Gergin
@yomadrigal.bsky.social
The battle is not always to the strong…
Call of Duty - A
It’s crazy how fully formed and effective the CoD formula was even at the start of it all. Just some good ol’ Nazi shooting fun without any of that modern day politicking to gum it up.
It’s crazy how fully formed and effective the CoD formula was even at the start of it all. Just some good ol’ Nazi shooting fun without any of that modern day politicking to gum it up.
a close up of a man in a military uniform looking at the camera with a serious look on his face .
ALT: a close up of a man in a military uniform looking at the camera with a serious look on his face .
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February 10, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Call of Duty - A
It’s crazy how fully formed and effective the CoD formula was even at the start of it all. Just some good ol’ Nazi shooting fun without any of that modern day politicking to gum it up.
It’s crazy how fully formed and effective the CoD formula was even at the start of it all. Just some good ol’ Nazi shooting fun without any of that modern day politicking to gum it up.
Fatal Frame 2 - A+
It builds upon the first games simple framework with stark imagery & more J-horror flavour to deliver us a truely tragic tale that stands up to some of the best the genre has to offer. It’s much more horror than survival with plenty of health items but that’s par for this series.
It builds upon the first games simple framework with stark imagery & more J-horror flavour to deliver us a truely tragic tale that stands up to some of the best the genre has to offer. It’s much more horror than survival with plenty of health items but that’s par for this series.
a black and white photo of a person upside down
ALT: a black and white photo of a person upside down
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February 4, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Fatal Frame 2 - A+
It builds upon the first games simple framework with stark imagery & more J-horror flavour to deliver us a truely tragic tale that stands up to some of the best the genre has to offer. It’s much more horror than survival with plenty of health items but that’s par for this series.
It builds upon the first games simple framework with stark imagery & more J-horror flavour to deliver us a truely tragic tale that stands up to some of the best the genre has to offer. It’s much more horror than survival with plenty of health items but that’s par for this series.
Tomba! - A
A couple undercooked areas and uneven difficulty can’t stop this from being a rollicking good time with all the pig biting and pant changing action you could dream of. There were more instances of blackface than I was expecting but it was the 90s after all.
A couple undercooked areas and uneven difficulty can’t stop this from being a rollicking good time with all the pig biting and pant changing action you could dream of. There were more instances of blackface than I was expecting but it was the 90s after all.
February 4, 2026 at 3:19 AM
Tomba! - A
A couple undercooked areas and uneven difficulty can’t stop this from being a rollicking good time with all the pig biting and pant changing action you could dream of. There were more instances of blackface than I was expecting but it was the 90s after all.
A couple undercooked areas and uneven difficulty can’t stop this from being a rollicking good time with all the pig biting and pant changing action you could dream of. There were more instances of blackface than I was expecting but it was the 90s after all.
Final Fantasy Adventure - B
A weighty little tale, it squeezes the Zelda 1 formula specifically for all its worth to surprising effect. Like Secret of Mana I feel that I would’ve love this game if I played it earlier in life, simplicity of design notwithstanding.
A weighty little tale, it squeezes the Zelda 1 formula specifically for all its worth to surprising effect. Like Secret of Mana I feel that I would’ve love this game if I played it earlier in life, simplicity of design notwithstanding.
three cartoon characters are standing next to each other and one of them has a duck on his head
ALT: three cartoon characters are standing next to each other and one of them has a duck on his head
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January 24, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Final Fantasy Adventure - B
A weighty little tale, it squeezes the Zelda 1 formula specifically for all its worth to surprising effect. Like Secret of Mana I feel that I would’ve love this game if I played it earlier in life, simplicity of design notwithstanding.
A weighty little tale, it squeezes the Zelda 1 formula specifically for all its worth to surprising effect. Like Secret of Mana I feel that I would’ve love this game if I played it earlier in life, simplicity of design notwithstanding.
Yakuza 4 - B+
As much as I enjoyed playing as the Yakuza 4 at first, the unique content started to feel stretched a little too thin between them. The story was peak Yakuza absurd levels of betrayals and revelations, just the epitome of hype moments and aura.
As much as I enjoyed playing as the Yakuza 4 at first, the unique content started to feel stretched a little too thin between them. The story was peak Yakuza absurd levels of betrayals and revelations, just the epitome of hype moments and aura.
a man in a red jacket is standing on a street
ALT: a man in a red jacket is standing on a street
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January 23, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Yakuza 4 - B+
As much as I enjoyed playing as the Yakuza 4 at first, the unique content started to feel stretched a little too thin between them. The story was peak Yakuza absurd levels of betrayals and revelations, just the epitome of hype moments and aura.
