Cactus (Bluesky edition)
@manofthecactus.bsky.social
Splatoon, Valorant, Persona enjoyer. Bluesky version of @ManOfTheCactus7.
Overall, I feel like this year was mostly games that I enjoyed, but didn't leave a super lasting impact on me. The few exceptions were really good tho. See ya in 2026
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Overall, I feel like this year was mostly games that I enjoyed, but didn't leave a super lasting impact on me. The few exceptions were really good tho. See ya in 2026
And finally, my game of the year is...
DELTARUNE (Chapters 3 & 4)
Toby Fox just knows how to make games, man. I adored every second of these and I am SO excited to see where chapter 5 is gonna take the story. 10/10
DELTARUNE (Chapters 3 & 4)
Toby Fox just knows how to make games, man. I adored every second of these and I am SO excited to see where chapter 5 is gonna take the story. 10/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
And finally, my game of the year is...
DELTARUNE (Chapters 3 & 4)
Toby Fox just knows how to make games, man. I adored every second of these and I am SO excited to see where chapter 5 is gonna take the story. 10/10
DELTARUNE (Chapters 3 & 4)
Toby Fox just knows how to make games, man. I adored every second of these and I am SO excited to see where chapter 5 is gonna take the story. 10/10
HM: New Pokemon Snap
Taking pictures of pokemon is fun, but I'd like to see a few more environments later on. We'll see
Taking pictures of pokemon is fun, but I'd like to see a few more environments later on. We'll see
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
HM: New Pokemon Snap
Taking pictures of pokemon is fun, but I'd like to see a few more environments later on. We'll see
Taking pictures of pokemon is fun, but I'd like to see a few more environments later on. We'll see
HM: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
I like the parry system but nothing about this game keeps me coming back, like I have to will myself to keep playing, but I have a fun time while doing so. Unsure if it deserved all those awards so far
I like the parry system but nothing about this game keeps me coming back, like I have to will myself to keep playing, but I have a fun time while doing so. Unsure if it deserved all those awards so far
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
HM: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
I like the parry system but nothing about this game keeps me coming back, like I have to will myself to keep playing, but I have a fun time while doing so. Unsure if it deserved all those awards so far
I like the parry system but nothing about this game keeps me coming back, like I have to will myself to keep playing, but I have a fun time while doing so. Unsure if it deserved all those awards so far
HM: Octopath Traveler 0
I've only just started this game, but it's very *different* and I'm not sure I like it yet. The townbuilding seems fun so far tho
I've only just started this game, but it's very *different* and I'm not sure I like it yet. The townbuilding seems fun so far tho
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
HM: Octopath Traveler 0
I've only just started this game, but it's very *different* and I'm not sure I like it yet. The townbuilding seems fun so far tho
I've only just started this game, but it's very *different* and I'm not sure I like it yet. The townbuilding seems fun so far tho
Before I talk about my game of the year, I have a few honorable mentions, which are mostly games I'm actively playing and haven't finished yet.
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Before I talk about my game of the year, I have a few honorable mentions, which are mostly games I'm actively playing and haven't finished yet.
Pokemon Ultra Moon
I enjoyed a lot of this game but it really feels like playing older pokemon games without mods forces you to miss out on the whole experience due to the playerbase moving on/end of online services. Game itself was great tho 8.5/10
I enjoyed a lot of this game but it really feels like playing older pokemon games without mods forces you to miss out on the whole experience due to the playerbase moving on/end of online services. Game itself was great tho 8.5/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Pokemon Ultra Moon
I enjoyed a lot of this game but it really feels like playing older pokemon games without mods forces you to miss out on the whole experience due to the playerbase moving on/end of online services. Game itself was great tho 8.5/10
