Jordan Rudek
@jrudek.bsky.social
Writer of A Game In The Life (available almost everywhere). Reviews Editor at Nintendo World Report. Regular host on The Thirsty Mage podcast. College prof by day. He/Him.
https://linktr.ee/riskman64
https://linktr.ee/riskman64
Found this on Reddit. Whatcha playin' this month??
For me, it's DQ1+2, Mina, Pokemon, Ball x Pit, PvZ, and maybe Yooka.
For me, it's DQ1+2, Mina, Pokemon, Ball x Pit, PvZ, and maybe Yooka.
October 2, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Found this on Reddit. Whatcha playin' this month??
For me, it's DQ1+2, Mina, Pokemon, Ball x Pit, PvZ, and maybe Yooka.
For me, it's DQ1+2, Mina, Pokemon, Ball x Pit, PvZ, and maybe Yooka.
Played two hours of Visions of Mana last night, having wanted to play around launch but not having time to do so.
I found the opening of the game incredibly slow, with constant dialogue interjections really hurting the pacing. If it gets better, I may keep going, but otherwise I'm probably done.
I found the opening of the game incredibly slow, with constant dialogue interjections really hurting the pacing. If it gets better, I may keep going, but otherwise I'm probably done.
September 25, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Played two hours of Visions of Mana last night, having wanted to play around launch but not having time to do so.
I found the opening of the game incredibly slow, with constant dialogue interjections really hurting the pacing. If it gets better, I may keep going, but otherwise I'm probably done.
I found the opening of the game incredibly slow, with constant dialogue interjections really hurting the pacing. If it gets better, I may keep going, but otherwise I'm probably done.
Rolled credits on Silksong last night, and what an experience it was. Clear time was just under 26 hours, but felt shorter.
I can say it exceeded my expectations and will definitely be up for my own GOTY. The way those boss fights get your heart pumping is unreal. Bravo, @teamcherry.bsky.social
I can say it exceeded my expectations and will definitely be up for my own GOTY. The way those boss fights get your heart pumping is unreal. Bravo, @teamcherry.bsky.social
September 16, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Rolled credits on Silksong last night, and what an experience it was. Clear time was just under 26 hours, but felt shorter.
I can say it exceeded my expectations and will definitely be up for my own GOTY. The way those boss fights get your heart pumping is unreal. Bravo, @teamcherry.bsky.social
I can say it exceeded my expectations and will definitely be up for my own GOTY. The way those boss fights get your heart pumping is unreal. Bravo, @teamcherry.bsky.social
Would you rather have remakes of Zelda 1 and 2 or the Oracle games?
For me, the latter are still really playable today, but that's tougher to say about the first two Zelda games. If I can't get both, give me a new version of Zelda 2, please!
For me, the latter are still really playable today, but that's tougher to say about the first two Zelda games. If I can't get both, give me a new version of Zelda 2, please!
September 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Would you rather have remakes of Zelda 1 and 2 or the Oracle games?
For me, the latter are still really playable today, but that's tougher to say about the first two Zelda games. If I can't get both, give me a new version of Zelda 2, please!
For me, the latter are still really playable today, but that's tougher to say about the first two Zelda games. If I can't get both, give me a new version of Zelda 2, please!
I can't stop thinking about or playing this beautiful, charming, brutal, lonely, vibrant, challenging, rewarding video game. Silksong was absolutely worth the wait.
September 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
I can't stop thinking about or playing this beautiful, charming, brutal, lonely, vibrant, challenging, rewarding video game. Silksong was absolutely worth the wait.
One of the first games I played at PAX West this year was Elden Ring on Nintendo Switch 2, and I came away much more impressed and hopeful than I had been after all of the Gamescom pieces. See my @nintendonwr.bsky.social impressions from the event below!
www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/7233...
www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/7233...
September 1, 2025 at 3:05 AM
One of the first games I played at PAX West this year was Elden Ring on Nintendo Switch 2, and I came away much more impressed and hopeful than I had been after all of the Gamescom pieces. See my @nintendonwr.bsky.social impressions from the event below!
www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/7233...
www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/7233...
Tried the Switch demo for action roguelite Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree. I like how you can mix and match the characters to form different pairs. Feels like another (and another one) September release to keep an eye on.
August 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Tried the Switch demo for action roguelite Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree. I like how you can mix and match the characters to form different pairs. Feels like another (and another one) September release to keep an eye on.
Poked around the NSO apps a few days ago and landed on Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. I was in the mood for it after dabbling with Dark Deity. Both lead nicely into a very tactics/strategy filled September, Demonschool, and Final Fantasy Tactics. RPG fans eating good once again.
August 20, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Poked around the NSO apps a few days ago and landed on Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones. I was in the mood for it after dabbling with Dark Deity. Both lead nicely into a very tactics/strategy filled September, Demonschool, and Final Fantasy Tactics. RPG fans eating good once again.
