Video Game Generations
@vggenerations.bsky.social
I’m Mike, an erstwhile indie dev and podcaster, now a newsletter author (it's totally free) and game mini-reviewer with no patience for the anti-woke crowd. Each issue of VGGN features a new (usually fun) topic. Read 'em all at https://vggpodcast.com/news/
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I used this first part of my week off work to wrap up VGGN issue #46, available now and free as always. The feature topic this issue is cameras and photography in video games.
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Mini-Review: Knight's Night! (PS5)
I'm planning a VGGN issue about video games that are fully (or mostly) in black and white (or monochrome) in the next few weeks, and I came across this simple platformer that looked interesting. After struggling to beat the first level a few…
I'm planning a VGGN issue about video games that are fully (or mostly) in black and white (or monochrome) in the next few weeks, and I came across this simple platformer that looked interesting. After struggling to beat the first level a few…
September 13, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Mini-Review: Knight's Night! (PS5)
I'm planning a VGGN issue about video games that are fully (or mostly) in black and white (or monochrome) in the next few weeks, and I came across this simple platformer that looked interesting. After struggling to beat the first level a few…
I'm planning a VGGN issue about video games that are fully (or mostly) in black and white (or monochrome) in the next few weeks, and I came across this simple platformer that looked interesting. After struggling to beat the first level a few…
Mini-Review: Onimusha - Way of the Sword (PS5 Pro)
It's Onimusha for people who've never played Onimusha. Most fans of the series seem to like it too, but - and I hate to even say this - I felt a little disappointed. Ironically, I think I would be much happier with the game if…
It's Onimusha for people who've never played Onimusha. Most fans of the series seem to like it too, but - and I hate to even say this - I felt a little disappointed. Ironically, I think I would be much happier with the game if…
September 12, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Mini-Review: Onimusha - Way of the Sword (PS5 Pro)
It's Onimusha for people who've never played Onimusha. Most fans of the series seem to like it too, but - and I hate to even say this - I felt a little disappointed. Ironically, I think I would be much happier with the game if…
It's Onimusha for people who've never played Onimusha. Most fans of the series seem to like it too, but - and I hate to even say this - I felt a little disappointed. Ironically, I think I would be much happier with the game if…
Mini-Review: Steamboat Incident (PS5)
For whatever reason, developer Mascot Bro Studio didn't go all-out with their Steamboat Willie-era Mickey Mouse horror game (the version, apparently, that's finally in public domain). Instead, the monster that stalks players through the…
For whatever reason, developer Mascot Bro Studio didn't go all-out with their Steamboat Willie-era Mickey Mouse horror game (the version, apparently, that's finally in public domain). Instead, the monster that stalks players through the…
September 10, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Mini-Review: Steamboat Incident (PS5)
For whatever reason, developer Mascot Bro Studio didn't go all-out with their Steamboat Willie-era Mickey Mouse horror game (the version, apparently, that's finally in public domain). Instead, the monster that stalks players through the…
For whatever reason, developer Mascot Bro Studio didn't go all-out with their Steamboat Willie-era Mickey Mouse horror game (the version, apparently, that's finally in public domain). Instead, the monster that stalks players through the…
Mini-Review: Is Today Another Day? (PS5)
It's tough to review a short 30-40 minute game like this without giving too much away, so I'll ramble for a moment before I get started and pick screenshots that (hopefully) don't spoil anything. It's presented entirely in black and…
It's tough to review a short 30-40 minute game like this without giving too much away, so I'll ramble for a moment before I get started and pick screenshots that (hopefully) don't spoil anything. It's presented entirely in black and…
September 9, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Mini-Review: Is Today Another Day? (PS5)
It's tough to review a short 30-40 minute game like this without giving too much away, so I'll ramble for a moment before I get started and pick screenshots that (hopefully) don't spoil anything. It's presented entirely in black and…
It's tough to review a short 30-40 minute game like this without giving too much away, so I'll ramble for a moment before I get started and pick screenshots that (hopefully) don't spoil anything. It's presented entirely in black and…
I used this first part of my week off work to wrap up VGGN issue #46, available now and free as always. The feature topic this issue is cameras and photography in video games.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-04...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
Get Notified: vggn.eo.page/sub
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-04...
