Joonatan Itkonen
@regionfree.net
🆔 AuDHD | Queer | He/him
📋 Writer for film, comics, and games | https://regionfree.net
🎞️ Bylines: KonsoliFIN, Pelaaja, Movies We Texted About, FILMHOUNDS, Debug Magazine
🍅meter and Metacritic listed | FIPRESCI, OFTA, IFSC member
📩 [email protected]
📋 Writer for film, comics, and games | https://regionfree.net
🎞️ Bylines: KonsoliFIN, Pelaaja, Movies We Texted About, FILMHOUNDS, Debug Magazine
🍅meter and Metacritic listed | FIPRESCI, OFTA, IFSC member
📩 [email protected]
I cannot emphasize enough how good this film is. It isn't an easy or fun experience, but it moved me in ways that felt like the entire earth had shifted under my feet. regionfree.net/cannes-2025-...
December 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I cannot emphasize enough how good this film is. It isn't an easy or fun experience, but it moved me in ways that felt like the entire earth had shifted under my feet. regionfree.net/cannes-2025-...
So how come Anno 117 has to have an AI disclosure in their Steam page but Clair Obscur doesn't?
December 14, 2025 at 11:10 AM
So how come Anno 117 has to have an AI disclosure in their Steam page but Clair Obscur doesn't?
Plus a couple of embargoed ones. It has been a rough couple of weeks.
December 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Plus a couple of embargoed ones. It has been a rough couple of weeks.
This looks delightful and hilarious!
We can’t afford a $1M trailer slot 😔
But reposts on Bluesky cost $0 - and they really help tiny teams like ours ❤️
If cozy medieval creativity is your thing, here’s our Scriptorium trailer!
But reposts on Bluesky cost $0 - and they really help tiny teams like ours ❤️
If cozy medieval creativity is your thing, here’s our Scriptorium trailer!
December 12, 2025 at 11:41 AM
This looks delightful and hilarious!
A very happy Wake Up Dead Man day to those who celebrate! Rian Johnson's latest is just as exquisite as you'd hoped.
a man in a suit and tie stands in front of an altar with his arms outstretched
ALT: a man in a suit and tie stands in front of an altar with his arms outstretched
media.tenor.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:22 AM
A very happy Wake Up Dead Man day to those who celebrate! Rian Johnson's latest is just as exquisite as you'd hoped.
In the spirit of Expedition 33 finding their now award-winning writer from Reddit, why not hire an undiscovered gem with a vaguely weird Finnish name from Bluesky next?
December 12, 2025 at 4:22 AM
In the spirit of Expedition 33 finding their now award-winning writer from Reddit, why not hire an undiscovered gem with a vaguely weird Finnish name from Bluesky next?
Getting everything ready and then grabbing a few hours of sleep before my 2:30 AM start time for this madness. Join in on the fun later tonight! #thegameawards
youtube.com/live/rOGgGVS...
youtube.com/live/rOGgGVS...
THE GAME AWARDS 2025: CO-STREAM (Thursday - 7:30p ET / 4:30p PT / 12:30a GMT)
It's that time of the season!
Join us for our first OFFICIAL CO-STREAM of THE GAME AWARDS and get the first bit of news about the winners in this year's votes, hear about some upcoming games -- incl...
youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Getting everything ready and then grabbing a few hours of sleep before my 2:30 AM start time for this madness. Join in on the fun later tonight! #thegameawards
youtube.com/live/rOGgGVS...
youtube.com/live/rOGgGVS...
Well, that's me not seeing my family and friends again unless we collectively agree to travel to another country.
Want to travel to the US? You might have to give the Trump administration the last five years of your social media history.
US wants five years of some tourists' social media to enter the country
Digital rights advocates say it’s an affront to civil liberties.
www.motherjones.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Well, that's me not seeing my family and friends again unless we collectively agree to travel to another country.
So, this happened. Tune in tomorrow for all kinds of fun on my #thegameawards co-stream. @thegameawards.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:43 PM
So, this happened. Tune in tomorrow for all kinds of fun on my #thegameawards co-stream. @thegameawards.com
This is fantastic stuff for anyone interested in game and narrative design. Lots of smart observations and practical advice that's all told in an engaging and easily approachable way. Highly recommended!
New Video! Mistakes from a First Time Narrative Designer.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b5x...
Going through my learning journey to embrace constraints to find a quest system and content that worked for Mythmatch and my skill level.
Featuring stories about salami!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b5x...
Going through my learning journey to embrace constraints to find a quest system and content that worked for Mythmatch and my skill level.
Featuring stories about salami!
Mistakes of a First Time Narrative Designer
YouTube video by Moo Yu
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:18 PM
This is fantastic stuff for anyone interested in game and narrative design. Lots of smart observations and practical advice that's all told in an engaging and easily approachable way. Highly recommended!
Farthest Frontier has a high barrier of entry compared to the likes of Anno 117, but it rewards players with one of the intricately designed city-building experiences ever made. Superbly crafted and immensely enjoyable, it is one of the best games of the year. #gaming
regionfree.net/farthest-fro...
regionfree.net/farthest-fro...