My kids love playing TANK! TANK! TANK! at a local arcade, but I don't love paying for a game I was pretty sure we owned on Wii U.
Sure enough, we do. And so I set it up yesterday and they've wanted to play non-stop. Another reason I try to hold on to my old consoles.
Sure enough, we do. And so I set it up yesterday and they've wanted to play non-stop. Another reason I try to hold on to my old consoles.
August 18, 2025 at 5:03 PM
My kids love playing TANK! TANK! TANK! at a local arcade, but I don't love paying for a game I was pretty sure we owned on Wii U.
Sure enough, we do. And so I set it up yesterday and they've wanted to play non-stop. Another reason I try to hold on to my old consoles.
Sure enough, we do. And so I set it up yesterday and they've wanted to play non-stop. Another reason I try to hold on to my old consoles.
I've only played four or five of the UFO 50 games, but Paint Chase is my favourite so far. Challenging, quick, and easy to learn. The Q*Bert and Splatoon vibes are strong here. Looking forward to getting some time with the rest of the library soon.
August 18, 2025 at 12:52 AM
I've only played four or five of the UFO 50 games, but Paint Chase is my favourite so far. Challenging, quick, and easy to learn. The Q*Bert and Splatoon vibes are strong here. Looking forward to getting some time with the rest of the library soon.
Ended up downloading Is This Seat Taken on mobile after seeing it at the Indie World a couple weeks ago, and it's such a perfect little puzzle game on the go. I've been playing a few stages each day and highly recommend it!
August 17, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Ended up downloading Is This Seat Taken on mobile after seeing it at the Indie World a couple weeks ago, and it's such a perfect little puzzle game on the go. I've been playing a few stages each day and highly recommend it!
Played through Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound last week and highly recommend it. Much more forgiving than the NES games but with a similar albeit modern feel. I'll likely return in a month or two to clean up some of the achievements on Steam Deck.
August 9, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Played through Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound last week and highly recommend it. Much more forgiving than the NES games but with a similar albeit modern feel. I'll likely return in a month or two to clean up some of the achievements on Steam Deck.
Shouldn't have played the demo for @yachtclubgames.bsky.social's Mina The Hollower. It was my third time demoing the game, and now that wait for the end of October is even more excruciating. So stoked to play more Mina!
August 8, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Shouldn't have played the demo for @yachtclubgames.bsky.social's Mina The Hollower. It was my third time demoing the game, and now that wait for the end of October is even more excruciating. So stoked to play more Mina!
What is everyone most excited to see in terms of Switch 2 launch coverage? What games are you looking forward to reviews for? The three-week countdown is on!
Myself and the team at @nintendonwr.bsky.social can't wait to cover the heck out of this console launch!
Myself and the team at @nintendonwr.bsky.social can't wait to cover the heck out of this console launch!
May 15, 2025 at 7:23 PM
What is everyone most excited to see in terms of Switch 2 launch coverage? What games are you looking forward to reviews for? The three-week countdown is on!
Myself and the team at @nintendonwr.bsky.social can't wait to cover the heck out of this console launch!
Myself and the team at @nintendonwr.bsky.social can't wait to cover the heck out of this console launch!
Just caught up on on Andor season 2. And honestly, it starts slow, but about halfway through and to the end of episode 9, this might be the best Star Wars content outside ot the Original Trilogy. The writing is superb, and the tension is palpable. Three more episodes to go.
May 8, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Just caught up on on Andor season 2. And honestly, it starts slow, but about halfway through and to the end of episode 9, this might be the best Star Wars content outside ot the Original Trilogy. The writing is superb, and the tension is palpable. Three more episodes to go.
Finished Avowed last night and genuinely had a fun time with it, all the way through. Excellently paced and filled with well written interactions and a beautiful, treasure-laden world.
You know what's really great? Finding a chest or lockbox around every corner. Would recommend!
You know what's really great? Finding a chest or lockbox around every corner. Would recommend!
March 16, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Finished Avowed last night and genuinely had a fun time with it, all the way through. Excellently paced and filled with well written interactions and a beautiful, treasure-laden world.
You know what's really great? Finding a chest or lockbox around every corner. Would recommend!
You know what's really great? Finding a chest or lockbox around every corner. Would recommend!
It may be unfair to put down or become disinterested in a game after one small moment, but this was it for me. The first Rock-Paper-Scissors battle pictured here is one that I've lost three times out of four. That you get a game over after losing what seems like a practice match is just dumb.
March 6, 2025 at 1:34 AM
It may be unfair to put down or become disinterested in a game after one small moment, but this was it for me. The first Rock-Paper-Scissors battle pictured here is one that I've lost three times out of four. That you get a game over after losing what seems like a practice match is just dumb.
With my son this morning, we had a lot of fun playing Hit and Blow (Mastermind) via Clubhouse Games on Switch.
