Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 2h

I finished Little Nightmares III and I'm shocked it wasn't a total nightmare lol (pun intended). I was super skeptical of Supermassive Games taking over the reins from Tarsier Studios, but they somehow (mostly) captured what is great about the series. More thoughts down the road...

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 1d

Game #36 of 2025: Luigi's Mansion 2 HD; the 3DS game ported to Switch. I played this game to completion back on 3DS, so it was kind of fun doing it all again? I still don't like the stop & go mission structure, but the mansions are cleverly designed. ScareScraper was, once again, a ghost town lol

An image of the title screen for Luigi's Mansion 2 HD.

An image from Luigi's Mansion 2 HD's ending showing Luigi resting on a recliner with Polterpup in lap. A picture of Luigi and the gang can be seen hanging on the wall.

An image from Luigi's Mansion 2 HD's online ScareScraper mode. It's usually a ghost town, but I did manage to find a room where one played named "CURSE YOU !" sat waiting for other players (who never came), perhaps a ghost in the system and I was actually alone all along.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 2d

Game #35 of 2025: and Roger; an emotionally powerful point & click, narrative-driven game with a beautiful story and a moving soundtrack. It's about an hour long, so I won't spoil what it's about. I actually played it once on my Switch 2 and then replayed it on PC for all of the Steam achievements.

An image of the title screen for and Roger. An illustration of a man and a woman can be seen having dinner together, holding hands. Various menu options are also displayed.

An image from and Roger showing one of the gameplay scenarios where you have to move blue and orange circles around rectangular barriers until both reach the center of the screen.

An image from and Roger showing a woman in orange riding on the back of a man in green, pointing forward with blue footprints trailing behind them. "the end" is written above them during this ending sequence.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 4d

Game #34 of 2025: Herdling; an adventure game about herding a bunch of yak-like creatures through dangerous wildlife and environmental hazards. The game taps into those Journey-esque moments and has an incredible soundtrack. I completed it with the Platinum trophy earned and loved it!

An image from Herdling showing the title card display after the intro sequence. Golden blades of grass stretch into the horizon as your character herds a small group of creatures.

An image from Herdling showing a campfire scene between your character and his herd on a snowy field.

An image from Herdling showing my herd and their names. I named most of my herd after the family cats we've lost over the years; Chester, Violet and BigBoy, just to name a few.

An image of the Platinum trophy earned in Herdling dated 10/7/2025.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 8d

Game #33 of 2025: Sword of the Sea; Giant Squid's latest Journey-like adventure that feels like the culmination of their previous titles. I loved the visuals, music and movement, but it felt like the game lacked an emotional punch. I completed the game at 100% with the Platinum trophy earned.

An image of the title screen for Sword of the Sea.

An image from Sword of the Sea showing the main character riding a sea creature with giant skeletal remains in the background surrounded by coral reefs and other ocean life.

An image from Sword of the Sea showing the main character overlooking a massive structure in the background. A giant chain can be seen connecting buildings to each other.

An image showing the Platinum trophy earned in Sword of the Sea dated 10/7/2025.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 10d

Maybe I'll have to write a part 2 to this piece. I've played a bit of Replaylee now and there are a few things they didn't improve/fix that I was expecting them to.

It's also sort of buggy? Twice I've had the game crash when saving and quitting, among other small issues. Blah I'm disappointed 😞

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 10d

With the release of Yooka-Replaylee, I figured I'd share the very first piece I wrote for my blog back in 2017 for Yooka-Laylee. Looking back on what I wrote, I definitely come off as a bit of an "armchair developer", so apologies in advance haha!

unexpectedgames.blog/2017/04/23/y...

Yooka-Laylee: The Bear…er, Chameleon & Bat are back…I guess?

Playtonic’s mascot-trip to the 90’s, for better or worse.

unexpectedgames.blog

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 12d

I hope Aggro Crab goes back to making something more akin to their first two games at some point. Another Crab's Treasure was one of my favorite games from 2024 and one of the best non-FROM Souls-likes I've played.

Glad Peak was a success for them, but that and Crashout Crew just aren't for me :(

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 13d

I'm still waiting on my stupid physical deluxe copy to ship but I'm really looking forward to it! Need to clean my plate a bit too, but I can't wait to play it.

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 14d

Game #32 of 2025: Promise Mascot Agency; a light sim-management game where you run a mascot agency on a cursed island as a former Yakuza. I completed the game with the Platinum trophy earned but there's still more to do. It's one of my favorite games/OSTs of the year. I understand Fighting Dreaming!

An image of the title screen for Promise Mascot Agency. PRESS ANY BUTTON TO BEGIN YOUR REDEMPTION.

An image of the Task menu from Promise Mascot Agency showing 100% completion in various trackers, my estimated daily bills and income, etc.

