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Taylor Bauer

@taylorbauer.bsky.social
272 followers 554 following 206 posts

He/Him / Chicagoland nonprofit comms / games and culture writer @PhenixxGaming.bsky.social / prev. SB Nation, NPR

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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Dragon Quest XI feels right at home on the Switch 2, a console I'm increasingly eager to load up with more and more @square-enix-games.com games. A JRPG in handheld mode just feels right to me. My review for @phenixxgaming.bsky.social: web.phenixxgaming.com/2026/09/24/d... #DragonQuest
web.phenixxgaming.com
Dragon Quest XI S Definitive Edition (Switch 2) Review
Dragon Quest XI S: Definitive Edition is now on Switch 2 with a ton of great enhancements and updates. Check out Taylor’s review here!
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
We're slowly moving closer to my preferred method of choosing who to vote for: who thinks I'm the cutest.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
A decade ago, I saw Phoebe Bridgers open for Julien Baker at Lincoln Hall in Chicago. Fast forward to 2026, and she's headlining two sold-out nights at the United Center. Some thoughts on #TheLostTour and what made this show special for me: fandomrising.com/2026/09/24/r... #PhoebeBridgers
fandomrising.com
Review: Phoebe Bridgers Brings "The Lost Tour" to Chicago - Fandom Rising
Phoebe Bridgers Lost Tour stop in Chicago was a spectacle, and very much enhanced by its no-phones policy and elaborate stage design.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
New review is up and it’s perfect timing for the fall equinox. If you’re big on horror aesthetics but don’t love the actual horror, I’ve got a Metroidvania for you. My review of Well Dweller, out now on #NintendoSwitch: fandomrising.com/2026/09/22/w... #KyleThompson #WellDweller #Metroidvania
fandomrising.com
Review: Well Dweller is an Atmospheric Metroidvania Worth Your Time - Fandom Rising
Well Dweller is a gorgeous new Metroidvania that feels fresh and full of life from developer Kyle Thompson. Read a review for Switch here.
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Rob Zacny @robzacny.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
We live in a golden age of statements from video game companies that sound like estranged family explaining that they know they fucked up, they’ve worked on themselves, and they’re gonna do better now. And it’s only been a month since they told everyone to go fuck themselves and did a burnout.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
It sort of feels like I’ve gotta give Destiny 2 a try now, right?
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Idk if I’m crazy, but I’m almost scared to start the new Fire Emblem because of the commitment it’s gonna take. Like I waited all this time for Fortune’s Weave just to be intimidated by it
A blurry photo of toad from mario screaming in fear
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I'm finally through #Onimusha, and I can't recall a better series reboot than this in quite some time. From the casual concept of a "ninja #ResidentEvil" to a formidable IP in its own right, #Capcom is firing on all cylinders. My review: fandomrising.com/2026/09/17/r...
fandomrising.com
Review: Onimusha: Way of the Sword is an All-Time Series Reboot
Onimusha: Way of the Sword might be the best reboot of a franchise we've seen in years. Here's our review of Capcom's lastest game.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Bill Skarsgård has so many great performances but look. A Metal Gear gameplay loop where you play as Pennywise stealth-stalking residents of a locked-down Derry would move units like you’ve never seen before.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I’m anxiously anticipating the #OcarinaofTime remake, and for all of the changes they’re making, not taking out loading screens makes sense to me given what Nintendo seems to prioritize when adding modern features to classic games. Some thoughts: fandomrising.com/2026/09/10/o... #Zelda #OOT
fandomrising.com
Ocarina of Time Loading Screens - What Makes a Game Modern?
Nintendo leaving in Ocarina of Time loading screens for their upcoming remake is just as artistic of a choice as its graphical upgrades.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Happy #NHL27 Day to all who celebrate. This series means a lot to me and it’s wild to think I’ve been reviewing these games for sites going on a decade. Full thoughts and feelings (frustrations?) below:
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
If you play tactical games or love Star Wars, it’s hard to imagine you’re not thrilled with @bitreactor.com’s vision for a #CloneWars era #XCOM style adventure. Star Wars Zero Company is a 4.5/5, and hopefully, just the beginning. Full Review: fandomrising.com/2026/09/04/r...