I enjoyed a lot of this game but it really feels like playing older pokemon games without mods forces you to miss out on the whole experience due to the playerbase moving on/end of online services. Game itself was great tho 8.5/10
Dispatch
Fun and interesting concept, and I'd love to see more of it. I hope if they actually do a season 2 the story is a little more cohesive and less reliant on romance. If they are relying on romance, they should lean more into it 8/10
Fun and interesting concept, and I'd love to see more of it. I hope if they actually do a season 2 the story is a little more cohesive and less reliant on romance. If they are relying on romance, they should lean more into it 8/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Dispatch
Fun and interesting concept, and I'd love to see more of it. I hope if they actually do a season 2 the story is a little more cohesive and less reliant on romance. If they are relying on romance, they should lean more into it 8/10
Fun and interesting concept, and I'd love to see more of it. I hope if they actually do a season 2 the story is a little more cohesive and less reliant on romance. If they are relying on romance, they should lean more into it 8/10
Mario Kart World
I'm not really a huge mario kart diehard but I feel like this game has gotten a lot more hate online than it deserves. Very fun and feels like the first time the series has really tried to revolutionize its mechanics 8.5/10
I'm not really a huge mario kart diehard but I feel like this game has gotten a lot more hate online than it deserves. Very fun and feels like the first time the series has really tried to revolutionize its mechanics 8.5/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Mario Kart World
I'm not really a huge mario kart diehard but I feel like this game has gotten a lot more hate online than it deserves. Very fun and feels like the first time the series has really tried to revolutionize its mechanics 8.5/10
I'm not really a huge mario kart diehard but I feel like this game has gotten a lot more hate online than it deserves. Very fun and feels like the first time the series has really tried to revolutionize its mechanics 8.5/10
Donkey Kong Bananza
The people at Nintendo EPD just know how to make fun games, man. You're doing yourself a disservice if you choose not to play this game just bc it doesn't have "Mario" in the title. 9.5/10
The people at Nintendo EPD just know how to make fun games, man. You're doing yourself a disservice if you choose not to play this game just bc it doesn't have "Mario" in the title. 9.5/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Donkey Kong Bananza
The people at Nintendo EPD just know how to make fun games, man. You're doing yourself a disservice if you choose not to play this game just bc it doesn't have "Mario" in the title. 9.5/10
The people at Nintendo EPD just know how to make fun games, man. You're doing yourself a disservice if you choose not to play this game just bc it doesn't have "Mario" in the title. 9.5/10
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Did a whole review on this game as well, and i'll attach it here. TLDR: redeemed mega pokemon as a concept in my eyes with solid character writing but was desperately lacking in voice acting and a coherent plot, especially near the end. 7.5/10
bsky.app/profile/mano...
Did a whole review on this game as well, and i'll attach it here. TLDR: redeemed mega pokemon as a concept in my eyes with solid character writing but was desperately lacking in voice acting and a coherent plot, especially near the end. 7.5/10
bsky.app/profile/mano...
Quick review on Pokemon Legends Z-A
Pros:
-Real time combat is fun! I honestly thought I wouldn't like it but it adds a ton of depth to battling I never would've thought about, including but not limited to: long range vs close range, hazard moves such as fire spin, hard hitting slow attacks
Pros:
-Real time combat is fun! I honestly thought I wouldn't like it but it adds a ton of depth to battling I never would've thought about, including but not limited to: long range vs close range, hazard moves such as fire spin, hard hitting slow attacks
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Did a whole review on this game as well, and i'll attach it here. TLDR: redeemed mega pokemon as a concept in my eyes with solid character writing but was desperately lacking in voice acting and a coherent plot, especially near the end. 7.5/10
bsky.app/profile/mano...
Did a whole review on this game as well, and i'll attach it here. TLDR: redeemed mega pokemon as a concept in my eyes with solid character writing but was desperately lacking in voice acting and a coherent plot, especially near the end. 7.5/10
bsky.app/profile/mano...
