Brendan Hesse
@brendanlh.bsky.social
Deals Editor at GameSpot | DRPG Sicko at The Crawl: http://youtube.com/thecrawl | Other bylines: Lost In Cult, Lifehacker, PopSci, EGM, IGN, Digital Trends | My games: http://the-crawl.itch.io | He/Him (PFP: @alzandah.bsky.social)
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
Anyway, relatedly: I made this video about yellow paint, why it's happening so much, what gamers want vs what they need, how fidelity hurts us in a weird way, how art direction is hard, etc!
youtu.be/W8cRaFjIn5Q?...
youtu.be/W8cRaFjIn5Q?...
Horizon is Ugly and Here's Why [VoidBurger's Hot Takeouts]
YouTube video by Giant Bomb
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Anyway, relatedly: I made this video about yellow paint, why it's happening so much, what gamers want vs what they need, how fidelity hurts us in a weird way, how art direction is hard, etc!
youtu.be/W8cRaFjIn5Q?...
youtu.be/W8cRaFjIn5Q?...
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
För Trump, zhe Phantom funczions sniff as a jungian imago ov ov ov zhe persecuted sovereign. sniff Grandioshe yet wöunded, isolated, a misundershtood genius. It ish a projecshion of grievance. He, töö, has conshtructed a myth around himself and cannot face rejectshion.
November 14, 2025 at 11:54 PM
För Trump, zhe Phantom funczions sniff as a jungian imago ov ov ov zhe persecuted sovereign. sniff Grandioshe yet wöunded, isolated, a misundershtood genius. It ish a projecshion of grievance. He, töö, has conshtructed a myth around himself and cannot face rejectshion.
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
If you love quirky RPGs/dungeon-crawlers and have yet to give Dungeon Encounters a try, I would highly recommend doing so now. It is an absolute *gem* of a game!
DUNGEON ENCOUNTERS is $8.99 on US eShop buff.ly/SzGGAnF
US PSN buff.ly/dBfcdYB
Switch import $43 US Dollars at VGP buff.ly/Q8oUWQY
US PSN buff.ly/dBfcdYB
Switch import $43 US Dollars at VGP buff.ly/Q8oUWQY
November 14, 2025 at 8:08 PM
If you love quirky RPGs/dungeon-crawlers and have yet to give Dungeon Encounters a try, I would highly recommend doing so now. It is an absolute *gem* of a game!
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
DO NOT TALK TO SAMUS WHILE SHE IS WORKING
November 14, 2025 at 2:25 PM
DO NOT TALK TO SAMUS WHILE SHE IS WORKING
NEW @kbash.bsky.social GO GO GO GO youtu.be/cMLidKmCh8U
just a simple strategy game.
YouTube video by KBash
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 11:39 PM
NEW @kbash.bsky.social GO GO GO GO youtu.be/cMLidKmCh8U
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
so what I'm hearing is that chatty NPC companions are to game dev as "it's not for me" is to games crit
*logs off*
*logs off*
November 14, 2025 at 11:31 PM
so what I'm hearing is that chatty NPC companions are to game dev as "it's not for me" is to games crit
*logs off*
*logs off*
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
"Every game is someone's first game" is the traditional wisdom but it's less true than it's ever been, and it was barely ever true at all. For most games, if you think you need to sell to that audience, you're probably way over budget already.
And like, re: nag lines, I get it, gamers are dumber have worse attention span than ever but idk man, it's starting to feel like it's time to start gatekeeping. Work for it. Pay attention to the fuckin game you're playing. Of course sales will be lost if we DON'T cater to the lowest denominator but🖕
November 14, 2025 at 10:46 PM
"Every game is someone's first game" is the traditional wisdom but it's less true than it's ever been, and it was barely ever true at all. For most games, if you think you need to sell to that audience, you're probably way over budget already.
