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
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.
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.
December 16, 2025 at 11:05 PM
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.
Game #52 of 2025: Pokémon Legends: Arceus; the first Pokémon game I've beaten since Red/Blue/Yellow on the original Game Boy. Although it's considered a spinoff, the changes made here felt rather refreshing. I rolled the initial credits, but will likely not "catch 'em all" by the end of the year.
December 16, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Game #52 of 2025: Pokémon Legends: Arceus; the first Pokémon game I've beaten since Red/Blue/Yellow on the original Game Boy. Although it's considered a spinoff, the changes made here felt rather refreshing. I rolled the initial credits, but will likely not "catch 'em all" by the end of the year.
Game #51 of 2025: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond; the highly anticipated sequel from Retro Studios. Echoing the sentiment that it's a game of high, highs and low, lows. It ultimately felt like a really compromised experience. I completed the game on Normal difficulty with 100% Scans/Items. Disappointed.
December 15, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Game #51 of 2025: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond; the highly anticipated sequel from Retro Studios. Echoing the sentiment that it's a game of high, highs and low, lows. It ultimately felt like a really compromised experience. I completed the game on Normal difficulty with 100% Scans/Items. Disappointed.
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...
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...
Game #50 of 2025: Hypogea; an atmospheric 3D platformer that feels evocative of the Wii era — a game that could have sat alongside the likes of Mushroom Men, Deadly Creatures and The Kore Gang. It's got a nice pogo/vaulting mechanic, too. I completed the game with all of the Artifacts collected.
December 11, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Game #50 of 2025: Hypogea; an atmospheric 3D platformer that feels evocative of the Wii era — a game that could have sat alongside the likes of Mushroom Men, Deadly Creatures and The Kore Gang. It's got a nice pogo/vaulting mechanic, too. I completed the game with all of the Artifacts collected.
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% 😭
Game #49 of 2025: Gears of War: Reloaded; the second re-release of the iconic Xbox 360, 3rd-person cover-shooter. Some aspects haven't aged well, but it still feels so good to play — simpler times. I played through the entire game with a friend on Insane difficulty and collected all of the COG Tags.
December 8, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Game #49 of 2025: Gears of War: Reloaded; the second re-release of the iconic Xbox 360, 3rd-person cover-shooter. Some aspects haven't aged well, but it still feels so good to play — simpler times. I played through the entire game with a friend on Insane difficulty and collected all of the COG Tags.
Game #48 of 2025: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door; the remake of the GC title for Switch. I don't think the game has aged as well for me as it has for others. I found my revisit to be somewhat of a slog. I rolled credits, but I did not go for 100% or do the Pit of 100 Trials this time around.
December 8, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Game #48 of 2025: Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door; the remake of the GC title for Switch. I don't think the game has aged as well for me as it has for others. I found my revisit to be somewhat of a slog. I rolled credits, but I did not go for 100% or do the Pit of 100 Trials this time around.
Game #47 of 2025: DOOM: The Dark Ages; the third entry in the modern-day DOOM trilogy(?). I'll need to revisit the first two games to see where this ultimately lands, but I liked (not loved) it. I completed the game on Nightmare diff with everything collected/upgraded and got the Platinum trophy.
December 6, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Game #47 of 2025: DOOM: The Dark Ages; the third entry in the modern-day DOOM trilogy(?). I'll need to revisit the first two games to see where this ultimately lands, but I liked (not loved) it. I completed the game on Nightmare diff with everything collected/upgraded and got the Platinum trophy.
Game #46 of 2025: The Touryst Deluxe; Shin'en Multimedia's 3D platform-adventure game of sorts. I'm not a huge fan of voxels but I like the look of it here! The new "Deluxe" content felt pretty insignificant, but it's my favorite Shin'en game so I was happy to 100% it again.
