Let’s see how The Punished Backlog’s excellent writers feel about that explosive Nintendo Switch 2 reveal!
Amanda Tien
Amanda Tien
Amanda Tien (she/her or they) loves video games where she can pet dogs, solve mysteries, punch bad guys, play as a cool lady, and/or have a good cry. She started writing with The Punished Backlog in 2020 and became an Editor in 2022. Amanda also does a lot of the site's graphic designs and podcast editing. Amanda's work has been published in Unwinnable Monthly, Poets.org, Salt Hill Journal, Aster(ix) Journal, and more. She holds an MFA in Fiction from the University of Pittsburgh. Learn more about her writing, visual art, graphic design, and marketing work at www.amandatien.com.
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Read our live blog for a recap of all the biggest updates and game announcements from April 2025’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct.
In The Punished Podcast Episode 16, we discuss the best old school games, what retro even means, preservation, and much more.
Having trouble tracking down specific heart events? Use our Stardew Valley heart events guide to learn when and where to find them.
In our Expelled! review, learn whether indie developer inkle Studios’ newest story-driven game stacks up to its other titles.
In our Carmen Sandiego (2025) review, learn if Gameloft’s newest title lives up to the nostalgic hype. (Spoiler: It doesn’t.)
In honor of Valentine’s Day, we discussed romance in games. Learn our favorite romance mechanics, characters, subplots, and more.
Horses in video games should be treated better, especially the one in Stardew Valley. There’s a few simple ways it could be better.
In this interview with indie developer Kaizen Game Works, we asked about great characters, world-building, and how tricky truck physics are.
In The Punished Podcast Episode 14, we crown our Fantasy Gaming 2024 winner and host our 2025 draft—with a new dynasty format!