Paulo Kawanishi
@alucarti.bsky.social
✒️ Writer @ Polygon (bylines: Eurogamer/Game Informer/Into the Spine/Nintendo Life +) 🇧🇷 📚PhD in Applied Linguistics 📧[email protected]
Pinned
Paulo Kawanishi
@alucarti.bsky.social
· Nov 18
📌Hi, I'm Paulo Kawanishi, a freelance writer from Brazil. I write guides, features, and reviews of games, and you can find my work in places such as Eurogamer, Polygon, Epic Games, Nintendo Life, and Into the Spine.
My portfolio muckrack.com/paulo-kawani...
My Substack paulokawanishi.substack.com
My portfolio muckrack.com/paulo-kawani...
My Substack paulokawanishi.substack.com
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
I reviewed @kinmoku.bsky.social's VIDEOVERSE on Switch for @nintendoinsider.bsky.social. It was awesome revisiting it after I first played it on Steam Deck two years ago: www.nintendo-insider.com/videoverse-s...
November 27, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I reviewed @kinmoku.bsky.social's VIDEOVERSE on Switch for @nintendoinsider.bsky.social. It was awesome revisiting it after I first played it on Steam Deck two years ago: www.nintendo-insider.com/videoverse-s...
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
For my last piece from my big interview with AdHoc, I dug into the story behind the mysterious Mr. Whiskey, which is basically the story of how Dispatch grew up during development
www.polygon.com/dispatch-mr-...
www.polygon.com/dispatch-mr-...
The good reason Mr. Whiskey only shows up in Dispatch's finale
And it's the story of Dispatch
www.polygon.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:02 PM
For my last piece from my big interview with AdHoc, I dug into the story behind the mysterious Mr. Whiskey, which is basically the story of how Dispatch grew up during development
www.polygon.com/dispatch-mr-...
www.polygon.com/dispatch-mr-...
Let's hope they will also bring the best one back
November 23, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Let's hope they will also bring the best one back
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
I reviewed both Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero (fine for handheld, meh for TV play) and One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (good upgrade, but should've been better) for @nintendoinsider.bsky.social: www.nintendo-insider.com/dragon-ball-...
www.nintendo-insider.com/one-piece-pi...
www.nintendo-insider.com/one-piece-pi...
November 23, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I reviewed both Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero (fine for handheld, meh for TV play) and One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (good upgrade, but should've been better) for @nintendoinsider.bsky.social: www.nintendo-insider.com/dragon-ball-...
www.nintendo-insider.com/one-piece-pi...
www.nintendo-insider.com/one-piece-pi...
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
Oh hey, this is me! Constance is a fast and fluid upcoming metroidvania that unfortunately chose to push its barely-there ~mental health journey~ angle to the fore, instead of the ~we made a very pretty and really quite well designed metroidvania~ parts instead:
www.pcgamer.com/games/action...
www.pcgamer.com/games/action...
Constance is a metroidvania that wants its monsters to mean something
I want them to mean something, too.
www.pcgamer.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Oh hey, this is me! Constance is a fast and fluid upcoming metroidvania that unfortunately chose to push its barely-there ~mental health journey~ angle to the fore, instead of the ~we made a very pretty and really quite well designed metroidvania~ parts instead:
www.pcgamer.com/games/action...
www.pcgamer.com/games/action...
After years of teaching and studying for my master's and phd, I found myself tired of that life and began searching for other options. Then I learned about international publications that accept pitches from freelancers (even from Brazil!) so I decided to give it a shot
November 23, 2025 at 11:09 AM
After years of teaching and studying for my master's and phd, I found myself tired of that life and began searching for other options. Then I learned about international publications that accept pitches from freelancers (even from Brazil!) so I decided to give it a shot
What a great day
Brazil's Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Jair Bolsonaro, with a judge claiming the former president was intent on escaping as he was set to begin his prison sentence for leading a coup attempt. n.pr/48l5ldE
Brazil's Bolsonaro arrested for allegedly plotting escape ahead of prison term
Brazil's Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Jair Bolsonaro, with a judge claiming the former president was intent on escaping as he was set to begin his prison sentence for leading a coup attempt.
n.pr
November 22, 2025 at 10:13 PM
What a great day
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
A poem that cannot be translated
Blue Prince's final puzzle is impossible to solve
A poem that cannot be translated
www.polygon.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:30 PM
A poem that cannot be translated
Replaying Steins;Gate was not part of plans for next year... but maybe...