fandomrising.com
Review: Star Wars Zero Company Hits Nearly Every Shot - Fandom Rising
Star Wars Zero Company is a gem of a tactical experience, and aside from a few issues, is a near-perfect strategy game.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
At what point after the Death Stranding launch did Sony start whispering “we might not want to do this again” despite the GOTY nominations and high reviews? Hard to imagine why they’d wanna abandon the Kojima ship when he’s the top auteur of the medium and has been for so long.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Xbox doesn't lack consistency, it's just not the right kind of consistency. #xbox #gamepass
static.klipy.com
Simpsons Sideshow Bob
Alt: Simpsons Sideshow Bob continuously stepping on rakes; Xbox is doing this with their poor decision-making.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I haven’t kept up with YouTube creators in a long time, but I have premium for free for the next two months. What creators should I binge? I’ve watched every single @jasonschreier.bsky.social video in the last 24 hours and feel infinite. #OneTakeSchreier
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Wario64 @wario64.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
'Playdate maker Panic is refunding tariff fees to customers' "It's just not our money to keep, and it felt really good to give it back. That's an easy way to know you made the right decision." - Panic co-founder Cabel Sasser www.gamedeveloper.com/business/pla...
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
FromSoft said "let's try the Star Wars approach to naming our characters"
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
My favorite #Xenoblade game got the #Switch2 treatment - and shocker - it's still an all-timer.
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Phenixx Gaming @phenixxgaming.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Review Xenoblade Chronicles 2 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is a modernized version of a great RPG. Check out Taylor's thoughts on it here! web.phenixxgaming.com/2026/08/17/xe…
web.phenixxgaming.com
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Review
In the long list of Nintendo franchises, Xenoblade Chronicles has slowly become a unique and standout example of the game company's lineup diversity. Monolith Soft is one of the most underrated studios in Nintendo's roster, providing great support for top-tier titles and, of course, the franchise it's best known for now. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition takes the 2017 action-JRPG and refreshes it with the power of the Switch 2.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
It’s shaping up to be a good fall on the #Switch and #Switch2. Exclude the OOT remake and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave and it’s STILL jam-packed 🙏🏼 My excitement in words for @phenixxgaming.bsky.social: web.phenixxgaming.com/2026/07/30/t...
web.phenixxgaming.com
Taylor’s Most Anticipated Switch Releases for Fall 2026
This Fall is set to be big for the Switch and Switch 2. Check out Taylor’s most anticipated releases here!
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Finally played through #FFVIIRebirth on Switch 2 and loved my experience. Review is up now! #nintendoswitch2 #ffvii #finalfantasy
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
@gameovergreggy.bsky.social wild example of the brutality of the Xbox layoffs to maybe mention during KFGD tomorrow: Friday: raise Monday: laid off Insane that so many people are happy that things “weren’t as bad as they could be” with thousands and their families navigating poor management
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
@blessingjr.bsky.social wild example of the brutality of the Xbox layoffs to maybe mention during KFGD tomorrow: Friday: raise Monday: laid off Insane that so many people are happy that things “weren’t as bad as they could be” with thousands of people and their families navigating poor management
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Moonlight Peaks is the spooky cozy game of my dreams. Big thanks to @xseedgames.bsky.social for the review opportunity!
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
As a TV production nerd, the 24 hour live ABC #DisneyCelebratesAmerica special has been so well done. I appreciate the time they’ve spent exploring native folks, slavery, and the darker chapters of American history.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Is Splatoon Raiders a potential new side-series in the making for Nintendo?
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Phenixx Gaming @phenixxgaming.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
New Knockout Tour Routes Added to Mario Kart World The latest patch for Mario Kart World added new routes and a few other updates. Check out Taylor's scoop here! web.phenixxgaming.com/2026/07/02/ne…
web.phenixxgaming.com
New Knockout Tour Routes Added to Mario Kart World
In a new update to Mario Kart World for the Nintendo Switch 2, new routes have been added to Knockout Tour, one of the game's signature modes. A few other updates are included in the Ver. 1.7.0 update, but new ways to explore the massive map of the game are certainly a welcome addition for players hungry for more ways to explore 
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Nothing is gonna get me to avoid your business quicker than those god awful gen AI graphics. #frieren #generativeai #pleasestop
Pictures of Fern from Frieren the anime
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
“How Donkey became Donkey”
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Saved $77 by skipping a #GTA6 preorder for the REAL goty
It’s a switch eshop photo of gorilla jungle king simulator
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I didn’t grow up playing the Fatal Fury games, but a new publication from the excellent @bitmapbooks.com motivated me to dive into the series. New thoughts on the #FatalFury retrospective for @phenixxgaming.bsky.social below 😇 web.phenixxgaming.com/2026/06/19/n...
web.phenixxgaming.com
New Fatal Fury Retrospective Celebrates an Iconic Series
Fatal Fury/Garou Densetsu: The Ultimate History celebrates 35 years of the iconic fighting series. Check out Taylor’s latest scoop here!