Farthest Frontier is a city-builder masterpiece
★★★★★ | Exquisitely designed with astonishingly deep gameplay mechanics, Farthest Frontier is the second masterpiece in the simulator genre this year that will impress fans for years to come.
regionfree.net
December 10, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Farthest Frontier has a high barrier of entry compared to the likes of Anno 117, but it rewards players with one of the intricately designed city-building experiences ever made. Superbly crafted and immensely enjoyable, it is one of the best games of the year. #gaming
regionfree.net/farthest-fro...
regionfree.net/farthest-fro...
The Percy Jackson books were always superior to that other YA fantasy franchise, so it's a delight that season 2 of the Disney+ adaptation continues to impress. I still wish the seasons were longer than the stunted eight episodes. #streaming #percyjackson
regionfree.net/percy-jackso...
regionfree.net/percy-jackso...
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 is a welcome return
★★★★ | As exciting, inventive, and wholly entertaining as the first season, Percy Jackson makes a welcome return for both old and new fans alike.
regionfree.net
December 10, 2025 at 5:03 AM
The Percy Jackson books were always superior to that other YA fantasy franchise, so it's a delight that season 2 of the Disney+ adaptation continues to impress. I still wish the seasons were longer than the stunted eight episodes. #streaming #percyjackson
regionfree.net/percy-jackso...
regionfree.net/percy-jackso...
Seeing a lot of "boy I wish there were still blogs and personal sites" discourse and I think it's a good time to remind everyone that we're still out there. I specialize in pop culture and tech from an autistic perspective with 20 years of experience in film, comics, and game writing. regionfree.net
Region Free
Movie and game reviews, streaming reviews, and technology reviews from an autistic perspective.
regionfree.net
December 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Seeing a lot of "boy I wish there were still blogs and personal sites" discourse and I think it's a good time to remind everyone that we're still out there. I specialize in pop culture and tech from an autistic perspective with 20 years of experience in film, comics, and game writing. regionfree.net
One of my favorite films at Cannes this year. It broke my heart and left me a sobbing mess. Highly recommended.
FYI: NEON has finally announced a theatrical release date for ALPHA, the genre-bending third feature from Julia Ducournau.
Julia Ducournau’s ALPHA Finally Has A Release Date
NEON has finally announced a theatrical release date for ALPHA, the genre-bending third feature from Julia Ducournau.
dlvr.it
December 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM
One of my favorite films at Cannes this year. It broke my heart and left me a sobbing mess. Highly recommended.
Google-savvy friends: I recently moved domains. I did the 301 redirects, announced address change to search console, resubmitted sitemaps, and updated robots texts through my CDN. Question: how long am I in the doghouse and what did I miss? #google #techsupport
a man in a suit and tie talking on a phone with the words " i don 't understand any of this " behind him
ALT: a man in a suit and tie talking on a phone with the words " i don 't understand any of this " behind him
media.tenor.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Google-savvy friends: I recently moved domains. I did the 301 redirects, announced address change to search console, resubmitted sitemaps, and updated robots texts through my CDN. Question: how long am I in the doghouse and what did I miss? #google #techsupport
Reposted by Joonatan Itkonen
Today is the Finnish Independence Day. Nazis are marching under protection of the police, politicians and media. A national newspaper is calling them patriots. People opposing them are painted as the problem. 🇫🇮
December 6, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Today is the Finnish Independence Day. Nazis are marching under protection of the police, politicians and media. A national newspaper is calling them patriots. People opposing them are painted as the problem. 🇫🇮
This is terrible, terrible news for film preservation and physical media. Warner Bros. was doing very well with releasing their catalog out on 4K while Netflix is incredibly hostile towards anyone actually owning films or series.
Netflix wins bidding war for Warner Bros, will enter negotiations for final deal
➡️ www.thewrap.com/netflix-wins...
➡️ www.thewrap.com/netflix-wins...
December 5, 2025 at 11:20 AM
This is terrible, terrible news for film preservation and physical media. Warner Bros. was doing very well with releasing their catalog out on 4K while Netflix is incredibly hostile towards anyone actually owning films or series.
I spoke with Vincent Grashaw about working with Lou Diamond Phillips and how they worked hard to ensure his reservation-set cop thriller was respectful and authentic. #filmsky
regionfree.net/night-vision...
regionfree.net/night-vision...
Interview: Vincent Grashaw on Keep Quiet
I spoke with Vincent Grashaw about his superb cop thriller Keep Quiet and his aspirations to keep things grounded regardless of the genre he's working with.
regionfree.net
December 5, 2025 at 10:18 AM
I spoke with Vincent Grashaw about working with Lou Diamond Phillips and how they worked hard to ensure his reservation-set cop thriller was respectful and authentic. #filmsky
regionfree.net/night-vision...
regionfree.net/night-vision...
