iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 24/04/2026

'Saros' is also the name of my favorite robot vacuum

Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 24/04/2026

I realllly clicked with Saros. The gameplay is so fun. I quickly became addicted to running and gunning when that flow state hits. It also has some super cool sci fi vibes and unique environment art to back it all up. My video here: youtu.be/00958_ZZI7o?...

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 14/04/2026

Pragmata is SOLID. Didn't change my life or anything, but every gameplay mechanic is rock solid satisfying. A well paced, well designed adventure that hooked me through a reasonable runtime. Just old fashioned fun + endearing characters. ...I actually liked the robot kid? GG Capcom

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 25/02/2026

you already know it's the goddamn Leon S Kennedy show. RE9 Requiem feels designed in a lab specifically for people who discovered the franchise with RE4.

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 25/02/2026

Resident Evil Requiem is a HELL of a ride. Hybrid new vs old gameplay is brilliantly executed & fun. It re-uses some stuff from previous games and I wish it did more story-wise w/ Raccoon It goes nostalgia BANANAS. I was mashing the screenshot button. Loved it! Avoid spoilers!

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 24/02/2026

always be sure to take breaks when shoveling snow

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 27/01/2026

I've played 3hrs of Resident Evil 9. Good survival horror w/ Grace, nice evolution of RE4 w/ Leon. Zombies are surprisingly unique/weird, making an almost Bioshock-like sandbox ecosystem while you explore. GREAT gore, cool lore implications too I made a video - link here: youtu.be/KpMDyWG-KN4

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 18/01/2026

Friends Per Second Podcast is back for 2026 on your feeds with a new episode.

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 13/11/2025

not the biggest Roman Empire guy (I know, I know) but Anno 117 absolutely freakin rules dude. I'm hooked

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 01/11/2025

Happy Halloween lol 👻🎃

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 22/09/2025

You'll need to do new game+ in SHf to get everything out of it. That's all I'll say. Best to go in blind. I was skeptical but it's a story that still feels distinctly Silent Hill

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 22/09/2025

Silent Hill f- mostly straightforward survival horror with iffy combat that hooked me with the art, mood, strange moments, and great storytelling. That's SH in a nutshell right there lol I think hardcore SH fans will appreciate it. 1/2

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 12/09/2025

samus on a cool motorcycle... it just makes sense, man. why have I never even imagined something like this?

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 01/09/2025

Ever since I saw the German show 'Dark' I've been looking for something that captures that same feeling of dread, mystery, atmosphere. Hell is Us comes damn close. It hits you like the first time you wander into the village in RE4. it's a tough game but best to go in blind.

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 01/09/2025

Hell is Us! Combat is disappointing but the puzzles, exploration, discovery, & overall atmosphere more than make up for it. A 3rdperson action adventure that just drops you into a world and says "idk, you'll figure it out." You certainly need to be in the right mood for it, but I loved it! ART.

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 22/08/2025

Negatives of Metal Gear Solid Delta (I'll address in my videos) -new cover system is not good -performance PS5 (not dealbreaker worthy bad, but it should've been rock solid) -over-the-shoulder grass crawl camera is awkward -some environments don't look as good as others

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 22/08/2025

Metal Gear Solid DELTA preserves everything, thankfully. It looks VERY good most of the time, but I found myself preferring the Legacy filter. It is WILD to experience one of my all-time favorites again with a photo mode.

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 22/08/2025

Metal Gear Solid DELTA is a safe remake, but I don't think I'd have it any other way as a fan. It looks better (characters especially), plays a little better, and nothing was cut or altered. Flaws, fun, heart and all. A few little neat surprises too. Welcome to MGS fandom 🫡 1/3

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 06/08/2025

went to Metal Gear Solid Delta thing! Back to my basement. More soon

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 25/07/2025

I FEEL ALIVE AGAIN thank you Fantastic Four

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 11/07/2025

just uploaded some additional thoughts on Death Stranding 2 --> youtu.be/6UNYMR8sZW8

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 09/07/2025

(finally, my time to shine) before you buy - Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 youtu.be/4qvsL3qyHQc?...