November 22, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Replaying Steins;Gate was not part of plans for next year... but maybe...
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
FYI, the Nintendo eShop sales of our titles end today! In 12 hours.
For a limited time, you can save big on Marvelous and XSEED Games titles on Steam!
@storyofseasons.bsky.social Grand Bazaar - 20% Off
#RuneFactory Guardians of Azuma - 35% Off
#Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin - 55% Off
#Cuisineer - 50% Off
Find more deals: store.steampowered.com/sale/marvelo...
@storyofseasons.bsky.social Grand Bazaar - 20% Off
#RuneFactory Guardians of Azuma - 35% Off
#Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin - 55% Off
#Cuisineer - 50% Off
Find more deals: store.steampowered.com/sale/marvelo...
November 20, 2025 at 8:06 PM
FYI, the Nintendo eShop sales of our titles end today! In 12 hours.
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
Looking to speak with academics/experts specializing in video games studies specifically ideas around conquest, environmentalism, and land for a piece. Please repost this or give recs.
November 19, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Looking to speak with academics/experts specializing in video games studies specifically ideas around conquest, environmentalism, and land for a piece. Please repost this or give recs.
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
It's everything I could have wanted and more
Kirby Air Riders is a chaotically whimsical nod to an easier time
It's everything I could have wanted and more
www.polygon.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:15 AM
It's everything I could have wanted and more
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
I covered Demonschool from @necrosoftgames.com @ysbryd.net on PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Steam Deck, and ROG Ally for @rpgsite.net. I know many were curious how this feels on console and handhelds: www.rpgsite.net/feature/1896...
November 18, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I covered Demonschool from @necrosoftgames.com @ysbryd.net on PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Steam Deck, and ROG Ally for @rpgsite.net. I know many were curious how this feels on console and handhelds: www.rpgsite.net/feature/1896...
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
For this weekend blog I wrote about how, besides being a lady killer, Lloyd is a fun, almost too cliche of a protagonist who can become the strongest character in the game
No demon or divine power can resist the strength of a sentimental protagonist
The Trails series' corniest character is also its most powerful
No demon or divine power can resist the strength of a sentimental protagonist
www.polygon.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
For this weekend blog I wrote about how, besides being a lady killer, Lloyd is a fun, almost too cliche of a protagonist who can become the strongest character in the game
For this weekend blog I wrote about how, besides being a lady killer, Lloyd is a fun, almost too cliche of a protagonist who can become the strongest character in the game
No demon or divine power can resist the strength of a sentimental protagonist
The Trails series' corniest character is also its most powerful
No demon or divine power can resist the strength of a sentimental protagonist
www.polygon.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
For this weekend blog I wrote about how, besides being a lady killer, Lloyd is a fun, almost too cliche of a protagonist who can become the strongest character in the game
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
Instead of just covering the Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack (three games) ahead of its launch tomorrow for PS5, PS4, Switch 2, Switch, and PC, I also covered the original trilogy and tested everything I could across every device for @rpgsite.net: www.rpgsite.net/feature/1892...
November 12, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Instead of just covering the Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack (three games) ahead of its launch tomorrow for PS5, PS4, Switch 2, Switch, and PC, I also covered the original trilogy and tested everything I could across every device for @rpgsite.net: www.rpgsite.net/feature/1892...
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
I've spoken with a bunch of smart and cool people the last few weeks for different stories, but this was definitely my favorite
www.polygon.com/south-of-mid...
www.polygon.com/south-of-mid...
