Matty 🐻 🏳️🌈
@unexpectedenemy.bsky.social
Just a friendly gay bear who works in financial reporting but would rather be playing, writing or talking about video games. http://linktr.ee/MattyJohn
Pinned
Game #53 of 2025: Lumines Arise; an audio/visual tour de therapy. I completed the Journey mode on Normal difficulty (while only managing C Ranks because I still don't fully understand how to play the game). I would take a new Enhance game every year, please. The OST is pure catharsis.
To a T is so photogenic. I feel like any screenshot of the game can look like an indie album cover for some alternative band lol
I'm nearing the end of the game and it honestly might find its way into my top 10 at this point.
I'm nearing the end of the game and it honestly might find its way into my top 10 at this point.
December 17, 2025 at 4:43 AM
To a T is so photogenic. I feel like any screenshot of the game can look like an indie album cover for some alternative band lol
I'm nearing the end of the game and it honestly might find its way into my top 10 at this point.
I'm nearing the end of the game and it honestly might find its way into my top 10 at this point.
I think all three of the "Year of the Ninja" games have all been disappointing for me.
I didn't like Ragebound and I'm in the back-half of both Shinobi: Art of Vengeance and Ninja Gaiden 4 and they too aren't entirely doing it for me.
Total bummer. I was really looking forward to each of these.
I didn't like Ragebound and I'm in the back-half of both Shinobi: Art of Vengeance and Ninja Gaiden 4 and they too aren't entirely doing it for me.
Total bummer. I was really looking forward to each of these.
December 14, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I think all three of the "Year of the Ninja" games have all been disappointing for me.
I didn't like Ragebound and I'm in the back-half of both Shinobi: Art of Vengeance and Ninja Gaiden 4 and they too aren't entirely doing it for me.
Total bummer. I was really looking forward to each of these.
I didn't like Ragebound and I'm in the back-half of both Shinobi: Art of Vengeance and Ninja Gaiden 4 and they too aren't entirely doing it for me.
Total bummer. I was really looking forward to each of these.
I'm introducing a new fun category for my GOTY write-ups this year; my favorite "Environmental Visual Progression" (EVP) or "Visual Meta Progression" (VMP) — it's a work-in-progress lol
I think this was first established for me in Super Metroid with its golden boss statue...
I think this was first established for me in Super Metroid with its golden boss statue...
December 13, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I'm introducing a new fun category for my GOTY write-ups this year; my favorite "Environmental Visual Progression" (EVP) or "Visual Meta Progression" (VMP) — it's a work-in-progress lol
I think this was first established for me in Super Metroid with its golden boss statue...
I think this was first established for me in Super Metroid with its golden boss statue...
Metroid Prime 4 feels like it has 3 enemy types (I'm exaggerating, there's more than that, but it sure feels that way).
I think there's an argument here that combat has never been the primary focus for a Metroid game, but the encounter design and enemy variety in Prime 4 is super questionable.
I think there's an argument here that combat has never been the primary focus for a Metroid game, but the encounter design and enemy variety in Prime 4 is super questionable.
December 13, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Metroid Prime 4 feels like it has 3 enemy types (I'm exaggerating, there's more than that, but it sure feels that way).
I think there's an argument here that combat has never been the primary focus for a Metroid game, but the encounter design and enemy variety in Prime 4 is super questionable.
I think there's an argument here that combat has never been the primary focus for a Metroid game, but the encounter design and enemy variety in Prime 4 is super questionable.
Prepare for me to not shut the fuck up about this game next year.
December 12, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Prepare for me to not shut the fuck up about this game next year.
This was expected but damn, I really hope they hit their launch date next year, whenever that will be. The Big Catch is my most anticipated indie game (or game in general) at the moment.
I've got mountains of games to play, but I really just want to play this! 😭
I've got mountains of games to play, but I really just want to play this! 😭
We wanted to share an update on the release timing of #TheBigCatch.
Thanks for your patience. We'll have more to share in the new year. 🎣
Thanks for your patience. We'll have more to share in the new year. 🎣
December 11, 2025 at 8:15 PM
This was expected but damn, I really hope they hit their launch date next year, whenever that will be. The Big Catch is my most anticipated indie game (or game in general) at the moment.
I've got mountains of games to play, but I really just want to play this! 😭
I've got mountains of games to play, but I really just want to play this! 😭
I'm so torn on Metroid Prime 4 so far. The art direction and use of HDR — it looks incredible at times. You're constantly getting new upgrades, items are hidden well and there's a good sense of discovery.
The rest of the game (NPC dialogue, tone, level design, etc.) I'm not sure about yet...
The rest of the game (NPC dialogue, tone, level design, etc.) I'm not sure about yet...
December 11, 2025 at 5:24 AM
I'm so torn on Metroid Prime 4 so far. The art direction and use of HDR — it looks incredible at times. You're constantly getting new upgrades, items are hidden well and there's a good sense of discovery.
The rest of the game (NPC dialogue, tone, level design, etc.) I'm not sure about yet...
The rest of the game (NPC dialogue, tone, level design, etc.) I'm not sure about yet...
