Ryan
@jumpmanryan.bsky.social
All things video games | Final Fantasy | Persona | Story of Seasons / Harvest Moon | Stardew Valley | Donkey Kong | Mega Man | PlayStation | Nintendo
Currently playing - Arc Raiders
Currently playing - Arc Raiders
Really great article that emphasizes why JRPGs often don’t get the same type of recognition as other games, even when those other games are remarkably similar. Especially at westernized award shows.
It’s literally just the anime aesthetic. That’s it.
It’s literally just the anime aesthetic. That’s it.
Reposting my @gamespot.com Clair Obscur article because it’s feeling relevant again
TLDR It feels like many of the JRPGs I’ve loved before but everyone likes it because it isn’t anime
www.gamespot.com/articles/cla...
TLDR It feels like many of the JRPGs I’ve loved before but everyone likes it because it isn’t anime
www.gamespot.com/articles/cla...
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Is Great, But Its Popularity Raises Big Questions About How We View Japanese RPGs
Clair Obscur isn’t like the other turn-based RPGs--at least, that’s what the worst fans want you to think.
www.gamespot.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Really great article that emphasizes why JRPGs often don’t get the same type of recognition as other games, even when those other games are remarkably similar. Especially at westernized award shows.
It’s literally just the anime aesthetic. That’s it.
It’s literally just the anime aesthetic. That’s it.
I honestly don’t think showing a brand new hero shooter from former Respawn devs was inherently a bad closer to #TheGameAwards.
However, I thought Highguard looked painfully generic and bland. The game looking boring is what made it a bad closer to me. Not that it was a free-to-play hero shooter.
However, I thought Highguard looked painfully generic and bland. The game looking boring is what made it a bad closer to me. Not that it was a free-to-play hero shooter.
December 13, 2025 at 2:02 AM
I honestly don’t think showing a brand new hero shooter from former Respawn devs was inherently a bad closer to #TheGameAwards.
However, I thought Highguard looked painfully generic and bland. The game looking boring is what made it a bad closer to me. Not that it was a free-to-play hero shooter.
However, I thought Highguard looked painfully generic and bland. The game looking boring is what made it a bad closer to me. Not that it was a free-to-play hero shooter.
Skate Story
✅ Immaculate aesthetic
✅ Weird in a great way
✅ Skating is technical and satisfying
✅ Vibey OST
❌ Task structure could’ve used more creativity
❌ Frame rate issues
8 / 10
✅ Immaculate aesthetic
✅ Weird in a great way
✅ Skating is technical and satisfying
✅ Vibey OST
❌ Task structure could’ve used more creativity
❌ Frame rate issues
8 / 10
a person is riding a skateboard on a ramp in the dark
ALT: a person is riding a skateboard on a ramp in the dark
media.tenor.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Skate Story
✅ Immaculate aesthetic
✅ Weird in a great way
✅ Skating is technical and satisfying
✅ Vibey OST
❌ Task structure could’ve used more creativity
❌ Frame rate issues
8 / 10
✅ Immaculate aesthetic
✅ Weird in a great way
✅ Skating is technical and satisfying
✅ Vibey OST
❌ Task structure could’ve used more creativity
❌ Frame rate issues
8 / 10
sad
Last night's biggest surprise was Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, led by Casey Hudson, who directed KOTOR (and Anthem). Exciting news for lots of people... but Lucasfilm says the studio was founded this year, which means that 2030 is an *optimistic* guess. Maybe it'll be a PlayStation 7 game
December 12, 2025 at 4:31 PM
sad
My 4 favorite new game reveals at #TheGameAwards last night!
- Mega Man: Dual Override
- Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
- Orbitals
- Coven of the Chicken Foot
- Mega Man: Dual Override
- Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
- Orbitals
- Coven of the Chicken Foot
December 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
My 4 favorite new game reveals at #TheGameAwards last night!