Adriyan Rae says South of Midnight is a wake-up call for a divided world
'A game that helps you tap into understanding who you are — those things are so necessary'
www.polygon.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I've spoken with a bunch of smart and cool people the last few weeks for different stories, but this was definitely my favorite
www.polygon.com/south-of-mid...
www.polygon.com/south-of-mid...
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
There was no early access for the Deluxe Edition on Switch 1/2 so it took me a bit longer to do this (cross save being broken did not help).
My Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Switch and Switch 2 Edition impressions are up now on @rpgsite.net with comparisons and more: www.rpgsite.net/feature/1895...
My Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Switch and Switch 2 Edition impressions are up now on @rpgsite.net with comparisons and more: www.rpgsite.net/feature/1895...
November 15, 2025 at 5:17 PM
There was no early access for the Deluxe Edition on Switch 1/2 so it took me a bit longer to do this (cross save being broken did not help).
My Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Switch and Switch 2 Edition impressions are up now on @rpgsite.net with comparisons and more: www.rpgsite.net/feature/1895...
My Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Switch and Switch 2 Edition impressions are up now on @rpgsite.net with comparisons and more: www.rpgsite.net/feature/1895...
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
Following our PC port and Steam Deck impressions, we have a new feature covering how Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road looks and feels on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch going over visual differences, load times, performance, and more:
www.rpgsite.net/feature/1895...
www.rpgsite.net/feature/1895...
November 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Following our PC port and Steam Deck impressions, we have a new feature covering how Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road looks and feels on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch going over visual differences, load times, performance, and more:
www.rpgsite.net/feature/1895...
www.rpgsite.net/feature/1895...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ5d...
I want the new Yoroiden Samurai Troopers anime to be good because I love the original one, but every time I watch this trailer I can't help but feel it seems... not that good...
I want the new Yoroiden Samurai Troopers anime to be good because I love the original one, but every time I watch this trailer I can't help but feel it seems... not that good...
TVアニメ『鎧真伝サムライトルーパー』ティザーPV／2026年1月放送開始！
YouTube video by TVアニメ『鎧真伝サムライトルーパー』公式
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:04 PM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ5d...
I want the new Yoroiden Samurai Troopers anime to be good because I love the original one, but every time I watch this trailer I can't help but feel it seems... not that good...
I want the new Yoroiden Samurai Troopers anime to be good because I love the original one, but every time I watch this trailer I can't help but feel it seems... not that good...
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
The genre heavyweight returns for its crown, with a side of slapstick
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond puts the 'Metroid' in 'Metroidvania'
The genre heavyweight returns for its crown, with a side of slapstick
www.polygon.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The genre heavyweight returns for its crown, with a side of slapstick
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
Level-5 is back (again). Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is shockingly captivating so far. I wrote up some thoughts on the PC port based on my time with it yesterday and today for @rpgsite.net www.rpgsite.net/feature/1894...
November 13, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Level-5 is back (again). Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is shockingly captivating so far. I wrote up some thoughts on the PC port based on my time with it yesterday and today for @rpgsite.net www.rpgsite.net/feature/1894...
Despelote
Fill in the blank:
Before you pick your Game of the Year, make sure you play _______
Before you pick your Game of the Year, make sure you play _______
November 14, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Despelote
Reposted by Paulo Kawanishi
For Polygon's console anniversary package, I took a shot at explaining why the PS5 and misguided branding made Final Fantasy 16 seem particularly flawed when it was really not much different than any FF before it
www.polygon.com/ff16-final-f...
www.polygon.com/ff16-final-f...
The messy truth about Final Fantasy 16 and the PS5
FF16's imperfection is the most Final Fantasy thing about it
www.polygon.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:11 PM
For Polygon's console anniversary package, I took a shot at explaining why the PS5 and misguided branding made Final Fantasy 16 seem particularly flawed when it was really not much different than any FF before it
www.polygon.com/ff16-final-f...
www.polygon.com/ff16-final-f...