Tomas Franzese
@tomasfranzese.bsky.social
Video Game Industry Reporter & Critic | Gaming Lead at XDA | Bylines: Digital Trends, GameSpot, ComicBook, Noisy Pixel, MMORPG, Skybox, Palette Swap, Inverse, DualShockers, and Android Police
Pinned
After a few months at Android Police, I'm taking on a new role at Valnet. I'm now the Gaming Section Lead at XDA, and will be directing their coverage of PC and console gaming. You can now reach me at [email protected] with any news, preview, interview, or review opportunities!
I absolutely loved Kirby Air Riders! While the constant pop-ups could feel like an annoying mobile games sometimes, the core gameplay is just so ridiculously fun that every match is as exhilarating as the best match you've had in any other multiplayer game: www.xda-developers.com/kirby-air-ri...
Kirby Air Riders review: An even better Switch 2 racer than Mario Kart World
www.xda-developers.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:40 AM
I absolutely loved Kirby Air Riders! While the constant pop-ups could feel like an annoying mobile games sometimes, the core gameplay is just so ridiculously fun that every match is as exhilarating as the best match you've had in any other multiplayer game: www.xda-developers.com/kirby-air-ri...
I find it fascinating that platforms like Roblox are kind of entering the same space Flash games occupied in the 2000s, but are much more harmful because they are actively trying to gather data and make money off children. It's like if Addicting Games' worst ads ran the website back then.
Oh, God, this is one of those "where do I even start" things, because Roblox is, like, *fractally* fucked. They are terrible at content moderation. A lot of the games are rated incorrectly, so kids can encounter graphic content (sex or violence) out of nowhere --
November 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I find it fascinating that platforms like Roblox are kind of entering the same space Flash games occupied in the 2000s, but are much more harmful because they are actively trying to gather data and make money off children. It's like if Addicting Games' worst ads ran the website back then.
Welcome back, Star Fox Adventures: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWV0...
Zoopunk - Announce Extended | Xbox Partner Preview 2025
YouTube video by Xbox
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Welcome back, Star Fox Adventures: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWV0...
Not too surprising, but Nightdive Studios' remaster of Outlaws is great! I never actually played this one before, but I really enjoyed it. Makes me wish there were more video game Westerns! www.xda-developers.com/outlaws-rema...
Move over Red Dead Redemption, I'm playing Outlaws' remaster instead
Outlaws + A Handful of Missions: Remaster is a reminder of the potential of video game Westerns and Nightdive Studio's remastering talents
www.xda-developers.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Not too surprising, but Nightdive Studios' remaster of Outlaws is great! I never actually played this one before, but I really enjoyed it. Makes me wish there were more video game Westerns! www.xda-developers.com/outlaws-rema...
I reviewed Black Ops 7! It does everything you'd expect a Call of Duty game to do good enough, but the use of AI-generated content and complete disregard for Black Ops' more serious roots make this one of the more artistically confused games in the franchise www.xda-developers.com/call-of-duty...
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 review: Entertaining, yet artistically shallow
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 still delivers a fun multiplayer experience, but it loses a lot of the series' identity in the process
www.xda-developers.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I reviewed Black Ops 7! It does everything you'd expect a Call of Duty game to do good enough, but the use of AI-generated content and complete disregard for Black Ops' more serious roots make this one of the more artistically confused games in the franchise www.xda-developers.com/call-of-duty...
PUBG creator Brendan Greene is launching a survival game later this week. Its world is generated with the help of machine learning. I spoke to Greene to learn more about how the technology was implemented and the impact it could impact game developers: www.xda-developers.com/playerunknow...
PUBG's creator is betting big on machine learning for his next game
In an interview with XDA, Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Green explained how survival game Prologue: Go Wayback! uses machine learning technology
www.xda-developers.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:33 PM
PUBG creator Brendan Greene is launching a survival game later this week. Its world is generated with the help of machine learning. I spoke to Greene to learn more about how the technology was implemented and the impact it could impact game developers: www.xda-developers.com/playerunknow...
I have some conflicted feelings about Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's Co-Op Campaign. It solves the issue of COD campaigns feeling like a disconnected afterthought, but that comes at the cost of fundamentally changing the nature of what the campaign offers: www.xda-developers.com/call-of-duty...