Wario World rules. I bought it along with a bunch of other obvious games when I first got my GameCube. I miss Treasure so damn much 😢
December 11, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Wario World rules. I bought it along with a bunch of other obvious games when I first got my GameCube. I miss Treasure so damn much 😢
This game came out in 2024, but I played through it this year. I love the ending theme. It sounds like something you'd hear during a modern-day Xeno-game ending haha
The story & characters were a bit melodramatic, but in an earnest/endearing sort of way.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAO2...
The story & characters were a bit melodramatic, but in an earnest/endearing sort of way.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAO2...
Another Code Recollection Ending Theme Song - To the place I call home
YouTube video by Nintenderos
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:47 AM
This game came out in 2024, but I played through it this year. I love the ending theme. It sounds like something you'd hear during a modern-day Xeno-game ending haha
The story & characters were a bit melodramatic, but in an earnest/endearing sort of way.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAO2...
The story & characters were a bit melodramatic, but in an earnest/endearing sort of way.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAO2...
My top 2 most-played games this year serve as a reminder of "time wasted" lol I sorta regret my brief relapse with Destiny 2 back in April/May, catching up on the previous year's content.
I liked Banishers ultimately but a haunting case is bugged preventing me from 100% 😭
I liked Banishers ultimately but a haunting case is bugged preventing me from 100% 😭
December 10, 2025 at 1:35 AM
My top 2 most-played games this year serve as a reminder of "time wasted" lol I sorta regret my brief relapse with Destiny 2 back in April/May, catching up on the previous year's content.
I liked Banishers ultimately but a haunting case is bugged preventing me from 100% 😭
I liked Banishers ultimately but a haunting case is bugged preventing me from 100% 😭
Thoughts & impressions on the games I played/finished during Q3 of 2025, including Donkey Kong Bananza, Öoo, Earthion, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound, Mario Kart World, and more...
(reposting — made some adjustments and had to fix something with the link)
unexpectedgames.blog/2025/12/02/w...
(reposting — made some adjustments and had to fix something with the link)
unexpectedgames.blog/2025/12/02/w...
What I’ve Been Playing (Q3) 2025
Thoughts & impressions on the games I played/finished during Q3 of 2025, including Donkey Kong Bananza, Öoo, Earthion, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound, Mario Kart World, and more…
unexpectedgames.blog
December 3, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Thoughts & impressions on the games I played/finished during Q3 of 2025, including Donkey Kong Bananza, Öoo, Earthion, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound, Mario Kart World, and more...
(reposting — made some adjustments and had to fix something with the link)
unexpectedgames.blog/2025/12/02/w...
(reposting — made some adjustments and had to fix something with the link)
unexpectedgames.blog/2025/12/02/w...
My favorite video game-adjacent thing from 2025; my husband stays on top of a lot of new shows. I often play a portable on the side while he watches them.
In Down Cemetery Road, at one point, a character is shown playing Air Twister on mobile with a fake streamer chat overlay 😂 whyyyy!?
In Down Cemetery Road, at one point, a character is shown playing Air Twister on mobile with a fake streamer chat overlay 😂 whyyyy!?
November 27, 2025 at 6:45 PM
My favorite video game-adjacent thing from 2025; my husband stays on top of a lot of new shows. I often play a portable on the side while he watches them.
In Down Cemetery Road, at one point, a character is shown playing Air Twister on mobile with a fake streamer chat overlay 😂 whyyyy!?
In Down Cemetery Road, at one point, a character is shown playing Air Twister on mobile with a fake streamer chat overlay 😂 whyyyy!?
I've captured various "WARNING BOSS APPROACHING" title card screens from the handful of 2025 releases I've played this year.
I will be declaring my favorite (best) one in my GOTY writeups. Please look forward to it (or not) lol
I will be declaring my favorite (best) one in my GOTY writeups. Please look forward to it (or not) lol
November 27, 2025 at 12:53 AM
I've captured various "WARNING BOSS APPROACHING" title card screens from the handful of 2025 releases I've played this year.
I will be declaring my favorite (best) one in my GOTY writeups. Please look forward to it (or not) lol
I will be declaring my favorite (best) one in my GOTY writeups. Please look forward to it (or not) lol
Lumines Arise is kinda/sorta the first Lumines game I've played for more than an hour and... I suck complete ass it lol
I've been playing Journey mode on Normal and have been barely getting C Ranks 😭 time for tutorials, I guess.
I've been playing Journey mode on Normal and have been barely getting C Ranks 😭 time for tutorials, I guess.
November 14, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Lumines Arise is kinda/sorta the first Lumines game I've played for more than an hour and... I suck complete ass it lol
I've been playing Journey mode on Normal and have been barely getting C Ranks 😭 time for tutorials, I guess.
I've been playing Journey mode on Normal and have been barely getting C Ranks 😭 time for tutorials, I guess.
One of today's views.
November 11, 2025 at 12:41 AM
One of today's views.
If I see one more sideways air walk animation in Lost Soul Aside I'm going to lose my mind lol I think this is one of the funniest (worst) games I've played all year.
