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In The Punished Podcast Episode 4, we discuss our favorite games of 2023 and tally the final results for our Fantasy Gaming league.
In The Punished Podcast Episode 3, we discuss our own backlogs and share tips for getting through that stack of games.
Latest Articles
In The Punished Podcast Episode 4, we discuss our favorite games of 2023 and tally the final results for our Fantasy Gaming league.
In The Punished Podcast Episode 3, we discuss our own backlogs and share tips for getting through that stack of games.
Sleeping Dogs vs. Yakuza 0: which East Asian open-world game should you play? Ideally both, but if you had to pick one… read on.
In our Opus Magnum: De Re Metallica DLC review, learn whether this Opus Magnum expansion from Zachtronics recaptures the magic, 9 years later.
For April Fools’ Day, I am admitting that I never played a game gifted to me decades ago. I’m righting that wrong.
At SXSW, storytellers took virtual reality experiences to new emotional heights. Here are 7 great XR & VR experiences from SXSW 2026.
In our Tombwater review, learn why this mashup of Western, horror, and Soulslike influences makes for an enthralling, if lonely, journey.
After previewing Aether & Iron last May, we went hands-on with the noir adventure again at PAX East 2026, ahead of its March 30 release.
PAX East is back in Boston, and we’re covering the event all through the weekend. Here are the best games from PAX East 2026 so far.
In this episode of The Punished Podcast, we discuss the role of review scores in the gaming industry, especially for us as critics.
The Punished Podcast
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In this podcast episode, we discuss the joy in familiarity, difficulty, hype, and gameplay loops as we consider video games as comfort food.
In this podcast episode, we discuss video game protagonists. We debate create-a-character versus heroes and share our favorites.
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.
Punished Notes
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In Sam’s latest Punished Notes, he covers the new Fire Emblem, has a few thoughts on Final Fantasy X (all these years later), and even a bit on… tapas?
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
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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Our list of the best cozy games covers puzzles, platform adventures, farming, shop sims, visual novels, and much more.
Nintendo’s latest console is still early in its life, but it’s already racking up hits. These are the best Nintendo Switch 2 games so far.
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!