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's campaign does not feel like an afterthought
For better and for worse, Black Ops 7 features a campaign that no longer feels out of place in a Call of Duty game
www.xda-developers.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:33 PM
I have some conflicted feelings about Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's Co-Op Campaign. It solves the issue of COD campaigns feeling like a disconnected afterthought, but that comes at the cost of fundamentally changing the nature of what the campaign offers: www.xda-developers.com/call-of-duty...
Metroid fans are going to be so mad in December when Red Dead Redemption's Switch 2 port is outselling Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on the eShop.
November 14, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Metroid fans are going to be so mad in December when Red Dead Redemption's Switch 2 port is outselling Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on the eShop.
I reviewed Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. I really enjoyed its story, even though that's not usually my favorite part of Zelda games. Also, the Calamo hype is real and deserved. www.xda-developers.com/hyrule-warri...
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment review: Switch 2's next great exclusive
www.xda-developers.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:11 AM
I reviewed Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. I really enjoyed its story, even though that's not usually my favorite part of Zelda games. Also, the Calamo hype is real and deserved. www.xda-developers.com/hyrule-warri...
This news is pretty cool! I was considering upgrading my PC next year, but I may just pick up a Steam Machine instead. I am a bit worried about pricing, though. www.xda-developers.com/new-steam-ha...
Valve goes all-in on hardware with a new Steam PC, VR headset, and controller
Valve just announced three new pieces of hardware: a new Steam controller, the console-like Steam Machine, and the VR headset Steam Frame
www.xda-developers.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:49 PM
This news is pretty cool! I was considering upgrading my PC next year, but I may just pick up a Steam Machine instead. I am a bit worried about pricing, though. www.xda-developers.com/new-steam-ha...
I'm doing a State of Play Japan live blog for XDA! I don't have super high expectations for the showcase, but would love to get a Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls release date: www.xda-developers.com/state-of-pla...
State of Play Japan: Live updates and everything announced for PS5
PlayStation is putting a spotlight on games from Asia with its latest State of Play, and we're keeping you in the loop for every reveal from it
www.xda-developers.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I'm doing a State of Play Japan live blog for XDA! I don't have super high expectations for the showcase, but would love to get a Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls release date: www.xda-developers.com/state-of-pla...
I encouraged Giovanni to write this review and I think doing so turned him into the first post-modern game critic: www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/ufo-5...
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I encouraged Giovanni to write this review and I think doing so turned him into the first post-modern game critic: www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/ufo-5...
Lumines Arise is fantastic. It's certainly a bit harder to get into than Tetris Effect, but once you learn the intricacies of how Lumines works, it's even more rewarding: www.xda-developers.com/lumines-aris...
Lumines Arise review: This audiovisual delight is one of the best games of 2025
Lumines Arise capitalizes on the formula Tetris Effect established to deliver one of the best games of the year
www.xda-developers.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Lumines Arise is fantastic. It's certainly a bit harder to get into than Tetris Effect, but once you learn the intricacies of how Lumines works, it's even more rewarding: www.xda-developers.com/lumines-aris...
Sadly, this is why people go Republican. The repeated own-goals Democrats keep doing make the party look weak to your under informed working class voter who wants strong willed politicians to make their life better. Democrats have objectively better policies, but fail to enact/defend them properly.
November 11, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Sadly, this is why people go Republican. The repeated own-goals Democrats keep doing make the party look weak to your under informed working class voter who wants strong willed politicians to make their life better. Democrats have objectively better policies, but fail to enact/defend them properly.
I just watched Predator: Badlands! It's a really fun movie that reminds me a lot of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves from a couple of years ago. A solid blockbuster with creative ideas and humor that isn't grating. A reminder that it's still possible to make a franchise film with charm.
a man in a plaid shirt has a huge nose
ALT: a man in a plaid shirt has a huge nose
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM
I just watched Predator: Badlands! It's a really fun movie that reminds me a lot of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves from a couple of years ago. A solid blockbuster with creative ideas and humor that isn't grating. A reminder that it's still possible to make a franchise film with charm.
The nice thing about working for a website named XDA is that typing the letter "x" in the search bar brings up XDA rather than X.
November 8, 2025 at 11:37 PM
The nice thing about working for a website named XDA is that typing the letter "x" in the search bar brings up XDA rather than X.
Just got one of the funniest comments I've ever gotten on an article. All of this for saying that I like Battlefield 6's normal multiplayer modes more than REDSEC!
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Just got one of the funniest comments I've ever gotten on an article. All of this for saying that I like Battlefield 6's normal multiplayer modes more than REDSEC!
