John Hansen
@johnhansen.bsky.social
Lead writer/editor for gamesandwich.com
Presently also writing reviews for Push Square
Past: Minecraft Support, Gamepur, Insider Gaming
Portfolio: https://johnhansen.journoportfolio.com/
PRs, please contact [email protected]
Presently also writing reviews for Push Square
Past: Minecraft Support, Gamepur, Insider Gaming
Portfolio: https://johnhansen.journoportfolio.com/
PRs, please contact [email protected]
Pinned
John Hansen
@johnhansen.bsky.social
· Jan 7
Thread for my 2025 gaming achievements:
Dispatch wasn't a success because it was episodic. It was a success in spite of it being episodic. It definitely helps that it was a weekly structure and not the old model waiting months at a time for an episode, but no, this isn't something that games should pursue.
Dispatch studio AdHoc knew it was taking a risk releasing the game in weekly episodic installments, and was actually advised not to do it. However, the studio did it anyway, and the risk paid off. https://bit.ly/48pgoCg
December 4, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Dispatch wasn't a success because it was episodic. It was a success in spite of it being episodic. It definitely helps that it was a weekly structure and not the old model waiting months at a time for an episode, but no, this isn't something that games should pursue.
This is one of the funnier things I have come across this year. Did not see a Kinect-like console that actually has good reviews and it being a success story (the reference to the PS5 is very tongue-in-cheek).
Meet the NEX Playground, a motion-controlled game console similar to the Kinect, which has outsold the PS5 (kind of, and for a very particular week).
www.gamesandwich.com/meet-the-nex...
www.gamesandwich.com/meet-the-nex...
Meet the NEX Playground, the Kinect-Like Console that is Starting to Hit the Best-Selling Hardware Lists
When you think of video game consoles, you have a good idea of the top names to consider. If it's
www.gamesandwich.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:39 AM
This is one of the funnier things I have come across this year. Did not see a Kinect-like console that actually has good reviews and it being a success story (the reference to the PS5 is very tongue-in-cheek).
My mom is the most "this phone call should have been a text" person ever
December 3, 2025 at 11:53 PM
My mom is the most "this phone call should have been a text" person ever
You know when you send in an email to apply for a job, and you look at a word for a good five minutes because, even though it is spelled right, it looks wrong?
Yeah, me neither.
Unrelated, why does privilege feel like a funky word to me right now?
Yeah, me neither.
Unrelated, why does privilege feel like a funky word to me right now?
December 3, 2025 at 4:14 PM
You know when you send in an email to apply for a job, and you look at a word for a good five minutes because, even though it is spelled right, it looks wrong?
Yeah, me neither.
Unrelated, why does privilege feel like a funky word to me right now?
Yeah, me neither.
Unrelated, why does privilege feel like a funky word to me right now?
Both my checking and savings account are in the negative and I'm starting to sell off stuff. While I have money coming in over the next couple days to cover my current overdue rent and other bills, I'm in big need of work to avoid losing my place in the near future.
(1/2)
(1/2)
December 2, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Both my checking and savings account are in the negative and I'm starting to sell off stuff. While I have money coming in over the next couple days to cover my current overdue rent and other bills, I'm in big need of work to avoid losing my place in the near future.
(1/2)
(1/2)
Really shocking behavior. Who could have ever known this recap was going to happen lol
December 2, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Really shocking behavior. Who could have ever known this recap was going to happen lol
I also tried a little something different than anything I've done before when making a video. A little inspiration from some of my favorite channels I follow with some very basic video editing skills.
Additionally, here's a video he put together talking about his journey, which is quite different from what we've done before. Hope you enjoy it.
youtu.be/_WXAProQOrE?...
youtu.be/_WXAProQOrE?...
The Last Caretaker Drowned Me in a Sea of Frustration - Early Access Review
YouTube video by Game Sandwich
youtu.be
November 30, 2025 at 5:33 PM
I also tried a little something different than anything I've done before when making a video. A little inspiration from some of my favorite channels I follow with some very basic video editing skills.
Survival games are hit-and-miss with me, and this one leads more to the miss range at the moment. That said, there's definitely plenty of room for it to be a pretty great game in the future for the kind of player that loves these games.
The Last Caretaker has its moments, but the bugs, poor combat, slow progression, and lack of direction really threw @johnhansen.bsky.social off from enjoying the game. Check out his preview of the game.
www.gamesandwich.com/the-last-car...
www.gamesandwich.com/the-last-car...
The Last Caretaker Is Great for the Ideal Player, but Not Me — Early Access Preview
Survival games have always been hit-or-miss for me. On the one hand, I have put tons of hours into Minecraft,
www.gamesandwich.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Survival games are hit-and-miss with me, and this one leads more to the miss range at the moment. That said, there's definitely plenty of room for it to be a pretty great game in the future for the kind of player that loves these games.
