James Batchelor
@jamesbatchelor.bsky.social
Comms Manager at @digitalbandidos.bsky.social. Runs Non-Violent Game of the Day (@nvgotd.bsky.social). Former journalist
Author (The Best Non-Violent Video Games, Wandless, Blow The House Down) www.jamesbatchelor.me
Father. Gamer. Soundtrack Nerd
Author (The Best Non-Violent Video Games, Wandless, Blow The House Down) www.jamesbatchelor.me
Father. Gamer. Soundtrack Nerd
Agreed. The longer a game is, the harder it is for the developer to maintain pacing/interest. Keep me hooked and leave me satisfied.
January 22, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Agreed. The longer a game is, the harder it is for the developer to maintain pacing/interest. Keep me hooked and leave me satisfied.
I just love the Donkey Kong Country-style side-on challenges from Bananza.
January 21, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I just love the Donkey Kong Country-style side-on challenges from Bananza.
Same. I never did the post-credits missions, which I hear is like a second campaign. I'm starting Z-A next, so I suspect that'll be the final thing that pushes me back to Arceus
January 20, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Same. I never did the post-credits missions, which I hear is like a second campaign. I'm starting Z-A next, so I suspect that'll be the final thing that pushes me back to Arceus
I know what you mean. Arceus was the first game that truly felt like it was capturing the fantasy of exploring a world and catching monsters in the way the anime made me imagine
January 20, 2026 at 11:20 PM
I know what you mean. Arceus was the first game that truly felt like it was capturing the fantasy of exploring a world and catching monsters in the way the anime made me imagine
Hope she enjoys it. Thank you again!
January 19, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Hope she enjoys it. Thank you again!
Bloody hell, that was quick. I haven't even got my copies yet!
January 19, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Bloody hell, that was quick. I haven't even got my copies yet!
I think playing Bioshock Infinite in 2-3 sittings helps me think of that game fondly. And one bored day between Christmas and New Year, I managed Star Wars: The Force Unleashed in one hit
January 19, 2026 at 9:41 AM
I think playing Bioshock Infinite in 2-3 sittings helps me think of that game fondly. And one bored day between Christmas and New Year, I managed Star Wars: The Force Unleashed in one hit
Thank you, I shall be looking this up immediately
January 18, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Thank you, I shall be looking this up immediately
Good times. Under the right circumstances, you could play a 10-12 hour game in one sitting!
January 18, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Good times. Under the right circumstances, you could play a 10-12 hour game in one sitting!
Great question. If you want something a little more like Violet, I'd go Pokémon Sword or Shield. If you want something more retro like Let's Go, get Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl. All are on Switch
January 17, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Great question. If you want something a little more like Violet, I'd go Pokémon Sword or Shield. If you want something more retro like Let's Go, get Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl. All are on Switch
It is indeed. The book features a chapter on the origins of Game Freak and the Pokemon series, chapters on the making of each mainline generation, and brief but fact-filled profiles on every single Pokemon game ever (incl. some very obscure ones). There's over 150 games in here
January 16, 2026 at 2:07 PM
It is indeed. The book features a chapter on the origins of Game Freak and the Pokemon series, chapters on the making of each mainline generation, and brief but fact-filled profiles on every single Pokemon game ever (incl. some very obscure ones). There's over 150 games in here