Brandon Craw
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social
Review bylines on startmenu.co.uk | Also made a podcast about video games and psychology called Mind Controllers 🧠 🎮 | MA Clinical Psychology
linktr.ee/MindControllers
linktr.ee/MindControllers
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Brandon Craw
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social
· Dec 12
Yo! We're Mind Controllers, a podcast focusing on doing deep dives of some of our favorite games and video game characters. We also do a weekly general games chat on the side. Come listen and hang out with us! 🔗 to the pod in bio!
Love me some betas and demos!
We welcome back @oronalex.bsky.social and Super GG Radio to run down the best betas and demo of games coming in 2026.
Alex Orona And Super GG Radio's Best Betas And Early Access Games Of 2025 | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
We welcome back Alex Orona and Super GG Radio to run down the best betas and demo of games coming in 2026.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Love me some betas and demos!
As if I didn't spend enough money this year 😩
December 18, 2025 at 6:11 PM
As if I didn't spend enough money this year 😩
Reposted by Brandon Craw
What's wrong, babe? You've hardly touched your Mario-inspired denim tote bag.
December 17, 2025 at 11:56 PM
What's wrong, babe? You've hardly touched your Mario-inspired denim tote bag.
Great piece about feeling inspired after beating that hard game! I should probably take this into consideration...
Hollow Knight is a lot of things to a lot of people. To Louise Chase, the once-intimidating game has served as a source of newfound confidence. If she can beat Hollow Knight and its sequel, Silksong, well… what can’t she do?
Hollow Knight Taught Louise Chase Hard Lessons About Herself And What She Could Do | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Hollow Knight is a lot of things to a lot of people. To Louise Chase, the once-intimidating game has served as a source of newfound confidence. If she can beat Hollow Knight and its sequel, Silksong, ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Great piece about feeling inspired after beating that hard game! I should probably take this into consideration...
I LOVED Before Your Eyes, but Goodnight Universe struggled to reach the same highs. Read my full thoughts on @startmenu.bsky.social below!
You might play as a baby in Goodnight Universe, but the game has big shoes to fill. Made by developers who worked on the critically-acclaimed Before Your Eyes, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessor.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social reviews.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social reviews.
Review | Goodnight Universe - Don’t Blink Twice — startmenu
You might play as a baby in Goodnight Universe, but the game has big shoes to fill. Made by developers who worked on the critically-acclaimed Before Your Eyes, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
I LOVED Before Your Eyes, but Goodnight Universe struggled to reach the same highs. Read my full thoughts on @startmenu.bsky.social below!
Reposted by Brandon Craw
You might play as a baby in Goodnight Universe, but the game has big shoes to fill. Made by developers who worked on the critically-acclaimed Before Your Eyes, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessor.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social reviews.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social reviews.
Review | Goodnight Universe - Don’t Blink Twice — startmenu
You might play as a baby in Goodnight Universe, but the game has big shoes to fill. Made by developers who worked on the critically-acclaimed Before Your Eyes, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 7:38 PM
You might play as a baby in Goodnight Universe, but the game has big shoes to fill. Made by developers who worked on the critically-acclaimed Before Your Eyes, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessor.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social reviews.
@mindcontrollers.bsky.social reviews.
Reposted by Brandon Craw
Thanks to @lexluddy.xyz and @startmenu.bsky.social for letting me write some lukewarm takes for their site!! It was so much fun to write and appreciate the opportunity to offer my
Perspective (and deservedly promote some
Irish games in the process ;))
Perspective (and deservedly promote some
Irish games in the process ;))
There was very little good in 2025, yet despite it all, @carlo-no-s.bsky.social has found some games that gave him hope for the future of the video game industry.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/the-202...
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/the-202...
The 2025 Games That Made Carlo Azzari Hopeful About Our Industry | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
There was very little good in 2025, yet despite it all, Carlo Azzari has found some games that gave him hope for the future of the video game industry.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Thanks to @lexluddy.xyz and @startmenu.bsky.social for letting me write some lukewarm takes for their site!! It was so much fun to write and appreciate the opportunity to offer my
Perspective (and deservedly promote some
Irish games in the process ;))
Perspective (and deservedly promote some
Irish games in the process ;))
Honestly, not as many games as I thought in my Steam Replay. And surprised Monster Hunter made it's way on when I did not play it much!
December 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Honestly, not as many games as I thought in my Steam Replay. And surprised Monster Hunter made it's way on when I did not play it much!
