, maybe that's just a me thing being so into shmups but the presentation deserves better imo
Absolutely in love with the artstyle, especially that gorgeous, cluttered marquee surrounding the screen. It's just too bad the shooting is so insanely dry, maybe that's just a me thing being so into shmups but the presentation deserves better imo
October 31, 2025 at 3:43 AM
THE GIRL FROM GUNMA Kai (2025, PC)
Absolutely in love with the artstyle, especially that gorgeous, cluttered marquee surrounding the screen. It's just too bad the shooting is so insanely dry, maybe that's just a me thing being so into shmups but the presentation deserves better imo
Absolutely in love with the artstyle, especially that gorgeous, cluttered marquee surrounding the screen. It's just too bad the shooting is so insanely dry, maybe that's just a me thing being so into shmups but the presentation deserves better imo
Steel Worker (1980, Arcade)
Insanely ahead of its time. Before Lemmings or the Incredible Machine, Taito broke mold yet again with an arcade title where you passively influence the character and his trajectory, trying to nail the timing to bypass obstacles. For its vintage, I really liked this one!
Insanely ahead of its time. Before Lemmings or the Incredible Machine, Taito broke mold yet again with an arcade title where you passively influence the character and his trajectory, trying to nail the timing to bypass obstacles. For its vintage, I really liked this one!
October 30, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Steel Worker (1980, Arcade)
Insanely ahead of its time. Before Lemmings or the Incredible Machine, Taito broke mold yet again with an arcade title where you passively influence the character and his trajectory, trying to nail the timing to bypass obstacles. For its vintage, I really liked this one!
Insanely ahead of its time. Before Lemmings or the Incredible Machine, Taito broke mold yet again with an arcade title where you passively influence the character and his trajectory, trying to nail the timing to bypass obstacles. For its vintage, I really liked this one!
Midnight Landing (1987, Arcade)
I didn't realize Taito's lineage of arcade simulation titles went so far back before Densha de Go. For 1987, it looks incredible, nailing that nighttime airport feel with some early polys. Also supports gyro controls on Switch, which opens up a lot of future titles
I didn't realize Taito's lineage of arcade simulation titles went so far back before Densha de Go. For 1987, it looks incredible, nailing that nighttime airport feel with some early polys. Also supports gyro controls on Switch, which opens up a lot of future titles
October 30, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Midnight Landing (1987, Arcade)
I didn't realize Taito's lineage of arcade simulation titles went so far back before Densha de Go. For 1987, it looks incredible, nailing that nighttime airport feel with some early polys. Also supports gyro controls on Switch, which opens up a lot of future titles
I didn't realize Taito's lineage of arcade simulation titles went so far back before Densha de Go. For 1987, it looks incredible, nailing that nighttime airport feel with some early polys. Also supports gyro controls on Switch, which opens up a lot of future titles
Tokyo Xtreme Racer Advance (2005, GBA)
Damn I fucked up by picking this up on a whim. I didn't even know Tokyo Xtreme had a GBA installment, but rather than Genki it was developed by western team David A. Palmer productions, who don't have a great track record. At least it runs ok?
Damn I fucked up by picking this up on a whim. I didn't even know Tokyo Xtreme had a GBA installment, but rather than Genki it was developed by western team David A. Palmer productions, who don't have a great track record. At least it runs ok?
October 19, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Tokyo Xtreme Racer Advance (2005, GBA)
Damn I fucked up by picking this up on a whim. I didn't even know Tokyo Xtreme had a GBA installment, but rather than Genki it was developed by western team David A. Palmer productions, who don't have a great track record. At least it runs ok?
Damn I fucked up by picking this up on a whim. I didn't even know Tokyo Xtreme had a GBA installment, but rather than Genki it was developed by western team David A. Palmer productions, who don't have a great track record. At least it runs ok?