Jordan Rudek
@jrudek.bsky.social
Writer of A Game In The Life (available almost everywhere). Reviews Editor at Nintendo World Report. Regular host on The Thirsty Mage podcast. College prof by day. He/Him.
https://linktr.ee/riskman64
https://linktr.ee/riskman64
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
Octopath Traveler 0's reimagining of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent might just be some of the best octopath traveling the series has yet offered!
@nron10.bsky.social has our review: youtu.be/dP0HdwOtuPE?...
@nron10.bsky.social has our review: youtu.be/dP0HdwOtuPE?...
Octopath Traveler 0 (Switch 2) Review -
YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV
youtu.be
December 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Octopath Traveler 0's reimagining of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent might just be some of the best octopath traveling the series has yet offered!
@nron10.bsky.social has our review: youtu.be/dP0HdwOtuPE?...
@nron10.bsky.social has our review: youtu.be/dP0HdwOtuPE?...
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
The Christmas Edition of our RPG Magazine is now available for your enjoyment.
We share our favourite Christmas memories from when we were kids, and I share a Retrospective on a game featuring the man in the red suit, SMT: Devil Survivor.
thethirstymage.com/2025/11/30/i...
We share our favourite Christmas memories from when we were kids, and I share a Retrospective on a game featuring the man in the red suit, SMT: Devil Survivor.
thethirstymage.com/2025/11/30/i...
Issue #3 - Christmas Season Begins
The Holiday Season is upon us once again, and the folks at The Thirsty Mage share all of their favourite memories from Christmas' Past.
thethirstymage.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:27 AM
The Christmas Edition of our RPG Magazine is now available for your enjoyment.
We share our favourite Christmas memories from when we were kids, and I share a Retrospective on a game featuring the man in the red suit, SMT: Devil Survivor.
thethirstymage.com/2025/11/30/i...
We share our favourite Christmas memories from when we were kids, and I share a Retrospective on a game featuring the man in the red suit, SMT: Devil Survivor.
thethirstymage.com/2025/11/30/i...
Anyone want to convince to either pick up Dispatch or not? I'm pretty close to a purchase but would welcome more opinions on it. Not like I need any more games to play, but what I've seen has me very interested.
November 22, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Anyone want to convince to either pick up Dispatch or not? I'm pretty close to a purchase but would welcome more opinions on it. Not like I need any more games to play, but what I've seen has me very interested.
Almost certainly another top five game of 2025 for me. The hits keep on coming this fall!
Two classic RPGs call for two reviewers! @nron10.bsky.social and @jrudek.bsky.social team up to take a look at Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake on Switch 2. youtu.be/B2UEzk32sEc?...
Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake (Switch 2) Review - Double Thy Pleasure, Double Thy Fun?
YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Almost certainly another top five game of 2025 for me. The hits keep on coming this fall!
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
Cast your mind back to 2011, you're sitting on the toilet, you're on your fancy new smartphone, zombies are attacking your garden. www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/71477...
Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted Review - Review
www.nintendoworldreport.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Cast your mind back to 2011, you're sitting on the toilet, you're on your fancy new smartphone, zombies are attacking your garden. www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/71477...
Yet another amazing video game releasing this fall. If you're into roguelites or beat-em'-ups, don't let Absolum pass you by!
What if Hades was Golden Axe? That's an important question to ask. Absolum gives us an answer with it's unique brawler meets roguelite format. @jrudek.bsky.social has our review youtu.be/GYOODLmlfZQ
Absolum (Switch) Review - An Absolum-ly Fantastic Roguelite Brawler
YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV
youtu.be
October 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Yet another amazing video game releasing this fall. If you're into roguelites or beat-em'-ups, don't let Absolum pass you by!
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
Did you know I’ve got a starter pack of awesome people who make awesome video game books and magazines?
October 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Did you know I’ve got a starter pack of awesome people who make awesome video game books and magazines?
Found this on Reddit. Whatcha playin' this month??
For me, it's DQ1+2, Mina, Pokemon, Ball x Pit, PvZ, and maybe Yooka.
For me, it's DQ1+2, Mina, Pokemon, Ball x Pit, PvZ, and maybe Yooka.
October 2, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Found this on Reddit. Whatcha playin' this month??
For me, it's DQ1+2, Mina, Pokemon, Ball x Pit, PvZ, and maybe Yooka.
For me, it's DQ1+2, Mina, Pokemon, Ball x Pit, PvZ, and maybe Yooka.
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
Exhausted from the endless news cycle?
Our newly launched FREE RPG online magazine is the perfect reading material while having your morning coffee.
thethirstymage.beehiiv.com/p/the-thirst...
Previews, Reviews, A Look Back in History, Fire Emblem Rankings, and more!
Our newly launched FREE RPG online magazine is the perfect reading material while having your morning coffee.
thethirstymage.beehiiv.com/p/the-thirst...