Great piece that shines the light on the few positives happening in the gaming industry. Go check it out!!
There was very little good in 2025, yet despite it all, @carlo-no-s.bsky.social has found some games that gave him hope for the future of the video game industry.
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/the-202...
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/the-202...
The 2025 Games That Made Carlo Azzari Hopeful About Our Industry | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
There was very little good in 2025, yet despite it all, Carlo Azzari has found some games that gave him hope for the future of the video game industry.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Great piece that shines the light on the few positives happening in the gaming industry. Go check it out!!
Reposted by Brandon Craw
Reposted by Brandon Craw
hey can we delay christmas a week
December 15, 2025 at 6:44 PM
hey can we delay christmas a week
Reposted by Brandon Craw
Deniz Amasya joins us to take moment to reflect on espressos in Cologne, philosophers, and Sega Saturn visual novels.
Deniz Amasya Reflects On Social Vs. Anti-Social Writing: Visual Novels And Adventure Games | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Deniz Amasya joins us to take moment to reflect on espressos in Cologne, philosophers, and Sega Saturn visual novels.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Deniz Amasya joins us to take moment to reflect on espressos in Cologne, philosophers, and Sega Saturn visual novels.
I need to write my Steam library into my will. Someone's got to inherit my backlog
Are our game collections doomed to disappear along with us when we die? @coledone.com unpacks the problem of ownership when it comes to digital libraries, as well as what it means to hold a cartridge in your hands in 2025.
David Cole Craves Ownership | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Are our game collections doomed to disappear along with us when we die? David Cole unpacks the problem of ownership when it comes to digital libraries, as well as what it means to hold a cartridge in ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I need to write my Steam library into my will. Someone's got to inherit my backlog
Reposted by Brandon Craw
Are our game collections doomed to disappear along with us when we die? @coledone.com unpacks the problem of ownership when it comes to digital libraries, as well as what it means to hold a cartridge in your hands in 2025.
David Cole Craves Ownership | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Are our game collections doomed to disappear along with us when we die? David Cole unpacks the problem of ownership when it comes to digital libraries, as well as what it means to hold a cartridge in ...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Are our game collections doomed to disappear along with us when we die? @coledone.com unpacks the problem of ownership when it comes to digital libraries, as well as what it means to hold a cartridge in your hands in 2025.
Reposted by Brandon Craw
Any attack targeted at people just because they are Jewish is as barbaric and evil as any attack on people just because they are Palestinian, or whatever other nationality. I will not accept any justification or relativization for this horrifying act of antisemitism in my mentions. Evil, period.
Eleven killed at Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese brands attack on Jewish worshippers act of antisemitism and terrorism
www.middleeasteye.net
December 14, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Any attack targeted at people just because they are Jewish is as barbaric and evil as any attack on people just because they are Palestinian, or whatever other nationality. I will not accept any justification or relativization for this horrifying act of antisemitism in my mentions. Evil, period.
Reposted by Brandon Craw
Zackary Edwards muses on the cathartic power of “Proof of a Hero” — an iconic theme in Monster Hunter that only rears its head when you face the series’ most formidable foes — in the epic fight against the dragon Fatalis.
Zackary Edwards Finds Meaning In The (Monster) Hunt | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
Zackary Edwards muses on the cathartic power of “Proof of a Hero” — an iconic theme in Monster Hunter that only rears its head when you face the series’ most formidable foes — in the epic fight...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Zackary Edwards muses on the cathartic power of “Proof of a Hero” — an iconic theme in Monster Hunter that only rears its head when you face the series’ most formidable foes — in the epic fight against the dragon Fatalis.
Reposted by Brandon Craw
OK, OK… Hear us out. @philsalv.bsky.social has a pretty damn well-reasoned argument for why MindsEye is “The Video Game Of 2025.”
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/phil-sa...
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/phil-sa...
Phil Salvador Believes MindsEye Is The Game Of 2025 | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
OK, OK… Hear us out. Phil Salvador actually has a pretty damn well-reasoned argument for why MindsEye is “The Video Game Of 2025.”
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 2:53 PM
OK, OK… Hear us out. @philsalv.bsky.social has a pretty damn well-reasoned argument for why MindsEye is “The Video Game Of 2025.”
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/phil-sa...
www.startmenu.co.uk/home/phil-sa...
Orville Peck at the game awards. I LOVE IT!!!