I reviewed Octopath Traveler 0 in Finnish for KonsoliFIN. Long story short: I loved it to bits. It's earnest and heartfelt and deeply traditional, yet constantly innovative with new mechanics and ideas that makes this franchise one of the best RPG series ever made. #gaming
Arvostelu: Octopath Traveler 0 on yhtä juhlaa niin sarjan faneille kuin uusille tulokkaille. Tämä vuosi jatkaa roolipelien kulta-aikaa upeasti. -Joonatan
www.konsolifin.net/arvostelu/ka...
www.konsolifin.net/arvostelu/ka...
Kännykkäpelistä yhdeksi vuoden parhaista rooliseikkailuista
Octopath Traveler 0 on kaunis ja koukuttava rooliseikkailu, joka on yllättäen yksi vuoden parhaita pelejä.
www.konsolifin.net
December 3, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I reviewed Octopath Traveler 0 in Finnish for KonsoliFIN. Long story short: I loved it to bits. It's earnest and heartfelt and deeply traditional, yet constantly innovative with new mechanics and ideas that makes this franchise one of the best RPG series ever made. #gaming
I spoke with Lewis Teague, director of Alligator, The Jewel of the Nile, and Cujo, about working with Dino De Laurentiis, crafting horror, and the time he turned down directing Robocop. #filmsky
regionfree.net/night-vision...
regionfree.net/night-vision...
Night Visions: Lewis Teague on making monsters and decisions
I met the cult director of films like Cujo, Alligator, and The Jewel of the Nile to talk about his varied career, work with Dino De Laurentiis, and what he's learned from his staggering 50 years in th...
regionfree.net
December 2, 2025 at 9:57 AM
I spoke with Lewis Teague, director of Alligator, The Jewel of the Nile, and Cujo, about working with Dino De Laurentiis, crafting horror, and the time he turned down directing Robocop. #filmsky
regionfree.net/night-vision...
regionfree.net/night-vision...
Lovely to see my review from KonsoliFIN make the cut. I really enjoyed Simon the Sorcerer Origins. It felt like a warm hug from a friend you haven't seen in ages.
🎉 Our official Accolade Trailer is out now!
We’re so happy to receive so many amazing reviews! Thanks for your incredible support and love! ❤️
#SimontheSorcererOrigins is available now on PC, Steam Deck, PS5/4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch: https://monkeylink.co/a10e90
#PointandClickAdventure
We’re so happy to receive so many amazing reviews! Thanks for your incredible support and love! ❤️
#SimontheSorcererOrigins is available now on PC, Steam Deck, PS5/4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch: https://monkeylink.co/a10e90
#PointandClickAdventure
December 1, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Lovely to see my review from KonsoliFIN make the cut. I really enjoyed Simon the Sorcerer Origins. It felt like a warm hug from a friend you haven't seen in ages.
Tennant is a treasure and one of the rare few beacons of hope in the UK as it spirals towards insanity.
"In recent history, the Doctor Who actor has repeatedly made headlines thanks to his allyship towards trans and gender non-conforming people – most notably with a subtle gesture during a TV interview that wound up helping to raise £18,000 for the LGBTQ+ youth charity AKT."
'F*** Off And Let People Be': David Tennant Doubles Down On Support For Trans People
"People are trying to create division... and it's so f***ing unnecessary."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Tennant is a treasure and one of the rare few beacons of hope in the UK as it spirals towards insanity.
I'm a massive fan of the Legend of Zelda series and a sucker for all things Dynasty Warriors, is anyone surprised that I loved Age of Imprisonment? Anyone? Bueller? #gaming
regionfree.net/hyrule-warri...
regionfree.net/hyrule-warri...
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a tehnical marvel
★★★★★ | A technical marvel with enough lore and addictive gameplay to satisfy both fans and newcomers alike.
regionfree.net
November 28, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I'm a massive fan of the Legend of Zelda series and a sucker for all things Dynasty Warriors, is anyone surprised that I loved Age of Imprisonment? Anyone? Bueller? #gaming
regionfree.net/hyrule-warri...
regionfree.net/hyrule-warri...
Hey! First Metacritic highlight.
Of Ash and Steel [PC - 57] www.metacritic.com/game/of-ash-...
"Hugely ambitious and rife with ideas, Of Ash and Steel is an unpolished and deeply broken throwback to an era most have left behind." - Region Free
"Hugely ambitious and rife with ideas, Of Ash and Steel is an unpolished and deeply broken throwback to an era most have left behind." - Region Free
November 27, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Hey! First Metacritic highlight.
I was so excited to play Of Ash and Steel, which was one of my Gamescom highlights this year. Sadly, the full release is riddled with game breaking bugs, awful design choices, and so much jank it makes Gothic look impressive by comparison. #gaming
regionfree.net/of-ash-and-s...
regionfree.net/of-ash-and-s...
Review: Of Ash and Steel is foundationally broken
★★ | Hugely ambitious and rife with ideas, Of Ash and Steel is an unpolished and deeply broken throwback to an era most have left behind.
regionfree.net
November 26, 2025 at 9:30 AM
I was so excited to play Of Ash and Steel, which was one of my Gamescom highlights this year. Sadly, the full release is riddled with game breaking bugs, awful design choices, and so much jank it makes Gothic look impressive by comparison. #gaming
regionfree.net/of-ash-and-s...
regionfree.net/of-ash-and-s...