It feels like the product of someone who loved Final Fantasy in high school, watched the Versus XIII trailer and then made a game 🥴
It feels like the product of someone who loved Final Fantasy in high school, watched the Versus XIII trailer and then made a game 🥴
November 8, 2025 at 5:27 AM
If I see one more sideways air walk animation in Lost Soul Aside I'm going to lose my mind lol I think this is one of the funniest (worst) games I've played all year.
It feels like the product of someone who loved Final Fantasy in high school, watched the Versus XIII trailer and then made a game 🥴
It feels like the product of someone who loved Final Fantasy in high school, watched the Versus XIII trailer and then made a game 🥴
I've been playing the Paper Mario: TTYD remake (haven't played the game since the original on GC) and I'll probably be sent to GamerJail for saying this, but I find the individual chapter scenarios to be relatively uninteresting?
I've kind of found my revisit of the game to be somewhat of a slog 😭
I've kind of found my revisit of the game to be somewhat of a slog 😭
November 4, 2025 at 6:33 AM
I've been playing the Paper Mario: TTYD remake (haven't played the game since the original on GC) and I'll probably be sent to GamerJail for saying this, but I find the individual chapter scenarios to be relatively uninteresting?
I've kind of found my revisit of the game to be somewhat of a slog 😭
I've kind of found my revisit of the game to be somewhat of a slog 😭
November 4, 2025 at 1:11 AM
I was Michi from Promise Mascot Agency for Halloween @kaizengameworks.com
I can feel it. I understand Fighting Dreaming.
I can feel it. I understand Fighting Dreaming.
November 1, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I was Michi from Promise Mascot Agency for Halloween @kaizengameworks.com
I can feel it. I understand Fighting Dreaming.
I can feel it. I understand Fighting Dreaming.
It was too late for the Baker family.
October 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
It was too late for the Baker family.
Perhaps one of the most important releases of the year. I can't believe this is finally out.
Shamelessly sharing the blog piece I wrote 5 years ago about Onion Games, Yoshiro Kimura & company, Little King's Story and why their games mean a lot to me:
unexpectedgames.blog/2020/10/01/i...
Shamelessly sharing the blog piece I wrote 5 years ago about Onion Games, Yoshiro Kimura & company, Little King's Story and why their games mean a lot to me:
unexpectedgames.blog/2020/10/01/i...
October 30, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Perhaps one of the most important releases of the year. I can't believe this is finally out.
Shamelessly sharing the blog piece I wrote 5 years ago about Onion Games, Yoshiro Kimura & company, Little King's Story and why their games mean a lot to me:
unexpectedgames.blog/2020/10/01/i...
Shamelessly sharing the blog piece I wrote 5 years ago about Onion Games, Yoshiro Kimura & company, Little King's Story and why their games mean a lot to me:
unexpectedgames.blog/2020/10/01/i...
WayForward didn't have anything to show yet for Shantae 7 because they were too busy preparing for rereleases of Shantae 1-6 again through LRG, this time natively on Switch 2 cartridges.
Sorry.
Sorry.
October 30, 2025 at 6:10 AM
WayForward didn't have anything to show yet for Shantae 7 because they were too busy preparing for rereleases of Shantae 1-6 again through LRG, this time natively on Switch 2 cartridges.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Back on my Banishers bullshit.
I started this game at launch last year, dropped it, restarted it in January of this year and I'm still playing it lol 😭
I think if they trimmed like 30% of the game, chilled on the GoW 2018 influence and refined the combat a bit more, it would have been a classic.
I started this game at launch last year, dropped it, restarted it in January of this year and I'm still playing it lol 😭
I think if they trimmed like 30% of the game, chilled on the GoW 2018 influence and refined the combat a bit more, it would have been a classic.
October 23, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Back on my Banishers bullshit.
I started this game at launch last year, dropped it, restarted it in January of this year and I'm still playing it lol 😭
I think if they trimmed like 30% of the game, chilled on the GoW 2018 influence and refined the combat a bit more, it would have been a classic.
I started this game at launch last year, dropped it, restarted it in January of this year and I'm still playing it lol 😭
I think if they trimmed like 30% of the game, chilled on the GoW 2018 influence and refined the combat a bit more, it would have been a classic.
This rules so much. Apparently the composer was inspired by Tim Henson/Polyphia (one of my favorite guitarists/bands) for this track? The OST is generally influenced by Djent and Metalcore as well. Yes, please.
youtu.be/JHXAonI5KJo?...
youtu.be/JHXAonI5KJo?...
Ninja Gaiden 4 OST | Umi's Terminal Theme [Extended, High Quality]
YouTube video by The Nerd Stash
youtu.be
October 23, 2025 at 12:08 AM
This rules so much. Apparently the composer was inspired by Tim Henson/Polyphia (one of my favorite guitarists/bands) for this track? The OST is generally influenced by Djent and Metalcore as well. Yes, please.
youtu.be/JHXAonI5KJo?...
youtu.be/JHXAonI5KJo?...