I literally can't afford this I'm so broke, but this would be very tempting if I had any money at all lol
Kraft Original Mac & Cheese Mac Friday 65" Box, 65 Count of 7.5 oz Boxes goes up on Walmart exclusive in 60 minutes (9 PM PT - $19.37) buff.ly/zdUIMSg #ad
-65" TV-sized box
-65 boxes of Mac n Cheese
-4K Noodles
-65" TV-sized box
-65 boxes of Mac n Cheese
-4K Noodles
November 28, 2025 at 4:45 AM
I literally can't afford this I'm so broke, but this would be very tempting if I had any money at all lol
Reposted by John Hansen
The Game Awards are right around the corner, so let's look through all the nominees and predict who wins in all the categories*
*Besides esports and content creator areas
youtu.be/RUmP93XKaPs?...
*Besides esports and content creator areas
youtu.be/RUmP93XKaPs?...
Our 2025 Game Awards winner predictions!!- Community Kitchen
YouTube video by Game Sandwich
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 1:54 AM
The Game Awards are right around the corner, so let's look through all the nominees and predict who wins in all the categories*
*Besides esports and content creator areas
youtu.be/RUmP93XKaPs?...
*Besides esports and content creator areas
youtu.be/RUmP93XKaPs?...
Reposted by John Hansen
A Pizza Delivery is a game that has a good narrative, but the bugs and jankiness it also houses bring down the experience a bit. Read @amusemeforever.bsky.social's review:
www.gamesandwich.com/a-pizza-deli...
www.gamesandwich.com/a-pizza-deli...
A Pizza Delivery Review (PC): A Lonely Drive Down Memory Lane
Everyone comes to video games for a different reason, but escapism may be the term you hear thrown around the
www.gamesandwich.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:14 AM
A Pizza Delivery is a game that has a good narrative, but the bugs and jankiness it also houses bring down the experience a bit. Read @amusemeforever.bsky.social's review:
www.gamesandwich.com/a-pizza-deli...
www.gamesandwich.com/a-pizza-deli...
Reposted by John Hansen
Rumors are swirling about yet another price increase for Xbox consoles incoming. @kloonair.bsky.social and @seraphteran.bsky.social discuss the situation:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5DB...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5DB...
Is Xbox facing ANOTHER price hike?!- Community Kitchen
YouTube video by Game Sandwich
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Rumors are swirling about yet another price increase for Xbox consoles incoming. @kloonair.bsky.social and @seraphteran.bsky.social discuss the situation:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5DB...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5DB...
Sonny Gray being traded is a move I'm glad happened. Plus, the Cards get a guy named Dick Fitts in the rotation? 2026 is going to be awful, but that will at least make the awful baseball a little more bearable to watch
November 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Sonny Gray being traded is a move I'm glad happened. Plus, the Cards get a guy named Dick Fitts in the rotation? 2026 is going to be awful, but that will at least make the awful baseball a little more bearable to watch
Reposted by John Hansen
Kristala is an upcoming Souls-like where you play as a cat. While it has most of what you expect from a game like this, the current technical state of the game is quite down in the lead-up to its 1.0 release. Read Augusto's early access preview below:
www.gamesandwich.com/kristala-pre...
www.gamesandwich.com/kristala-pre...
Kristala Preview (PC): The Cat’s Meow
2026 is set to be quite a year for Souls-likes, with sequels to Nioh, Lords of the Fallen, Mortal Shell,
www.gamesandwich.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Kristala is an upcoming Souls-like where you play as a cat. While it has most of what you expect from a game like this, the current technical state of the game is quite down in the lead-up to its 1.0 release. Read Augusto's early access preview below:
www.gamesandwich.com/kristala-pre...
www.gamesandwich.com/kristala-pre...
Reposted by John Hansen
Octopath Traveler 0 is just around the corner and @seraphteran.bsky.social says the demo has shown just about everything it needs to sell itself to him. Read his demo impressions below:
www.gamesandwich.com/the-octopath...
www.gamesandwich.com/the-octopath...
The Octopath Traveler 0 Demo is Everything I wanted
Octopath Traveler 0 has a free demo available on Switch, PS5, PC, and Xbox, and after getting my hands on
www.gamesandwich.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Octopath Traveler 0 is just around the corner and @seraphteran.bsky.social says the demo has shown just about everything it needs to sell itself to him. Read his demo impressions below:
www.gamesandwich.com/the-octopath...
www.gamesandwich.com/the-octopath...
I can't get a remote job writing in the video game industry because of a million reasons and I can't get a job at the furniture store down the street building chairs because my experience is in the video game industry.
Job searching for 8 months is really taking its toll on me.
Job searching for 8 months is really taking its toll on me.
November 20, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I can't get a remote job writing in the video game industry because of a million reasons and I can't get a job at the furniture store down the street building chairs because my experience is in the video game industry.
Job searching for 8 months is really taking its toll on me.
Job searching for 8 months is really taking its toll on me.
Vendetta looks badass!