- Mega Man: Dual Override
- Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
- Orbitals
- Coven of the Chicken Foot
- Mega Man: Dual Override
- Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
- Orbitals
- Coven of the Chicken Foot
The Game Awards 2025 was great!
Lots of really great reveals, announcements, and trailers. And while the awards of it all was extremely predictable, it was well-deserved.
Lots of really great reveals, announcements, and trailers. And while the awards of it all was extremely predictable, it was well-deserved.
December 12, 2025 at 4:16 AM
The Game Awards 2025 was great!
Lots of really great reveals, announcements, and trailers. And while the awards of it all was extremely predictable, it was well-deserved.
Lots of really great reveals, announcements, and trailers. And while the awards of it all was extremely predictable, it was well-deserved.
I really love The Game Awards.
I know this time of year can annoy people in the gaming community as a lot of *discourse* takes place. But we get to sit and enjoy a celebration of video games for 3 hours while simultaneously seeing trailers / reveals for what’s next.
Always a good time.
I know this time of year can annoy people in the gaming community as a lot of *discourse* takes place. But we get to sit and enjoy a celebration of video games for 3 hours while simultaneously seeing trailers / reveals for what’s next.
Always a good time.
a low poly statue of a woman with wings holding a torch
ALT: a low poly statue of a woman with wings holding a torch
media.tenor.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I really love The Game Awards.
I know this time of year can annoy people in the gaming community as a lot of *discourse* takes place. But we get to sit and enjoy a celebration of video games for 3 hours while simultaneously seeing trailers / reveals for what’s next.
Always a good time.
I know this time of year can annoy people in the gaming community as a lot of *discourse* takes place. But we get to sit and enjoy a celebration of video games for 3 hours while simultaneously seeing trailers / reveals for what’s next.
Always a good time.
Red Dead Redemption
✅ Well-written, kooky cast of characters
✅ Dynamic open world
✅ Tragic storytelling
✅ Undead Nightmare
❌ Clunky controls
❌ Side activities lack substance
❌ Mission structure can be too formulaic and bland
7 / 10
✅ Well-written, kooky cast of characters
✅ Dynamic open world
✅ Tragic storytelling
✅ Undead Nightmare
❌ Clunky controls
❌ Side activities lack substance
❌ Mission structure can be too formulaic and bland
7 / 10
a man with a beard and mustache is wearing a cowboy hat and a leather jacket .
ALT: a man with a beard and mustache is wearing a cowboy hat and a leather jacket .
media.tenor.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Red Dead Redemption
✅ Well-written, kooky cast of characters
✅ Dynamic open world
✅ Tragic storytelling
✅ Undead Nightmare
❌ Clunky controls
❌ Side activities lack substance
❌ Mission structure can be too formulaic and bland
7 / 10
✅ Well-written, kooky cast of characters
✅ Dynamic open world
✅ Tragic storytelling
✅ Undead Nightmare
❌ Clunky controls
❌ Side activities lack substance
❌ Mission structure can be too formulaic and bland
7 / 10
Been away for a bit! I spent the last several days on a bender in the mountains with some friends. Amazing time.
Now back to playing video games.
🫡
Now back to playing video games.
🫡
December 9, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Been away for a bit! I spent the last several days on a bender in the mountains with some friends. Amazing time.
Now back to playing video games.
🫡
Now back to playing video games.
🫡
Started Red Dead Redemption since it came to PS5 recently. I’m enjoying it!
I’d never really *loved* Rockstar games until GTA V. But I’ve grown to appreciate and enjoy their prior games to a certain level over the last few years.
I’d never really *loved* Rockstar games until GTA V. But I’ve grown to appreciate and enjoy their prior games to a certain level over the last few years.
a man in a cowboy hat holds a gun
ALT: a man in a cowboy hat holds a gun
media.tenor.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Started Red Dead Redemption since it came to PS5 recently. I’m enjoying it!
I’d never really *loved* Rockstar games until GTA V. But I’ve grown to appreciate and enjoy their prior games to a certain level over the last few years.
