Zonerunner
@zonerunner.co.uk
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It's #RandomGameSaturday time again and this week I have Phantom Breaker: Extra.
It's a fighting game with a visual novel character as a fighter! You'd think that would make for a novel (heh) oddity in the genre, but I can think of at least 4 other fighters that also have VN characters, so...
It's a fighting game with a visual novel character as a fighter! You'd think that would make for a novel (heh) oddity in the genre, but I can think of at least 4 other fighters that also have VN characters, so...
February 7, 2026 at 10:29 AM
It's #RandomGameSaturday time again and this week I have Phantom Breaker: Extra.
It's a fighting game with a visual novel character as a fighter! You'd think that would make for a novel (heh) oddity in the genre, but I can think of at least 4 other fighters that also have VN characters, so...
It's a fighting game with a visual novel character as a fighter! You'd think that would make for a novel (heh) oddity in the genre, but I can think of at least 4 other fighters that also have VN characters, so...
I played through The Missing again today. I remember being utterly impressed by the cleverly written narrative the first time I played it, and its message still resonates with me as much today as it ever did. It's not a long game so I would absolutely recommend playing it if you could find the time.
February 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM
I played through The Missing again today. I remember being utterly impressed by the cleverly written narrative the first time I played it, and its message still resonates with me as much today as it ever did. It's not a long game so I would absolutely recommend playing it if you could find the time.
Good morning to the #RandomGameSaturday folk. Today I've got Alpha Protocol for your consideration.
This is a game that's big on the role playing part of RPG, with an impressive amount of choice afforded to the player. Not without its flaws, but the sheer ambition makes for a memorable experience.
This is a game that's big on the role playing part of RPG, with an impressive amount of choice afforded to the player. Not without its flaws, but the sheer ambition makes for a memorable experience.
January 31, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Good morning to the #RandomGameSaturday folk. Today I've got Alpha Protocol for your consideration.
This is a game that's big on the role playing part of RPG, with an impressive amount of choice afforded to the player. Not without its flaws, but the sheer ambition makes for a memorable experience.
This is a game that's big on the role playing part of RPG, with an impressive amount of choice afforded to the player. Not without its flaws, but the sheer ambition makes for a memorable experience.
With the Granblue Fantasy: Versus servers going offline soon, I decided to grab the Platinum trophy before it became impossible.
ArcSys do undeniably make some pretty games with their tech, and I'm glad it's being put to use for rendering pink haired anime girls with vaguely bunny like ears.
ArcSys do undeniably make some pretty games with their tech, and I'm glad it's being put to use for rendering pink haired anime girls with vaguely bunny like ears.
January 27, 2026 at 1:45 AM
With the Granblue Fantasy: Versus servers going offline soon, I decided to grab the Platinum trophy before it became impossible.
ArcSys do undeniably make some pretty games with their tech, and I'm glad it's being put to use for rendering pink haired anime girls with vaguely bunny like ears.
ArcSys do undeniably make some pretty games with their tech, and I'm glad it's being put to use for rendering pink haired anime girls with vaguely bunny like ears.
Phantom Crash was a stompy robot game that I always felt deserved more love, but it's not like Genki didn't try to turn it into a franchise. It's just that even less people have heard of Steel Lancer Arena International.
I reckon this may qualify as my most obscure #RandomGameSaturday pick yet.
I reckon this may qualify as my most obscure #RandomGameSaturday pick yet.
January 24, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Phantom Crash was a stompy robot game that I always felt deserved more love, but it's not like Genki didn't try to turn it into a franchise. It's just that even less people have heard of Steel Lancer Arena International.
I reckon this may qualify as my most obscure #RandomGameSaturday pick yet.
I reckon this may qualify as my most obscure #RandomGameSaturday pick yet.
It's #RandomGameSaturday time and this week I've got Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop.
This game takes the existing assets from the Xbox 360 version and ports them to less powerful hardware. The result is a disjointed mess barely held together that nonetheless isn't without its own charms.
This game takes the existing assets from the Xbox 360 version and ports them to less powerful hardware. The result is a disjointed mess barely held together that nonetheless isn't without its own charms.
January 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM
It's #RandomGameSaturday time and this week I've got Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop.
This game takes the existing assets from the Xbox 360 version and ports them to less powerful hardware. The result is a disjointed mess barely held together that nonetheless isn't without its own charms.
This game takes the existing assets from the Xbox 360 version and ports them to less powerful hardware. The result is a disjointed mess barely held together that nonetheless isn't without its own charms.
On a whim, I decided to beat the Japanese version of Spyro today.
One thing I've always appreciated about the original is how every level is self-contained, so 100% is less about acquiring new abilities and more about your understanding and expressing of the mechanics the game already gives you.
