Tomas Franzese
@tomasfranzese.bsky.social
Video Game Industry Reporter & Critic | Gaming Lead at XDA | Bylines: Digital Trends, GameSpot, ComicBook, Noisy Pixel, MMORPG, Skybox, Palette Swap, Inverse, DualShockers, and Android Police
Pinned
After a few months at Android Police, I'm taking on a new role at Valnet. I'm now the Gaming Section Lead at XDA, and will be directing their coverage of PC and console gaming. You can now reach me at tomas.f@xda-developers.com with any news, preview, interview, or review opportunities!
I'm doing a State of Play Japan live blog for XDA! I don't have super high expectations for the showcase, but would love to get a Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls release date: www.xda-developers.com/state-of-pla...
State of Play Japan: Live updates and everything announced for PS5
PlayStation is putting a spotlight on games from Asia with its latest State of Play, and we're keeping you in the loop for every reveal from it
www.xda-developers.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I'm doing a State of Play Japan live blog for XDA! I don't have super high expectations for the showcase, but would love to get a Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls release date: www.xda-developers.com/state-of-pla...
I encouraged Giovanni to write this review and I think doing so turned him into the first post-modern game critic: www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/ufo-5...
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I encouraged Giovanni to write this review and I think doing so turned him into the first post-modern game critic: www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/ufo-5...
Lumines Arise is fantastic. It's certainly a bit harder to get into than Tetris Effect, but once you learn the intricacies of how Lumines works, it's even more rewarding: www.xda-developers.com/lumines-aris...
Lumines Arise review: This audiovisual delight is one of the best games of 2025
Lumines Arise capitalizes on the formula Tetris Effect established to deliver one of the best games of the year
www.xda-developers.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Lumines Arise is fantastic. It's certainly a bit harder to get into than Tetris Effect, but once you learn the intricacies of how Lumines works, it's even more rewarding: www.xda-developers.com/lumines-aris...
Sadly, this is why people go Republican. The repeated own-goals Democrats keep doing make the party look weak to your under informed working class voter who wants strong willed politicians to make their life better. Democrats have objectively better policies, but fail to enact/defend them properly.
November 11, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Sadly, this is why people go Republican. The repeated own-goals Democrats keep doing make the party look weak to your under informed working class voter who wants strong willed politicians to make their life better. Democrats have objectively better policies, but fail to enact/defend them properly.
I just watched Predator: Badlands! It's a really fun movie that reminds me a lot of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves from a couple of years ago. A solid blockbuster with creative ideas and humor that isn't grating. A reminder that it's still possible to make a franchise film with charm.
a man in a plaid shirt has a huge nose
ALT: a man in a plaid shirt has a huge nose
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM
I just watched Predator: Badlands! It's a really fun movie that reminds me a lot of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves from a couple of years ago. A solid blockbuster with creative ideas and humor that isn't grating. A reminder that it's still possible to make a franchise film with charm.
The nice thing about working for a website named XDA is that typing the letter "x" in the search bar brings up XDA rather than X.
November 8, 2025 at 11:37 PM
The nice thing about working for a website named XDA is that typing the letter "x" in the search bar brings up XDA rather than X.
Just got one of the funniest comments I've ever gotten on an article. All of this for saying that I like Battlefield 6's normal multiplayer modes more than REDSEC!
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Just got one of the funniest comments I've ever gotten on an article. All of this for saying that I like Battlefield 6's normal multiplayer modes more than REDSEC!
I still can't believe that there's a guy named "Peacemaker Aldo" running for sheriff in my local election this year.
November 3, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I still can't believe that there's a guy named "Peacemaker Aldo" running for sheriff in my local election this year.
The Outer Worlds 2 is fantastic. The original is one of my favorite RPGs, and this sequel builds upon it in all of the right ways. None of its companions really stuck out to me as much as the original's did, but I still loved it: www.xda-developers.com/the-outer-wo...
The Outer Worlds 2 review: I love this new RPG from Fallout: New Vegas' developer
Obsidian Entertainment is one of the best developers working in the RPG genre, and The Outer Worlds 2 is further proof of that
www.xda-developers.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The Outer Worlds 2 is fantastic. The original is one of my favorite RPGs, and this sequel builds upon it in all of the right ways. None of its companions really stuck out to me as much as the original's did, but I still loved it: www.xda-developers.com/the-outer-wo...
I reviewed Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2. I ended up a bit underwhelmed by this game considering how weird of a development cycle it had. I also wish it embraced its tabletop RPG roots more. At least it avoided being one of the year's gaming disasters. www.xda-developers.com/vampire-the-...
