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The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of E3 2018 We’re back after an eventful E3. After all the rumors, leaks, and speculation, this year’s show ended up being a little… underwhelming. Companies and publishers that typically show up ready…
Disclaimer: This post was written in response to the Let’s Go Treehouse Presentation at E3 2018. A post updating these problems with first-hand experience will come soon. “Caterpie Can’t Hack it” Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Eevee! were all but…
Leaks and Delays Galore as We Head into E3 2018’s Draft June is here, and with it, a reflection of the past month in fantasy. While April brought us the Goliath that was God of War, May was far more lukewarm…
What to Expect From Gaming’s Biggest Event of the Year It’s that time of the year again, people. E3. The grass is green, birds are chirping, and people around the globe are glued to their television screens and computer monitors…
Subtraction by Addition I recently tried my hand at State of Decay 2, an Xbox One/PC exclusive where the player attempts to build a functioning community in a world ravaged by a zombie apocalypse. The game doesn’t appear to have…
A Journey for the Senses Adventure games are hardly a new thing. For decades, series like Myst, Monkey Island, and Telltale’s The Walking Dead have provided alluring and enrapturing settings for us to explore. Whether it be navigating a mysterious island, traversing a cove…
In Vogue Since 1995 E3 is right around the corner, and with it, a new opportunity to roast/honor our favorite publishers and developers. That’s right, it’s E3 bingo time, folks. This year, The Punished Backlog has its own game board…
Gorgeous New Environments in the Open World Bandai Namco has released a new trailer for the upcoming One Piece open-world RPG, One Piece: World Seeker. Whereas the initial announcement trailer focused on a Marine base and its surrounding farmland and forests, this new…
The Punished Podcast
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In this podcast episode, we discuss the history of open-world video games: the good, the bad, and everything in between. (Also, GTA VI!)
In this Fantasy Gaming-centric episode, we recap the first half of 2026 before delving into our first waiver wire of the year.
In this episode of The Punished Podcast, we discuss the rise and fall of E3, game trailers, authenticity, and the big bucks.
In this episode of The Punished Podcast, we discuss the past, present, and future of games media and journalism.
In this episode of The Punished Podcast, we reflect (and debate) the games that should be prioritized in our backlog in 2026.
In this episode of The Punished Podcast, we discuss the role of review scores in the gaming industry, especially for us as critics.
Punished Notes
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In the latest Punished Notes, Sam talks about Splatoon Raiders, Kingdom Hearts, Denshattack!, and…baking?
In a Punished Notes dedicated entirely to Resident Evil Requiem, Sam wonders if the post-zombification of the game’s world bears a resemblance to our own post-pandemic one.
In his latest Punished Notes, Sam gets into some New Year’s Gaming Resolutions, as well as a few predictions (and hopes) for some big gaming anniversaries coming up. Also: Wuthering Heights?
In the latest Punished Notes, Sam covers Doritos and Mountain Dew games, Kirby Air Riders, and… the blues?
In this edition of Punished Notes, Sam discusses how the incredible fall game release lineup is kind of killing him, among other thoughts
In the latest edition of Punished Notes, Sam talks about Lumines, visual novel and Roger, and other random thoughts from random games.
Punished Chat
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Super Mario Sunshine is probably the beloved plumber’s most polarizing adventure. Punished Backlog editors Sam and David discuss why that is.
After all playing Disco Elysium, several writers weigh in on the good, the bad, and the very ugly of the cult classic.
Mina the Hollower released last month to rave reviews. How do the writers at The Punished Backlog feel about it?
As part of our Game of the Year coverage, here are some DIFFERENT awards for the year’s best games!
Hollow Knight: Silksong is one of this year’s biggest new releases. What do the writers at The Punished Backlog think of it so far?
From the classics to new releases, we discuss the “Big Three,” the best anime ever, and what makes these series stand the test of time.
Punished Favorites
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In our list of the Best Video Game Dogs, we highlight the old and the new, the lithe and the chonky, the magical and the normal. They are all good dogs!
Anime is often known for its flashy visuals, but just as important is the music. Here are 11 of our top anime character theme songs ever.
From big AAAs to indie gems, this year’s shaping up to be a delight. Here are the 19 best video games of 2026 we’ve played to date.
From the bird and the bear to the earliest console shooters, here are The Punished Backlog’s top 16 Nintendo 64 games of all time!
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Game Boy Advance, here are The Punished Backlog’s favorite GBA games of all time!
The Punished Backlog writers have already covered their favorite Pokémon games. But what about our actual favorite pocket monsters?