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Tomas Franzese

@tomasfranzese.bsky.social
495 followers 248 following 1.1K posts

Video Game Industry Reporter & Critic | Author of the Remastered Newsletter | Weekend News Editor at Polygon | Bylines: GameSpot, Digital Trends, XDA, Game Informer, Android Police, ComicBook, Noisy Pixel, But Why Tho, and more | ODU Graduate Student

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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
A lot of well-earned criticism of that NYT Xbox article, but on the news front this comment really stood out to me. It really seems like Xbox wants to embrace playbor and UGC rather than developer made games next-gen. Don't think "do the work for us after we laid off thousands" is a good strategy.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Some amazing quotes in this one:
“I think what makes Amphibian unique from a lore perspective is the game is entirely frog-accurate. Every character's name is ‘frog’. All the status ailments are frog illnesses in real life. All the religious elements of the game are frog religions from real life that the characters would pray to or understand as deities. I've taken it all from frog culture of real life. If you look at Amphibian on the surface, it looks like a JRPG, but we're pulling a little bit from puzzles or survival horror games. We're pulling a little bit of math from tactical games, and everything is frog-accurate.”
"There was a relatively recent RPG – I don't remember what the name of it is – but there was a negative review about the game, and the review said, ‘I played the whole game, and I don't understand what some of the stats do.’ And my brother and I said, ‘Hell yeah! Like, that rocks.’ I want to make sure people understand Amphibian, but it's that kind of stuff. Having to learn it is cool. Figuring it out is cool. Doing a little bit of puzzle and riddle-solving on your own is cool, and that's what we're pulling from.”
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Next weekend, I'm going to be covering BlizzCon in-person for @polygon.com! Don't hesitate to say hi if you see me there.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
It was nice to write a full review again. I like doing them, but it's been a while since I've done a big one like this. On that note, hire me to help review games throughout the rest of the year! There's a lot coming out between now and December that I'm interested in, including the ones below:
Fire Emblem Fortune's WeaveAce Combat 8Castlevania: Belmont's CurseStar Wars: Galactic Racer
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Also, on the AI James Pond situation from yesterday, I got further clarification that AI wasn't used to make the "Maybe" song in the game's latest trailer or in the development of the games in the collection:
System 3 announced that James Pond Legacy: The Pond Is Not Enough, a collection of parody retro games about a fish that acts a lot like James Bond, would be released for Nintendo Switch 2 in October 2026. System 3 has previously been accused of using generative AI to create key art for their games, per Time Extension, and the key art for James Pond Legacy (pictured above) and the original song created for its latest trailer certainly set off some AI red flags. The developer denies using it, though. 
“We can confirm from System 3 that no generative AI was used to create the key art, trailer, or the 'Maybe' song,” a PR spokesperson for System told me. “There was no use of generative AI in the development process as well.”
System 3 released a blog post that explains how the original pixel art characters were redesigned in Illustrator and Photoshop. That image was then used as reference when creating a 3D render in an unspecified program, which was cleaned up again by System 3 in Illustrator and Photoshop.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
A fucked up image of Donut County made to seem AI generated
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
The video game industry every month this year:
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Just sneezed and noticed I sound like the moon in Rhythm Heaven Groove when I do. Not sure what to think about this.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
I'm watching that Persona TV show that's of interest, and this guy doesn't look like Joker at all!
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Here's how the tiered ranking ended up for me! I'd also add Star Wars: Zero Company to that top tier if it were on the list.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Always good seeing old friends at Summer Game Fest Play Days.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Pokemon near the trash, where it belongs
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
10 years ago today, I ditched high school to write my first few articles for DualShockers. I wasn't being paid and had no idea what I was getting myself into, but that decision would go on to shape the next decade of my life. Thank you to everyone who has guided me along the way.
Tomas Franzese and ComicBook editor Logan Moore pose with Charles Martinet at E3 2017
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
I've played about 5 hours of Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and I'm enjoying it. The story sometimes feels rushed because it's covering so much ground, and it's obviously a bit easier than I'd like it to be as an Arkham fan, but it's a clear love letter to the character and Arkham games.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Happy to see so many positive previews of The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. It's one of my most anticipated games of the year. If anyone is looking for a reviewer for its launch next month, I'd love to review it for you!
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Missed a couple I've written about in the newsletter: #8: Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War - One of my favorites of the year, a great satirical retro shooter. #9: Windswept - The best Donkey Kong Country-inspired game not made by Rare or Retro
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Wake me up when they start putting REAL Nintendo characters in the movie!
Doshin the Giant, the best Nintendo character of all time
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
This store went to the Minshoot' Adventures Academy of Naming Things
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