I’d never really *loved* Rockstar games until GTA V. But I’ve grown to appreciate and enjoy their prior games to a certain level over the last few years.
Randomly thinking about Octopath Traveler II.
Not only one of the best JRPGs, but also one of the best games *in general* I’ve ever played.
Memorable & endearing characters, one of the best OSTs to grace gaming, a perfect turn-based combat system with immense depth to it, etc.
One of the GOATs.
Not only one of the best JRPGs, but also one of the best games *in general* I’ve ever played.
Memorable & endearing characters, one of the best OSTs to grace gaming, a perfect turn-based combat system with immense depth to it, etc.
One of the GOATs.
December 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Randomly thinking about Octopath Traveler II.
Not only one of the best JRPGs, but also one of the best games *in general* I’ve ever played.
Memorable & endearing characters, one of the best OSTs to grace gaming, a perfect turn-based combat system with immense depth to it, etc.
One of the GOATs.
Not only one of the best JRPGs, but also one of the best games *in general* I’ve ever played.
Memorable & endearing characters, one of the best OSTs to grace gaming, a perfect turn-based combat system with immense depth to it, etc.
One of the GOATs.
Man, what a horrible situation. Just really bad management all-around by Yacht Club.
Shovel Knight should have several mainline games by now. They could’ve gone the Mega Man route with the series and would be massively successful.
Poor management mixed with wild ambition has tanked the studio.
Shovel Knight should have several mainline games by now. They could’ve gone the Mega Man route with the series and would be massively successful.
Poor management mixed with wild ambition has tanked the studio.
Yacht Club Games next game 'Mina the Hollower' is a make or break. They laid of staff of its 3D platformer project and set the game on hold to focus on 'Mina the Hollower'. They need to sell at least 200K copies and if the game is a hit, there could be a sequel.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
December 2, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Man, what a horrible situation. Just really bad management all-around by Yacht Club.
Shovel Knight should have several mainline games by now. They could’ve gone the Mega Man route with the series and would be massively successful.
Poor management mixed with wild ambition has tanked the studio.
Shovel Knight should have several mainline games by now. They could’ve gone the Mega Man route with the series and would be massively successful.
Poor management mixed with wild ambition has tanked the studio.
I’ve been playing Arc Raiders for a week or so now. And, while the moment-to-moment gameplay is fun and sometimes unpredictable, the progression system and player goals are really lackluster.
Why should I even *care* about getting good loot if what I do with it is just more of the same?
Why should I even *care* about getting good loot if what I do with it is just more of the same?
a logo for the arc raiders with a rainbow background
ALT: a logo for the arc raiders with a rainbow background
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I’ve been playing Arc Raiders for a week or so now. And, while the moment-to-moment gameplay is fun and sometimes unpredictable, the progression system and player goals are really lackluster.
Why should I even *care* about getting good loot if what I do with it is just more of the same?
Why should I even *care* about getting good loot if what I do with it is just more of the same?
Nine Sols
✅ Incredible parry-based combat system
✅ Genuinely great philosophical storytelling
✅ Fantastic art direction
✅ Traversal & exploration are fun and rewarding
✅ Some of the best boss fights I’ve experienced
❌ Lore dumps near the end hurt overall pacing
9.5 / 10
✅ Incredible parry-based combat system
✅ Genuinely great philosophical storytelling
✅ Fantastic art direction
✅ Traversal & exploration are fun and rewarding
✅ Some of the best boss fights I’ve experienced
❌ Lore dumps near the end hurt overall pacing
9.5 / 10
a cartoon drawing of a man holding a stick standing in front of a cave
ALT: a cartoon drawing of a man holding a stick standing in front of a cave
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Nine Sols
✅ Incredible parry-based combat system
✅ Genuinely great philosophical storytelling
✅ Fantastic art direction
✅ Traversal & exploration are fun and rewarding
✅ Some of the best boss fights I’ve experienced
❌ Lore dumps near the end hurt overall pacing
9.5 / 10
✅ Incredible parry-based combat system
✅ Genuinely great philosophical storytelling
✅ Fantastic art direction
✅ Traversal & exploration are fun and rewarding
✅ Some of the best boss fights I’ve experienced
❌ Lore dumps near the end hurt overall pacing
9.5 / 10
Nine Sols is peak
a cartoon of two cats playing a video game with a box that says ' x-box ' on it
ALT: a cartoon of two cats playing a video game with a box that says ' x-box ' on it
media.tenor.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Nine Sols is peak
Started Nine Sols a couple days ago!