I still can't believe that there's a guy named "Peacemaker Aldo" running for sheriff in my local election this year.
November 3, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I still can't believe that there's a guy named "Peacemaker Aldo" running for sheriff in my local election this year.
The Outer Worlds 2 is fantastic. The original is one of my favorite RPGs, and this sequel builds upon it in all of the right ways. None of its companions really stuck out to me as much as the original's did, but I still loved it: www.xda-developers.com/the-outer-wo...
The Outer Worlds 2 review: I love this new RPG from Fallout: New Vegas' developer
Obsidian Entertainment is one of the best developers working in the RPG genre, and The Outer Worlds 2 is further proof of that
www.xda-developers.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The Outer Worlds 2 is fantastic. The original is one of my favorite RPGs, and this sequel builds upon it in all of the right ways. None of its companions really stuck out to me as much as the original's did, but I still loved it: www.xda-developers.com/the-outer-wo...
I reviewed Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2. I ended up a bit underwhelmed by this game considering how weird of a development cycle it had. I also wish it embraced its tabletop RPG roots more. At least it avoided being one of the year's gaming disasters. www.xda-developers.com/vampire-the-...
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 review: I expected something better or worse than what we got
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 had a rocky development, and the end result is competent, if underwhelming
www.xda-developers.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I reviewed Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2. I ended up a bit underwhelmed by this game considering how weird of a development cycle it had. I also wish it embraced its tabletop RPG roots more. At least it avoided being one of the year's gaming disasters. www.xda-developers.com/vampire-the-...
Here's my review for Ninja Gaiden 4! I was looking forward to this one a lot, but unfortunately I seem to be on the lower end in regards to how I rated it. I love its combat, but don't think the game does much else that well: www.xda-developers.com/ninja-gaiden...
Ninja Gaiden 4 review: I was severely let down by this long-awaited sequel
Ninja Gaiden 4 may feature some exhilarating combat, but everything else about this action game is an anticlimactic let-down
www.xda-developers.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Here's my review for Ninja Gaiden 4! I was looking forward to this one a lot, but unfortunately I seem to be on the lower end in regards to how I rated it. I love its combat, but don't think the game does much else that well: www.xda-developers.com/ninja-gaiden...
This has been an amazing year for atmospheric, smaller-scale video games. Sword of the Sea and Lego Voyagers were great, and now Keeper has emerged as one of my favorite games of the year. Double Fine doesn't miss, and Keeper is one of its best! www.xda-developers.com/keeper-game-...
Keeper review: The most beautiful Xbox Game Pass Ultimate title of 2025
Double Fine and Xbox Game Studios' Keeper is a gorgeous, surrealist, and enthralling adventure about a lighthouse and a bird that I won't soon forget
www.xda-developers.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:22 PM
This has been an amazing year for atmospheric, smaller-scale video games. Sword of the Sea and Lego Voyagers were great, and now Keeper has emerged as one of my favorite games of the year. Double Fine doesn't miss, and Keeper is one of its best! www.xda-developers.com/keeper-game-...
Used the ROG Xbox Ally's release as an opportunity to reflect on the Xbox Series X launch lineup. You have to wonder how differently this generation would've gone had Microsoft been able to publish first-party games this consistently at the generation's start: www.xda-developers.com/rog-xbox-all...
The ROG Xbox Ally has a better launch window game lineup than the Xbox Series X did
Microsoft is releasing several high-profile first-party games within a month of the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds' launch, unlike the Xbox Series X and S.
www.xda-developers.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Used the ROG Xbox Ally's release as an opportunity to reflect on the Xbox Series X launch lineup. You have to wonder how differently this generation would've gone had Microsoft been able to publish first-party games this consistently at the generation's start: www.xda-developers.com/rog-xbox-all...
Make sure you check out Ball x Pit now that it's out! It's one of my favorite games of the year: www.xda-developers.com/ball-x-pit-r...
I just discovered my new favorite Vampire Survivors alternative
If you enjoy games like Vampire Survivors or Breakout, you need to play Ball x Pit
www.xda-developers.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Make sure you check out Ball x Pit now that it's out! It's one of my favorite games of the year: www.xda-developers.com/ball-x-pit-r...
Reposted by Tomas Franzese
FINAL: The Chicago Bears win it on Jake Moody's FG!
October 14, 2025 at 3:36 AM
FINAL: The Chicago Bears win it on Jake Moody's FG!