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John

@redletterday95.bsky.social
158 followers 194 following 54 posts

Really, every game needs a suplex. (he/him) /// YT: www.youtube.com/c/JohnHarrelson Backloggd: backloggd.com/u/Redletterday95

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John @redletterday95.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Our newest episode of Regen is up- this time we're taking a look at Red Alert 2: youtu.be/ppRUlyjN6Gw?...
youtu.be
Is Red Alert 2 our new favorite RTS? - REGEN #005
YouTube video by Regen Podcast
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pang @birthbydrip.neocities.org · 20/09/2026
to wrap up my trio of klonoa articles for this year, I've got a look at empire of dreams, another valiant effort by the now production jobbers to keep a namco series trucking. the results actually sets a new standard for klonoa puzzling, and you can read about how in the link below!
first paragraph: While the main Klonoa team finished up Lunatea’s Veil, Namco contracted out their frequent collaborators at Now Production to produce a sequel to Moonlight Museum for the brand-new Game Boy Advance. The result, Empire of Dreams, benefits from only minutely iterating on its predecessor, despite the addition of action-oriented auto-scrollers and bosses to break up the puzzle gameplay. The enemy roster, Moo blocks, and copious amounts of air vents all return, and the level structure retains the now-contextless moon fragments and doors that powered the winding inner loops of Moonlight Museum.1 Thankfully, Empire of Dreams compensates for this by speeding up the entire learning curve, cognizant that most will have not played its obscure prior entry but not beholden to that game’s agonizingly slow opening. Boomies, the cornerstone of these games’ timer- and storage-driven puzzles, appear by the third world, and the early stages lean more into interlocking room designs instead of barren left-to-right affairs. If that’s still not quick enough, each world’s boss unlocks when after a certain number of stages have been beaten, so occasional stages can be skipped for those not interested in full completion.
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Iron Spike @ironspike.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
So convenient, every dev and publisher you need to block on one page
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John @redletterday95.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
4 games you're looking forward to the most (no DLC allowed)
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John @redletterday95.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Thanks to @birthbydrip.neocities.org for organizing and producing Episode #4 of Regen; this time covering the Dreamcast-exclusive Toy Commander! Give it a listen: open.spotify.com/episode/5Sbi...
open.spotify.com
A French Auteur Casts His Dream... - Regen #004
Regen Podcast · Episode
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pang @birthbydrip.neocities.org · 31/08/2026
and finally, I wrote this review to coincide with the release of our Regen episode on Toy Commander! @reynhester.bsky.social and I take a look at several missions and detail and discuss the variety this game exhibits www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WXs...
youtube.com
A French Auteur Casts His Dream... - Regen #004
YouTube video by Regen Podcast
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pang @birthbydrip.neocities.org · 31/08/2026
next up for today... I'm digging back into the dreamcast well after a long absence to explore Toy Commander, a shockingly cool vehicle sandbox experiment from the minds behind Alone in the Dark and Little Big Adventure. link below!
first paragraph: It’s difficult to judge solely from the cover what kind of game this is, but the first real mission spells it out: drive an RC car up a series of oddly modeled ramps to get onto a countertop, and push an egg into a pot of boiling water using the collision physics. From there the game skews towards more traditional objectives — combat and racing — but the mission design still includes unique geometry as a key consideration. Many missions provide rickety, railless scaffolding for the player’s vehicles to climb even without extraneous obstacles to push them off or impede their progress. Given that every mission is played against a par time, simply lighting a fire under the player is enough to force tight execution on these perilous ascents.
