Christian Dueñas 🥭

To close out the finale of the Sam Saga, we're throwing it back to @troubledpod.bsky.social producer and Primer host @buttsonabutt.bsky.social!

MAX PAYNE 3

I return to this game every couple years bc it’s one of Rockstars more interesting efforts. Very dark and cynical with solid but rigid mechanics. They really do Brazil dirty here like damn. I wish Rockstar would return to linear games like this. Finally beat it on Hardcore

Catherine, you're a risk-taker. We see you. And @buttsonabutt.bsky.social is here to recognize you.
Tomorrow is the last day to purchase an overly-specific compliment from a MaxFun staff member! Don't wait, head to maximumfun.org/movingday!

NINJA GAIDEN: RAGEBOUND

Ooh baby this is good stuff. Hard but not insane with a really cool art style and very tight combat. I am guessing there is like a “true” ending that I didn’t get but I’ll get on that later. 2D side scrolling retro goodness if you’re into stuff like The Messenger try it out!

FEAR THE SPOTLIGHT

Leaning into that PS1 aesthetic and I love it. Puzzle-heavy horror/mystery with no combat. The first half is decent with some fun enough puzzles but really shines in the second half with more heartfelt and interesting character development. Not scary but that’s ok! Short & sweet

THE PLUCKY SQUIRE

I remember seeing the trailer and being so excited. That art style is nice and some of the mechanics are super clever. Unfortunately the game is overall just okay. It’s not bad but it feels very rigid at times. You can only backtrack so much, puzzles are p easy, a lil too long. 🤷

Let’s goooooo so sick. I’ll have to see if they got Hella on the game too those drums would be insane

just saw the worst gaming ad ive ever seen

BALL X PIT

Took over my life! I really enjoyed this game it just scratches that Vampire Survivors itch but you can strategize more with stats and ball placement. When you get synergy going it’s a sight to behold. Base building takes a while to get going but pays off late game. Incredible time sink

HELLDIVERS 2

Oooh yea I am obsessed. I love the world building and how different every faction feels. I’ve had a few “I wonder if I can do that” moments that actually worked and that’s my favorite thing in videogames. Obviously much more fun in a group but solo runs are great as well. Def recommend

I AM YOUR BEAST

A very solid fast paced FPS with something to say. Kinda light but also on-the-nose commentary about government and militarism. Short length and a very fluid style of gunplay makes for a good satisfying combo. Additional modes and objectives that can really test you are also nice.

MAFIA THE OLD COUNTRY

I have really enjoyed the worlds of each of these games. Some great characters, solid voice acting and beautiful scenery that is a little let down by the familiar plot. Stealth and shooting feel very fine. I had a good time and it’s like 12-15 hrs. Get it on sale!

GHOSTRUNNER 2

My type of game. Very fast very twitchy and when you string together a good combo you feel very very cool. A little glitchy with collisions but nothing game breaking. Great music, annoying writing, super solid combat. Motorcycle sections were a great addition

[screenshot from the MaxFun Slack] Christian Dueñas 9:28 AM - last night i filled in for matt lieb on free with ads where they talked about Anaconda i figured the movie is 89 minutes i should just give it a watch not great but....ehh its watchable i guess lol danny 9:31 AM - so anaconda - you don't want none? Christian Dueñas 9:31 AM - im leaving Marissa 9:47 AM - Come on, CD, you gotta give it up for that be reasonable Christian Dueñas 10:12 AM - left #movies-and-television. Kevin Ferguson 10:12 AM - wow Julian 10:13 AM - Commit to the bit

Controversy over upcoming Free With Ads episode ROCKS the MaxFun movies Slack

WHEEL WORLD

A neat and short game all about becoming the best biker in the land. A pretty art style, fine biking, and a wild amount of customization carry the repetitive gameplay. Go to new land, race ppl, find new parts, rinse repeat. I still liked it overall. Cute podcast game.

DESPELOTE

What a heartfelt charming game this is. Autobiographical story about a boy growing up in Ecuador while the national team were in the process of qualifying for the World Cup. Great lo-fi look with some super clever audio design. Really wonderfully captures that feeling of being a kid. 💕💕

SUPERLIMINAL

An ingenious concept all about perspective and size with clever puzzles and some really incredible little moments. Pretty short but I think that’s a good thing. Shades of Portal and Stanley Parable. Highly highly recommend especially loved the ending sequence. Very sweet message.

INDIKA

What a weird wonderful genre bending experience this was. You are a nun trying to deliver a letter far away. Lots of discussion on the nuances of faith, sacrifice, free will, regret, with light puzzle solving and infrequent action. I’m glad something like this can exist in videogames.

REMATCH

~15 hours in and I’m really enjoying it. More arcade-y than FIFA but also super technical. Hitboxes are wonky sometimes and this is 1000x more fun with friends, but the core gameplay is solid. Biggest complaint is lack of content + no bots to practice. Great foundation to build on tho

MAFIA 3 + DLC

After all the patches and DLC I think this is a decent entry into the franchise. Great art direction good soundtrack superb voice acting and a fine story keeps you going thru all the repetitive missions in every district. I really liked the characters in this they felt distinct

WARHAMMER 40K SPACE MARINE REMASTER

I don’t wanna knock it too much for being made over a decade ago. Levels feel large but empty. Combat feels so limited. Audio logs provide some incentive for exploration and Orks are a fun enemy to blast away. Not a must play but I had fun for a few hours.

DOOM: THE DARK AGES

Not my favorite of this new trilogy but a super solid entry. Generous parry windows and crunchy combat makes for a very satisfying experience. Story once again is a lot but doesn’t get in the way. Stunning art direction too. Crank it up to Nightmare and start blastin.

THE EXIT 8

What a strange experience this game was. Very short but establishes a mood and sticks with it. Essentially a spot the difference game inside of a creepy sterile liminal space. No music no dialog just vibes. I liked it. Got me scared a few times but some anomalies are super subtle.

SOUTH OF MIDNIGHT

What a nice time! So much character in every corner of this game. Combat feels tacked on. Like it just needs to be there to get ppl to play. The story and music and voice acting are all good tho. Deals with concepts not often seen in videogames. Great work would recommend.

video games make eleventy billion dollars a year but we can only have one website about them, and it’s owned by The Bastard Group

Tinykin
Gris if you want something artsy
Pepper Grinder I personally can’t vouch for but have heard great things

Check these out see if any of em interest ya!

Pizza Tower
Lego Builders Journey
Inscryption
Celeste
Hades
Superhot

I can tell AI is bad by the absence of hordes of tumblr accounts sharing renders of their OCs making out with the main characters

Carrion might be the way to go. It’s not bad plus it’s pretty short. TBH the indie scene on switch is so good there’s a ton to enjoy on the eshop!

Text: The Troubled Waters NoHo Special! MaxFunDrive 2025 Sparkly background framing around a photo of cars driving under a sign in North Hollywood

Hey @maximumfun.org sters! We’ve got a @troubledpod.bsky.social stretch goal! I’m not sure we’ve ever had a stretch goal before. I’m not sure I’ve ever stretched before. I have so many injuries!

Right now we’re at ~100 new and upgrading members! If we get 150 we’ll do a NoHo special. What is that?