December 12, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Orville Peck at the game awards. I LOVE IT!!!
Reposted by Brandon Craw
This remains one of the pieces that I am most proud to have on startmenu and on the eve of glitziest night in games I feel it more important than ever to re-up its message.
We invited the amazing @ghoulsengel.bsky.social back to be a part of the Winter Spectacular 2025, but in a year where cruelty has only gotten worse, they instead asked that we re-share their words from 2024 and that the industry finally examines its relationship with militarised entertainment.
2024, A Year of Games and Genocide - Reflections from Jules Engel on The Industry’s Response and Potential To Change | Winter Spectacular 2024 — startmenu
While The Game Awards are on tonight Jules Engel wants to take a moment to reflect on the industry’s failing response to the genocide in Gaza and asks us to confront some hard question we’ve been avoi...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 5:23 PM
This remains one of the pieces that I am most proud to have on startmenu and on the eve of glitziest night in games I feel it more important than ever to re-up its message.
Reposted by Brandon Craw
We invited the amazing @ghoulsengel.bsky.social back to be a part of the Winter Spectacular 2025, but in a year where cruelty has only gotten worse, they instead asked that we re-share their words from 2024 and that the industry finally examines its relationship with militarised entertainment.
2024, A Year of Games and Genocide - Reflections from Jules Engel on The Industry’s Response and Potential To Change | Winter Spectacular 2024 — startmenu
While The Game Awards are on tonight Jules Engel wants to take a moment to reflect on the industry’s failing response to the genocide in Gaza and asks us to confront some hard question we’ve been avoi...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 5:21 PM
We invited the amazing @ghoulsengel.bsky.social back to be a part of the Winter Spectacular 2025, but in a year where cruelty has only gotten worse, they instead asked that we re-share their words from 2024 and that the industry finally examines its relationship with militarised entertainment.
Reposted by Brandon Craw
@dietdeitz.bsky.social delves into the worlds of Pharloom and Mount Celeste with a blood-soaked smile. Real world woes are no match for moral penance and difficult boss fights.
Mik Deitz Has Survived A Hard Game, Hard Year, Hard Life: Silksong, Celeste, and Sadomasochistic Joy — startmenu
Mik Deitz delves into the worlds of Pharloom and Mount Celeste with a blood-soaked smile. Real world woes are no match for moral penance and difficult boss fights.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 3:53 PM
@dietdeitz.bsky.social delves into the worlds of Pharloom and Mount Celeste with a blood-soaked smile. Real world woes are no match for moral penance and difficult boss fights.
No surprise here that @remapradio.bsky.social was my top listened to podcast of 2025!
December 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
No surprise here that @remapradio.bsky.social was my top listened to podcast of 2025!
Please check out @kellymerka.bsky.social 's amazing piece on the soundtrack of Herdling !!!
@kellymerka.bsky.social’s experience playing Herdling was shaped by the power of its music. The soundtrack’s emphasis on the physicality of each instrument’s performance engenders closeness, cementing your bond with your herd.
Not A Herd, An Ensemble: How Herdling’s Music Brought KM Nelson Closer To Her Calicorns — startmenu
KM Nelson’s experience playing Herdling was shaped by the power of its music. The soundtrack’s emphasis on the physicality of each instrument’s performance engenders closeness, cementing your bond wit...
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Please check out @kellymerka.bsky.social 's amazing piece on the soundtrack of Herdling !!!
Y'all I spent 6 days away, came home and immediately left the next day for 3 days for a wedding, got back home to now host a guest for this week, and am on day 2 of being back to work. I'm so spent, idk how y'all do it. What can I do to recover 😭
December 10, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Y'all I spent 6 days away, came home and immediately left the next day for 3 days for a wedding, got back home to now host a guest for this week, and am on day 2 of being back to work. I'm so spent, idk how y'all do it. What can I do to recover 😭
Reposted by Brandon Craw
In this Winter Spectacular guest piece, @knoebel.bsky.social is here to sell us on a new sub-genre designation: Controller Passing Co-Op games, or CPCO for short.
Knoebel Outlines The Joys Of Controller Passing Co-Op Games | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
In this Winter Spectacular guest piece, Knoebel is here to sell us on a new sub-genre designation: Controller Passing Co-Op games, or CPCO for short.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
In this Winter Spectacular guest piece, @knoebel.bsky.social is here to sell us on a new sub-genre designation: Controller Passing Co-Op games, or CPCO for short.