Aaron Bolner
@bolnerap.bsky.social
I play too many tabletop games. Busy raising a small human who just keeps getting bigger.
Pinned
Aaron Bolner
@bolnerap.bsky.social
· Nov 12
“Listen up, Eeyore. The world ends with you. If you want to enjoy life, expand your world. You gotta push your horizons out as far as they'll go." - A.A. Milne, "The House at Pooh Corner", 1928.
Reposted by Aaron Bolner
YOU GUYS WANNA SEE SOMETHING CURSED???? HOW ABOUT NEON GENESIS LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS HOCKEY?????
November 16, 2025 at 11:25 PM
YOU GUYS WANNA SEE SOMETHING CURSED???? HOW ABOUT NEON GENESIS LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS HOCKEY?????
“This means that when the Weeble is wobbled, as in position B…”
November 17, 2025 at 1:31 AM
“This means that when the Weeble is wobbled, as in position B…”
Super Mario Galaxy (replay from about 6 years ago) #rollcredits. It’s still a great game. Glad it’s back out there. All-timer of a soundtrack. Joy-Con 2 controls, detached from the system, were solid. Wish fire levels worked differently / were less punitive, but that’s a 3D Mario problem in general.
November 16, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Super Mario Galaxy (replay from about 6 years ago) #rollcredits. It’s still a great game. Glad it’s back out there. All-timer of a soundtrack. Joy-Con 2 controls, detached from the system, were solid. Wish fire levels worked differently / were less punitive, but that’s a 3D Mario problem in general.
Playing Mario Galaxy on Switch 2 and having a lovely time for the most part. Still don’t like 3D Mario fire levels, still don’t like the slippy blue grabby stars, but overall, good stuff. And the OST is wonderful.
Except for *this* aural abomination. What *is* this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqnq...
Except for *this* aural abomination. What *is* this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqnq...
Super Mario Galaxy - Fire Mario and Ice Mario
YouTube video by zabeon
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Playing Mario Galaxy on Switch 2 and having a lovely time for the most part. Still don’t like 3D Mario fire levels, still don’t like the slippy blue grabby stars, but overall, good stuff. And the OST is wonderful.
Except for *this* aural abomination. What *is* this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqnq...
Except for *this* aural abomination. What *is* this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqnq...
I finished a book and I have Thoughts
#49: Queen Esther. This is being sold as a return to the world of “The Cider House Rules” - and indeed, that’s why I’m reading my first Irving since Last Night in Twisted River. This sales pitch, however, is a cynical attempt to sell more books.
November 8, 2025 at 3:11 AM
I finished a book and I have Thoughts
Name one other games writer who would remember and acknowledge the existence of Castlevania Puzzle: Encore of the Night. I’ll wait. 👑
Hey! Happy Halloween! A few years ago I ranked every single Castlevania game as a Patreon article, and I’m making it free to read for 24 hours to celebrate the holiday. It’s missing a couple games now, but I’ll be updating it soon. Subscribe for more writings!
www.patreon.com/posts/737080...
www.patreon.com/posts/737080...
Ranking All of the Castlevania Games: A Halloween Special | Shaun Musgrave
Get more from Shaun Musgrave on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Name one other games writer who would remember and acknowledge the existence of Castlevania Puzzle: Encore of the Night. I’ll wait. 👑
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles #rollcredits. I played it as we did in the old days, a single-class party with only its own abilities. Mystics served me well with only three speed bumps, one of which was entirely due to guest AI.
I have a lot of thoughts, but I need to collect them.
I have a lot of thoughts, but I need to collect them.
October 30, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles #rollcredits. I played it as we did in the old days, a single-class party with only its own abilities. Mystics served me well with only three speed bumps, one of which was entirely due to guest AI.
I have a lot of thoughts, but I need to collect them.
I have a lot of thoughts, but I need to collect them.
Reposted by Aaron Bolner
THIS GAME IS COMPLETE
Genuinely can’t remember the last time I put this much time into a game that wasn’t Animal Crossing or a casual puzzle game. This game is still REALLY good. I thought maybe I was elevating it unfairly based on nostalgia but no, this is still in my very top handful of games.