#7: Minishoot' Adventures: Just beat this one tonight, and it was absolutely wonderful. It nails that classic The Legend of Zelda feel by making exploration natural and meaningful while also recognizing how well that pairs with schmup mechanics. If you missed this one in 2024, play it now!
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
So the thing about Highguard is that it was the final reveal at The Game Awards and people didn't like it. Then, a bunch of people willed it to fail as a live service game up to its release. Then, it came out and did actually kind of well but the studio struggled because of the Tencent money they...
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Just confirmed my attendance at Summer Game Fest this June! I know it's still a ways out, but please reach out if you're an editor looking for freelance support from the event. I'm very much open to work related to SGF.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Finally built a new shelf for my games in my office! Somehow, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit ended up as the centerpiece (I'll definitely be swapping it out for other stuff in the future).
Black shelf in front of a brown wall with knicknacks + Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, and Sega games on it.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
I have no problem with the Talking Flower. I actually think it's kind of funny.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Thought-provoking dialogue in the new God of War game
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
I'm pleased to unveil my new weekly newsletter: Remastered! Inspired by my Save State column for Digital Trends, Remastered is all about how video game history and retro games impact what we play today. It'll feature editorials, interviews, and reviews on that subject authored by me. It's also free!
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Tomorrow
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
#4: Lovish - A delightful 2D platformer. It has simple yet difficult gameplay that harkens back to indie classics like 1001 Spikes and Super Meat Boy. Each single-screen level is like a fun little puzzle to solve. It's also surprisingly funny and meta, with a "hero" who is the absolute worst.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Never trust a dude who owns a suit of armor.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
#3: Unravel Two - Never played this one before, so I was shocked at how different it was. The original is a cinematic, slow-paced puzzle-platformer, while this is a co-op (optional) physics-driven platformer. I prefer Unravel, but I appreciate this sequel innovating and delivering feel-good vibes.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
#2: To de-stress today, I replayed Unravel ahead of its 10-year anniversary. It's still a joy to experience in 2026. A beautiful game made by a small team of passionate developers backed by a big game company. The industry would be better off today if more games like this had the room to thrive.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Post a game you remember playing that nobody else remembers
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
I don't think I'll be playing any new games before the year is over, so I wanted to share my personal Top 10 games list: 1. Donkey Kong Bananza 2. Sword of the Sea 3. Avowed 4. Ball X Pit 5. Lumines Arise 6. Keeper 7. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound 8. Hades 2 9. Kirby Air Riders 10. Mario Kart World
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
From Dogpile
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Bears are division leaders again!
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Guessing no one else is really going to call out Twig from Keeper or the Salamander Pyromancer from Sunderfolk!
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
My expectation for the Bears coming into the season was 9-8. I can't believe we're already at 9-3 while not even operating at full strength on offense and defense yet! Glad to see some of @marioprime.bsky.social's Patriots luck trickled over to me and the Bears!
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Just got one of the funniest comments I've ever gotten on an article. All of this for saying that I like Battlefield 6's normal multiplayer modes more than REDSEC!
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
I still can't believe that there's a guy named "Peacemaker Aldo" running for sheriff in my local election this year.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
After a few months at Android Police, I'm taking on a new role at Valnet. I'm now the Gaming Section Lead at XDA, and will be directing their coverage of PC and console gaming. You can now reach me at tomas.f@xda-developers.com with any news, preview, interview, or review opportunities!
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Does it still have the logo that Stadia ripped off?
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Wow, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is WAY better than I was expecting. Love that this demo doesn't bog the player down in dialogue like some other HD-2D games and just lets you explore pretty HD-2D environments. It's also basically the 2D Zelda game people have been begging for.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
I'm happy to announce that I'm now contributing to Android Police! As its Games Author, I'm spearheading coverage of PC, console, and mobile gaming. Please reach out to me with any news, preview, interview, or review opportunities at tomas.joseph.franzese@gmail.com or tomas.f@androidpolice.com.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Don't think I'm going to play much else before the end of June to change this list, so here are my Top 10 games of the year so far: 1. Avowed 2. Mario Kart World 3. Expedition 33 4. DS2 5. The Alters 6. TMNT: Tactical Takedown 7. Doom: The Dark Ages 8. Lost Records 9. Sunderfolk 10. Blue Prince
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Them
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Him
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
At the Summer Game Fest kickoff in person this year! Will thread any interesting live reactions if I have them.
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Tomas Franzese @tomasfranzese.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
I'm on my flight to Summer Game Fest this year! Don't hesitate to say hi if you see me there or at any other surrounding events!
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