@johnhansen.bsky.social spoke with Alec Dawson and Bryan Bedford from the Overwatch team, who described Vendetta as "the ultimate dive hero."
www.gamesandwich.com/overwatch-2-...
www.gamesandwich.com/overwatch-2-...
Overwatch 2: Vendetta is “High-Risk, High-Reward Personified,” The “Ultimate Dive Hero” — Alec Dawson and Bryan Bedfor
After many teases, the 45th hero being added to the Overwatch 2 roster has finally been revealed to be Vendetta,
www.gamesandwich.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Vendetta looks badass!
Reposted by John Hansen
Demonschool wears its inspirations on its sleeves and delivers a pretty good experience for fans of games like SMT.
Read @amusemeforever.bsky.social's review:
www.gamesandwich.com/demonschool-...
Read @amusemeforever.bsky.social's review:
www.gamesandwich.com/demonschool-...
Demonschool Review (PC): This Tactical RPG Stops Just Short of Straight A’s
Demonschool has had a bit of a rocky road to release, with updates offset by frequent delays. With this year
www.gamesandwich.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Demonschool wears its inspirations on its sleeves and delivers a pretty good experience for fans of games like SMT.
Read @amusemeforever.bsky.social's review:
www.gamesandwich.com/demonschool-...
Read @amusemeforever.bsky.social's review:
www.gamesandwich.com/demonschool-...
Reposted by John Hansen
We are just three followers away from 200 on Twitch! Consider checking out our streams, where we have a group stream every Tuesday and then break out into solo plays for the rest of the week. You might catch a moment like this.
Follow us here: www.twitch.tv/gamesandwich...
Follow us here: www.twitch.tv/gamesandwich...
November 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
We are just three followers away from 200 on Twitch! Consider checking out our streams, where we have a group stream every Tuesday and then break out into solo plays for the rest of the week. You might catch a moment like this.
Follow us here: www.twitch.tv/gamesandwich...
Follow us here: www.twitch.tv/gamesandwich...
Reposted by John Hansen
"Moonlighter 2 carves out its own place in gaming, being a mix of a delightful shop-keeping simulator, with its newly added action rogue-like mechanics to differentiate itself from the gameplay of the original."
Read @adamgumby.bsky.social's review:
www.gamesandwich.com/moonlighter-...
Read @adamgumby.bsky.social's review:
www.gamesandwich.com/moonlighter-...
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault Early Access Review (PC):
The original Moonlighter was a delightful concept when I first played it. A charming indie game that mixed shopkeeping during
www.gamesandwich.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:02 AM
"Moonlighter 2 carves out its own place in gaming, being a mix of a delightful shop-keeping simulator, with its newly added action rogue-like mechanics to differentiate itself from the gameplay of the original."
Read @adamgumby.bsky.social's review:
www.gamesandwich.com/moonlighter-...
Read @adamgumby.bsky.social's review:
www.gamesandwich.com/moonlighter-...
25 different PR emails during any given week:
"Here's a new roguelike deck-builder that is like Balatro, but if it was ____!"
"Here's a new roguelike deck-builder that is like Balatro, but if it was ____!"
November 17, 2025 at 8:30 PM
25 different PR emails during any given week:
"Here's a new roguelike deck-builder that is like Balatro, but if it was ____!"
"Here's a new roguelike deck-builder that is like Balatro, but if it was ____!"
Why focus on new games when I can find new ways to talk about Breath of the Wild?
@johnhansen.bsky.social has gotten his first experience with the Zelda Notes companion app during a second playthrough of Breath of the Wild. While these apps are usually a waste of time, there is merit to this one, though it has a couple of down points.
www.gamesandwich.com/zelda-notes-...
www.gamesandwich.com/zelda-notes-...
Zelda Notes in Breath of the Wild is a Nice but Flawed Tool
Following the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, I had a hankering to go back to The Legend of Zelda:
www.gamesandwich.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Why focus on new games when I can find new ways to talk about Breath of the Wild?
Reposted by John Hansen
“Our talented team with its own human hands and brains and souls decided that all this shitty art made by a computer was good enough to go in our game” is not a good defense of using AI tools to generate assets.
November 17, 2025 at 3:57 PM
“Our talented team with its own human hands and brains and souls decided that all this shitty art made by a computer was good enough to go in our game” is not a good defense of using AI tools to generate assets.
I have such a sour opinion of the third act in E33 that I'm upset it's up for best narrative, even though I absolutely loved the first two acts lol
November 17, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I have such a sour opinion of the third act in E33 that I'm upset it's up for best narrative, even though I absolutely loved the first two acts lol
Essentially all I've been playing the last week is Overwatch and Breath of the Wild. Just a reminder that 2016 and 2017 were all-time years and I'm not sure I'll ever get the high of those years again. So many absolute masterpieces.
November 16, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Essentially all I've been playing the last week is Overwatch and Breath of the Wild. Just a reminder that 2016 and 2017 were all-time years and I'm not sure I'll ever get the high of those years again. So many absolute masterpieces.