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 review: I expected something better or worse than what we got
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 had a rocky development, and the end result is competent, if underwhelming
www.xda-developers.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I reviewed Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2. I ended up a bit underwhelmed by this game considering how weird of a development cycle it had. I also wish it embraced its tabletop RPG roots more. At least it avoided being one of the year's gaming disasters. www.xda-developers.com/vampire-the-...
Here's my review for Ninja Gaiden 4! I was looking forward to this one a lot, but unfortunately I seem to be on the lower end in regards to how I rated it. I love its combat, but don't think the game does much else that well: www.xda-developers.com/ninja-gaiden...
Ninja Gaiden 4 review: I was severely let down by this long-awaited sequel
Ninja Gaiden 4 may feature some exhilarating combat, but everything else about this action game is an anticlimactic let-down
www.xda-developers.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Here's my review for Ninja Gaiden 4! I was looking forward to this one a lot, but unfortunately I seem to be on the lower end in regards to how I rated it. I love its combat, but don't think the game does much else that well: www.xda-developers.com/ninja-gaiden...
This has been an amazing year for atmospheric, smaller-scale video games. Sword of the Sea and Lego Voyagers were great, and now Keeper has emerged as one of my favorite games of the year. Double Fine doesn't miss, and Keeper is one of its best! www.xda-developers.com/keeper-game-...
Keeper review: The most beautiful Xbox Game Pass Ultimate title of 2025
Double Fine and Xbox Game Studios' Keeper is a gorgeous, surrealist, and enthralling adventure about a lighthouse and a bird that I won't soon forget
www.xda-developers.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:22 PM
This has been an amazing year for atmospheric, smaller-scale video games. Sword of the Sea and Lego Voyagers were great, and now Keeper has emerged as one of my favorite games of the year. Double Fine doesn't miss, and Keeper is one of its best! www.xda-developers.com/keeper-game-...
Used the ROG Xbox Ally's release as an opportunity to reflect on the Xbox Series X launch lineup. You have to wonder how differently this generation would've gone had Microsoft been able to publish first-party games this consistently at the generation's start: www.xda-developers.com/rog-xbox-all...
The ROG Xbox Ally has a better launch window game lineup than the Xbox Series X did
Microsoft is releasing several high-profile first-party games within a month of the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds' launch, unlike the Xbox Series X and S.
www.xda-developers.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Used the ROG Xbox Ally's release as an opportunity to reflect on the Xbox Series X launch lineup. You have to wonder how differently this generation would've gone had Microsoft been able to publish first-party games this consistently at the generation's start: www.xda-developers.com/rog-xbox-all...
Make sure you check out Ball x Pit now that it's out! It's one of my favorite games of the year: www.xda-developers.com/ball-x-pit-r...
I just discovered my new favorite Vampire Survivors alternative
If you enjoy games like Vampire Survivors or Breakout, you need to play Ball x Pit
www.xda-developers.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Make sure you check out Ball x Pit now that it's out! It's one of my favorite games of the year: www.xda-developers.com/ball-x-pit-r...
Reposted by Tomas Franzese
FINAL: The Chicago Bears win it on Jake Moody's FG!
October 14, 2025 at 3:36 AM
FINAL: The Chicago Bears win it on Jake Moody's FG!
Shocked but not surprised to see how many negative reactions there are to Peacemaker's Season 2 finale. I enjoyed most of the character-focused stuff with the 11th Street Kids, but it was much more of a low-key series coda, band showcase, and DCU setup episode than the expected big finale.
October 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Shocked but not surprised to see how many negative reactions there are to Peacemaker's Season 2 finale. I enjoyed most of the character-focused stuff with the 11th Street Kids, but it was much more of a low-key series coda, band showcase, and DCU setup episode than the expected big finale.
After a few months at Android Police, I'm taking on a new role at Valnet. I'm now the Gaming Section Lead at XDA, and will be directing their coverage of PC and console gaming. You can now reach me at tomas.f@xda-developers.com with any news, preview, interview, or review opportunities!
October 9, 2025 at 3:28 PM
After a few months at Android Police, I'm taking on a new role at Valnet. I'm now the Gaming Section Lead at XDA, and will be directing their coverage of PC and console gaming. You can now reach me at tomas.f@xda-developers.com with any news, preview, interview, or review opportunities!
I'm doing a live blog for today's State of Play! I hope Marvel's Wolverine or Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra show up. www.androidpolice.com/state-of-pla...
