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startmenu.bsky.social
startmenu
@startmenu.bsky.social
3K followers 140 following 380 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
Get more from startmenu on Patreon
Gaming In A New Direction
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startmenu.bsky.social
Big Hops might not have the polish of bigger 3D platformers but its fundamentals and its heart make it near impossible not to cheer for this lil guy and his big adventure.

@brawler1993.bsky.social reviews.
Review | Big Hops – Let’s Do the Frog-dyssey — startmenu
Big Hops might not have the polish of bigger 3D platformers but its fundamentals and its heart make it near impossible not to cheer for this lil guy and his big adventure. Michael Beckwith reviews.
www.startmenu.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Reposted by startmenu
wendeego.bsky.social
"update patch for december? that'll be a cinch!" <-- me, a fool who once thought december was a slow news month
January 10, 2026 at 7:46 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
This past December was one of the busiest and most fraught months in the video game industry in years, so to get you ready for 2026, we’ve collated all of @wendeego.bsky.social's weekly Update Patches from last month.

www.startmenu.co.uk/home/patreon...
[PATREON UNLOCK] Update Patch - December 2025 — startmenu
This past December was one of the busiest and most fraught months in the video game industry in years, so to get you ready for 2026 we’ve collated all of Adam Wescott’s weekly Update Patches from last...
www.startmenu.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Reposted by startmenu
bigbovy.bsky.social
Great as always to write for startmenu doing the first Update Patch of the year.

Shame it's already feeling a bit 2025-y.
startmenu.bsky.social startmenu @startmenu.bsky.social · 7d
Update Patch is back with Scott Nowbaveh rounding up everything from the price of RAM skyrocketing, to the price of GPUs skyrocketing, to the price of Star Wars Racer Revenge skyrocketing...

Wait, what was that last one?

www.patreon.com/posts/update...
Update Patch News Roundup (30/12/25) | startmenu
Get more from startmenu on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:29 PM
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mindcontrollers.bsky.social
Such a beautiful piece. Thank you @robinbombus.bsky.social !
January 4, 2026 at 1:39 AM
startmenu.bsky.social
Update Patch is back with Scott Nowbaveh rounding up everything from the price of RAM skyrocketing, to the price of GPUs skyrocketing, to the price of Star Wars Racer Revenge skyrocketing...

Wait, what was that last one?

www.patreon.com/posts/update...
Update Patch News Roundup (30/12/25) | startmenu
Get more from startmenu on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:05 PM
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robinbombus.bsky.social
for my last piece written in 2025 and first published in 2026, I got sappy about the games that helped me feel more connected during an otherwise pretty alienating year

so glad I got to work with @lexluddy.xyz and @kellymerka.bsky.social on this too!
January 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by startmenu
mads.haus
I wrote entirely too much about Round1, Konami, the death of arcades, and my capital-F faith for @startmenu.bsky.social:
January 2, 2026 at 6:42 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
The games that had the biggest impact on @robinbombus.bsky.social in 2025 were about bringing people together.
Human Connection Was At The Heart Of Robin Bea’s Favourite Games This Year | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
The games that had the biggest impact on Robin Bea in 2025 were about bringing people together.
www.startmenu.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 5:34 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
We welcome @mads.haus back to the site as she finds faith in a sub-par arcade.

www.startmenu.co.uk/home/madelin...
Madeline Blondeau Reflects On Finding Faith At The Arcade And The Feet Of Mother Mary | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
We welcome Madeline Blondeau back to the site as she finds faith in a sub-par arcade.
www.startmenu.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 5:52 PM
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alexgreen9898.bsky.social
Privileged to be part of the annual startmenu awards committee and to award the highly prestigious 'JUST STOP' and 'Game that is never coming out' awards!
startmenu.bsky.social startmenu @startmenu.bsky.social · 13d
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2025.
The startmenu Awards 2025 | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 3:03 PM
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edgarallanbro.bsky.social
When @lexluddy.xyz asked me to contribute to Startmenu's Winter Spectacular, I had another piece in mind. Then I changed it. Then changed it again.

I ended up writing about a bad year, my personal failings, and believing in something, even when it costs you. This was the one I had to write.
January 1, 2026 at 6:06 PM
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peagle05.bsky.social
I said yesterday that I’m gonna continue writing about games. And this is why. Cuz when someone is as good at it as @edgarallanbro.bsky.social , you can’t help but see yourself in it. On a personal level, I want to get this good at it.

On a larger level, yes. Stand on something. It’s worth it.
January 1, 2026 at 7:22 PM
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brianbarnett.bsky.social
This is a powerful piece from my buddy @edgarallanbro.bsky.social and you should take a few moments to read it
January 1, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by startmenu
alexjkane.bsky.social
"By the time this piece is published, I'll be 36, hilariously old for games media. At a preview event earlier this year, I was playing a game and told one of the PR folks there that it reminded me of Quake. 'What's Quake?' she asked."
January 1, 2026 at 9:41 PM
startmenu.bsky.social
2025 was a great year for people who stand for nothing and believe in nothing too. So with that in mind, @edgarallanbro.bsky.social is here to beg you to believe in SOMETHING, and stand for SOMETHING.

www.startmenu.co.uk/home/will-bo...
Will Borger Is Begging You to Believe in Something | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
2025 was a great year for people who stand for nothing and believe in nothing too. So with that in mind, Will Borger is here to beg you to believe in SOMETHING, and stand for SOMETHING.
www.startmenu.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Reposted by startmenu
stopcar.ing
I wrote a little thing for this :)

I gave out the Best Butt award 🍑
startmenu.bsky.social startmenu @startmenu.bsky.social · 13d
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2025.
The startmenu Awards 2025 | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 4:18 PM
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wendeego.bsky.social
this year I handed out the “Best Visual Novel” and the aptly named “This One Goes Out to the Sickos” awards. Give it a read!
startmenu.bsky.social startmenu @startmenu.bsky.social · 13d
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2025.
The startmenu Awards 2025 | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Reposted by startmenu
mindcontrollers.bsky.social
IT'S FINALLY HERE!!! I awarded a few awards for @startmenu.bsky.social, and you can check them out and more here!! And peak that site wide GOTY while you're at it 👀

This was such a fun and bright moment in a dark month. So glad to have contributed and worked alongside so many amazing writers!
startmenu.bsky.social startmenu @startmenu.bsky.social · 13d
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2025.
The startmenu Awards 2025 | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Reposted by startmenu
leglessgamer.bsky.social
HEY

MY WRITING IS HERE

GO READ IT

I TALK ABOUT VIDEO GAME TRAILERS AND REMASTERS
startmenu.bsky.social startmenu @startmenu.bsky.social · 13d
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2025.
The startmenu Awards 2025 | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Reposted by startmenu
lithiumproject.bsky.social
Seeing Axyz in this list has just made my brain melt. Cheers @startmenu.bsky.social you just made my year.
Use Your Brain, Dummy Award - Awarded By Brandon Craw Nominees: Axyz, Blue Prince, Escape Simulator 2, Horses, Is This Seat Taken, Kinophobia, Lego Voyagers, Lumines Arise, Mind Over Magnet, Silent Hill f, The Séance of Blake Manor, Strange Antiquities When I think of puzzle games, I imagine staring intensely at a screen to figure out the logic required to unlock a “secret” door that has been taunting me for far too long. Most of the time, what is required to solve an in-game puzzle can be found not too far from the puzzle itself. Maybe every once in a while, I’ll put in some extra thought to connect the dots. Never before did I have to dedicate an entire notebook to a puzzle game, with some puzzles requiring multiple completely filled pages.
December 31, 2025 at 4:29 PM
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lexluddy.xyz
the most prestigious award i have handed out this year
December 31, 2025 at 4:33 PM
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jesseguarascia.com
This is a REALLY fun list of stuff. Big obscure hits, unique things I’ve never heard of, good categories that are celebratory and critical - exactly what you want in an annual recap
startmenu.bsky.social startmenu @startmenu.bsky.social · 13d
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2025.
The startmenu Awards 2025 | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by startmenu
kellymerka.bsky.social
I handed out a few winners for startmenu's annual awards! In a move that will likely be unsurprising to anyone who's spoken with me in the past six months, I gave Best Music to Joel Schoch's soundtrack for Herdling, and Home of the Year to Mount Holly Estate in Blue Prince.
Best Music - Awarded By KM Nelson Nominees: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Deltarune Chapters 3+4, Donkey Kong Bananza, Fantasy Maiden Wars: DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER, Herdling, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Lumines Arise, Mafia: The Old Country, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Mario Kart World, Promise Mascot Agency, Skin Deep, South of Midnight, Sword of The Sea, to a T, Unbeatable, Wheel World It was over for me as soon as I heard the 3:2 polyrhythm trotting along with my herd’s stampede. The rhythm, which crops up periodically throughout Herdling’s soundtrack, defined my experience of the game. The tracks that pair with your runs don’t take speedy tempos — you canter at a comfortable allegro, rather than sprint with abandon — but they moved me all the same. Herdling’s music has much more to offer than rhythmic momentum. Its orchestration is warm and inviting, prominently featuring instruments like the hulusi, fujara, and kantele. A string orchestra fills wide vistas with stirring melodies. In a game with no dialogue, voiced only by the gentle, guiding whistles of its young protagonist and grunts of the Calicorn herd, the musical performances make an indelible impression, one that I won’t soon forget. Runners-Up: Hollow Knight: Silksong, Skin Deep Winner: Herdling Home of the Year - Awarded By KM Nelson Nominees: Blake Manor (The Séance of Blake Manor), The Hellfire Club (Eyes of Hellfire), Hinako’s House (Silent Hill f), Hotel Promise (Promise Mascot Agency), Mount Holly Estate When You Reach Room 46 (Blue Prince), Robert’s Shitty Apartment Full of Lamps (Dispatch), Teen’s House (to a T), Villa Torrisi (Mafia: The Old Country) I mean, the answer’s obvious, isn’t it? By wearing its contradictions on its sleeve, Blue Prince makes itself the exemplar of the Fantasy Of Home Ownership. You inherit a large property, yet you must still earn it by deciphering a series of puzzles — the estate will not be bequeathed to you until you unlock (some of) its secrets and cross the threshold of Room 46. Despite the existing structure, you also get to build it to your desired specifications. You have to start over every morning, but that’s part of the dream: a daily remodel with no sawdust, the only limits the 5x9 blueprint grid, the draft pool, and perhaps some bad RNG. The game isn’t truly afoot until you’ve claimed your inheritance. You go off-grid, opening a final door into a seemingly impossible space, and take ownership of Mount Holly Estate once and for all. But wait, there’s more. And more, and more. More rooms. More puzzles. More family history. You’ve made this your home, and you’ll make it again each day. Runners-Up: Hinako’s House (Silent Hill f), Teen’s House (to a T) Winner: Mount Holly Estate When You Reach Room 46 (Blue Prince)
December 31, 2025 at 4:49 PM
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ashlikeadragon.bsky.social
honoured to have been able to write about games crit itself for these awards, including being able to gush about the incredible @theautumnwright.bsky.social's work being the best of the year

give it a read, alongside the rest of the awards! 💜
startmenu.bsky.social startmenu @startmenu.bsky.social · 13d
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2025.
The startmenu Awards 2025 | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
The startmenu Awards return for another year with the debut of the first site-wide vote for startmenu’s Game of the Year! But before that, we’ve got a selection of critics’ choice awards highlighting ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 5:22 PM