iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I really like the look of Queen's Domain. If any outlets want me to review this for them, please let me know in my DMs. I will take any excuse to play it! 🤣

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Just throwing this out there, if you need a Castlevania expert to review Belmont's Curse, I am open to freelance commissions. Have played every game in the series multiple times, and have previously written for multiple websites about the series and Metroidvanias in general.

static.klipy.com

Alucard Castlevania

Alt: Alucard dashing from side to side.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I know this is going to be a highly unpopular opinion, but I kinda like that Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave doesn't go beyond slight flirting when shipping its characters. Romance always felt awkward to me as a mechanic that has tangible effects, but support levels as a whole makes sense.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The article I really hoped I could write has been published in time for @gamespot.com's Metroidvania Week. Many thanks to @thesmokingmanx.bsky.social and for the edits. I had a blast researching these old games. www.gamespot.com/articles/the...

gamespot.com

The Metroidvania Genre Owes Credit To Much More Than Castlevania And Metroid

From as far back as the early 1980s, metroidvanias have been and still are evolving to entertain the masses, so here we honor those that came before and innova…

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

First Dolly Parton and then Tim Curry, in the space of 24 hours. Can today stop taking celebs I like please?! Rest in peace to both of these legends.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

He's scared of a bin. He's scared of a bin. Nigel Farage, he's scared of a bin! #clactonbyelection

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

This seems like an important PSA for all those who have the retro #Pokemon games, that was buried in the recent Fire Red/Leaf Green update post.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Gets less than two thirds of the vote, over 9,000 votes for Count Binface. Hasn't heard of the Streisand effect and that it highlights what a petulant little child he is. Lies about Essex police regarding his safety. Still doesn't visit Clacton despite being their MP. THAAAAAAT'S OUR NIGEL!

static.klipy.com

Nigel Farage Nigel

ALT: Nigel Farage Nigel

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

I know that, in her song "I Try", Macy Gray isn't talking about saying goodbye to her favourite Pokémon. It never was. But I always misheard that song and interpreted it as her confessing her regret in trading it away for a Haunter/Graveler/Kadabra.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

If you have not watched this week's #GameChanger on #dropout, then you are missing the best bit of telly in quite a while!

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Reposted by Dave Irwin

Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social · 19/07/2023

Under a Binface government, anyone who doesn’t accept human-made climate change as fact will be sent back to school, from Year 1 right the way to A Levels, to see if anything goes in the second time round. #VoteBinface

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Reposted by Dave Irwin

Tim Willoughby @timswheelbarrow.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

My random Sam Neil story. An actor friend of mine was cast in a small role on Peaky Blinders. Never receives his script pages. Discovers his role has been pushed to non speaking background, which is less fun/less money. Sam Neil spots him looking dejected on set and finds out.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Saw this picture of Gianni Infantino, head of FIFA, on a BBC news story, and I'll be honest, he isn't doing himself many favours. #worldcup #fifa #eggman #infantino

Gianni Infantino praising the sun with wired eyes.

Dr Eggman cackling with his arms outstretched.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

As a collector of retro games and an advocate for game preservation, I wholeheartedly disagree with Sony's decision to end physical media production for PS5 and beyond, and have signed the petition to save the discs. I urge anyone else who feels similarly to do so, even if futile. c.org/YB9JFGp5hd

c.org

Sign the Petition

Don't Kill the Disc: Tell Sony to Keep Physical PlayStation Games

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

While I didn't review #MinaTheHollower personally, I can confidently say that it's my current GOTY, and it's going to be hard to beat for that position. Yacht Club Games have channelled GBC Zelda, Castlevania, and a lighter Souls influence to make something magical.

Mina is a mouse brandishing a whip, looking on at the Queensbury Crypt and its unlit generator. A full moon is shining in the sky.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

It was actually quite therapeutic to do some coloring this morning! Here is Sam Reich as The Riddler (I may have added the question marks). #GameChanger306

A colored in picture of Sam Reich from Dropout wearing a magician's outfit and a cape, surrounded by magical wisps. The question marks are added to make him look more like The Riddler.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Hi all, Looking to expand on my portfolio as a games writer. If you need new freelancers or part-time writers, my credentials are on LinkedIn & my portfolio is at the top of the page on MuckRack. Anyone aware of any roles, plz send them my way, or send me theirs? Thx www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Having seen what it does to an image and the quality of character models, lighting, and the overall tone of a scene, I'm never using DLSS 5. It actively makes things look worse for more power. What a waste of money and RAM (for data centres). #NvidiaDLSS5

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

In addition to contemporary games, I have been into retro games for a long time, building a Gameboy/GBC/GBA collection for a few years. If you need a buyer's guide for retro games in 2026, or how to maintain your collection, I have some ideas that might be worth publishing.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Hey all, I realize that budgets are tight, but if you are a Guides Editor in need of a freelancer with years of experience, including Evergreen lists, some Roblox stuff, and other games that have been out for a while, please DM me as I'm always looking for work.

media.tenor.com

homer simpson is sitting on a couch in a living room with a picture of a sailboat on the wall above him

Alt: homer simpson is sitting on a couch in a living room with a picture of a sailboat on the wall above him

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

So early theory on where #Pokemon #Pokopia takes place: we're in a trainer's PC.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Devastated to hear that all these talented people are no longer working for Eurogamer. I had the pleasure of working with at least one of them directly and meeting the vast majority of the names on this list. I sincerely hope that they bounce back & find success in the near future.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Did any of my mutuals on #PokemonGo get a spare Hawlucha? I got very unlucky with 10km eggs...