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 01/07/2025

when I was a kid I thought I was going to grow up and look like this

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 27/06/2025

it's official- I started the 'Before You Buy' video series 10 years ago. That's crazy, right? I'm proud of it & so happy that it has grown way beyond me. Huge thanks to everyone for watching. Huge-er thanks to the gameranx crew. I made a video reflecting on 10 years here --> youtu.be/7GdAquLfQhw

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 23/06/2025

Another Death Stranding 2 note: If you thought DS1 was "boring" or "just a walking sim" Once again this one ain't for you lol and that's ok

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 23/06/2025

I liked Death Stranding 2 more than the original. Starts off feeling samey but quickly reveals fun gameplay improvements that I think big fans will dig. The story is (mostly) paced much better than the OG. Sam is cooler, has more agency. CRAZY STUFF HAPPENS. Nice & weird, just how we like it.

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 12/06/2025

if you're looking for something a bit different, don't sleep on The Alters. A challenging and uniquely weird sci-fi game. In short: Fallout Shelter in 3D with a cool story, choices that matter, and a dash of Death Stranding. I highly recommend!

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 10/06/2025

Mindseye kind of feels like Headhunter in 2025

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 27/05/2025

Mission Impossible! Plane scene is worth the hype. MAGIC. Such a powerful feeling watching it- nearly jumping out of my seat! - while people around me were on their phones. My cynical side feels like this big budget stunt style will go extinct. I really hope I'm wrong!

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 12/05/2025

Expedition 33 is my Thing of the Week. It's a phrase I use when I'm *reallly* hooked on something. It doesn't happen often. I'm talking the fact that IF there were expanded lore comic books, I'd be there day one. I would read the novelization. Gimme the Hot Toys Verso, soundtrack on vinyl, etc

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 09/04/2025

on my way to AMC to see Minecraft alone at a 1pm showing

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 08/04/2025

new video is up! youtubedotcom slash jakebaldino 🚨 I got my hands on the Switch 2 🚨 I played Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Red Faction, Metroid Prime, and more. I also have shockingly strong feelings about the mouse gimmick. --> youtu.be/EDsLJfo1t44?...

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 18/03/2025

AC Shadows has better stealth, nice polish, a drop dead gorgeous world. I think many people are going to dig it! Unfortunately I just didn't connect with it. Rough voice acting/writing and grindy rinse-repeat encounters made it feel like a drag, burying the legit cool moments

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 17/03/2025

new Friends Per Second podcast episode just dropped! Featuring my review of the Lilo & Stitch live action trailer and an interview with Josef Fares reacting to the success of Split Fiction. We also ask him about THAT ending --> youtu.be/G9-_n3vqsAQ?...

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 09/03/2025

even without the Snake bait this is hands down one of the coolest things I've ever seen

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 07/03/2025

just dropped a video with some additional thoughts on Split Fiction. Really happy with how this video came out - this type of game is the reason why I love talking about video games. video --> youtu.be/LGW1MKtZRQo

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 04/03/2025

Where It Takes Two was accessible for younger folks or non-gaming family, Split Fiction amps up the gamer sweatiness. Your casual friends will struggle a bit but come out the other end as a true Capital G Gamer.

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 04/03/2025

SPLIT FICTION - these devs continue a perfect streak with me. Although the characters took a bit longer to grow on me, this is just an incredibly well built FUN thing you play through with a friend/loved one. Laugh, get annoyed, cheer. It's designed perfectly for this. A love letter to games.

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 20/02/2025

as someone who has been following this for a long time, this is potentially the worst possible outcome 😔

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Jake Baldino @jakebaldino.com · 18/02/2025

new video on my channel about Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 featuring Boston

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