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
The Scribble Suit from @capcomusa.com’s PRAGMATA that Diana draws for you is now in-game 😭😭😭 Friendly reminder that I gave PRAGMATA a 9/10 on @phenixxgaming.bsky.social - read the review here if you missed it: web.phenixxgaming.com/2026/04/23/p...
A drawing Diana from PRAGMATA made with Hugh’s spacesuit all colored with crayon. A Scribble Suit screenshot from PRAGMATA of Hugh and Diana.A Scribble Suit screenshot from PRAGMATA of Hugh and Diana.
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FactPost @factpostnews.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Mayor Mamdani honors NBA champion NY Knicks with keys to the city.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
I’m not panicked about the first year of game releases on the Switch 2. It’s my main console. However, do you think any of the suits are concerned that the only release with really any staying power so far has been a game developed by external teams? (Pokémon Pokopia) #nintendo #switch2 #pokemon
static.klipy.com
Greedent Pokémon
ALT: Greedent Pokémon
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
The children yearn for IP platformers (I’m children). First game was honestly not bad haha
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Phenixx Gaming @phenixxgaming.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Mina The Hollower is out on PC and Consoles, and we got the chance to talk to one of the devs! Check out Alexx's interview here!
web.phenixxgaming.com
Mina the Hollower Interview – Modifiers and More
Earlier this week, we posted my review of Mina the Hollower. While I enjoyed my time with Mina overall, I had a few questions in mind that caught my attention. Luckily for me, one of the folks from Yacht Club Games who worked on Mina the Hollower, Sean Velasco (Director, Game Designer, Level Designer, and Writer), was willing to answer some of those questions.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Got to write about my #PokemonGoFest experience, and now the Championships are coming to Chicago next year! One of the smoothest, most positive events I’ve been to of this size ever.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
As a long time believer with a massive digital library, I’ve purchased my last Xbox console. Can’t feel good about any of this, business decisions or not.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Playing this out loud on the train tomorrow to let people know the weekend has arrived.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Was the original Resident Evil 4 jarring to fans??? Not in bad way, but unexpected? I can’t imagine what it must have been like to get RE 1-3 and then Capcom goes “Leon is back and instead of puzzles you are now a killing machine.”
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Happy for Wemby. Happier for @andycortez.cool
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Does Star Fox 64 take like 3 hours to beat or is my memory failing me? Rough to ask $50 for a refreshed version of the game, and I’m pretty quick to defend Nintendo on their pricing strategy.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
I send this picture of Toad from Super Mario Strikers in every group chat when someone’s taking attendance for an outing or event. And now you all can have it too.
A photo of Toad from Super Mario Strikers looking devious.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Detective Pikachu looks so good, why don’t we have like half a dozen other live action Pokémon movies in this style?
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
are you kidding me this game is such a slam dunk #pragmata
A photo of Diana from Pragmata holding a picture she drew of herself and Hugh, the game’s character you control. It looks child-like and seemingly drawn with crayon.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
I’m only two hours into Pragmata but I’m already loving it. Capcom continues to deliver 🫡
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Folks, my review went live for a video game literally nobody is talking about - I may be first to sing its praises but I do not gatekeep so I’m sharing a link below. web.phenixxgaming.com/2026/03/31/p...
web.phenixxgaming.com
Pokémon Pokopia (Nintendo Switch 2) Review | Phenixx Gaming
Taking on Nintendo’s own Animal Crossing, Pokémon Pokopia blends crafting survival gameplay with the IP Superpower. Check out Taylor’s review for details.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Is there a Chicago Cubs squad here on Bluesky and if so fly the damn W
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Fastest @humblebundle.com purchase I’ve ever made.
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Taylor Bauer @taylorbauer.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
What an insane #OpeningDay for Skenes. 37 pitches, 5 runs, and done. Have to wonder what the odds were of a first-inning exit. #PIT #NYM
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