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

PSA: Anyone who has the new Steam version of #FinalFantasyVII classic, hold off playing it until it's patched. Battles run at 30fps, but this speeds up the battles too, and they're a little too fast right now. (Do appreciate that the port fixes the button issue I had with the 2013 version)

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

The discourse surrounding Pokémon Fire Red/Leaf Green's pricing is fascinating. On one hand, buying the legitimate GBA version will set you back at least £200 if you want everything in box, so £16.99 is a steal. However, these are probably the most pirated GBA games ever... [1/2]

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Many thanks to @jellesmarbleruns.bsky.social for the Impact Marble Racing set! Looking forward to cracking it open and holding my own marble racing tournaments soon! #JellesMarbleRuns #TeamGalactic

A sealed Impact Marble Racing set from Jelle's Marble Runs, signed by Jelle in gold pen.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

If what I've just read is 100% true, we actually have the Boomer equivalent of demanding a participation prize...

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Based on what Farazz said in last night's #TheTraitors, I have a theory that there is an entire family in the castle this year. We know about Mum and Daughter pair Judy and Roxy, but it's entirely possible that Maz is her husband and Farazz is their 2nd child.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Happy New Year everyone! I'd like to start 2026 by complimenting Square Enix on offering a demo for Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined. This game had a notoriously has a stupidly long intro, sometimes taking at least an hour in the original PS1 release... 1/2 www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL2-...

youtube.com

Opening Movie | DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined

YouTube video by DRAGON QUEST

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Reposted by Dave Irwin

Cactrot @cactrot.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Everything you need to know about final fantasy you can learn from the Simpsons

Some images from the something awful Simpsons meme thread

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

After many moons since I said I would start it, I finally finished Final Fantasy IX. It's not that I didn't have a good time with it; actually, the total opposite! There were just so many changes in my life that I couldn't find the time to spare.

The title screen for Final Fantasy IX. The cursor is on Continue.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

As cool as the Steam devices announcements are, we need to put things into perspective. Steam Deck was pricey, but a companion product to a PC. If Valve price the Steam Machine competitively, then it has a chance. If they overcharge, it's a harder sell for more casual audiences.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

I want to run an experiment. Can you solve this #DnD puzzle I faced last night? There is a statue facing a locked door. It's holding a heater shield with the words "The dawning sun Burns away the hoary Frost, coaxing Life back into the dead land" inscribed on it. Scorch marks are on the shield.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Can we all appreciate just how hard this remix of a somewhat forgotten Castlevania game goes? It's so good! #vampiresurvivors youtu.be/nK7FTNdyoT4

youtu.be

37 Anti-Soul Mysteries Lab | Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania

YouTube video by poncle - Vampire Survivors

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

It's another year without a faithful PC port of Symphony of the Night (plz not the PSP version if you do Konami!), but this more than makes up for it! #vampiresurvivors youtu.be/KW3ZFbMPD2I

youtu.be

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania Update | Announcement Trailer

YouTube video by poncle - Vampire Survivors

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

How am I discovering just now that Dragon's Dogma originally had this banger of a title screen music?! I played Dark Arisen and it wasn't there... www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZNb...

youtube.com

Dragon's Dogma - Into Free ~Dangan~

YouTube video by Knuxfan24's Song Gallery

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Seeing the news of #Pokemon doing a thing with the UK Natural History Museum immediately made me think if the reason these four Pokémon exist. secretldn.com/pokemon-natu...

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Reposted by Dave Irwin

milo edwards @miloedwards.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

imagine getting qt dunked by ed davey. unrecoverable. you’re furious and he is serenely going down a log flume in bognor regis.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Isn't Mega Malalar basically just the aliens from Mars Attacks!?

Mega Malamar in a house. It is a squid-like creature with a massive brain and swirly tentacles that shine a luminescent light.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

I'm half expecting Daniel Mullins to drop #ponyisland2 without warning. Maybe through another fourth-wall-breaking game where someone must complete it before it unlocks the main game for everyone on Steam? That would be a hoot.

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

So who else in the UK got that alert 1 minute late?

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Reposted by Dave Irwin

Ian Fay @ianfay.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

"But you liked me yesterday"

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Dave Irwin @dave-irwin.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Just went past a man with a bucket and some soap washing the red cross some berk had painted on a road traffic sign (yes, not just mini roundabouts here). A true hero.

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