Previews, Reviews, A Look Back in History, Fire Emblem Rankings, and more!
The Thirsty Mage
Monthly RPG News and Reviews
thethirstymage.beehiiv.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Exhausted from the endless news cycle?
Our newly launched FREE RPG online magazine is the perfect reading material while having your morning coffee.
thethirstymage.beehiiv.com/p/the-thirst...
Previews, Reviews, A Look Back in History, Fire Emblem Rankings, and more!
Our newly launched FREE RPG online magazine is the perfect reading material while having your morning coffee.
thethirstymage.beehiiv.com/p/the-thirst...
Previews, Reviews, A Look Back in History, Fire Emblem Rankings, and more!
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
The cabinet that is Nintendo of America will be shuffled on New Year's Day, including a first in more than 135 years of Nintendo.
Nintendo Of America Executes Executive Shuffle: Bowser To Retire, New CEO, First Female President - News
www.nintendoworldreport.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The cabinet that is Nintendo of America will be shuffled on New Year's Day, including a first in more than 135 years of Nintendo.
Played two hours of Visions of Mana last night, having wanted to play around launch but not having time to do so.
I found the opening of the game incredibly slow, with constant dialogue interjections really hurting the pacing. If it gets better, I may keep going, but otherwise I'm probably done.
I found the opening of the game incredibly slow, with constant dialogue interjections really hurting the pacing. If it gets better, I may keep going, but otherwise I'm probably done.
September 25, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Played two hours of Visions of Mana last night, having wanted to play around launch but not having time to do so.
I found the opening of the game incredibly slow, with constant dialogue interjections really hurting the pacing. If it gets better, I may keep going, but otherwise I'm probably done.
I found the opening of the game incredibly slow, with constant dialogue interjections really hurting the pacing. If it gets better, I may keep going, but otherwise I'm probably done.
I'm still playing it, and I'm still hooked. The sequel has its claws in me even worse than the first Hades game. And 120 fps on Switch 2 is immaculate.
We swear other people work here besides @jrudek.bsky.social but in his second review for the day he takes a look at Hades II. youtu.be/9gYQtFr7sC0?...
Hades II (Switch 2) Review - Oh My Goddess, We're Back Again!
YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV
youtu.be
September 24, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I'm still playing it, and I'm still hooked. The sequel has its claws in me even worse than the first Hades game. And 120 fps on Switch 2 is immaculate.
I know September is loaded with amazing games, but this is a must-play for tactics fans. I absolutely loved coming back to this world, story, and gameplay.
One of the greatest tactics RPGs of all time returns on both Switch and Switch 2. @jrudek.bsky.social takes a look at Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles youtu.be/sVvkcNxxfaY?...
Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles (Switch 2) Review
YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV
youtu.be
September 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
I know September is loaded with amazing games, but this is a must-play for tactics fans. I absolutely loved coming back to this world, story, and gameplay.
Rolled credits on Silksong last night, and what an experience it was. Clear time was just under 26 hours, but felt shorter.
I can say it exceeded my expectations and will definitely be up for my own GOTY. The way those boss fights get your heart pumping is unreal. Bravo, @teamcherry.bsky.social
I can say it exceeded my expectations and will definitely be up for my own GOTY. The way those boss fights get your heart pumping is unreal. Bravo, @teamcherry.bsky.social
September 16, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Rolled credits on Silksong last night, and what an experience it was. Clear time was just under 26 hours, but felt shorter.
I can say it exceeded my expectations and will definitely be up for my own GOTY. The way those boss fights get your heart pumping is unreal. Bravo, @teamcherry.bsky.social
I can say it exceeded my expectations and will definitely be up for my own GOTY. The way those boss fights get your heart pumping is unreal. Bravo, @teamcherry.bsky.social
Lots of amazing video games are coming out this month, but if you want a break between Silksong boss attempts, I'd love if you checked out my book: A Game In The Life.
If you already picked it up, leaving a review online, like on Goodreads, would make my day.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/20...
If you already picked it up, leaving a review online, like on Goodreads, would make my day.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/20...
A Game in the Life: A Personal Journey Through Timeless…
Video games are a nostalgia-producing machine, and A Ga…
www.goodreads.com
September 15, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Lots of amazing video games are coming out this month, but if you want a break between Silksong boss attempts, I'd love if you checked out my book: A Game In The Life.
If you already picked it up, leaving a review online, like on Goodreads, would make my day.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/20...
If you already picked it up, leaving a review online, like on Goodreads, would make my day.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/20...
Would you rather have remakes of Zelda 1 and 2 or the Oracle games?
For me, the latter are still really playable today, but that's tougher to say about the first two Zelda games. If I can't get both, give me a new version of Zelda 2, please!
