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startmenu.bsky.social
startmenu
@startmenu.bsky.social
2.7K followers 140 following 320 posts
Gaming from a new direction.

hello [at] startmenu [dot] co [dot] UK.

https://www.redbubble.com/people/startmenu/shop
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startmenu.bsky.social
startmenu @startmenu.bsky.social · May 2
We got a lot of new followers yesterday, so let us reintroduce ourselves.

startmenu is a website dedicated to helping young and emerging voices break into games media and the video game industry.

(full mission statement below)

patreon.com/startmenu
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Gaming In A New Direction
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startmenu.bsky.social
It was a light week for gaming news, but there were still plenty of things for Simon Estey to round up in this week's Update Patch.

www.patreon.com/posts/update...
Update Patch News Roundup (24/11/25) | startmenu
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November 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM
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stevenstoermer.bsky.social
In Duskpunk, @jamespatton.bsky.social writes with a political language whose warnings are legible in our own world, useful to anyone looking to interrogate real structures of oppression. Also, it's quite fun to play.
November 24, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Reposted by startmenu
jamespatton.bsky.social
An absolutely lovely Duskpunk writeup, really engaged with its focus on power, violence, exploitation and collective hope.
November 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
startmenu.bsky.social
Fans of Citizen Sleeper will find a lot to like in Duskpunk, which puts a gritty spin on the former’s Blades in the Dark–inspired gameplay.

@stevenstoermer.bsky.social reviews.
Review | Duskpunk - Break Your Chains — startmenu
Fans of Citizen Sleeper will find a lot to like in Duskpunk, which puts a gritty spin on the former’s Blades in the Dark–inspired gameplay. Steven Stoermer reviews.
www.startmenu.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 5:29 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
Though it tells a relatable story, busywork-esque gameplay and a narrative that offloads much of its exposition to pop-culture references mean that The August Before lacks a cathartic payoff.

@lesbiankakyoin.bsky.social reviews.
Review: The August Before - Little to Digest — startmenu
Though it tells a relatable story, busywork-esque gameplay and a narrative that offloads much of its exposition to pop-culture references mean that The August Before lacks a cathartic payoff. Hiero d...
www.startmenu.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by startmenu
wendeego.bsky.social
For startmenu, I reviewed the excellent indie Touhou strategy RPG Fantasy Maiden Wars!
November 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
The English-language release of Fantasy Maiden Wars: DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER is a combination of four strategy games, which themselves draw from two major franchises: Touhou Project and Super Robot Wars.

@wendeego.bsky.social reviews.
Review | Fantasy Maiden Wars - For Touhou Fans and First-Timers — startmenu
The English-language release of Fantasy Maiden Wars: DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER is a combination of four strategy games, which themselves draw from two major franchises: Touhou Project and Super Robot...
www.startmenu.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
Paired with a trusty pig, @stevenstoermer.bsky.social takes on the role of Reaper — and rolls across the map — in Spindle, a short meditation on grief with the vibe of a classic adventure game.
Review | Spindle - Don’t Fear Me — startmenu
Paired with a trusty pig, Steven Stoermer takes on the role of Reaper — and rolls across the map — in Spindle, a short meditation on grief with the vibe of a classic adventure game.
www.startmenu.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Reposted by startmenu
sixtytwomike.bsky.social
I reviewed The Berlin Apartment for @startmenu.bsky.social. I've not written in so long!
bsky.app/profile/star...
November 18, 2025 at 2:14 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
The Berlin Apartment tells interesting stories from a rarely covered perspective but doesn’t quite hit the mark when it comes to gameplay.

@sixtytwomike.bsky.social reviews.
Review | The Berlin Apartment - Over the Wall — startmenu
The Berlin Apartment tells interesting stories from a rarely covered perspective but doesn’t quite hit the mark when it comes to gameplay. Michael Moran reviews.
www.startmenu.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by startmenu
startmenu.bsky.social
IT'S BACK!

The startmenu Winter Spectacular returns for 2025!

- Guest Pieces from people across the industry, including: journalists, developers, PR folks, AND MORE
- Game of the Year Lists
- The startmenu Awards
- AND OTHER BULLET POINTS!

All starting December 1st on www.startmenu.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 5:51 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
The week's Update Patch features Steam Machines and more Mario movie details, all rounded up by Simon Estey.

www.patreon.com/posts/update...
Update Patch News Roundup (17/11/25) | startmenu
Get more from startmenu on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:37 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
Your friend and our's @deephelldotcom.bsky.social has something they need to get off their chest about good video game pixel art.

www.startmenu.co.uk/home/the-fee...
The Feeling Of Good Pixel Art And Curse Crackers — startmenu
Our friend Skeleton has something they need to get off their chest about good video game pixel art.
www.startmenu.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Reposted by startmenu
mindcontrollers.bsky.social
I cannot believe I'm writing now! This is my first review, and what better way to kick it off than writing about a game that made me cry. This is one of my favorite games of 2025, and I hope you all read the review or at least check out the game.

Huge thanks to @lexluddy.xyz for all their help!
November 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
We welcome Brandon Craw ( @snuggums.bsky.social ) to the site to review one of 2025’s most affecting video games, and Roger.

www.startmenu.co.uk/home/review-...
Review | and Roger - Time Well Spent — startmenu
We welcome Brandon Craw to the site to review one of 2025’s most affecting video games, and Roger.
www.startmenu.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by startmenu
lexluddy.xyz
FOLKS, WE HAVE SUCH A KILLER LINE UP FOR THE WINTER SPECTACULAR THIS YEAR!
startmenu.bsky.social startmenu @startmenu.bsky.social · 12d
IT'S BACK!

The startmenu Winter Spectacular returns for 2025!

- Guest Pieces from people across the industry, including: journalists, developers, PR folks, AND MORE
- Game of the Year Lists
- The startmenu Awards
- AND OTHER BULLET POINTS!

All starting December 1st on www.startmenu.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by startmenu
mindcontrollers.bsky.social
So excited for this!! Everyone gotta check it out
startmenu.bsky.social startmenu @startmenu.bsky.social · 12d
IT'S BACK!

The startmenu Winter Spectacular returns for 2025!

- Guest Pieces from people across the industry, including: journalists, developers, PR folks, AND MORE
- Game of the Year Lists
- The startmenu Awards
- AND OTHER BULLET POINTS!

All starting December 1st on www.startmenu.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by startmenu
alexgreen9898.bsky.social
Did some words, reviewed a game!
November 13, 2025 at 8:45 AM
startmenu.bsky.social
IT'S BACK!

The startmenu Winter Spectacular returns for 2025!

- Guest Pieces from people across the industry, including: journalists, developers, PR folks, AND MORE
- Game of the Year Lists
- The startmenu Awards
- AND OTHER BULLET POINTS!

All starting December 1st on www.startmenu.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 5:51 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
In The Lonesome Guild, your band of merry travellers solves puzzles together and battles cooperatively to combat a creeping loneliness affecting the world.

@alexgreen9898.bsky.social reviews.
Review | The Lonesome Guild - Pip pip, Tallyoh! — startmenu
In The Lonesome Guild , your band of merry travellers solves puzzles together and battles cooperatively to combat a creeping loneliness affecting the world. Alex Green reviews.
www.startmenu.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 1:42 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
Sonic Racing Crossworlds got off to a blistering start, but Sega has found a way to fumble its lead on Nintendo yet again. Tali breaks down whether it's too late or if Sonic and Co. and refind their footing.

www.startmenu.co.uk/home/sonic-r...
SEGA Took The Lead, But It's Quickly Losing That Ground Again — startmenu
Sonic Racing Crossworlds got off to a blistering start, but Sega has found a way to fumble its lead on Nintendo yet again. Tali breaks down whether it's too late or if Sonic and Co. and refind their f...
www.startmenu.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 3:52 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
This last week saw what is sure to be the start of an ongoing saga after Rockstar allegedly was caught union busting, so it's a good thing Simon Estey rounded up that news store and more for Update Patch.

www.patreon.com/posts/update...
Update Patch News Roundup (10/11/25) | startmenu
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November 10, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Reposted by startmenu
lexluddy.xyz
It was a really fun show today and IMO more people should get me on their podcasts.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMvJ...
November 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
Update Patch is back with more news from the last week in games, this time courtesy of Simon Estey.

www.patreon.com/posts/update...
Update Patch News Roundup (03/11/25) | startmenu
Get more from startmenu on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:37 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
October may not have been the best month for video game news… In fact, there was a lot of very bad news last month.

Thankfully, @wendeego.bsky.social is here to keep us informed and highlight some great work being done in the space.

www.startmenu.co.uk/home/patreon...
[PATREON UNLOCK] Update Patch - October 2025 — startmenu
October may not have been the best month for video game news… In fact, there was a lot of very bad news last month. Thankfully, Adam Wescott is here to keep us informed and highlight some great work...
www.startmenu.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 9:01 PM