December 4, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Game #46 of 2025: The Touryst Deluxe; Shin'en Multimedia's 3D platform-adventure game of sorts. I'm not a huge fan of voxels but I like the look of it here! The new "Deluxe" content felt pretty insignificant, but it's my favorite Shin'en game so I was happy to 100% it again.
Game #45 of 2025: Silent Hill f; NeoBards & Ryukishi07's take on the SH franchise. I liked a lot of things about the game, but the combat sort of soured me on the whole experience. I completed the game on Hard difficulty for both Puzzle and Action and got the "Coming Home to Roost" ending.
December 3, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Game #45 of 2025: Silent Hill f; NeoBards & Ryukishi07's take on the SH franchise. I liked a lot of things about the game, but the combat sort of soured me on the whole experience. I completed the game on Hard difficulty for both Puzzle and Action and got the "Coming Home to Roost" ending.
Game #44 of 2025: Another Code: Recollection; a remake of the original DS game and its Wii sequel, combined as one experience now. I never played either game, so I really enjoyed this (despite its changes?). I completed the game with all origami cranes collected along with the Eco-Master Badge.
November 30, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Game #44 of 2025: Another Code: Recollection; a remake of the original DS game and its Wii sequel, combined as one experience now. I never played either game, so I really enjoyed this (despite its changes?). I completed the game with all origami cranes collected along with the Eco-Master Badge.
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!?
Game #43 of 2025: Spindle; a 2D, top-down, Zelda-like about death and how we mourn those who have passed. I don't think the story stuck the landing, though. I completed the game with everything collected but didn't do one of the end-game secrets because it was too involved.
November 27, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Game #43 of 2025: Spindle; a 2D, top-down, Zelda-like about death and how we mourn those who have passed. I don't think the story stuck the landing, though. I completed the game with everything collected but didn't do one of the end-game secrets because it was too involved.
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
Game #42 of 2025: Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution; WayForward's lost GBA title that hasn't seen the light of day, until now! I didn't find the background rotation gimmick to be particularly interesting, but I did complete the game at 100%. Shantae has yet to have its moment, I feel.
November 21, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Game #42 of 2025: Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution; WayForward's lost GBA title that hasn't seen the light of day, until now! I didn't find the background rotation gimmick to be particularly interesting, but I did complete the game at 100%. Shantae has yet to have its moment, I feel.
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 🥴
Game #41 of 2025: Yooka-Re-Playlee; Playtonic's remake of their 2017 Kickstarter project. I think this is one of my most disappointing games of the year. It's a total mess still, despite some "improvements" made. I completed the game at 100% with the Platinum trophy earned because I'll never learn.
November 7, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Game #41 of 2025: Yooka-Re-Playlee; Playtonic's remake of their 2017 Kickstarter project. I think this is one of my most disappointing games of the year. It's a total mess still, despite some "improvements" made. I completed the game at 100% with the Platinum trophy earned because I'll never learn.
Game #40 of 2025: Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden; Don't Nod's ghost-hunting adventure. If they trimmed like 30% of it, refined the combat and chilled on the GoW 2018 influence, it may have been a classic. I completed the game on Very Hard difficulty (not recommended) and chose to resurrect Antea.
November 3, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Game #40 of 2025: Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden; Don't Nod's ghost-hunting adventure. If they trimmed like 30% of it, refined the combat and chilled on the GoW 2018 influence, it may have been a classic. I completed the game on Very Hard difficulty (not recommended) and chose to resurrect Antea.
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.
Game #39 of 2025: Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed; the remake of Warren Spector's 3D platformer starring Mickey and the gang. I'm not much of a Disney guy, but I'm a 3D platformer aficionado, so I have a weird soft spot for the game. I finished a full Paint playthrough with 89/122 Pins collected.
October 31, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Game #39 of 2025: Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed; the remake of Warren Spector's 3D platformer starring Mickey and the gang. I'm not much of a Disney guy, but I'm a 3D platformer aficionado, so I have a weird soft spot for the game. I finished a full Paint playthrough with 89/122 Pins collected.