Really enjoying it so far. Love the aesthetic and bits of story I’ve gathered thus far. I’ve never played a game that relies on parrying, so I’m struggling a bit in some combat encounters.
But it’s real good.
Really enjoying it so far. Love the aesthetic and bits of story I’ve gathered thus far. I’ve never played a game that relies on parrying, so I’m struggling a bit in some combat encounters.
But it’s real good.
a cartoon of a boy and a cat laying on the ground
ALT: a cartoon of a boy and a cat laying on the ground
media.tenor.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Started Nine Sols a couple days ago!
Really enjoying it so far. Love the aesthetic and bits of story I’ve gathered thus far. I’ve never played a game that relies on parrying, so I’m struggling a bit in some combat encounters.
But it’s real good.
Really enjoying it so far. Love the aesthetic and bits of story I’ve gathered thus far. I’ve never played a game that relies on parrying, so I’m struggling a bit in some combat encounters.
But it’s real good.
Started playing Arc Raiders and it’s fun!
I’m a little lost on what progression is supposed to be. Looting material to craft better gear just to loot more material is a gameplay loop that doesn’t feel ultra satisfying for me.
But doing raids can be just pure fun, so it’s good regardless.
I’m a little lost on what progression is supposed to be. Looting material to craft better gear just to loot more material is a gameplay loop that doesn’t feel ultra satisfying for me.
But doing raids can be just pure fun, so it’s good regardless.
a logo for the arc raiders with a rainbow background
ALT: a logo for the arc raiders with a rainbow background
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Started playing Arc Raiders and it’s fun!
I’m a little lost on what progression is supposed to be. Looting material to craft better gear just to loot more material is a gameplay loop that doesn’t feel ultra satisfying for me.
But doing raids can be just pure fun, so it’s good regardless.
I’m a little lost on what progression is supposed to be. Looting material to craft better gear just to loot more material is a gameplay loop that doesn’t feel ultra satisfying for me.
But doing raids can be just pure fun, so it’s good regardless.
The most fun Zelda game
The Legend of #Zelda: A Link Between Worlds was out 12 years ago (2013) for the 3DS! (...And sadly remains stranded there.) ALBW is a seriously well-paced and fun title in this long-running series. It's a little easy – but breezy, and fun. 🍃
Review: www.rpgfan.com/review/the-l...
Review: www.rpgfan.com/review/the-l...
November 24, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The most fun Zelda game
Easily my most anticipated game for next year.
I played Nioh 2 earlier this year and absolutely adored it. And I’m someone who has never really loved Soulslike games in the past.
I played Nioh 2 earlier this year and absolutely adored it. And I’m someone who has never really loved Soulslike games in the past.
After playing a new build of Nioh 3, find out why our resident soulslike expert @jurassicrabbit.bsky.social says that it's shaping up to be his favorite of the series to date.
Our final preview: https://bit.ly/44fFRgh
Our final preview: https://bit.ly/44fFRgh
November 21, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Easily my most anticipated game for next year.
I played Nioh 2 earlier this year and absolutely adored it. And I’m someone who has never really loved Soulslike games in the past.
I played Nioh 2 earlier this year and absolutely adored it. And I’m someone who has never really loved Soulslike games in the past.