Cuphead (and the DLC)
Absolutely adored this game while playing it. The aesthetic is simply unmatched and the gameplay feels fair and balanced. Big recommend for anyone who wants a unique, high quality game with no modern BS 10/10
Absolutely adored this game while playing it. The aesthetic is simply unmatched and the gameplay feels fair and balanced. Big recommend for anyone who wants a unique, high quality game with no modern BS 10/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Cuphead (and the DLC)
Absolutely adored this game while playing it. The aesthetic is simply unmatched and the gameplay feels fair and balanced. Big recommend for anyone who wants a unique, high quality game with no modern BS 10/10
Absolutely adored this game while playing it. The aesthetic is simply unmatched and the gameplay feels fair and balanced. Big recommend for anyone who wants a unique, high quality game with no modern BS 10/10
Grounded 2
So far, I really like the *promise* of this game, but as it stands currently I think they have a long way to go before I can give it a full review. Like p5x, when things change significantly I'll probably do another review but for now i will wait for updates 7/10
So far, I really like the *promise* of this game, but as it stands currently I think they have a long way to go before I can give it a full review. Like p5x, when things change significantly I'll probably do another review but for now i will wait for updates 7/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Grounded 2
So far, I really like the *promise* of this game, but as it stands currently I think they have a long way to go before I can give it a full review. Like p5x, when things change significantly I'll probably do another review but for now i will wait for updates 7/10
So far, I really like the *promise* of this game, but as it stands currently I think they have a long way to go before I can give it a full review. Like p5x, when things change significantly I'll probably do another review but for now i will wait for updates 7/10
Persona 5 The Phantom X
The first (and likely only) gacha game I'll ever play. It honestly took a bit for me to adjust to the gacha mechanics but after that it wasnt too bad. This game does some things better than base p5 and some things worse but I'll keep reviewing it until the story is over 7/10
The first (and likely only) gacha game I'll ever play. It honestly took a bit for me to adjust to the gacha mechanics but after that it wasnt too bad. This game does some things better than base p5 and some things worse but I'll keep reviewing it until the story is over 7/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Persona 5 The Phantom X
The first (and likely only) gacha game I'll ever play. It honestly took a bit for me to adjust to the gacha mechanics but after that it wasnt too bad. This game does some things better than base p5 and some things worse but I'll keep reviewing it until the story is over 7/10
The first (and likely only) gacha game I'll ever play. It honestly took a bit for me to adjust to the gacha mechanics but after that it wasnt too bad. This game does some things better than base p5 and some things worse but I'll keep reviewing it until the story is over 7/10
Wanderstop
I felt like this game had just enough mechanics in it to feel comprehensive without feeling overwhelming. The story probably won't resonate with everyone but it hit me hard and will probably live in my brain for years. Would recommend 8/10
I felt like this game had just enough mechanics in it to feel comprehensive without feeling overwhelming. The story probably won't resonate with everyone but it hit me hard and will probably live in my brain for years. Would recommend 8/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Wanderstop
I felt like this game had just enough mechanics in it to feel comprehensive without feeling overwhelming. The story probably won't resonate with everyone but it hit me hard and will probably live in my brain for years. Would recommend 8/10
I felt like this game had just enough mechanics in it to feel comprehensive without feeling overwhelming. The story probably won't resonate with everyone but it hit me hard and will probably live in my brain for years. Would recommend 8/10
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Some people call this the greatest game of all time. I don't necessarily agree, but I do think it ages really well, which is a huge compliment for a 5th gen game. I might play the rest of the series, we'll see 9/10
Some people call this the greatest game of all time. I don't necessarily agree, but I do think it ages really well, which is a huge compliment for a 5th gen game. I might play the rest of the series, we'll see 9/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Some people call this the greatest game of all time. I don't necessarily agree, but I do think it ages really well, which is a huge compliment for a 5th gen game. I might play the rest of the series, we'll see 9/10
Some people call this the greatest game of all time. I don't necessarily agree, but I do think it ages really well, which is a huge compliment for a 5th gen game. I might play the rest of the series, we'll see 9/10
Pikmin
Very stressful, but very rewarding. I wish this game had a little more breathing room to learn the game mechanics. Like I only feel like I beat the game on my first run bc I played pikmin 4 first. I wouldn't say the game felt super unfair tho 8/10
Very stressful, but very rewarding. I wish this game had a little more breathing room to learn the game mechanics. Like I only feel like I beat the game on my first run bc I played pikmin 4 first. I wouldn't say the game felt super unfair tho 8/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Pikmin
Very stressful, but very rewarding. I wish this game had a little more breathing room to learn the game mechanics. Like I only feel like I beat the game on my first run bc I played pikmin 4 first. I wouldn't say the game felt super unfair tho 8/10
Very stressful, but very rewarding. I wish this game had a little more breathing room to learn the game mechanics. Like I only feel like I beat the game on my first run bc I played pikmin 4 first. I wouldn't say the game felt super unfair tho 8/10
Pikmin 4
My introduction to the pikmin series, and the low-stakes vibe felt like a smooth way to ease me into understanding the mechanics of the different pikmin. I felt the plot was a bit lacking but this game was really fun and I'd probably replay it at some point 9/10
My introduction to the pikmin series, and the low-stakes vibe felt like a smooth way to ease me into understanding the mechanics of the different pikmin. I felt the plot was a bit lacking but this game was really fun and I'd probably replay it at some point 9/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Pikmin 4
My introduction to the pikmin series, and the low-stakes vibe felt like a smooth way to ease me into understanding the mechanics of the different pikmin. I felt the plot was a bit lacking but this game was really fun and I'd probably replay it at some point 9/10
My introduction to the pikmin series, and the low-stakes vibe felt like a smooth way to ease me into understanding the mechanics of the different pikmin. I felt the plot was a bit lacking but this game was really fun and I'd probably replay it at some point 9/10
PEAK
Fun to play through literally 1 time, and likely more interesting the more people you have. I only played with one other person and had a fun time, but I couldn't imagine playing it more than occasionally 7/10
Fun to play through literally 1 time, and likely more interesting the more people you have. I only played with one other person and had a fun time, but I couldn't imagine playing it more than occasionally 7/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
PEAK
Fun to play through literally 1 time, and likely more interesting the more people you have. I only played with one other person and had a fun time, but I couldn't imagine playing it more than occasionally 7/10
Fun to play through literally 1 time, and likely more interesting the more people you have. I only played with one other person and had a fun time, but I couldn't imagine playing it more than occasionally 7/10
R.E.P.O.