Genuinely can’t remember the last time I put this much time into a game that wasn’t Animal Crossing or a casual puzzle game. This game is still REALLY good. I thought maybe I was elevating it unfairly based on nostalgia but no, this is still in my very top handful of games.
October 29, 2025 at 1:32 AM
THIS GAME IS COMPLETE
Genuinely can’t remember the last time I put this much time into a game that wasn’t Animal Crossing or a casual puzzle game. This game is still REALLY good. I thought maybe I was elevating it unfairly based on nostalgia but no, this is still in my very top handful of games.
Genuinely can’t remember the last time I put this much time into a game that wasn’t Animal Crossing or a casual puzzle game. This game is still REALLY good. I thought maybe I was elevating it unfairly based on nostalgia but no, this is still in my very top handful of games.
Reposted by Aaron Bolner
I've played well over 100 hours of Final Fantasy Tactics in my life (I know, rookie numbers) and this is the first time I've run into a roaming gang of earth monks!
It devolved into Ramza taking them out individually with double punches while my healer kept the two dying people alive enough.
It devolved into Ramza taking them out individually with double punches while my healer kept the two dying people alive enough.
October 28, 2025 at 12:53 AM
I've played well over 100 hours of Final Fantasy Tactics in my life (I know, rookie numbers) and this is the first time I've run into a roaming gang of earth monks!
It devolved into Ramza taking them out individually with double punches while my healer kept the two dying people alive enough.
It devolved into Ramza taking them out individually with double punches while my healer kept the two dying people alive enough.
Reposted by Aaron Bolner
Okay, I reviewed the Street Fighter burgers from McDonald’s Japan. Please have a read and justify the gastronomical damage I incurred!
postgamecontent.com/post/7984416...
postgamecontent.com/post/7984416...
A Super Combo? Trying the Street Fighter II "Street Burgers" from McDonald's Japan
Following on from the Neon Genesis Evangelion collaboration earlier this year, McDonald's Japan's latest pop culture tie-in is with Capcom's Street Fighter. Once again there were some fun commercials,...
postgamecontent.com
October 26, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Okay, I reviewed the Street Fighter burgers from McDonald’s Japan. Please have a read and justify the gastronomical damage I incurred!
postgamecontent.com/post/7984416...
postgamecontent.com/post/7984416...
There’s definitely been a readjustment of some of the raw numbers in FFT Ivalice Chronicles. Doing a run I’ve done multiple times between original and WOTL - all Mystics with only Mystic abilities/equipment - I started hitting speed bumps in mid to late chapter 3 that weren’t there before.
October 26, 2025 at 3:18 AM
There’s definitely been a readjustment of some of the raw numbers in FFT Ivalice Chronicles. Doing a run I’ve done multiple times between original and WOTL - all Mystics with only Mystic abilities/equipment - I started hitting speed bumps in mid to late chapter 3 that weren’t there before.
It was a @saltandpeppergames.bsky.social kind of day. Listened to the latest Beyond Solitaire (good interview!), then played Onoda at lunch, alongside an older coworker who expressed interest in learning it. Talking through the game with a fresh set of eyes gave me new ideas for how to approach it.
Additionally, Salt & Pepper Games, a Spanish studio, has produced several interesting-looking solo games, so I’m giving them a shot. I didn’t see any copies of their outer space solo game by a Japanese designer, but I’ll start with Onoda and Conservas and see how those go.
October 23, 2025 at 12:19 AM
It was a @saltandpeppergames.bsky.social kind of day. Listened to the latest Beyond Solitaire (good interview!), then played Onoda at lunch, alongside an older coworker who expressed interest in learning it. Talking through the game with a fresh set of eyes gave me new ideas for how to approach it.
Reposted by Aaron Bolner
Take it from us -- an organization that closely studies all the horrific ways people can die from common household items -- have the jelly donut.
October 20, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Take it from us -- an organization that closely studies all the horrific ways people can die from common household items -- have the jelly donut.
…I thought about this for a while, but it’s almost certainly Mega Man X7.
What's the worst game you finished/rolled credits on?
(games media folks, it can't be something you were assigned to review; this has to be something you subjected yourself to of your own free will)
(games media folks, it can't be something you were assigned to review; this has to be something you subjected yourself to of your own free will)
October 16, 2025 at 11:19 PM
…I thought about this for a while, but it’s almost certainly Mega Man X7.