One thing I've always appreciated about the original is how every level is self-contained, so 100% is less about acquiring new abilities and more about your understanding and expressing of the mechanics the game already gives you.
January 14, 2026 at 11:58 PM
On a whim, I decided to beat the Japanese version of Spyro today.
One thing I've always appreciated about the original is how every level is self-contained, so 100% is less about acquiring new abilities and more about your understanding and expressing of the mechanics the game already gives you.
One thing I've always appreciated about the original is how every level is self-contained, so 100% is less about acquiring new abilities and more about your understanding and expressing of the mechanics the game already gives you.
Completed my first Platinum trophy of 2026 with MGS Peace Walker.
It's always been one of my favourite games in the series and it's a Platinum I've wanted to get for years. It was a fun challenge figuring out how to S Rank stages solo in a game designed for co-op. Way too many tank missions though.
It's always been one of my favourite games in the series and it's a Platinum I've wanted to get for years. It was a fun challenge figuring out how to S Rank stages solo in a game designed for co-op. Way too many tank missions though.
January 12, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Completed my first Platinum trophy of 2026 with MGS Peace Walker.
It's always been one of my favourite games in the series and it's a Platinum I've wanted to get for years. It was a fun challenge figuring out how to S Rank stages solo in a game designed for co-op. Way too many tank missions though.
It's always been one of my favourite games in the series and it's a Platinum I've wanted to get for years. It was a fun challenge figuring out how to S Rank stages solo in a game designed for co-op. Way too many tank missions though.
For #RandomGameSaturday this week, I've grabbed Deadly Skies III off the shelf.
Konami's attempt at copying Namco's homework, the most memorable part of this game is the sheer amount of unlockable Konami shooter aircraft. I'll never get tired of wreaking havoc in the skies with TwinBee.
Konami's attempt at copying Namco's homework, the most memorable part of this game is the sheer amount of unlockable Konami shooter aircraft. I'll never get tired of wreaking havoc in the skies with TwinBee.
January 10, 2026 at 9:31 AM
For #RandomGameSaturday this week, I've grabbed Deadly Skies III off the shelf.
Konami's attempt at copying Namco's homework, the most memorable part of this game is the sheer amount of unlockable Konami shooter aircraft. I'll never get tired of wreaking havoc in the skies with TwinBee.
Konami's attempt at copying Namco's homework, the most memorable part of this game is the sheer amount of unlockable Konami shooter aircraft. I'll never get tired of wreaking havoc in the skies with TwinBee.
New year, new #RandomGameSaturday.
How about that time the character inspired by Sega hardware teamed up with the officially licensed characters based on Sega hardware? I always liked how they went to the effort of recolouring Dreamcast to an appropriate shade of blue for the European version.
How about that time the character inspired by Sega hardware teamed up with the officially licensed characters based on Sega hardware? I always liked how they went to the effort of recolouring Dreamcast to an appropriate shade of blue for the European version.
January 3, 2026 at 10:21 AM
New year, new #RandomGameSaturday.
How about that time the character inspired by Sega hardware teamed up with the officially licensed characters based on Sega hardware? I always liked how they went to the effort of recolouring Dreamcast to an appropriate shade of blue for the European version.
How about that time the character inspired by Sega hardware teamed up with the officially licensed characters based on Sega hardware? I always liked how they went to the effort of recolouring Dreamcast to an appropriate shade of blue for the European version.
I'm gonna getchu with today's #RandomGameSaturday pick, Ape Escape 2!
I *adore* the UK dub of AE 2 & 3. There's something about British accents pronouncing Japanese names that makes me smile every single time, and it's as much a part of the charm of the series for me as the creative gameplay is.
I *adore* the UK dub of AE 2 & 3. There's something about British accents pronouncing Japanese names that makes me smile every single time, and it's as much a part of the charm of the series for me as the creative gameplay is.
December 27, 2025 at 10:48 AM
I'm gonna getchu with today's #RandomGameSaturday pick, Ape Escape 2!
I *adore* the UK dub of AE 2 & 3. There's something about British accents pronouncing Japanese names that makes me smile every single time, and it's as much a part of the charm of the series for me as the creative gameplay is.
I *adore* the UK dub of AE 2 & 3. There's something about British accents pronouncing Japanese names that makes me smile every single time, and it's as much a part of the charm of the series for me as the creative gameplay is.
You know you're getting old when your idea of a good Christmas is something warm to wear and a good book to read.
Merry Christmas to you all. (Or happy holidays if you prefer.)
Merry Christmas to you all. (Or happy holidays if you prefer.)
December 25, 2025 at 10:38 AM
You know you're getting old when your idea of a good Christmas is something warm to wear and a good book to read.
Merry Christmas to you all. (Or happy holidays if you prefer.)
Merry Christmas to you all. (Or happy holidays if you prefer.)
Phantasy Star Online is an important game to me. Its distinctive sci-fi style left an impression, and I made many characters on a whole bunch of VMUs.
Across the series I've put in thousands of hours, and I still frequently go back for a quick run. One of these days I'll get to level 200...
Across the series I've put in thousands of hours, and I still frequently go back for a quick run. One of these days I'll get to level 200...
December 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Phantasy Star Online is an important game to me. Its distinctive sci-fi style left an impression, and I made many characters on a whole bunch of VMUs.
Across the series I've put in thousands of hours, and I still frequently go back for a quick run. One of these days I'll get to level 200...
Across the series I've put in thousands of hours, and I still frequently go back for a quick run. One of these days I'll get to level 200...
It's the last #RandomGameSaturday before Christmas, so I decided to go a little festive this week.
Christmas NiGHTS is essentially a demo, taking one level from the full game and suitably decorating it in tinsel. But there's a surprising amount of content to unlock by opening your presents!
Christmas NiGHTS is essentially a demo, taking one level from the full game and suitably decorating it in tinsel. But there's a surprising amount of content to unlock by opening your presents!
December 20, 2025 at 9:13 AM
It's the last #RandomGameSaturday before Christmas, so I decided to go a little festive this week.
Christmas NiGHTS is essentially a demo, taking one level from the full game and suitably decorating it in tinsel. But there's a surprising amount of content to unlock by opening your presents!
Christmas NiGHTS is essentially a demo, taking one level from the full game and suitably decorating it in tinsel. But there's a surprising amount of content to unlock by opening your presents!
They like big boats and they cannot lie.
I'll use this as an opportunity to say: hey it was weird that a bunch of Resident Evil games for years included a big boat!
Gaiden (2001; on a boat)
Dead Aim (2003; on a boat)
5 (2009; two boats!)
Revelations (2012; on a boat)
6 (2012; partially on a big boat)
7 (2017; partially on a big boat)
Gaiden (2001; on a boat)
Dead Aim (2003; on a boat)
5 (2009; two boats!)
Revelations (2012; on a boat)
6 (2012; partially on a big boat)
7 (2017; partially on a big boat)
Taking aim with today's #RandomGameSaturday with Resident Evil: Dead Aim!
It's zombies on a boat. Not the first time the series used that concept and certainly not the last, it doesn't take itself particularly seriously and I find it more charming to play than Revelations. Fun with a Guncon too.
It's zombies on a boat. Not the first time the series used that concept and certainly not the last, it doesn't take itself particularly seriously and I find it more charming to play than Revelations. Fun with a Guncon too.
December 13, 2025 at 3:51 PM
They like big boats and they cannot lie.
Taking aim with today's #RandomGameSaturday with Resident Evil: Dead Aim!
It's zombies on a boat. Not the first time the series used that concept and certainly not the last, it doesn't take itself particularly seriously and I find it more charming to play than Revelations. Fun with a Guncon too.
It's zombies on a boat. Not the first time the series used that concept and certainly not the last, it doesn't take itself particularly seriously and I find it more charming to play than Revelations. Fun with a Guncon too.
December 13, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Taking aim with today's #RandomGameSaturday with Resident Evil: Dead Aim!
It's zombies on a boat. Not the first time the series used that concept and certainly not the last, it doesn't take itself particularly seriously and I find it more charming to play than Revelations. Fun with a Guncon too.
It's zombies on a boat. Not the first time the series used that concept and certainly not the last, it doesn't take itself particularly seriously and I find it more charming to play than Revelations. Fun with a Guncon too.
They missed a trick not calling it Tomb Raider: Anniversary: Anniversary Edition.
Tomb Raider remake Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC
Publisher Amazon Games and developers Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog have announced Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a remake of the 1996-released Tomb Raider, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC…
Publisher Amazon Games and developers Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog have announced Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a remake of the 1996-released Tomb Raider, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC…
Tomb Raider remake Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC
Publisher Amazon Games and developers Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog have announced Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a remake of the 1996-released Tomb Raider, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam). It will launch in 2026.
www.gematsu.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:43 AM
They missed a trick not calling it Tomb Raider: Anniversary: Anniversary Edition.
Gosh, is it Saturday again already? For #RandomGameSaturday I've grabbed No One Lives Forever.
Monolith made some great shooters in their early years and NOLF is no exception. A spy thriller pastiche with a notable female protagonist, it's since regrettably fallen victim to publishing rights hell.
Monolith made some great shooters in their early years and NOLF is no exception. A spy thriller pastiche with a notable female protagonist, it's since regrettably fallen victim to publishing rights hell.
December 6, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Gosh, is it Saturday again already? For #RandomGameSaturday I've grabbed No One Lives Forever.
Monolith made some great shooters in their early years and NOLF is no exception. A spy thriller pastiche with a notable female protagonist, it's since regrettably fallen victim to publishing rights hell.
Monolith made some great shooters in their early years and NOLF is no exception. A spy thriller pastiche with a notable female protagonist, it's since regrettably fallen victim to publishing rights hell.
I'm sorry, Netflix did *what*?
December 5, 2025 at 2:32 PM
I'm sorry, Netflix did *what*?
I raided the Nintendo shelf for today's #RandomGameSaturday and came away with Pangya: Golf with Style.
I remember playing the PC version of Pangya back in the early days of the internet. A fun if free to play laden spin on Everybody's Golf, clearly it was popular enough to get a console spin-off.
I remember playing the PC version of Pangya back in the early days of the internet. A fun if free to play laden spin on Everybody's Golf, clearly it was popular enough to get a console spin-off.
November 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I raided the Nintendo shelf for today's #RandomGameSaturday and came away with Pangya: Golf with Style.
I remember playing the PC version of Pangya back in the early days of the internet. A fun if free to play laden spin on Everybody's Golf, clearly it was popular enough to get a console spin-off.
I remember playing the PC version of Pangya back in the early days of the internet. A fun if free to play laden spin on Everybody's Golf, clearly it was popular enough to get a console spin-off.
Today I learned that Koei Tecmo has a subsidiary called "AAA Games Studio".
That... feels a little on the nose.
www.gematsu.com/companies/ko...
That... feels a little on the nose.
www.gematsu.com/companies/ko...
AAA Games Studio
AAA Games Studio is a video game developer and subsidiary of Koei Tecmo Games.
www.gematsu.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Today I learned that Koei Tecmo has a subsidiary called "AAA Games Studio".
That... feels a little on the nose.
www.gematsu.com/companies/ko...
That... feels a little on the nose.
www.gematsu.com/companies/ko...
This week for #RandomGameSaturday I've got the game I consider to be Japan Studio's swan song, Gravity Rush 2.
I think they knew they were lucky to get a sequel, because the game is a masterclass on how to deliver a narratively satisfying conclusion to a story that I still think about to this day.
I think they knew they were lucky to get a sequel, because the game is a masterclass on how to deliver a narratively satisfying conclusion to a story that I still think about to this day.
November 22, 2025 at 9:33 AM
This week for #RandomGameSaturday I've got the game I consider to be Japan Studio's swan song, Gravity Rush 2.
I think they knew they were lucky to get a sequel, because the game is a masterclass on how to deliver a narratively satisfying conclusion to a story that I still think about to this day.
I think they knew they were lucky to get a sequel, because the game is a masterclass on how to deliver a narratively satisfying conclusion to a story that I still think about to this day.
OK, getting one full art card feels like a rare occasion, so I don't even want to think about the RNG required to get *five* in one pack.
November 20, 2025 at 10:15 PM
OK, getting one full art card feels like a rare occasion, so I don't even want to think about the RNG required to get *five* in one pack.
For #RandomGameSaturday this week, I've got Tenchu on the PS1.
Mechanically, it shares a lot of DNA with Tomb Raider in that blocky exploration sense. However, Tenchu encourages avoiding direct combat wherever possible. I have fond memories of figuring out optimal routes to get Grandmaster ranks.
Mechanically, it shares a lot of DNA with Tomb Raider in that blocky exploration sense. However, Tenchu encourages avoiding direct combat wherever possible. I have fond memories of figuring out optimal routes to get Grandmaster ranks.
November 15, 2025 at 10:10 AM
For #RandomGameSaturday this week, I've got Tenchu on the PS1.
Mechanically, it shares a lot of DNA with Tomb Raider in that blocky exploration sense. However, Tenchu encourages avoiding direct combat wherever possible. I have fond memories of figuring out optimal routes to get Grandmaster ranks.
Mechanically, it shares a lot of DNA with Tomb Raider in that blocky exploration sense. However, Tenchu encourages avoiding direct combat wherever possible. I have fond memories of figuring out optimal routes to get Grandmaster ranks.
Morning all, happy #RandomGameSaturday to everybody.
New for 2004 it's Custom Robo for the Gamecube, the first game in the franchise to get localised. A strong art direction, well designed game mechanics and a trope filled plot makes for a memorable first impression.
New for 2004 it's Custom Robo for the Gamecube, the first game in the franchise to get localised. A strong art direction, well designed game mechanics and a trope filled plot makes for a memorable first impression.
November 8, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Morning all, happy #RandomGameSaturday to everybody.
New for 2004 it's Custom Robo for the Gamecube, the first game in the franchise to get localised. A strong art direction, well designed game mechanics and a trope filled plot makes for a memorable first impression.
New for 2004 it's Custom Robo for the Gamecube, the first game in the franchise to get localised. A strong art direction, well designed game mechanics and a trope filled plot makes for a memorable first impression.