Author | Lightnews

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 3h

Thank you! Yeah, it was a long time ago at this point but it was quite the year.

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 5h

I didn't realize Vampyr also takes place in the same universe? It's on my list for next year haha

I just finished Banishers the other day (finally) and mostly loved it too. I wish the game sold well. There's a trophy/quest or two that's still bugged for me and I doubt it'll ever get patched =(

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 5h

Perhaps one of the most important releases of the year. I can't believe this is finally out.

Shamelessly sharing the blog piece I wrote 5 years ago about Onion Games, Yoshiro Kimura & company, Little King's Story and why their games mean a lot to me:

unexpectedgames.blog/2020/10/01/i...

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 18h

WayForward didn't have anything to show yet for Shantae 7 because they were too busy preparing for rereleases of Shantae 1-6 again through LRG, this time natively on Switch 2 cartridges.

Sorry.

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 1d

Gotcha and that's just as cool as an answer haha!

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 1d

The blood burst effect is very reminiscent of Vandal Hearts. Not sure if that was a slight inspiration or not but it looks awesome! (I hope the sound effect is super crunchy too haha!)

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 6d

Game #38 of 2025: Keeper; Double Fine's cinematic adventure game of sorts where you play as a lighthouse. It's got impeccable art direction and a really unique OST. I completed the game with all achievements unlocked and wished there was more to do. I wanted to spend many more hours in this world.

An image of the title screen for Keeper. An island can be seen in the background with a snowy peak. "Continue", "New Game" and "Chapter Select" can be seen as options.

An image from Keeper showing the lighthouse overlooking the island where the game takes place. Blue skies and clouds pass over as giant jellyfish creatures float towards the horizon.

An image from Keeper showing the lighthouse standing in a dark cavern with its back to a gate. The room is lit in a reddish hue from the light from outside.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 7d

It never ends and there's so many sections where you're forced to fight and can't run. I don't know what the fuck they were thinking with some of these encounters.

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 7d

Okay, I finished it. The last few hours are absolutely dreadful lol they totally fucked things up with the combat encounters, which is a bummer because I really, really liked the overall "dungeon" design throughout (although, I do think the puzzle difficulty is a bit all over the place too). 🙃

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 7d

Back on my Banishers bullshit.

I started this game at launch last year, dropped it, restarted it in January of this year and I'm still playing it lol 😭

I think if they trimmed like 30% of the game, chilled on the GoW 2018 influence and refined the combat a bit more, it would have been a classic.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 8d

This rules so much. Apparently the composer was inspired by Tim Henson/Polyphia (one of my favorite guitarists/bands) for this track? The OST is generally influenced by Djent and Metalcore as well. Yes, please.

youtu.be/JHXAonI5KJo?...

Ninja Gaiden 4 OST | Umi's Terminal Theme [Extended, High Quality]

YouTube video by The Nerd Stash

youtu.be

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 8d

Yeah, I think the combat is mostly competent, although I'm still not sure where I land on the whole "perfect dodge/counter stuff being in SH" conversation.

Too many of the combat encounters fall in super tight corridors/rooms and the volume of enemies just feels a bit overboard, idk.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 8d

I think I'm nearing the end of my first playthrough of Silent Hill f (Hard difficulty for both combat & puzzle) and I've got to say, the game is far too combat-focused, especially in the latter half of the game. I'm kinda over it. 😐

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 8d

Protect Double Fine at all costs.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 9d

If you've already played Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo and need another 2D, top-down Zelda-like to play before Mina the Hollower comes out, I can't recommend Spindle enough.

The dungeon design is especially competent and despite the game's simple look, it's got a lot of cool little details.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 10d

Game #37 of 2025: Cronos: The New Dawn; Bloober Team's latest sci-fi survival horror game. While it clearly follows in the footsteps of Resident Evil 4/Dead Space, it's the good shit. I beat the game on Normal mode with a "C" Rank and saw two of the endings. SUCH IS OUR CALLING.

An image of the title screen from Cronos: The New Dawn. A tower-like structure can be seen in the background that's been split in half with ruined streets and buildings surrounding it.

An image from Cronos: The New Dawn showing your main character pointing their gun and flashlight at a wall that reads "Don't Fear The Change".

An image from Cronos: The New Dawn showing my results screen for my first playthrough. I beat the game on Normal mode with a C Rank and saw Ending A. Some categories the game rates you on include Clear Time, Deaths and more...