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
And like, re: nag lines, I get it, gamers are dumber have worse attention span than ever but idk man, it's starting to feel like it's time to start gatekeeping. Work for it. Pay attention to the fuckin game you're playing. Of course sales will be lost if we DON'T cater to the lowest denominator but🖕
November 14, 2025 at 10:30 PM
And like, re: nag lines, I get it, gamers are dumber have worse attention span than ever but idk man, it's starting to feel like it's time to start gatekeeping. Work for it. Pay attention to the fuckin game you're playing. Of course sales will be lost if we DON'T cater to the lowest denominator but🖕
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
The MSX Version Of Xanadu, Nihon Falcom's Highly Influential Action-RPG, Is Coming To Nintendo Switch This Month. (Repost)
The MSX Version Of Xanadu, Nihon Falcom's Highly Influential Action-RPG, Is Coming To Nintendo Switch This Month
On November 20th, to be precise
www.timeextension.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The MSX Version Of Xanadu, Nihon Falcom's Highly Influential Action-RPG, Is Coming To Nintendo Switch This Month. (Repost)
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
If you get past the shoestring budget and a near absence of graphics (really weird for Square!), Dungeon Encounters is pretty great.
how is this a negative review this sounds like the funniest game ever made
November 14, 2025 at 8:01 PM
If you get past the shoestring budget and a near absence of graphics (really weird for Square!), Dungeon Encounters is pretty great.
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
NEW VIDEO! At the start of the year, I watched a GDQ run of Elden Ring Bingo by streamers Captain Domo and Adef that was so enthralling that I made a whole video about it. Let's talk about the run, Rocket League, and why such cool things emerge from genre combinations that really shouldn't work!
Elden Ring Bingo Is So Much Deeper Than You Think
YouTube video by Writing on Games
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 6:33 PM
NEW VIDEO! At the start of the year, I watched a GDQ run of Elden Ring Bingo by streamers Captain Domo and Adef that was so enthralling that I made a whole video about it. Let's talk about the run, Rocket League, and why such cool things emerge from genre combinations that really shouldn't work!
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
*Codec Chime* "Sam'--it's Myles Talkman. Did you know some of the earliest recorded missile launches date back to ancient China? They were propelled by gunpowder--a mix of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate. Your Varia Suit's arm cannon also shoots missiles. To use them, press the Y button an-"
November 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
*Codec Chime* "Sam'--it's Myles Talkman. Did you know some of the earliest recorded missile launches date back to ancient China? They were propelled by gunpowder--a mix of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate. Your Varia Suit's arm cannon also shoots missiles. To use them, press the Y button an-"
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
Tatsuya Yoshikawa created new Lin artwork for Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter's 23rd anniversary!
November 14, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Tatsuya Yoshikawa created new Lin artwork for Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter's 23rd anniversary!
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
Anyway I wrote about the original Shadow Tower for @unwinnable.com!
Of course I've long since beaten it before the story made it onto the site, but after watching the credits roll... this might actually be peak Fromsoft..? 😅
Of course I've long since beaten it before the story made it onto the site, but after watching the credits roll... this might actually be peak Fromsoft..? 😅
I’m Having a Bad Time (and Loving it) - Unwinnable
While on a "classic Fromsoft" binge of the King’s Field series, Rob finally returns to Shadow Tower's exceptionally hostile halls.
unwinnable.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Anyway I wrote about the original Shadow Tower for @unwinnable.com!
Of course I've long since beaten it before the story made it onto the site, but after watching the credits roll... this might actually be peak Fromsoft..? 😅
Of course I've long since beaten it before the story made it onto the site, but after watching the credits roll... this might actually be peak Fromsoft..? 😅
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
I always thought the Zero Suit should be a Fusion-y plug suit.
April 1, 2025 at 1:37 PM
I always thought the Zero Suit should be a Fusion-y plug suit.
Okay I do have actual thoughts on this: the idea of chatty companion NPCs is disappointing, but the 90% of the demo footage shown that he isn’t in is otherwise exactly what I hoped. as someone who loves Metroid *specifically* for its visual design and music, I am still looking forward to this.