I quite enjoyed the aspect of carefully moving items through doorways and stuff, but I felt like the game didn't have much to it at the time, and a few updates later, I still feel that way 8/10
I quite enjoyed the aspect of carefully moving items through doorways and stuff, but I felt like the game didn't have much to it at the time, and a few updates later, I still feel that way 8/10
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
R.E.P.O.
I quite enjoyed the aspect of carefully moving items through doorways and stuff, but I felt like the game didn't have much to it at the time, and a few updates later, I still feel that way 8/10
I quite enjoyed the aspect of carefully moving items through doorways and stuff, but I felt like the game didn't have much to it at the time, and a few updates later, I still feel that way 8/10
Octopath Traveler 2
This one also has a whole review attached to it, but I felt like it was a huge improvement over the first and felt like the concept of the series was realized. 9/10
bsky.app/profile/mano...
This one also has a whole review attached to it, but I felt like it was a huge improvement over the first and felt like the concept of the series was realized. 9/10
bsky.app/profile/mano...
IT'S TIME FOR THE OCTOPATH TRAVELER 2 REVIEW (no I wasn't caught up with something I was just lazy and put it off)
This will obviously have heavy comparisons to OT1 since I played it so soon after but I'll have it in the same format (pros vs cons etc) but most of it will be positive (1/16)
This will obviously have heavy comparisons to OT1 since I played it so soon after but I'll have it in the same format (pros vs cons etc) but most of it will be positive (1/16)
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Octopath Traveler 2
This one also has a whole review attached to it, but I felt like it was a huge improvement over the first and felt like the concept of the series was realized. 9/10
bsky.app/profile/mano...
This one also has a whole review attached to it, but I felt like it was a huge improvement over the first and felt like the concept of the series was realized. 9/10
bsky.app/profile/mano...
Octopath Traveler
I made a whole review on this game already, and my thoughts on it are very complex. TLDR: I really wanted to like it more than I did, but I couldn't due to some flaws I couldn't forgive. 6/10
bsky.app/profile/mano...
I made a whole review on this game already, and my thoughts on it are very complex. TLDR: I really wanted to like it more than I did, but I couldn't due to some flaws I couldn't forgive. 6/10
bsky.app/profile/mano...
Octopath Traveler (2018) is probably the most conflicted i've ever been on a videogame.
This game is nearly 7 years old, but this thread will contain spoilers if you care about playing this game.
Before we get into the review, I need to drop some important lore so you can have some context (1/33)
This game is nearly 7 years old, but this thread will contain spoilers if you care about playing this game.
Before we get into the review, I need to drop some important lore so you can have some context (1/33)
Replaying Octopath Traveler (the first one) and trying to actually beat it this time, the early game and late game feel like 2 completely different games lmao
Will post thoughts when I'm done
Will post thoughts when I'm done
December 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Octopath Traveler
I made a whole review on this game already, and my thoughts on it are very complex. TLDR: I really wanted to like it more than I did, but I couldn't due to some flaws I couldn't forgive. 6/10
bsky.app/profile/mano...
I made a whole review on this game already, and my thoughts on it are very complex. TLDR: I really wanted to like it more than I did, but I couldn't due to some flaws I couldn't forgive. 6/10
bsky.app/profile/mano...
Overall, extremely solid experience with extremely few hiccups. The mega Pokemon gimmick has been officially redeemed in my eyes and I'm excited to see where they take these game mechanics
8/10 I love you, mega ampharos
8/10 I love you, mega ampharos
October 19, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Overall, extremely solid experience with extremely few hiccups. The mega Pokemon gimmick has been officially redeemed in my eyes and I'm excited to see where they take these game mechanics
8/10 I love you, mega ampharos
8/10 I love you, mega ampharos