An image from the credits sequence in Cronos: The New Dawn showing a cross-like symbol that shows, "SUCH IS OUR CALLING" above it.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 10d

I finished Little Nightmares III and I'm shocked it wasn't a total nightmare lol (pun intended). I was super skeptical of Supermassive Games taking over the reins from Tarsier Studios, but they somehow (mostly) captured what is great about the series. More thoughts down the road...

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 12d

Game #36 of 2025: Luigi's Mansion 2 HD; the 3DS game ported to Switch. I played this game to completion back on 3DS, so it was kind of fun doing it all again? I still don't like the stop & go mission structure, but the mansions are cleverly designed. ScareScraper was, once again, a ghost town lol

An image of the title screen for Luigi's Mansion 2 HD.

An image from Luigi's Mansion 2 HD's ending showing Luigi resting on a recliner with Polterpup in lap. A picture of Luigi and the gang can be seen hanging on the wall.

An image from Luigi's Mansion 2 HD's online ScareScraper mode. It's usually a ghost town, but I did manage to find a room where one played named "CURSE YOU !" sat waiting for other players (who never came), perhaps a ghost in the system and I was actually alone all along.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 13d

Game #35 of 2025: and Roger; an emotionally powerful point & click, narrative-driven game with a beautiful story and a moving soundtrack. It's about an hour long, so I won't spoil what it's about. I actually played it once on my Switch 2 and then replayed it on PC for all of the Steam achievements.

An image of the title screen for and Roger. An illustration of a man and a woman can be seen having dinner together, holding hands. Various menu options are also displayed.

An image from and Roger showing one of the gameplay scenarios where you have to move blue and orange circles around rectangular barriers until both reach the center of the screen.

An image from and Roger showing a woman in orange riding on the back of a man in green, pointing forward with blue footprints trailing behind them. "the end" is written above them during this ending sequence.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 14d

Game #34 of 2025: Herdling; an adventure game about herding a bunch of yak-like creatures through dangerous wildlife and environmental hazards. The game taps into those Journey-esque moments and has an incredible soundtrack. I completed it with the Platinum trophy earned and loved it!

An image from Herdling showing the title card display after the intro sequence. Golden blades of grass stretch into the horizon as your character herds a small group of creatures.

An image from Herdling showing a campfire scene between your character and his herd on a snowy field.

An image from Herdling showing my herd and their names. I named most of my herd after the family cats we've lost over the years; Chester, Violet and BigBoy, just to name a few.

An image of the Platinum trophy earned in Herdling dated 10/7/2025.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 18d

Game #33 of 2025: Sword of the Sea; Giant Squid's latest Journey-like adventure that feels like the culmination of their previous titles. I loved the visuals, music and movement, but it felt like the game lacked an emotional punch. I completed the game at 100% with the Platinum trophy earned.

An image of the title screen for Sword of the Sea.

An image from Sword of the Sea showing the main character riding a sea creature with giant skeletal remains in the background surrounded by coral reefs and other ocean life.

An image from Sword of the Sea showing the main character overlooking a massive structure in the background. A giant chain can be seen connecting buildings to each other.

An image showing the Platinum trophy earned in Sword of the Sea dated 10/7/2025.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 20d

Maybe I'll have to write a part 2 to this piece. I've played a bit of Replaylee now and there are a few things they didn't improve/fix that I was expecting them to.

It's also sort of buggy? Twice I've had the game crash when saving and quitting, among other small issues. Blah I'm disappointed 😞

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 21d

With the release of Yooka-Replaylee, I figured I'd share the very first piece I wrote for my blog back in 2017 for Yooka-Laylee. Looking back on what I wrote, I definitely come off as a bit of an "armchair developer", so apologies in advance haha!

unexpectedgames.blog/2017/04/23/y...

Yooka-Laylee: The Bear…er, Chameleon & Bat are back…I guess?

Playtonic’s mascot-trip to the 90’s, for better or worse.

unexpectedgames.blog

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 23d

I hope Aggro Crab goes back to making something more akin to their first two games at some point. Another Crab's Treasure was one of my favorite games from 2024 and one of the best non-FROM Souls-likes I've played.

Glad Peak was a success for them, but that and Crashout Crew just aren't for me :(

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 24d

I'm still waiting on my stupid physical deluxe copy to ship but I'm really looking forward to it! Need to clean my plate a bit too, but I can't wait to play it.