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HotPocketHPE @hotpockethpe.neocities.org · 28/08/2026
Short little article on Cyberdreams, a 90's Doom WAD themed around Cyberdemon puzzle maps, with a fantastic community MIDI pack released in 2024. By no means perfect, but I found it charming and fulfilling (no doubt helped by its short length). hotpockethpe.neocities.org/essays/cyber...
hotpockethpe.neocities.org
Cyberdreams Review - HotPocketHPE's writings
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Double Fine @doublefine.com · 27/08/2026
To honor Tim Curry's memory, we are making Brütal Legend FREE on Itch.io, for 666 minutes: itch.io/s/199277/the...
itch.io
Brütal Legend | The Tainted Coil shall rule forever! by Double Fine Productions
A sale by Double Fine Productions, 100% off Brütal Legend
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pang @birthbydrip.neocities.org · 24/08/2026
still positive on aspects of klonoa 2 (likari is a knockout puzzle concept and I can't wait to see how dream champ tournament expands on it) but the rest still falls flat for me. link to my review below!
first paragraph: Splitting the majority of the puzzle gameplay off to Moonlight Museum puts Lunatea’s Veil in a position to carry forward the original game’s action elements, but Lunatea’s Veil seems uninterested in reprising the quirks from the original. Where Door to Phantomile emphasized levels that curved in on themselves, obstacles that crossed between playable planes, and enemy variety, Lunatea’s Veil hews much closer to prototypical 2D platformer elements — featureless running and jumping within the plane. Basic checks on one’s ability to wield Klonoa’s enemy-based double-jump are absent when not contextualized by one of the few new gimmicks, such as with giant worms that appear out of walls to eat Klonoa unless fed prior with an enemy, which appear long past their expiration date late into the game. When these won’t suffice, a trite 3D snowboarding section fills the void. Oddly enough, this ends up highlighting the puzzles that dot each level; the proper platforming is only grist between them.
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Maddison Baek @maddisonbaek.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
store.steampowered.com/app/2109060/... Did I tell you that it's going through a sales season... again????
store.steampowered.com
Save 50% on Magenta Horizon - Neverending Harvest on Steam
Magenta Horizon is a fast-paced 2D action platformer with challenging spectacle fighter inspired combat. Playing as a Reaper of the twisted purgatorial afterlife, push your skills to the limit to dest...
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John @redletterday95.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
New episode of Regen is up, this time we're tackling the dreamy platformer Klonoa! youtu.be/bRmf1ZGKjdA
youtu.be
Is KLONOA the platformer of our dreams? - Regen #003
YouTube video by Regen Podcast
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pang @birthbydrip.neocities.org · 14/08/2026
to tie in to my arcade-style article from a couple weeks back, I did a quick write-up of my experiences over the last couple years running private arcade clubs for us to compete and learn games together. if you haven't tried making one, you should give it a shot! link to the article below
first paragraph: I’ve attended MAGFest six times now, and one of my favorite events each year are the tournaments. Regular head-to-head genres tends to monopolize the proceedings – fighting games, action puzzle games, TCGs, etc. – but they also put an emphasis on featuring less common tournament fare, including score-based games! In some cases this may be implemented through simultaneous play (a Typing of the Dead tournament I was in once was structured this way), but for others, the format allows everyone to watch each competitor play through a game superplay-style and mark their scores on a local leaderboard. I loved this concept so much that I started participating in online variants of the same concept with friends over the last two years, and it’s been a rousing success.1 My friends and I have played many more games off the beaten path, gained competency in the “prestige” titles, and explored some score systems that people rarely talk about. Below I’m going to offer a few reasons why an arcade club can be a benefit to your friend group and give some tips on setting it up and maintaining it.