For me, the latter are still really playable today, but that's tougher to say about the first two Zelda games. If I can't get both, give me a new version of Zelda 2, please!
September 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Would you rather have remakes of Zelda 1 and 2 or the Oracle games?
For me, the latter are still really playable today, but that's tougher to say about the first two Zelda games. If I can't get both, give me a new version of Zelda 2, please!
For me, the latter are still really playable today, but that's tougher to say about the first two Zelda games. If I can't get both, give me a new version of Zelda 2, please!
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
Star Wars Outlaws is more than just a technical marvel on Switch 2. It is also a pretty darn good game. @whilhorst.bsky.social has our full review. youtu.be/ev9Qo9_OQM8
Star Wars Outlaws (Switch 2) Review
YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV
youtu.be
September 9, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Star Wars Outlaws is more than just a technical marvel on Switch 2. It is also a pretty darn good game. @whilhorst.bsky.social has our full review. youtu.be/ev9Qo9_OQM8
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
📬 Issue 448 of Switch Weekly is out now: switchweekly.com/issue/448 #Nintendo
Switch Weekly - Issue 448
Your Nintendo digest for the week ending September 7.
switchweekly.com
September 8, 2025 at 7:06 AM
📬 Issue 448 of Switch Weekly is out now: switchweekly.com/issue/448 #Nintendo
I can't stop thinking about or playing this beautiful, charming, brutal, lonely, vibrant, challenging, rewarding video game. Silksong was absolutely worth the wait.
September 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
I can't stop thinking about or playing this beautiful, charming, brutal, lonely, vibrant, challenging, rewarding video game. Silksong was absolutely worth the wait.
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
Octopath Traveler 0 arrives on Switch 2 at the end of the year and @jrudek.bsky.social had an opportunity to give it a try at PAX West. youtu.be/DqquWIy6VTA
Octopath Traveler 0 (Switch 2) Hands-on Preview
YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV
youtu.be
September 3, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Octopath Traveler 0 arrives on Switch 2 at the end of the year and @jrudek.bsky.social had an opportunity to give it a try at PAX West. youtu.be/DqquWIy6VTA
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is a little rough around the edges from a technical perspective, but can solid gameplay save the day? Find out in our review from @jrudek.bsky.social youtu.be/zJdBxIzhDPU?...
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion (Switch 2) Review
YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV
youtu.be
September 2, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is a little rough around the edges from a technical perspective, but can solid gameplay save the day? Find out in our review from @jrudek.bsky.social youtu.be/zJdBxIzhDPU?...
One of the first games I played at PAX West this year was Elden Ring on Nintendo Switch 2, and I came away much more impressed and hopeful than I had been after all of the Gamescom pieces. See my @nintendonwr.bsky.social impressions from the event below!
www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/7233...
www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/7233...
September 1, 2025 at 3:05 AM
One of the first games I played at PAX West this year was Elden Ring on Nintendo Switch 2, and I came away much more impressed and hopeful than I had been after all of the Gamescom pieces. See my @nintendonwr.bsky.social impressions from the event below!
www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/7233...
www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/7233...
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
I had the pleasure of going hands-on with Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds during Gamescom. Including getting to try a new mode called Race Park. It's emphasis on IP is noteworthy, but the racer underneath took me a bit longer than expected to come to grips with.👇
nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-pre...
nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-pre...
August 26, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I had the pleasure of going hands-on with Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds during Gamescom. Including getting to try a new mode called Race Park. It's emphasis on IP is noteworthy, but the racer underneath took me a bit longer than expected to come to grips with.👇
nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-pre...
nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-pre...
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
📬 Issue 446 of Switch Weekly is out now: switchweekly.com/issue/446 #Nintendo
Switch Weekly - Issue 446
Your Nintendo digest for the week ending August 24.
switchweekly.com
August 24, 2025 at 11:02 PM
📬 Issue 446 of Switch Weekly is out now: switchweekly.com/issue/446 #Nintendo
Reposted by Jordan Rudek
Metal Gear Solid Delta may not be coming to Switch 2 (for now) but remakes and remasters of Metal Gear games have a storied history with Nintendo. @whilhorst.bsky.social dives into the history of Metal Gear and Nintendo and takes a quick look at that fancy new remaster.
youtu.be/nLkPP5jZIhA?...
youtu.be/nLkPP5jZIhA?...
Metal Gear Solid Δ and The Remake Filled History of Metal Gear and Nintendo
YouTube video by Nintendo World Report TV
youtu.be
August 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Metal Gear Solid Delta may not be coming to Switch 2 (for now) but remakes and remasters of Metal Gear games have a storied history with Nintendo. @whilhorst.bsky.social dives into the history of Metal Gear and Nintendo and takes a quick look at that fancy new remaster.
youtu.be/nLkPP5jZIhA?...
youtu.be/nLkPP5jZIhA?...