As much as I enjoyed playing as the Yakuza 4 at first, the unique content started to feel stretched a little too thin between them. The story was peak Yakuza absurd levels of betrayals and revelations, just the epitome of hype moments and aura.
Castlevania Legends - C-
With the way that there’s no sub-weapons but plenty of enemies that fly around out of range & its overall platforming clunkiness, it lacks much in the way of justifying its inclusion in the series. Add in the weird story stuff & I can see why they erased this from history.
With the way that there’s no sub-weapons but plenty of enemies that fly around out of range & its overall platforming clunkiness, it lacks much in the way of justifying its inclusion in the series. Add in the weird story stuff & I can see why they erased this from history.
a cartoon character is cooking a meal in a kitchen
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January 19, 2026 at 6:41 AM
Castlevania Legends - C-
With the way that there’s no sub-weapons but plenty of enemies that fly around out of range & its overall platforming clunkiness, it lacks much in the way of justifying its inclusion in the series. Add in the weird story stuff & I can see why they erased this from history.
With the way that there’s no sub-weapons but plenty of enemies that fly around out of range & its overall platforming clunkiness, it lacks much in the way of justifying its inclusion in the series. Add in the weird story stuff & I can see why they erased this from history.
#1 - Hollow Knight Silksong
Thanks to all who read this junk and here’s to another year on this bitch of an earth.
Also I’ve stopping posting on the other poopy site so for exclusive Media Thread goodness it’s either here or on my Backloggd: backloggd.com/u/YoMadrigal
Thanks to all who read this junk and here’s to another year on this bitch of an earth.
Also I’ve stopping posting on the other poopy site so for exclusive Media Thread goodness it’s either here or on my Backloggd: backloggd.com/u/YoMadrigal
January 2, 2026 at 5:33 AM
#1 - Hollow Knight Silksong
Thanks to all who read this junk and here’s to another year on this bitch of an earth.
Also I’ve stopping posting on the other poopy site so for exclusive Media Thread goodness it’s either here or on my Backloggd: backloggd.com/u/YoMadrigal
Thanks to all who read this junk and here’s to another year on this bitch of an earth.
Also I’ve stopping posting on the other poopy site so for exclusive Media Thread goodness it’s either here or on my Backloggd: backloggd.com/u/YoMadrigal
Now for the moment no one was waiting for…
Top 4 Games I Played This Year: 2025 Edition:
#4 - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
#3 - Blue Prince
#2 - Deltarune Chapters 3+4
Top 4 Games I Played This Year: 2025 Edition:
#4 - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
#3 - Blue Prince
#2 - Deltarune Chapters 3+4
January 2, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Now for the moment no one was waiting for…
Top 4 Games I Played This Year: 2025 Edition:
#4 - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
#3 - Blue Prince
#2 - Deltarune Chapters 3+4
Top 4 Games I Played This Year: 2025 Edition:
#4 - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
#3 - Blue Prince
#2 - Deltarune Chapters 3+4
But starting this year, I’ll award my favourite game from the last year that I got to play after the year turned over. With that being said,
The Late to the Party Award 2024 goes to:
Nine Sols
The Late to the Party Award 2024 goes to:
Nine Sols
a stuffed animal with the words hop on nine sols written above it
ALT: a stuffed animal with the words hop on nine sols written above it
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January 2, 2026 at 5:24 AM
But starting this year, I’ll award my favourite game from the last year that I got to play after the year turned over. With that being said,
The Late to the Party Award 2024 goes to:
Nine Sols
The Late to the Party Award 2024 goes to:
Nine Sols
GOTY 2025
Awakened from my holiday torpor, I will now list the best games that I’ve played this year. I managed to get to most of my most anticipated titles but some were missed for various reasons, mostly financial lol.
Awakened from my holiday torpor, I will now list the best games that I’ve played this year. I managed to get to most of my most anticipated titles but some were missed for various reasons, mostly financial lol.
a gingerbread man is surrounded by colorful confetti and the words happy new year
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January 2, 2026 at 5:23 AM
GOTY 2025
Awakened from my holiday torpor, I will now list the best games that I’ve played this year. I managed to get to most of my most anticipated titles but some were missed for various reasons, mostly financial lol.