Reposted by Aaron Bolner
Had a Final Fantasy Tactics thought this morning that is really sharp, I think, and indicates to me why FFT hits in a way that FF5 has never hit, for me.
In FFT, the majority of your opponents are doing things you can also do. This means that you can be inspired by the enemy builds.
In FFT, the majority of your opponents are doing things you can also do. This means that you can be inspired by the enemy builds.
October 14, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Had a Final Fantasy Tactics thought this morning that is really sharp, I think, and indicates to me why FFT hits in a way that FF5 has never hit, for me.
In FFT, the majority of your opponents are doing things you can also do. This means that you can be inspired by the enemy builds.
In FFT, the majority of your opponents are doing things you can also do. This means that you can be inspired by the enemy builds.
Absolute nonsense, it took me a couple minutes to process what happened
The Brewers just pulled off the most chaotic double play you'll ever see
October 14, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Absolute nonsense, it took me a couple minutes to process what happened
> In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
“Plasma went out again.”
“Plasma went out again.”
October 13, 2025 at 12:18 AM
> In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
“Plasma went out again.”
“Plasma went out again.”
It’s not every decade your favorite video game gets rereleased. Welcome back, old friend.
October 2, 2025 at 9:29 PM
It’s not every decade your favorite video game gets rereleased. Welcome back, old friend.
Reposted by Aaron Bolner
Excited for a whole new generation of gamers to discover that Argus/Argath Thadalfus is an incredible piece of shit
October 1, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Excited for a whole new generation of gamers to discover that Argus/Argath Thadalfus is an incredible piece of shit
Happy “mandatory Luso battle get in the bin” day to all who celebrate
I love what War of the Lions did for the story, but some of those extra battles were memorable only for being terrible
I love what War of the Lions did for the story, but some of those extra battles were memorable only for being terrible
October 1, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Happy “mandatory Luso battle get in the bin” day to all who celebrate
I love what War of the Lions did for the story, but some of those extra battles were memorable only for being terrible
I love what War of the Lions did for the story, but some of those extra battles were memorable only for being terrible
Anyway, my copy of FFT needs to get here stat, I’m ready now
October 1, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Anyway, my copy of FFT needs to get here stat, I’m ready now
Donkey Kong Bananza #rollcredits. I am happy I played this. The first 80-90% of my play time was a lot of fun, and I probably should have poked around more than I did. But the last 10-20% was aggressively annoying, and I couldn’t figure out why I was doing good damage when I actually succeeded.
October 1, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Donkey Kong Bananza #rollcredits. I am happy I played this. The first 80-90% of my play time was a lot of fun, and I probably should have poked around more than I did. But the last 10-20% was aggressively annoying, and I couldn’t figure out why I was doing good damage when I actually succeeded.
First 90% of DK Bananza: enjoyed quite a bit, found it hard to put down.
Last 10% of DK Bananza: absolutely interminable and hit me with one of my gaming pet peeves
Last 10% of DK Bananza: absolutely interminable and hit me with one of my gaming pet peeves
October 1, 2025 at 12:12 AM
First 90% of DK Bananza: enjoyed quite a bit, found it hard to put down.
Last 10% of DK Bananza: absolutely interminable and hit me with one of my gaming pet peeves
Last 10% of DK Bananza: absolutely interminable and hit me with one of my gaming pet peeves
good old David Wiesner
June 29, 1999 was also good content
June 29, 1999 was also good content
September 27, 2025 at 3:49 AM
good old David Wiesner
June 29, 1999 was also good content
June 29, 1999 was also good content
I wasn’t really looking to play this, but:
- my little video game crew, even the contrarian, is giving it universal acclaim
- the library decided to pick it up
So, banana.
- my little video game crew, even the contrarian, is giving it universal acclaim
- the library decided to pick it up
So, banana.
September 24, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I wasn’t really looking to play this, but:
- my little video game crew, even the contrarian, is giving it universal acclaim
- the library decided to pick it up
So, banana.
- my little video game crew, even the contrarian, is giving it universal acclaim
- the library decided to pick it up
So, banana.