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burst_error @bursterror.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
The second installment of my GnG exploration series is up, covering Ghouls 'n Ghosts 'n Super Ghouls n' Ghosts 'n all the ports of course! youtu.be/Rf-2YUxnXgQ Sharing around is very appreciated, enjoy!!! 👹
youtu.be
I Beat Every Version of Ghouls 'n Ghosts | Daimakaimura & Chomakaimura Retrospective
YouTube video by Burst Error
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HotPocketHPE @hotpockethpe.neocities.org · 14/08/2026
Essay on the terminals in classic Marathon (spoilers). It turns out text is a very useful tool in games, especially if you frame it well! hotpockethpe.neocities.org/essays/marat...
hotpockethpe.neocities.org
For The Love of Terminals
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John @redletterday95.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Episode 2 of Regen is up- this time we're talking Vanquish: www.youtube.com/watch?v=75Lp...
youtube.com
Regen #002 - Vanquish
YouTube video by Regen Podcast
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Panic @decisivepanic.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
New video. It's about Dishonored and how the immersive sim design philosophy affected it, its development, and its reception. youtu.be/ihUMSt1pDvM
youtu.be
What Happened to Dishonored?
YouTube video by Panic
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HokutoAndy 🤜🤜➡️ 🦶👊 @hokutoandy.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Jun Suemi Wizardry illustrations. archive.org/details/wiza...
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John @redletterday95.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Regen is now live on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6OJF...
open.spotify.com
Regen #001 - Killer7
Regen Podcast · Episode
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Heather @monochrome-disposition.itch.io · 11/07/2026
Here's my entry for the #toxicyurivnjam Straining Against the Limit. It's a story about true love and genital mutilation, a relationship between a hopelessly romantic trans woman and her cisgender Mistress who just wants to leave a mark on something. monochrome-disposition.itch.io/straining-ag...
monochrome-disposition.itch.io
Straining Against the Limit by Monochrome Disposition
a life-long process of scrambling and undoing
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John @redletterday95.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
sat down with @birthbydrip.neocities.org @reynhester.bsky.social and raph to discuss killer7/10 for the first episode of the Regen Podcast youtu.be/GIynFvQU-DI?...
youtu.be
Regen Episode 001 - Killer7
YouTube video by Regen Podcast
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Delaney InfiniteSnow ❄️ @infinitesnow.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
they're uploading full venture bros eps on youtube every saturday and this, truly, is a reason to feel deep and inimitable pride www.youtube.com/@VentureBros...
youtube.com
The Venture Bros.
Welcome to the official home of The Venture Bros. on YouTube! The Venture Bros. is Adult Swim's fan-favorite parody of the great action/adventure cartoons of yesteryear. Tune in to watch Dr. "Rusty" ...
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shmuplations.com @shmuplations.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Next up, we translated a rare interview for the Sega Saturn cult classic Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru. It turns out Hiroshi Iuchi from Treasure had a much larger role than the staff credits suggest. shmuplations.com/taromaru/
shmuplations.com
Shinrei Jusatsushi Tarōmaru – 2024 Developer Interview - shmuplations.com
This illuminating interview with graphic designer Kenichi Nemoto covers the conception and design of the Sega Saturn cult classic Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru.
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pang @birthbydrip.neocities.org · 19/06/2026
as promised! I sat down and recorded a *full hour-long commentary* for my Super Monkey Ball expert+extra+master 1CC! without getting into the grubby speedrunner weeds, this will explain all of the fundamental concepts and stage strats you need to get a casual 1CC. enjoy! youtu.be/r5WhWyXm6f4
youtu.be
Super Monkey Ball Expert 1CC Commentary (w/ Extra+Master)
YouTube video by pang
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LynnVi ♻️ 「🏳️‍⚧️」 @1ccneet.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
///NEW GAME ANNOUNCMENT!!! - TOTAL CHAOS AGAINST APATHY - an arcade-styled action game made by yours truly! No parries, no dodge rolls, just CHAOS! Coming very very soon! Hopefully within the month! Be sure to Wishlist on Steam! #indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #arcade #steam #actiongame #lowpoly
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PandaMonium @pandamonium.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Crazy Taxi players: If you are a chronic player of the first game/classic map, this article is a very good read. It breaks down why passenger destinations change, how they change, and ways to “crack the code.” birthbydrip.neocities.org/articles/cra...
birthbydrip.neocities.org
birthbydrip - Crazy Taxi Crash Course: How to Clear $20,000
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pang @birthbydrip.neocities.org · 15/05/2026
for some reason the wii section of my site is barren despite cursed mountain being the very first post on there, so I'm rectifying that now with an overview of boom blox! the game is daunting in its breadth, and it's built on a very solid physics system and set of interactables. link below!
front matter and first paragraph of link below
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Paula 💙 @nasukichan.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
my human Zooble design #theamanzingdigitalcircus #art #tadc
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Otacon @tulamark.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Toriyama was a real one for this.
