Demon Tides, out now from @fabraz.bsky.social, melds the terrific platforming of its predecessor with an admirable open world -- even if some technical issues get in the way.
Our review:
punishedbacklog.com/demon-tides-...
#DemonTides #DemonTurf #indiegames #platformers #gamereview
@bladesonggame.bsky.social, the debut title from Sun and Serpent Creations, has only just entered early access, but it already offers riveting writing, great visuals, satisfying sword-making gameplay, and more.
Our early access review:
punishedbacklog.com/bladesong-re...
Big Hops from Luckshot Games offers terrific platforming that, at times, rivals Nintendo's best. Unfortunately, everything else about the game is completely forgettable.
Our review:
punishedbacklog.com/big-hops-rev...
#BigHops #platformer #indiegames #gamereview
Point-and-clicks are known for their storytelling, but not always compelling gameplay. In #PerfectTides: Station to Station, developer @meredithgran.com expertly weaves the two together to great success.
Our review:
punishedbacklog.com/perfect-tide...
#indiegames #pointandclicks
TR-49, the latest from @inkle.co, takes some time to fully click. Once it does, however, it's something unlike anything you've played before.
Our own Amanda Tien devoured the game in two sittings and came away "absolutely riveted."
Her review:
punishedbacklog.com/tr-49-review
There's a new puzzle adventure coming on January 21 from
@inkle.co: "A World War II computer. An archive of lost books. A world-changing secret." We've gotten to try TR-49 already... Let's just say you'll want to wishlist this one ASAP. #indiegames
punishedbacklog.com/inkle-tr-49-...
Westside Gunn. @mothersbasement.bsky.social 's anime recs. @fallout.bethesdastudios.com ASMR. Ninja Gaiden Ragebound by @thegamekitchen.com. Predator: Badlands directed by @dantrachtenberg.bsky.social. These were just some of Donovan's favorite things in 2025: punishedbacklog.com/donovans-fav...
29.12.2025 17:20 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Our own @davidsilbert.bsky.social played a lot of #videogames in 2025 - 31 to be exact - but only one can earn the highest honor.
Here's everything he played from worst to best - capped off by his #GameoftheYear.
#GOTY #GOTY2025
punishedbacklog.com/every-game-d...
Gaming can be about so many things. For our phenomenal new writer Scarlet Hardy, it’s first and foremost about hunting for achievements. On this Boxing Day, check out her favorite games of 2025 for achievement hunting: punishedbacklog.com/2025-achieve...
26.12.2025 14:46 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
"Sure, the pages turned, but it barely feels all real. But you know what did feel real in 2025? Video games." Another awesome GOTY list from one of our writers, here's are @forthekids.space 's top ten games of the year: punishedbacklog.com/gary-top-10-...
22.12.2025 14:29 — 👍 1 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
In a year filled with layoffs and furloughs, at least one person found solace in getting away from it all.
For his #Bestof2025 recap, our own Matt Plaus shares the top 5 #videogames he enjoyed while unemployed and cruising the U.S. highway.
punishedbacklog.com/5-games-to-p...
It's that time of year again...the END OF IT. As always, editor @sam-martinelli.bsky.social ranks every single game he played in 2025 into a very scientific and easy-to-understand tier list. What's at the top? What's at the bottom? FIND OUT HERE: punishedbacklog.com/sams-2025-ga...
17.12.2025 14:37 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1
🧵And of course, a few notable HMs for our Best #indiegames List of 2025. We'll have more Best of 2025 coming soon which will give plenty of love to
@kennysun.com, @supergiantgames.bsky.social, @teamcherry.bsky.social, and @hazelightgames.bsky.social.
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "@tinybookshopgame.com is a love letter to not just books and reading, but to friendships, personal growth, and community... It is the cozy genre, perfected," writes Amanda about Neoludic Games' management sim in her Best of 2025 list. #TinyBookshop
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵"@spookydoorway.bsky.social deftly manages the hallmarks of mysticism and detective work in #TheSéanceofBlakeManor, making it one of the best additions to the world of mystery gaming that I’ve seen in years," Amanda writes in her Best of 2025 list.
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "@11bitstudios.bsky.social's The Alters is a good mix of action, existential crisis, resource management, and storytelling," Amanda writes. "It's not a perfect game (even without the AI scandal), but I still obsessively played it." #TheAlters
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "Promise Mascot Agency is a glorious example of something that only an indie studio could make, free of the restrictions and oversight of a big boss," writes Amanda of @kaizengameworks.com's indie game in our Best of 2025 list. #PromiseMascotAgency
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "PEAK is slapstick, colorful, bright, challenging, joyful, interesting, playful, different, innovative, difficult, funky, and, most of all, FUN," writes Amanda about @aggrocrabgames.bsky.social and @landfall.se's indie game collaboration. #PEAK
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "Dispatch reminds players that their decisions matter. It’s funny, charming, sharp, and engaging," Amanda writes of @adhocstudio.com's debut game in our Best #indiegames List. "I eagerly replayed the game right after completing it." #Dispatch
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "The beautiful world is expertly communicated, driven by a rich story, all fueled by deeply challenging combat. Clair Obscur: #Expedition33 really is that good," Amanda writes of @sandfallgames.bsky.social's award-winning game. #clairobscur
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "Citizen Sleeper 2 is a stunning experience... I think Martin is one of the indie auteurs of the decade, and I can’t wait to see what they do next," Amanda writes of the game by @jumpovertheage.com in our Best #indiegames List. #CitizenSleeper2
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵 "I was entranced by Blue Prince," Amanda writes of the debut title by @dogubomb.bsky.social in our Best #indiegames List. "It was unrighteously snubbed at #TheGameAwards ... I can't wait for it to release on Switch so my mom can play it." #BluePrince
Read here: punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵"It’s a surprisingly cozy experience considering you’re having cocktails with a potential murderer," Amanda writes about loving the characters in Best Served Cold by
@rogueside.bsky.social in our Best #indiegames List of 2025. #BestServedCold
Read here:
punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
🧵"and Roger one of the most powerful gaming experiences I’ve had in years. Similar to Sam, I won’t say anything else — except to encourage you to try it," Amanda writes about and Roger by TearyHand Studio in our Best #indiegames List of 2025. #andRoger
Read here:
punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
"It's been a phenomenal year for #indiegames," writes Amanda Tien. "I am energized by seeing people commit to their vision and make it a playable reality!"
Check out our list of the Best Indie Games of 2025 (see thread 🧵): punishedbacklog.com/best-indie-g...
2025 has not been an uplifting year for many people, but its superhero stories were here to remind us about hope, love, faith, and doing the work to make the world a better place. Kei Isobe starts off our End of Year coverage with this retrospective: punishedbacklog.com/hope-superhe...
10.12.2025 14:55 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0🧵Best Video Games 🎮 for #GirlGamers: #Minecraft, #RegencyLove by Tea for Three Studios, Reigns: Her Majesty by @nerial.bsky.social, #TheSims4, Sticky Business by @spellgardengames.com, Tangle Tower by @sfbtom.bsky.social and @sfbdim.bsky.social , and @tinybookshopgame.com by neoludic games. 💃🏾
09.12.2025 17:46 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0🧵Best Video Games 🎮 for #GirlGamers: Kingdom Two Crowns by @rawfury.bsky.social, Littlewood by @seanyoungsg.bsky.social, #LoveNikki: Dress Up Queen, @marvelrivalsglobal.bsky.social, Mass Effect from @bioware.bsky.social, Minami Lane from @dodoot.bsky.social and @blibloop.bsky.social, continued...
09.12.2025 17:46 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0🧵Best Video Games 🎮 for #GirlGamers: #AppleArcade, @assassinscreed.ubisoft.com Odyssey, Boyfriend Dungeon by @kitfoxgames.com, @fieldsofmistria.bsky.social, Frostpunk from @11bitstudios.bsky.social, Good Coffee, Great Coffee by #TapBlaze, Hades I and II by @supergiantgames.bsky.social, continued...
09.12.2025 17:46 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
What video games are good for the girlies trying to get into gaming? All the femmes on our site answered. The range covers everything from mobile to Steam Deck, beginner to advanced, cozy to shooters, #indiegames to AAAs. Check out our #girlgamers list!
punishedbacklog.com/best-games-f...