State of Play September 2025: Live updates and everything announced for PS5
I'm keeping track of everything revealed for PS5 during the latest State of Play showcase.
www.androidpolice.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
I'm doing a live blog for today's State of Play! I hope Marvel's Wolverine or Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra show up. www.androidpolice.com/state-of-pla...
It might not be very surprising, but Hades 2 is one of the best games to release this year and a perfect fit for Nintendo Switch 2. I don't think it'll have the same impact and legacy of its predecessor, but it doesn't really need to: www.androidpolice.com/hades-2-reco...
Hades 2 is a worthy Nintendo Switch 2 sequel to one of the best games ever made
Hades 2 is a must-play if you own a Nintendo Switch 2, as this roguelike sequel delivers an experience as entertaining as its predessor
www.androidpolice.com
September 24, 2025 at 3:11 PM
It might not be very surprising, but Hades 2 is one of the best games to release this year and a perfect fit for Nintendo Switch 2. I don't think it'll have the same impact and legacy of its predecessor, but it doesn't really need to: www.androidpolice.com/hades-2-reco...
I think The Adventures of Elliot might be my most anticipated game of next year. I think it speaks to me more than any other game slated for 2026 (at least until we see more of Marvel 1943 and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave) www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYEx...
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales | TGS Trailer
YouTube video by Square Enix
www.youtube.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I think The Adventures of Elliot might be my most anticipated game of next year. I think it speaks to me more than any other game slated for 2026 (at least until we see more of Marvel 1943 and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave) www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYEx...
Borderlands 4 is a painfully unfunny game. Baby Steps is one of the funniest games I've ever played. As such, I decided to explore what makes comedy so difficult to pull off in the video game medium and why Baby Steps succeeds where Borderlands 4 fails. www.androidpolice.com/baby-steps-r...
Borderlands 4 is not the funniest game of the year, Baby Steps is
While Borderlands 4 left me doubting whether or not video games could be comedies, Baby Steps quickly remedied that concern
www.androidpolice.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Borderlands 4 is a painfully unfunny game. Baby Steps is one of the funniest games I've ever played. As such, I decided to explore what makes comedy so difficult to pull off in the video game medium and why Baby Steps succeeds where Borderlands 4 fails. www.androidpolice.com/baby-steps-r...
I reviewed Borderlands 4! I think the game absolutely fails when it comes to comedy, but is still a really enjoyable looter-shooter: www.androidpolice.com/borderlands-...
Borderlands 4 is the worst comedy of 2025, but one of the year's best first-person shooters
Borderlands 4 is an enthralling looter-shooter. It's a shame that none of its jokesland
www.androidpolice.com
September 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I reviewed Borderlands 4! I think the game absolutely fails when it comes to comedy, but is still a really enjoyable looter-shooter: www.androidpolice.com/borderlands-...
Lego Voyagers is a wonderful little co-op game. I loved playing through this with my brother, as some of my earliest positive (and negative) gaming memories are playing Lego Star Wars with him as a kid. www.androidpolice.com/lego-voyager...
Lego Voyagers is a short and sweet co-op game I won't soon forget
Lego Voyagers offers a few hours of some of the best co-op gaming you can experience this year
www.androidpolice.com
September 15, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Lego Voyagers is a wonderful little co-op game. I loved playing through this with my brother, as some of my earliest positive (and negative) gaming memories are playing Lego Star Wars with him as a kid. www.androidpolice.com/lego-voyager...
Hollow Knight: Silksong is an amazing game that did live up to its pre-release hype. It's not infallible, though, and Team Cherry could've done a better job of giving players more ways to overcome its toughest moments. www.androidpolice.com/hollow-knigh...
Hollow Knight: Silksong lives up to the hype
There's a lot to love about Hollow Knight: Silksong, proving that its pre-release hype was deserved
www.androidpolice.com
September 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Hollow Knight: Silksong is an amazing game that did live up to its pre-release hype. It's not infallible, though, and Team Cherry could've done a better job of giving players more ways to overcome its toughest moments. www.androidpolice.com/hollow-knigh...
I'll be doing a live blog for the latest Nintendo Direct over on Android Police! www.androidpolice.com/nintendo-dir...
Nintendo Direct September 2025: Live Updates & Everything Announced
Learn what's next for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 through Android Police's live blog of the latest Nintendo Direct
www.androidpolice.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:39 PM
I'll be doing a live blog for the latest Nintendo Direct over on Android Police! www.androidpolice.com/nintendo-dir...