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Punished Series
In The Punished Podcast episode 11, we talk visual art style in games. Learn how art impacts the way we play, and if visuals are plateauing.
In The Punished Podcast Episode 10, we discuss our most anticipated games of fall 2024! We also do our Fantasy Gaming waiver wire pick-ups.
Latest Articles
Top Articles
Punished Series
In The Punished Podcast episode 11, we talk visual art style in games. Learn how art impacts the way we play, and if visuals are plateauing.
In The Punished Podcast Episode 10, we discuss our most anticipated games of fall 2024! We also do our Fantasy Gaming waiver wire pick-ups.
Indie games are labors of love, and this year, it looks like there will be a lot to love! These are our most anticipated indie games of 2025.
We’re launching a new brand and logo for The Punished Backlog! Let’s take a look back through the years and reflect on our past logos.
For The Punished Podcast Episode 13, we recorded a Final Fantasy VII Rebirth spoilercast. Come for the ending analysis; stay for the music.
After several hours with the demo for The First Berserker: Khazan, I feel quite confident Khazan is going to be a very solid title, as the fundamentals are in place for a potentially special experience.
Metaphor: ReFantazio does a lot of things very well. Perhaps most impressively, it fills the hole created by my last love, Final Fantasy XVI.
Final Fantasy XIV is terrific, but the Dawntrail expansion suffered from pacing woes. Learn if Final Fantasy XIV patch 7.1 fares better.
Reviews
View AllIn our UFO 50 review, learn why this ’80s-inspired collection of titles is the best value in gaming since The Orange Box.
In our Sorry We’re Closed review, learn why this old-school-tinted horror game is so much more than its PS1 and PS2 inspirations.
In our A Walk With Yiayia review, we reflect on why this short but beautiful game is worth an hour of your time.
In our Mika and the Witch’s Mountain early access review, learn whether this Studio Ghibli-inspired adventure lives up to its inspiration.
Top Articles
The Punished Podcast
View AllFor The Punished Podcast Episode 13, we recorded a Final Fantasy VII Rebirth spoilercast. Come for the ending analysis; stay for the music.
In this episode of our video game podcast, Amanda asks the writers to pitch her on one of their favorite games of 2024.
In The Punished Podcast episode 11, we talk visual art style in games. Learn how art impacts the way we play, and if visuals are plateauing.
In The Punished Podcast Episode 10, we discuss our most anticipated games of fall 2024! We also do our Fantasy Gaming waiver wire pick-ups.
What makes DLC worth it? How does the expectation of DLC change our experience? We discuss all things DLC, including the best DLC out there.
For The Punished Podcast Episode 8, we share our favorite games and biggest disappointments of 2024 thus far.
Punished Notes
View AllFor this edition of Punished Notes, Sam lists some brief and simple New Year’s resolutions, shares some games from 2024 that just missed the deadline for his tier list, and discusses his latest TV binge being on… CBS?!
So far, there hasn’t been a game that has pulled me out of post-election despair, and maybe that’s not a bad thing.
In this edition of Punished Notes, Sam gets into his thoughts on the reveal of Gears of War: E-Day, his favorite part of Hellblade II, and other thoughts.
In this Punished Notes, Sam dives into Balatro, a replay of Fallout: New Vegas, and more.
In this edition of Punished Notes, Sam gets into his experience with Golden Sun’s storytelling, the best narrative mechanic of Baldur’s Gate 3, and other thoughts.
Bethesda’s Starfield may be janky, but I’m having a great time. Its mundane moments make the unordinary ones all the more compelling.
Punished Chat
View AllWe’re launching a new brand and logo for The Punished Backlog! Let’s take a look back through the years and reflect on our past logos.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has been out for about a month. How do the writers at The Punished Backlog feel about it so far?
Five avid Stardew Valley players discuss why Stardew Valley is so good, the future of the game, its Harvest Moon roots, and more.
Long lost robot girlfriends, zombies, and fascism, oh my! We get together to discuss this indie horror survival game.
How does Tears of the Kingdom compare to rest of the series? Where should Zelda go next? Get our early Tears of the Kingdom impressions here.
Want a fun way to celebrate, laugh, and/or cry about your favorite games of 2022? Introducing The Punished Backlog’s first ever prop awards.
Punished Favorites
View AllIndie games are labors of love, and this year, it looks like there will be a lot to love! These are our most anticipated indie games of 2025.
In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Nintendo DS, check out the very best Nintendo DS games ever created.
From straight-up horror games to RPGs and cute indies, here are some of the best horror game moments of 2024 so far!
Waiting for Hollow Knight: Silksong? Make the wait easier by reading and playing our picks for the best Metroidvania games ever made.
As the 25th anniversary of the PS2 approaches, help us celebrate by checking out our list of the 19 best PlayStation 2 games ever.
Whether a game succeeds or disappoints, there’s no denying the power of a great teaser. These are our most hyped video games ever.