An image from one of the final scenes in Promise Mascot Agency showing the support of the main cast in the background as the main character says, "I can feel it. I understand Fighting Dreaming."

An image showing the Platinum trophy earned in Promise Mascot Agency dated 10/3/2025.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 14d

Game #31 of 2025: Dunkadillo; the latest 2D platformer from the creator of Dadish. You're an armadillo that bounces around like a basketball. The goal of each stage is to reach the basketball hoop at the end. I completed the game twice with all cards collected and a time of 26 minutes. It was ok.

An image from Dunkadillo showing the titular hero, Dunkadillo, springing off of a pinball flipper into a basketball hoop. Giant purple mushrooms can be seen in the background.

An image from Dunkadillo showing the stage select screen with all 43/43 cards collected with a total time of 26:07:40.

An image from Dunkadillo's ending sequence showing "Thanks for playing!" on a starry background with a full moon.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 15d

Game #30 of 2025: Mario Kart World; Switch 2's debut Mario Kart title. I completed all of the Grand Prix/Knockout Tours on 150cc/Mirror Mode with 3 Stars. I also beat all Time Trials, unlocked all characters and got all the ? Panels in Free Roam. The game grew on me. Worth playing for the OST alone.

An image of the title screen for Mario Kart World.

An image from Mario Kart World showing the Fee Roam map with all 150 ? Panels collected. The number on the map screen for the ? Panels have turned golden.

An image from Mario Kart World showing 3 Star Ranks on 150cc/Mirror Mode and below for the Ice Rally Knockout Tour.

An image from Mario Kart World's ending sequence showing all of the characters standing and celebrating on a track in a group photo.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 19d

This took me like an extra 3 months to write lol, but here's some thoughts & impressions on the games I played/finished during Q2 of 2025, including DKCR HD, South of Midnight, Expedition 33, ENDER MAGNOLIA, Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, and more...

unexpectedgames.blog/2025/09/30/w...

What I’ve Been Playing (Q2) 2025

Thoughts and impressions on the games I played/finished during Q2 of 2025, including Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mis…

unexpectedgames.blog

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 21d

Teenjus

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 21d

My two inner wolves or whatever you want to call it; I want treats, my bed and nothing else. Also, I just want to hang out.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 21d

I forgot to answer this sorry 😭

I'd likely take his word on the topic although like anything, I'm sure it's a case by case situation. I think there's plenty of inspired and unique game OSTs out there still.

Each year I still find game soundtracks that really speak to me, so I don't know.

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 22d

I just finished this the other day! I especially loved the music.

It's got those Journey-esque moments where the game sort of funnels you into those breathtaking vista shots with the music swelling, etc. It's one of my many gaming Achilles heels haha

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 23d

No one can 1CC life.

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 24d

I can't fully describe what this game's soundtrack does to my brain haha but it takes me back to simpler times for sure.

I also think "this game feels like a PS2 era game" gets thrown around a lot lately, but Promise Mascot Agency genuinely feels and sounds like something from that era.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 25d

Promise Mascot Agency is so fucking chill. I'm finally playing more of it and it's 100% my shit so far.

I've been playing a lot of indie games lately with really bad writing/dialogue but this game nails it. The soundtrack rules, too.

youtu.be/m5V_lbZway8?...

Let's Work Together

YouTube video by Alpha Chrome Yayo - Topic

youtu.be

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 25d

My current Top 5. Still arguably a rough draft but I'm pretty sure they're a lock. Not sure how the rest of my list will look by December:

1. Hollow Knight: Silksong
2. Donkey Kong Bananza
3. Öoo
4. Earthion
5. Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 26d

Herdling has been the perfect comedown game after playing Silksong haha I really like the game's soundtrack and there's cool making of videos for it on YouTube!

From the little I've played, I think this will be one of the most underrated indie games of the year.

youtu.be/-JW-9QCltJU?...

06. Stampede – Herdling OST | See What You Hear

YouTube video by Joel Schoch Music

youtu.be

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 26d

The only things I want from RGG Studio is a third Judgment game and Binary Domain 2 lol both likely never happening at this point, although one has a higher chance than the other.

I'm down for Project Century and Virtua Fighter, tho. I'm kinda good on all the remakes/rereleases.

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Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 26d

Yeah, I totally agree. It's just so exceptionally well-made. I know they took 7 years or whatever to deliver this game but I just can't get over how uncompromised it all feels. It's a complete package.

Matty 🐻 🏳️‍🌈 @unexpectedenemy.bsky.social · 26d

Just beat the true final boss in Silksong. I'm so spent lol will go for 100% soon but I gotta step away from the game for a bit.

I could criticize some of its design decisions; the shard economy, enemy gauntlet rooms, etc but overall, I think it's a masterpiece.

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