Brandon K(ftw)
@brandonkftw.bsky.social
3 million+ Xbox gamerscore (retired), games industry commenter, wrestling mark, among other things. // Xbox @ BrandonKFTW - Playstation @ Brandon_KFTW //
2025 has been a bad year for me. Probably the toughest since 2011 when I was struggling with adjustments to college life. I've been blessed by almost a decade of *relative* calm, but now with some heavy turbulence again, I need to focus in.
I'll be back on socials in 2026. Happy Holidays! 🙂
I'll be back on socials in 2026. Happy Holidays! 🙂
December 20, 2025 at 5:52 PM
2025 has been a bad year for me. Probably the toughest since 2011 when I was struggling with adjustments to college life. I've been blessed by almost a decade of *relative* calm, but now with some heavy turbulence again, I need to focus in.
I'll be back on socials in 2026. Happy Holidays! 🙂
I'll be back on socials in 2026. Happy Holidays! 🙂
I've got a lot of insanity IRL, so I should share it now before I focus on that.
2025 was rough for me, but games provided solace. For me, I wanted an escape, and nothing gave me that more than @suckerpunchprod.bsky.social's Ghost of Yotei.
That is my 2025 Game of the Year. 👏👏
2025 was rough for me, but games provided solace. For me, I wanted an escape, and nothing gave me that more than @suckerpunchprod.bsky.social's Ghost of Yotei.
That is my 2025 Game of the Year. 👏👏
a painting of a samurai with the words mike detective on the bottom
ALT: a painting of a samurai with the words mike detective on the bottom
media.tenor.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:13 PM
I've got a lot of insanity IRL, so I should share it now before I focus on that.
2025 was rough for me, but games provided solace. For me, I wanted an escape, and nothing gave me that more than @suckerpunchprod.bsky.social's Ghost of Yotei.
That is my 2025 Game of the Year. 👏👏
2025 was rough for me, but games provided solace. For me, I wanted an escape, and nothing gave me that more than @suckerpunchprod.bsky.social's Ghost of Yotei.
That is my 2025 Game of the Year. 👏👏
My GOTY announcement is delayed, FYI. Will be later in the month. Had some things come up. All is good.👍
December 13, 2025 at 12:01 AM
My GOTY announcement is delayed, FYI. Will be later in the month. Had some things come up. All is good.👍
2025 has been a weird year for me in games. I played just shy of 20 new releases, and focused on my Xbox gamerscore. With that done, and my 2026 plans coming together, I am ready to share my "GOTY Shortlist":
⭐️Despelote
⭐️Dispatch
⭐️Ghost of Yotei
⭐️Sword of the Sea
⭐️Despelote
⭐️Dispatch
⭐️Ghost of Yotei
⭐️Sword of the Sea
December 9, 2025 at 2:04 AM
2025 has been a weird year for me in games. I played just shy of 20 new releases, and focused on my Xbox gamerscore. With that done, and my 2026 plans coming together, I am ready to share my "GOTY Shortlist":
⭐️Despelote
⭐️Dispatch
⭐️Ghost of Yotei
⭐️Sword of the Sea
⭐️Despelote
⭐️Dispatch
⭐️Ghost of Yotei
⭐️Sword of the Sea
These #WorldCup2026 groups are 🔥. Can't wait until March to see the last teams in!
December 6, 2025 at 3:45 AM
These #WorldCup2026 groups are 🔥. Can't wait until March to see the last teams in!
My Game of the Year ( #GOTY ) 2025 window is coming to a close right about now. I have no plans to play any more 2025 releases this year unless there is a shadow drop or something like that at #TheGameAwards next month. I'm anticipating my shortlist and GOTY around TGA time.
November 26, 2025 at 3:49 PM
My Game of the Year ( #GOTY ) 2025 window is coming to a close right about now. I have no plans to play any more 2025 releases this year unless there is a shadow drop or something like that at #TheGameAwards next month. I'm anticipating my shortlist and GOTY around TGA time.
Yesterday I also played Goodnight Universe, a new indie from Before Your Eyes devs @nicedreamgames.com I loved their prior work, and Goodnight is just as great. Unique story with solid writing and performances told via gameplay hooks and mechanics you don't see elsewhere.
November 23, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Yesterday I also played Goodnight Universe, a new indie from Before Your Eyes devs @nicedreamgames.com I loved their prior work, and Goodnight is just as great. Unique story with solid writing and performances told via gameplay hooks and mechanics you don't see elsewhere.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is fine. Probably my least favorite Purple Lamp-developed platformer, but serviceable where it counts. The humor is still there, too.
Plus Patrick gets validation from David Hasselhoff that mayonnaise is, in fact, an instrument. 🔥
Plus Patrick gets validation from David Hasselhoff that mayonnaise is, in fact, an instrument. 🔥
a man dressed as a roman emperor holding a jar of mayonnaise
ALT: a man dressed as a roman emperor holding a jar of mayonnaise
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:34 AM
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is fine. Probably my least favorite Purple Lamp-developed platformer, but serviceable where it counts. The humor is still there, too.
Plus Patrick gets validation from David Hasselhoff that mayonnaise is, in fact, an instrument. 🔥
Plus Patrick gets validation from David Hasselhoff that mayonnaise is, in fact, an instrument. 🔥
Yeah #WickedForGood is... pretty damn good. Loved the first one a hair more, but For Good is a better version of the 2nd Act of the musical than the musical itself. While Cynthia's "No Good Deed" is exceptional, Ariana's acting is the real standout.
November 20, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Yeah #WickedForGood is... pretty damn good. Loved the first one a hair more, but For Good is a better version of the 2nd Act of the musical than the musical itself. While Cynthia's "No Good Deed" is exceptional, Ariana's acting is the real standout.
My votes are primarily a tool to show who I think will win. There's a couple that I'm iffy on (fighting, sound, family) and my Games for Impact vote is 10000% biased. #thegameawards
November 19, 2025 at 1:18 PM
My votes are primarily a tool to show who I think will win. There's a couple that I'm iffy on (fighting, sound, family) and my Games for Impact vote is 10000% biased. #thegameawards
#Dispatch is insanely awesome. I don't want to say much more, to avoid spoilers, but it is arguably one of my favorite episodic games that I've ever played. Great performances, great premise, great writing, great dispatching mechanic mini-game. All great. Play it ASAP.
robert robertson my beloved is written on a red heart
ALT: robert robertson my beloved is written on a red heart
media.tenor.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:24 PM
#Dispatch is insanely awesome. I don't want to say much more, to avoid spoilers, but it is arguably one of my favorite episodic games that I've ever played. Great performances, great premise, great writing, great dispatching mechanic mini-game. All great. Play it ASAP.
There are simply too many games to play, but an old friend is demanding a replay. First time since 2021. Do I do it? 🤔
November 12, 2025 at 1:30 AM
There are simply too many games to play, but an old friend is demanding a replay. First time since 2021. Do I do it? 🤔
I thought I had more to play 😂.
#TheOuterWorlds2 is pretty good! After ~50 hrs, the writing, story, combat, and progression are much improved from the 1st. However, I was let down by the shallow companions (minus Tristan), and the pacing of the story really dragged at times.
#TheOuterWorlds2 is pretty good! After ~50 hrs, the writing, story, combat, and progression are much improved from the 1st. However, I was let down by the shallow companions (minus Tristan), and the pacing of the story really dragged at times.
November 8, 2025 at 12:48 PM
I thought I had more to play 😂.
#TheOuterWorlds2 is pretty good! After ~50 hrs, the writing, story, combat, and progression are much improved from the 1st. However, I was let down by the shallow companions (minus Tristan), and the pacing of the story really dragged at times.
#TheOuterWorlds2 is pretty good! After ~50 hrs, the writing, story, combat, and progression are much improved from the 1st. However, I was let down by the shallow companions (minus Tristan), and the pacing of the story really dragged at times.
I am currently working my way (slowly, mostly due to work) through The Outer Worlds 2. I'm really liking it so far, despite the slow start. Hoping to have it wrapped up by the end of next week. I'll have more to say then, of course.
November 6, 2025 at 11:48 AM
I am currently working my way (slowly, mostly due to work) through The Outer Worlds 2. I'm really liking it so far, despite the slow start. Hoping to have it wrapped up by the end of next week. I'll have more to say then, of course.
Favorite game soundtrack of all time filled with bangers? SSX 3. Change my mind. open.spotify.com/playlist/2MA...
The True SSX3 Complete Playlist
open.spotify.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Favorite game soundtrack of all time filled with bangers? SSX 3. Change my mind. open.spotify.com/playlist/2MA...
Hurricane Melissa's eye. Insane. www.dvidshub.net/video/985468...
Hurricane Melissa
A U.S. Air Force Reserve crew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the “Hurricane Hunters,” flies through Hurricane Melissa on Oct. 27, 2025. The video, taken by Lt. Col. Mark Withee, a navigator with the 53rd WRS, shows the crew making multiple passes through the storm to collect critical weather data for the National Hurricane Center. (U.S. Air Force video by Lt. Col. Mark Withee)
www.dvidshub.net
October 27, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Hurricane Melissa's eye. Insane. www.dvidshub.net/video/985468...
34 feels a lot like 33... and 32... and 31... 🎂
October 22, 2025 at 1:22 AM
34 feels a lot like 33... and 32... and 31... 🎂
#Keeper is a gorgeous, wonderful, and unique game. I'm not going to say much, to avoid spoiling the latter two acts, but if you're a fan of art-driven experiences, it is a must-play.
All of the photos here are my screenshots. Beautiful.
All of the photos here are my screenshots. Beautiful.
October 18, 2025 at 6:30 PM
#Keeper is a gorgeous, wonderful, and unique game. I'm not going to say much, to avoid spoiling the latter two acts, but if you're a fan of art-driven experiences, it is a must-play.
All of the photos here are my screenshots. Beautiful.
All of the photos here are my screenshots. Beautiful.
I finished #GhostofYotei last week and loved it. It's a refinement of what made Tsushima excellent, with improved combat and presentation. The story is a bit uneven with awkward pacing, but I was compelled to explore the open world to get the platinum trophy, so that means a lot!
a group of people sitting around a table in a room with a samurai standing in the doorway
ALT: a group of people sitting around a table in a room with a samurai standing in the doorway
media.tenor.com
October 12, 2025 at 1:14 PM
I finished #GhostofYotei last week and loved it. It's a refinement of what made Tsushima excellent, with improved combat and presentation. The story is a bit uneven with awkward pacing, but I was compelled to explore the open world to get the platinum trophy, so that means a lot!
Yes, I am aware of the #XboxGamePass price hike. No, I don't like it. There is a good amount of value in the product over the next 3 months for me to justify the Nov 4th increase, but in 2026? I may go down to Premium and adjust on a seasonal basis depending on release dates.
October 2, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Yes, I am aware of the #XboxGamePass price hike. No, I don't like it. There is a good amount of value in the product over the next 3 months for me to justify the Nov 4th increase, but in 2026? I may go down to Premium and adjust on a seasonal basis depending on release dates.
10 more hours down in F2P @skate. Progression loop isn't as bad as I thought it was, but it is truly a little light on challenge content, as I am seeing repeat dailies. I'm close to getting the 3 regions to level 10 (9, 8, 7), but the grind (hehe skateboarding pun) is still real.
September 30, 2025 at 9:27 PM
10 more hours down in F2P @skate. Progression loop isn't as bad as I thought it was, but it is truly a little light on challenge content, as I am seeing repeat dailies. I'm close to getting the 3 regions to level 10 (9, 8, 7), but the grind (hehe skateboarding pun) is still real.
Currently recalibrating my fall games schedule... I have to make my list a little smaller. I have it down to 5 games yet to come out and one I "false started" last week that I'll come back to towards the end of the year, if time permits (or early next if not). 🤔
September 26, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Currently recalibrating my fall games schedule... I have to make my list a little smaller. I have it down to 5 games yet to come out and one I "false started" last week that I'll come back to towards the end of the year, if time permits (or early next if not). 🤔
I've spent ~8 hrs over a couple days with the #skate early access. The soul of the franchise is there, for sure, but the content is lacking at this (very) early point. Some of the spots to jam at are all-timers, though. Much more fun in co-op, too. Very excited for the future.
September 25, 2025 at 11:49 AM
I've spent ~8 hrs over a couple days with the #skate early access. The soul of the franchise is there, for sure, but the content is lacking at this (very) early point. Some of the spots to jam at are all-timers, though. Much more fun in co-op, too. Very excited for the future.
Hey, so another bump in the road in my life. Keeping details private (I'm okay), but I just need to take time away from socials... and reduce my internet consumption by a considerably large amount, too, until I get in the right direction. 👋 (Not like I've been around recently, anyway.)
September 15, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Hey, so another bump in the road in my life. Keeping details private (I'm okay), but I just need to take time away from socials... and reduce my internet consumption by a considerably large amount, too, until I get in the right direction. 👋 (Not like I've been around recently, anyway.)