Awakened from my holiday torpor, I will now list the best games that I’ve played this year. I managed to get to most of my most anticipated titles but some were missed for various reasons, mostly financial lol.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - B-
For all its shortcomings & untapped potential, I can’t really bring myself to hate what is obviously a patchwork job of someone else’s unfinished work. Part of me is just happy that this series can exist again, no matter how mid it ends up being.
For all its shortcomings & untapped potential, I can’t really bring myself to hate what is obviously a patchwork job of someone else’s unfinished work. Part of me is just happy that this series can exist again, no matter how mid it ends up being.
December 31, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - B-
For all its shortcomings & untapped potential, I can’t really bring myself to hate what is obviously a patchwork job of someone else’s unfinished work. Part of me is just happy that this series can exist again, no matter how mid it ends up being.
For all its shortcomings & untapped potential, I can’t really bring myself to hate what is obviously a patchwork job of someone else’s unfinished work. Part of me is just happy that this series can exist again, no matter how mid it ends up being.
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood - A+
It’s everyone and their grandmas favourite classic Castlevania for good reason, with its cinematic game design and razor sharp refinement of the formula acting as the precursor to the evolutionary leap that is SotN.
It’s everyone and their grandmas favourite classic Castlevania for good reason, with its cinematic game design and razor sharp refinement of the formula acting as the precursor to the evolutionary leap that is SotN.
a girl with long blonde hair is giving a thumbs up sign
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December 21, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood - A+
It’s everyone and their grandmas favourite classic Castlevania for good reason, with its cinematic game design and razor sharp refinement of the formula acting as the precursor to the evolutionary leap that is SotN.
It’s everyone and their grandmas favourite classic Castlevania for good reason, with its cinematic game design and razor sharp refinement of the formula acting as the precursor to the evolutionary leap that is SotN.
Mega Man 8 (replay) - B+
Compared to MMX4, the stinkiness of the dub sorta adds a Saturday morning cartoon charm to it all. With very strong level gimmicks & the definitive look of Mega Man going forward, it sucks that they didn’t iterate on this and instead went backwards.
Compared to MMX4, the stinkiness of the dub sorta adds a Saturday morning cartoon charm to it all. With very strong level gimmicks & the definitive look of Mega Man going forward, it sucks that they didn’t iterate on this and instead went backwards.
a cartoon character with a beard and a white coat is looking at the camera .
ALT: a cartoon character with a beard and a white coat is looking at the camera .
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December 12, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Mega Man 8 (replay) - B+
Compared to MMX4, the stinkiness of the dub sorta adds a Saturday morning cartoon charm to it all. With very strong level gimmicks & the definitive look of Mega Man going forward, it sucks that they didn’t iterate on this and instead went backwards.
Compared to MMX4, the stinkiness of the dub sorta adds a Saturday morning cartoon charm to it all. With very strong level gimmicks & the definitive look of Mega Man going forward, it sucks that they didn’t iterate on this and instead went backwards.
Castlevania Chronicles - B
I think that Original Mode is the hardest time I’ve had going through these games to the point of almost quitting once or twice. But when I did finish it, an Arrange mode playthrough almost felt like baby mode so it soothed the pain a little.
I think that Original Mode is the hardest time I’ve had going through these games to the point of almost quitting once or twice. But when I did finish it, an Arrange mode playthrough almost felt like baby mode so it soothed the pain a little.
a group of cartoon characters standing in front of a mystery machine .
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December 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Castlevania Chronicles - B
I think that Original Mode is the hardest time I’ve had going through these games to the point of almost quitting once or twice. But when I did finish it, an Arrange mode playthrough almost felt like baby mode so it soothed the pain a little.
I think that Original Mode is the hardest time I’ve had going through these games to the point of almost quitting once or twice. But when I did finish it, an Arrange mode playthrough almost felt like baby mode so it soothed the pain a little.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories - C
The most inconsequential video game I’ve played in recent memory, nothing really stands out as a thing made with passion or creativity. I really thought you couldn’t get blander than GTA 3 but they managed it.
The most inconsequential video game I’ve played in recent memory, nothing really stands out as a thing made with passion or creativity. I really thought you couldn’t get blander than GTA 3 but they managed it.
a man in a suit and tie is standing in a doorway in a wood paneled room .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is standing in a doorway in a wood paneled room .