*Codec Chime* "Sam'--it's Myles Talkman. Did you know some of the earliest recorded missile launches date back to ancient China? They were propelled by gunpowder--a mix of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate. Your Varia Suit's arm cannon also shoots missiles. To use them, press the Y button an-"
November 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Okay I do have actual thoughts on this: the idea of chatty companion NPCs is disappointing, but the 90% of the demo footage shown that he isn’t in is otherwise exactly what I hoped. as someone who loves Metroid *specifically* for its visual design and music, I am still looking forward to this.
*Codec Chime* "Sam'--it's Myles Talkman. Did you know some of the earliest recorded missile launches date back to ancient China? They were propelled by gunpowder--a mix of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate. Your Varia Suit's arm cannon also shoots missiles. To use them, press the Y button an-"
November 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
*Codec Chime* "Sam'--it's Myles Talkman. Did you know some of the earliest recorded missile launches date back to ancient China? They were propelled by gunpowder--a mix of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate. Your Varia Suit's arm cannon also shoots missiles. To use them, press the Y button an-"
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
💙🩵NEW VIDEO🩵💙
Diving into #RogueTrooper comics. If you're curious about the upcoming @manmademoon.bsky.social film and want to jump into some comics, here's my picks. Specifically the first epic storyline, All Hell on the Dix-I Front. Enjoy 😍
Diving into #RogueTrooper comics. If you're curious about the upcoming @manmademoon.bsky.social film and want to jump into some comics, here's my picks. Specifically the first epic storyline, All Hell on the Dix-I Front. Enjoy 😍
ALL HELL ON THE DIX-I FRONT | The First Rogue Trooper Epic
YouTube video by Stoked
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 7:48 AM
💙🩵NEW VIDEO🩵💙
Diving into #RogueTrooper comics. If you're curious about the upcoming @manmademoon.bsky.social film and want to jump into some comics, here's my picks. Specifically the first epic storyline, All Hell on the Dix-I Front. Enjoy 😍
Diving into #RogueTrooper comics. If you're curious about the upcoming @manmademoon.bsky.social film and want to jump into some comics, here's my picks. Specifically the first epic storyline, All Hell on the Dix-I Front. Enjoy 😍
evergreen
lol I'm not gonna say too much until December 4, but uh. lol.
November 14, 2025 at 4:33 PM
evergreen
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
"Sorry yeah, not coming into work today. Yeah. Correct, it's because I saw the email about Trump blowing Clinton. Mhmm. Yeah, I'll mark it on the calendar and let them know. Okay, thanks--talk tomorrow."
November 13, 2025 at 5:20 PM
"Sorry yeah, not coming into work today. Yeah. Correct, it's because I saw the email about Trump blowing Clinton. Mhmm. Yeah, I'll mark it on the calendar and let them know. Okay, thanks--talk tomorrow."
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
Mossy mushrooms in the forest are kinda my thing. Here’s an older piece, inspired by the same mossy PNW forest I posted the other day!
November 13, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Mossy mushrooms in the forest are kinda my thing. Here’s an older piece, inspired by the same mossy PNW forest I posted the other day!
"Sorry yeah, not coming into work today. Yeah. Correct, it's because I saw the email about Trump blowing Clinton. Mhmm. Yeah, I'll mark it on the calendar and let them know. Okay, thanks--talk tomorrow."
November 13, 2025 at 5:20 PM
"Sorry yeah, not coming into work today. Yeah. Correct, it's because I saw the email about Trump blowing Clinton. Mhmm. Yeah, I'll mark it on the calendar and let them know. Okay, thanks--talk tomorrow."
Reposted by Brendan Hesse
*Co-workers riding in my car*
Me: mind if I throw on some Opeth?
My co-workers:
Me: mind if I throw on some Opeth?
My co-workers:
November 12, 2025 at 7:26 PM
*Co-workers riding in my car*
Me: mind if I throw on some Opeth?
My co-workers:
Me: mind if I throw on some Opeth?
My co-workers: