Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Me when I'm mixing up my greek yougurt in the AM #literallyme #greekyogurt 000
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Esoteric Ebb (PC) Yeah this is uh... this is just exceptional. This game made me happy to be alive. I went in with good faith but it was not *enough* good faith; it still held some accusation of derivation or contrivance. Nope. This is as good as games get. This is very special. 010
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Big Walk (PC) I feel like I can't say anything that you won't get just by playing this. It IS as good as everyone says, and it's worth your trust and time. A best-case result of current gaming tech and trends. 101
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Dialect map is correct. Calling shopping carts "buggies" is great and no amount of code switching, conscious or otherwise, will ever take it from me. 000
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 30/08/2026The Incident at Galley House (PC) @skitch.bsky.social played and I rode shotgun for this whole game and it was fantastic. It is a compelling mystery that is superbly paced and full of surprises, but I'm left mostly in awe of the elegance and effectiveness of the game's menus and presentation. 231
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 22/08/2026It even has its own Rick. Game of the Anthropocene. 010
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Onimusha (PS2) I mean yeah why DON'T we do Resident Evil but you have a magic gauntlet? Very solid, super fun to explore. Combat system started strong but I felt like it didn't quite keep up with the encounter designs (could also be a skill issue). Phenomenal environment art and atmosphere. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026Horrible news: an asteroid is NOT immenently striking the earth and reducing us all to atoms 000
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Local deer has taken a liking to our fenced-in yard. She's hopped over a lot recently. I assume she likes the lack of dogs and the fact that I don't treat for weeds. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Another Crab's Treasure (PC) I was blown away by the craftsmanship and quality. It's indie but also a blockbuster complete with novel gameplay and lots of charm. But I'm left with more mixed feelings than I expected. My complaints feel nitpicky but loud, probably because the core game is so strong. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 02/08/2026Spacegulls (NES) If I hadn't played this on an actual NES I would assume it was just a very faithful tribute game, because surely it couldn't be THAT sauced and refined on the hardware's limitations. But it is. With a friend this game is pure joy. This is seriously a piece of fine craft. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 02/08/2026Shift at Midnight (PC) Whatever you want to call the blossoming genre this game belongs to, it's one of the best within it. While many contemporaries bank on endless content, SaM has a bespoke campaign that will only surprise you once, but was extremely fun. Well-made, novel, great with friends. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Rhythm Heaven Groove (Switch) This series is near and dear to me, and Groove is a fantastic new addition. It's rare that a revival-feeling sequel like this feels like one of the biggest and boldest games in a series, but Groove has the same spark that I loved years ago AND a ton of new experiences. 110
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 28/07/2026This post was hidden due to a muted word so I clicked in just to discover I have an ally in cumudgeoning 🤝 110
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 26/07/2026Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim (PS2) I had never played a Ys game before but I was inspired to try this because I heard its soundtrack and was obsessed. This game is fantastic. It is compact but rich, and snappy/fun to control. My only complaint is the platforming, but I loved my time with this game. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 25/07/2026Project Silverfish is changing my life. I cannot believe how good this game is. Every time I play I find my perspective of it totally changed. To use an inelegant example it's kind of like that feeling when the Elden Ring map kept expanding, except full of terror and mystery in an incredible way. 010
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 29/06/2026Star Fox 2026 (Switch 2) I was curmudgeonly about this at first, and I still don't think Star Fox 64 *needs* a remake per say, but I found myself having a great time. I like Velan's take on the game's world. It plays like a dream, the envirionment art is stellar, and co-op is a ton of fun. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 29/06/2026Deltarune Ch. 5 (Switch 2) I consider Deltarune to be the 21st century's Twin Peaks. And like Twin Peaks in its prime, Deltarune continues to weave light, darkness, mystery, drama, mundanity, and the fantastical into something truly compelling. The thematic/symbolic elements really shone this time. 110
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 08/06/2026Panzer Dragoon II Zwei (Saturn) A fantastic sequel. It controls better, offers new engaging mechanics, ups the ante in levels and enemies, and provides more depth to the game's world. There is a distinct 70s-80s sci fi vibe to Panzer Dragoon and I adore its ambitious, esoteric cutscenes. 210
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 06/06/2026Panzer Dragoon (Saturn) My wrist hurts but it was worth it. This is solid, fun, and brisk - BUT - there is this small sprinkle of extra creative elbow grease present. It's an imaginative setting with an evocative score and striking visuals. That art during the credits cemented that feeling for me. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 06/06/2026Pragmata (PC) I agree with the view that this was refreshing. It feels something like an action blockbuster film made by passionate creatives rather than pure corporate interest. It's quality and it's well paced. The final stages had intense and frenetic encounters that had me grinning. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 02/05/2026Catherine (PS3) Committing to a novel idea and fantastic presentation will get you far, far enough for me to overlook just how frustrating this was to play for me. I think the puzzles are actually pretty smart, but they are not for me. Some lows here but overall this game full sends and I liked it. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 28/04/2026Dragon Quest X (PC) Beat the final boss with a buddy - going to take a break for now. This is a really great MMO, especially when it comes to the presentation. There are a few rough edges, but it's accessible and fun, and there's some really deep interesting systems to learn and master. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 24/04/2026Vampire Crawlers (PC) I have never had a game put its talons in me quite like this. Ridiculously fun. Poncle has always had a knack for systems design and here they take on a more complex game system - and it works beautifully. Just like VS you can crack this game wide open. 120
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 24/04/2026Ocarina of Time - Archipelago (PC) I don't normally include AP playthroughs here but did want to bring it up at least once. Archipelago's ability to turn single player games into social experiences is really special to me. There's a unique feeling of group accomplishment to seeing it through. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 21/04/2026R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 (PSX) Played with an Optech Mach 1 Racing Wheel. My mind was blown. Not only is this one of the most exuberant video games ever made; it has not aged a single second. All thoughts of visual fidelty left me. My CRT was a portal to another world. My favorite racing game ever. 110
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 21/04/2026Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Meetup in Bellabel Park (Switch 2) This just cements Wonder as Mario's best 2D outing imo. It handles co-op better than any previous game, is loaded with tons of genuinely fun and creative levels, and now contains party modes. With friends this is an absolute blast. 110
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 13/04/2026Takanaka closed with the finale from Rainbow Goblins in Hollywood tonight and a total stranger and I embraced 030
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 05/04/2026Dark Souls (PC) Played Seamless Co-Op with a friend. Much has already been said. This game is a talented group with a vision comitting to that vision. I think the second half is great, actually, even if the level design isn't quite as legendary. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 31/03/2026Pokemon Legends Z-A (Switch 2) I wanted to love this one, but I just liked it. Open-ended player-set Pokemon collecting and battling is still very compelling to me, but for every improvement over Arceus there was one more addition I didn't like. But music and characters were a franchise highlight! 110
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Madagascar PS2 - an honor to be exposed to Michael Wandmacher's work at a young age 000
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 18/03/2026Retro Game Challenge (DS) All I can really say is wow - they really made all these games. There's a lot of game love here. Guardia Quest in particular is a crazy thing to include in a game like this. The final challenge certainly had me feeling like Arino, but I enjoyed my time overall. 120
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 07/03/2026Resident Evil Requiem (PS5) The first few hours of this game had my partner and I glued to the screen. Though it was uneven, this game felt like a celebration of RE - whers it's been, where it's at, whers it's going. The Grace sections were particularly gripping and memorable. 120
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 07/03/2026Titanfall 2 (PS4) This is the game where I don't have to pretend to be really into the supergun military macho aeshetic - I just actually am into it. This game balances so many disparate ideas and makes it look easy. The campaign is just a pure delight mission to mission. My favorite modern FPS. 110
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 17/02/2026Post a fav game that got a 75 or less on Metacritic. I still don't know exactly what it is that makes me want to do EVERYTHING in a video game, but whatever it is BRC has it. Art, sound, and setting appeal to me of course, but I just like controlling this game. I like the simplicity and speed. 010
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 03/02/2026The Final Fantasy Legend (GB) I love a game that swings for the fences. I've been meaning to play the SaGa games and what a great first impression this one makes. It's so mechanically ambitious for the very first GB RPG and plays at a brisk pace. They did a lot with a little and it rules. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 03/02/2026Portal 2 (PC) Had never played through the co-op before. Level design so good I wondered how human minds came up with it. It can be really challenging, but WOW co-operative portal puzzles are so satisfying to pull off. The writing, art direction, and sound were top-notch too. 110
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 03/02/2026Death Stranding 2 (PS5) I went directly from the first game to this one and it was a great experience. I liked having more tools and more infrastructure. I like DS's sci-fi. And darn it, this is maybe the only game that I believe needs to look this photorealistic. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 22/12/2025Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (3DS) Been chipping away at this save since 2023. This is a marvel to me - incredible that it exists and is such quality on the 3DS. Having a new model with a right stick option helped a lot. I love that feeling - there's this whole world in the palm of my hands. 000
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 14/12/2025Kirby and the Amazing Mirror (GBA) Finally got a chance to play this through co-op. This and Archipelago highlight to me how fun co-op Metroidvanias can be - though this game isn't *really* one. This is easily one of the hardest Kirby games, but I really love this era of Kirby art and sound. 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 06/12/2025Kirby Star-Crossed World (Switch 2) This is more Forgotten Land, but I loved Forgotten Land so it was great to come back. I always like to see Kirby's challenging content and this really makes FL feel like one of the most robust, complete Kirbies (and it even has co-op, would love to try that). 100
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 06/12/2025If you told me the Kirby DLC would feature bosses with raid mechanics and DPS checks I would not have believed you but here we are (this was awesome) 000
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 05/12/2025Kirby Squeak Squad (DS) Another mostly-beaten save file that I finally completed. This was the game that made me fall in love with Kirby as a kid. It still feels like a toybox, with each level full of treasures and novel abilities to use. The background art in this game is transcendent. 120
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 28/11/2025Kirby Air Riders (Switch 2) I'm blown away by this - I thought it would be a novelty at best but this game is Sora at their strongest. This is inspiring, aspirational game design and execution. Online city trial was maybe the best idea ever. I love Rick. 110
Charles P @charlespainter.bsky.social · 26/11/2025Kirby: Triple Deluxe (3DS) I've had this half finished for about a decade and Air Riders inspired me to go back. I think Robobot is the better of the two 3DS games but this one was still a lot of fun. I don't *love* hypernova but I do love the new copy abilities (bell, clown, in particular). 100