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December 8, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories - C
The most inconsequential video game I’ve played in recent memory, nothing really stands out as a thing made with passion or creativity. I really thought you couldn’t get blander than GTA 3 but they managed it.
The most inconsequential video game I’ve played in recent memory, nothing really stands out as a thing made with passion or creativity. I really thought you couldn’t get blander than GTA 3 but they managed it.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (replay) - SS
This alongside OoT are some of my most cherished memories of games I’ve played to death but never really owned growing up and they still resonate with me to this day. Probably in my top 3 Zeldas based on vibes alone.
This alongside OoT are some of my most cherished memories of games I’ve played to death but never really owned growing up and they still resonate with me to this day. Probably in my top 3 Zeldas based on vibes alone.
a cartoon character reading a book with the words you should have thought
ALT: a cartoon character reading a book with the words you should have thought
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December 7, 2025 at 7:16 AM
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (replay) - SS
This alongside OoT are some of my most cherished memories of games I’ve played to death but never really owned growing up and they still resonate with me to this day. Probably in my top 3 Zeldas based on vibes alone.
This alongside OoT are some of my most cherished memories of games I’ve played to death but never really owned growing up and they still resonate with me to this day. Probably in my top 3 Zeldas based on vibes alone.
God of War: Ragnarok - A-
For all its exoteric design language, there’s so much ignorable mechanics & just extra gristle that it almost feels embarrassed about it. The story holds up with some really strong performances but it never really coheres with the actual gameplay.
For all its exoteric design language, there’s so much ignorable mechanics & just extra gristle that it almost feels embarrassed about it. The story holds up with some really strong performances but it never really coheres with the actual gameplay.
a bald man with a beard is making a funny face .
ALT: a bald man with a beard is making a funny face .
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November 23, 2025 at 12:40 AM
God of War: Ragnarok - A-
For all its exoteric design language, there’s so much ignorable mechanics & just extra gristle that it almost feels embarrassed about it. The story holds up with some really strong performances but it never really coheres with the actual gameplay.
For all its exoteric design language, there’s so much ignorable mechanics & just extra gristle that it almost feels embarrassed about it. The story holds up with some really strong performances but it never really coheres with the actual gameplay.
Crow Country - B
I kinda was digging the throwback design and 1980s setting but the way the modern controls ended up chafing against the tight trap-filled corridors and relative brevity makes it feel like it all ends before it can really get going.
I kinda was digging the throwback design and 1980s setting but the way the modern controls ended up chafing against the tight trap-filled corridors and relative brevity makes it feel like it all ends before it can really get going.
a cartoon of a bride and groom standing in front of a candy machine .
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November 19, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Crow Country - B
I kinda was digging the throwback design and 1980s setting but the way the modern controls ended up chafing against the tight trap-filled corridors and relative brevity makes it feel like it all ends before it can really get going.
I kinda was digging the throwback design and 1980s setting but the way the modern controls ended up chafing against the tight trap-filled corridors and relative brevity makes it feel like it all ends before it can really get going.
Silent Hill 2 Remake - A
Call me a pizza eating fool but I can’t believe how well Bloober Team managed to not fuck this up. I can’t say it wasn’t the fuzziest or best performing but the highest praise I can give it is that it still spooked me many times throughout.
Call me a pizza eating fool but I can’t believe how well Bloober Team managed to not fuck this up. I can’t say it wasn’t the fuzziest or best performing but the highest praise I can give it is that it still spooked me many times throughout.
a man is standing on a foggy street in front of a store that says ' junk ' on it
ALT: a man is standing on a foggy street in front of a store that says ' junk ' on it
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November 13, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Silent Hill 2 Remake - A
Call me a pizza eating fool but I can’t believe how well Bloober Team managed to not fuck this up. I can’t say it wasn’t the fuzziest or best performing but the highest praise I can give it is that it still spooked me many times throughout.
Call me a pizza eating fool but I can’t believe how well Bloober Team managed to not fuck this up. I can’t say it wasn’t the fuzziest or best performing but the highest praise I can give it is that it still spooked me many times throughout.
Mega Man X4 (X & Zero replay) - B-
Aside from the final boss which took many tries on both X & Zero, it ends feeling like a safe retread of X1 and is way shorter & easier than I remembered. I’m also not looking forward to the really bad stories becoming the focus going forward.