It's a simple game, but I've always really enjoyed it. Would be great to see another Clubhouse games entry on Switch 2.
It's a simple game, but I've always really enjoyed it. Would be great to see another Clubhouse games entry on Switch 2.
January 25, 2025 at 7:36 PM
With my son this morning, we had a lot of fun playing Hit and Blow (Mastermind) via Clubhouse Games on Switch.
It's a simple game, but I've always really enjoyed it. Would be great to see another Clubhouse games entry on Switch 2.
It's a simple game, but I've always really enjoyed it. Would be great to see another Clubhouse games entry on Switch 2.
Juggling multiple video games right now: Trails in the Sky, Dragon Quest 3 HD, and about to start Divinity Original Sin 2. Got RPGs on the brain.
Also played some CoD Black Ops MP last night and had a blast. Video games are good, y'all!
Also played some CoD Black Ops MP last night and had a blast. Video games are good, y'all!
January 23, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Juggling multiple video games right now: Trails in the Sky, Dragon Quest 3 HD, and about to start Divinity Original Sin 2. Got RPGs on the brain.
Also played some CoD Black Ops MP last night and had a blast. Video games are good, y'all!
Also played some CoD Black Ops MP last night and had a blast. Video games are good, y'all!
Finally getting back to my FF7 Rebirth playthrough, and for someone wanting to get right back into the action, the mini games of Costa Del Sol are kind of a drag.
I'll be happy to move to the next part of the game soon.
I'll be happy to move to the next part of the game soon.
January 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Finally getting back to my FF7 Rebirth playthrough, and for someone wanting to get right back into the action, the mini games of Costa Del Sol are kind of a drag.
I'll be happy to move to the next part of the game soon.
I'll be happy to move to the next part of the game soon.
Finished Castlevania Nocturne S2 last night, and the writers have once again managed to improve on the "everyone's here" final battle that wraps up the season. Got me out of my chair multiple times.
I'm good with either another Nocturne season or a new CV series. Just gimme gimme gimme!
I'm good with either another Nocturne season or a new CV series. Just gimme gimme gimme!
January 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Finished Castlevania Nocturne S2 last night, and the writers have once again managed to improve on the "everyone's here" final battle that wraps up the season. Got me out of my chair multiple times.
I'm good with either another Nocturne season or a new CV series. Just gimme gimme gimme!
I'm good with either another Nocturne season or a new CV series. Just gimme gimme gimme!
Tried to give Mass Effect Andromeda another go after finishing a single playthrough at launch. It seems less buggy now on Series X than when I originally played it, but I don't have a ton of patience for the bland gameplay and characters.
It really does pale in comparison to the OG trilogy.
It really does pale in comparison to the OG trilogy.
January 18, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Tried to give Mass Effect Andromeda another go after finishing a single playthrough at launch. It seems less buggy now on Series X than when I originally played it, but I don't have a ton of patience for the bland gameplay and characters.
It really does pale in comparison to the OG trilogy.
It really does pale in comparison to the OG trilogy.
I feel you. Can't always remember what my favs were, but when I do see them, the yearning is real.
This is one I think about pretty often.
This is one I think about pretty often.
January 18, 2025 at 2:59 AM
I feel you. Can't always remember what my favs were, but when I do see them, the yearning is real.
This is one I think about pretty often.
This is one I think about pretty often.
Did you know A Game In The Life has a chapter on Catan? The ebook is still on sale until the end of February, so grab your copy at a discount while you can!
books2read.com/agameinthelife
Maybe my next book will include even more board games. What do you think?
books2read.com/agameinthelife
Maybe my next book will include even more board games. What do you think?
February 27, 2024 at 5:54 PM
Did you know A Game In The Life has a chapter on Catan? The ebook is still on sale until the end of February, so grab your copy at a discount while you can!
books2read.com/agameinthelife
Maybe my next book will include even more board games. What do you think?
books2read.com/agameinthelife
Maybe my next book will include even more board games. What do you think?
Getting in a little morning gaming since my son has a Pro D day at school. Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle is first up, specifically Armored Warriors.
ICYMI: A Game In The Life is on sale now until the end of February, 40 percent off! Pick up your copy here: books2read.com/ap/8vAAb7/Jo...
ICYMI: A Game In The Life is on sale now until the end of February, 40 percent off! Pick up your copy here: books2read.com/ap/8vAAb7/Jo...
February 16, 2024 at 8:14 PM
Getting in a little morning gaming since my son has a Pro D day at school. Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle is first up, specifically Armored Warriors.
ICYMI: A Game In The Life is on sale now until the end of February, 40 percent off! Pick up your copy here: books2read.com/ap/8vAAb7/Jo...
ICYMI: A Game In The Life is on sale now until the end of February, 40 percent off! Pick up your copy here: books2read.com/ap/8vAAb7/Jo...