Gato Roboto
✅ Charming aesthetic
✅ Simple, fun action-platforming gameplay
✅ Story is surprisingly dark
❌ A bit too simple as nothing about it stands out
❌ Not enough depth in exploration elements
7 / 10
✅ Charming aesthetic
✅ Simple, fun action-platforming gameplay
✅ Story is surprisingly dark
❌ A bit too simple as nothing about it stands out
❌ Not enough depth in exploration elements
7 / 10
November 20, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Gato Roboto
✅ Charming aesthetic
✅ Simple, fun action-platforming gameplay
✅ Story is surprisingly dark
❌ A bit too simple as nothing about it stands out
❌ Not enough depth in exploration elements
7 / 10
✅ Charming aesthetic
✅ Simple, fun action-platforming gameplay
✅ Story is surprisingly dark
❌ A bit too simple as nothing about it stands out
❌ Not enough depth in exploration elements
7 / 10
Feel like my vote card is pretty standard, but here it is nonetheless!
November 19, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Feel like my vote card is pretty standard, but here it is nonetheless!
I’ve never been a huge fan of Super Metroid. But I’d also never sat down and played through the *entire* game until now.
My feelings about it were reinforced. Maybe I’d have more appreciation for its design had I played it back in the day more extensively. But, in a modern lens, it stumbles a lot.
My feelings about it were reinforced. Maybe I’d have more appreciation for its design had I played it back in the day more extensively. But, in a modern lens, it stumbles a lot.
Super Metroid
✅ Great atmosphere & OST
✅ Exploration is vast & often rewarding
✅ Upgrades feel intuitive
❌ Clunky, floaty controls
❌ Traversing the map, especially backtracking, is a chore
❌ Boss fights are more annoying than fun
❌ Learning where to go often relies on trial & error
6.5 / 10
✅ Great atmosphere & OST
✅ Exploration is vast & often rewarding
✅ Upgrades feel intuitive
❌ Clunky, floaty controls
❌ Traversing the map, especially backtracking, is a chore
❌ Boss fights are more annoying than fun
❌ Learning where to go often relies on trial & error
6.5 / 10
a video game called super metroid was released by nintendo in 1994
ALT: a video game called super metroid was released by nintendo in 1994
media.tenor.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I’ve never been a huge fan of Super Metroid. But I’d also never sat down and played through the *entire* game until now.
My feelings about it were reinforced. Maybe I’d have more appreciation for its design had I played it back in the day more extensively. But, in a modern lens, it stumbles a lot.
My feelings about it were reinforced. Maybe I’d have more appreciation for its design had I played it back in the day more extensively. But, in a modern lens, it stumbles a lot.
Super Metroid
✅ Great atmosphere & OST
✅ Exploration is vast & often rewarding
✅ Upgrades feel intuitive
❌ Clunky, floaty controls
❌ Traversing the map, especially backtracking, is a chore
❌ Boss fights are more annoying than fun
❌ Learning where to go often relies on trial & error
6.5 / 10
✅ Great atmosphere & OST
✅ Exploration is vast & often rewarding
✅ Upgrades feel intuitive
❌ Clunky, floaty controls
❌ Traversing the map, especially backtracking, is a chore
❌ Boss fights are more annoying than fun
❌ Learning where to go often relies on trial & error
6.5 / 10
a video game called super metroid was released by nintendo in 1994
ALT: a video game called super metroid was released by nintendo in 1994
media.tenor.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Super Metroid
✅ Great atmosphere & OST
✅ Exploration is vast & often rewarding
✅ Upgrades feel intuitive
❌ Clunky, floaty controls
❌ Traversing the map, especially backtracking, is a chore
❌ Boss fights are more annoying than fun
❌ Learning where to go often relies on trial & error
6.5 / 10
✅ Great atmosphere & OST
✅ Exploration is vast & often rewarding
✅ Upgrades feel intuitive
❌ Clunky, floaty controls
❌ Traversing the map, especially backtracking, is a chore
❌ Boss fights are more annoying than fun
❌ Learning where to go often relies on trial & error
6.5 / 10