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ziad 🇱🇧 @ziaddd.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
i decided to be original this year and make a video essay on shadow of the colossus. the new ziad content era starts now www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECje...
youtube.com
Shadow of the Colossus and control
YouTube video by ziadbruh
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John @redletterday95.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
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John @redletterday95.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
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Herbert @xxgr1llmast3rxx.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
grids.fun/t/video-game... I made a TRVE GAME GRID
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John @redletterday95.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Have actual stuff I'm finally able to work on, but in the meantime, more lists:
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News Eye @newseye.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
BREAKING: Extraordinary scenes as Iranian citizens start forming human chains outside key infrastructure sites. This is Kazerun Power Plant in Fars province, southern Iran (🎥 i24 News)
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Luke ☕️ @lukegirard.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
After 4 years, I'm finally able to pinpoint my thoughts on Ninja Gaiden Black! A lot of work went into this, and after ages of fighting with myself to put something together, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Shares and comments are appreciated <3 lukegirard.neocities.org/posts/ngb-an...
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aleks @aleksandraht.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
I can't believe how much time has snuck up on me, but today is already one year anniversary of Metal Garden's release! (It's also 30% off right now for the Steam Spring Sale!!) store.steampowered.com/app/3539440/...
store.steampowered.com
Save 30% on Metal Garden on Steam
Travel through an overgrown megastructure, and discover what lies beyond it. Metal Garden is a short, atmospheric singleplayer FPS game.
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John @redletterday95.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
obligatory list
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Mythic 🦊 @mythicalredfox.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Thinking about this quote from Persepolis creator Marjane Satrapi again.
Picture of Marjane Satrapi alongside a quote from her. The quote reads:

The world is not divided into countries. The world is not divided between East and West. You are American, I am Iranian, we don't know each other, but we talk together and we understand each other perfectly. The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you.

And our governments are very much the same...

- Marjane Satrapi, Iranian-French graphic novelist
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John @redletterday95.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
the "finally, some bad fucking food" rotation
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AOKAKI | Wishlist on Steam! @conchaindigo.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
The Demo is out now 💜 Please, enjoy it!
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Solomon @solomonrmissouri.com · 30/01/2026
4 Black journalists have been kidnapped by the federal government
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Don Lemon @donlemonofficial.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Don was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles.
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MinnMax @minnmax.com · 23/01/2026
In solidarity with today's ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA blackout, MinnMax is donating $1 to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota for every share of this Bluesky post for the next hour.
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ziad 🇱🇧 @ziaddd.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
neon inferno really surprised me with its quality, check out my review www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUvz...
youtube.com
Neon Inferno is one of the best arcade action campaigns in years
YouTube video by ziadbruh
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Chief Smokey @chiefsmokey.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
It's time. www.moddb.com/mods/the-las...
moddb.com
Act I: Into the Night file - The Last Goodbye mod for Half-Life
The first third of TLG - comes bundled with a manual, Steam Library art and other bonus goodies.
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ziad 🇱🇧 @ziaddd.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Beach Gen Game Club is back with a lengthy discussion of @polygonbird.games’s 2025 shmup BIRDCAGE — a game explicitly designed around modern gamepads without upending core genre staples. youtu.be/_GCdGHq0SBU?...
youtu.be
BIRDCAGE: a forward-thinking shmup?
YouTube video by Beach Gen Game Club
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