Aside from the final boss which took many tries on both X & Zero, it ends feeling like a safe retread of X1 and is way shorter & easier than I remembered. I’m also not looking forward to the really bad stories becoming the focus going forward.
a cartoon character with a red hat is holding a gun and making a funny face .
ALT: a cartoon character with a red hat is holding a gun and making a funny face .
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November 12, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Mega Man X4 (X & Zero replay) - B-
Aside from the final boss which took many tries on both X & Zero, it ends feeling like a safe retread of X1 and is way shorter & easier than I remembered. I’m also not looking forward to the really bad stories becoming the focus going forward.
Aside from the final boss which took many tries on both X & Zero, it ends feeling like a safe retread of X1 and is way shorter & easier than I remembered. I’m also not looking forward to the really bad stories becoming the focus going forward.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (replay) - S
Because kid me didn’t take care of his game discs, I ended beating this before MP1 so there’s some first time biases for this in particular. It’s on par if not a tad below its older sibling but the endgame key hunting drags it down a smidge.
Because kid me didn’t take care of his game discs, I ended beating this before MP1 so there’s some first time biases for this in particular. It’s on par if not a tad below its older sibling but the endgame key hunting drags it down a smidge.
November 6, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (replay) - S
Because kid me didn’t take care of his game discs, I ended beating this before MP1 so there’s some first time biases for this in particular. It’s on par if not a tad below its older sibling but the endgame key hunting drags it down a smidge.
Because kid me didn’t take care of his game discs, I ended beating this before MP1 so there’s some first time biases for this in particular. It’s on par if not a tad below its older sibling but the endgame key hunting drags it down a smidge.
Spyro: Year of the Dragon (replay) - A-
A tad easier than 1 or 2 but I think they were running out of steam by the end of it in regards to ideas and probably dev time as well. Still it’s one of my childhood favs and I’m excited to finally try Ratchet & Clank after this.
A tad easier than 1 or 2 but I think they were running out of steam by the end of it in regards to ideas and probably dev time as well. Still it’s one of my childhood favs and I’m excited to finally try Ratchet & Clank after this.
November 4, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Spyro: Year of the Dragon (replay) - A-
A tad easier than 1 or 2 but I think they were running out of steam by the end of it in regards to ideas and probably dev time as well. Still it’s one of my childhood favs and I’m excited to finally try Ratchet & Clank after this.
A tad easier than 1 or 2 but I think they were running out of steam by the end of it in regards to ideas and probably dev time as well. Still it’s one of my childhood favs and I’m excited to finally try Ratchet & Clank after this.
Kirby’s Dream Land 2 - B-
More sucking and chucking goodness on par with Kirby’s Adventure on the go. The animal buddies were fun to use and finding out the different power-up combos adds some spice to the admittedly simple formula.
Rick is the GOAT on aura alone.
More sucking and chucking goodness on par with Kirby’s Adventure on the go. The animal buddies were fun to use and finding out the different power-up combos adds some spice to the admittedly simple formula.
Rick is the GOAT on aura alone.
a group of hamsters are dancing in the desert
ALT: a group of hamsters are dancing in the desert
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October 31, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Kirby’s Dream Land 2 - B-
More sucking and chucking goodness on par with Kirby’s Adventure on the go. The animal buddies were fun to use and finding out the different power-up combos adds some spice to the admittedly simple formula.
Rick is the GOAT on aura alone.
More sucking and chucking goodness on par with Kirby’s Adventure on the go. The animal buddies were fun to use and finding out the different power-up combos adds some spice to the admittedly simple formula.
Rick is the GOAT on aura alone.
Hollow Knight: Silksong - SS
I can’t believe this was actually worth the wait and then some, the bug people went and did it again! It sometimes reaches the tilt capacity of the Souls series but it was never a problem of design, it really is just a matter of git gud or don’t.
I can’t believe this was actually worth the wait and then some, the bug people went and did it again! It sometimes reaches the tilt capacity of the Souls series but it was never a problem of design, it really is just a matter of git gud or don’t.
October 20, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Hollow Knight: Silksong - SS
I can’t believe this was actually worth the wait and then some, the bug people went and did it again! It sometimes reaches the tilt capacity of the Souls series but it was never a problem of design, it really is just a matter of git gud or don’t.
I can’t believe this was actually worth the wait and then some, the bug people went and did it again! It sometimes reaches the tilt capacity of the Souls series but it was never a problem of design, it really is just a matter of git gud or don’t.