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September 8, 2026 at 3:51 PM
I used this first part of my week off work to wrap up VGGN issue #46, available now and free as always. The feature topic this issue is cameras and photography in video games.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-04...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
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Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-04...
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Mini-Review: Resonance - A Plague Tale Legacy (PS5 Pro)
What a great game. Fans of action-adventures like Uncharted and modern Tomb Raider maybe (and certainly if you played and enjoyed the first two A Plague Tale games) should put this on your must-play list. It tells a great…
What a great game. Fans of action-adventures like Uncharted and modern Tomb Raider maybe (and certainly if you played and enjoyed the first two A Plague Tale games) should put this on your must-play list. It tells a great…
September 5, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Mini-Review: Resonance - A Plague Tale Legacy (PS5 Pro)
What a great game. Fans of action-adventures like Uncharted and modern Tomb Raider maybe (and certainly if you played and enjoyed the first two A Plague Tale games) should put this on your must-play list. It tells a great…
What a great game. Fans of action-adventures like Uncharted and modern Tomb Raider maybe (and certainly if you played and enjoyed the first two A Plague Tale games) should put this on your must-play list. It tells a great…
This never happens, but The Blood of Dawnwalker arrived a day early *and* it's a steelbook edition (which the listing does say, but I didn't realize until checking it again now - nice). I'd start it tonight if I wasn't already playing the new Plague Tale (and will start the new Onimusha after it).
September 2, 2026 at 9:39 PM
This never happens, but The Blood of Dawnwalker arrived a day early *and* it's a steelbook edition (which the listing does say, but I didn't realize until checking it again now - nice). I'd start it tonight if I wasn't already playing the new Plague Tale (and will start the new Onimusha after it).
Mini-Review: Bionic Commando 2009 (Xbox 360)
I have a soft spot for games most people consider bad, but this one really tried my patience. There are good (or at least interesting) ideas in the art and level design and bosses, but the execution is so wonky and cumbersome that it…
I have a soft spot for games most people consider bad, but this one really tried my patience. There are good (or at least interesting) ideas in the art and level design and bosses, but the execution is so wonky and cumbersome that it…
August 29, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Mini-Review: Bionic Commando 2009 (Xbox 360)
I have a soft spot for games most people consider bad, but this one really tried my patience. There are good (or at least interesting) ideas in the art and level design and bosses, but the execution is so wonky and cumbersome that it…
I have a soft spot for games most people consider bad, but this one really tried my patience. There are good (or at least interesting) ideas in the art and level design and bosses, but the execution is so wonky and cumbersome that it…
This aged about as well as milk, excuse the cliche.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/take-tw...
But of course they're calling the GTA 6 "code in a box" a physical release, as if the decision itself isn't insulting enough. Word-play trickery. #NoDiscNoBuy #PSBlackout
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/take-tw...
But of course they're calling the GTA 6 "code in a box" a physical release, as if the decision itself isn't insulting enough. Word-play trickery. #NoDiscNoBuy #PSBlackout
August 24, 2026 at 4:50 PM
This aged about as well as milk, excuse the cliche.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/take-tw...
But of course they're calling the GTA 6 "code in a box" a physical release, as if the decision itself isn't insulting enough. Word-play trickery. #NoDiscNoBuy #PSBlackout
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/take-tw...
But of course they're calling the GTA 6 "code in a box" a physical release, as if the decision itself isn't insulting enough. Word-play trickery. #NoDiscNoBuy #PSBlackout
VGGN issue #45 is out now, just as the #PSBlackout begins. My thoughts on that (and why I'm not sure I'll be taking part) and games I'm embarrassed to say I haven't played (with community responses).
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-04...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
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August 24, 2026 at 4:42 AM
VGGN issue #45 is out now, just as the #PSBlackout begins. My thoughts on that (and why I'm not sure I'll be taking part) and games I'm embarrassed to say I haven't played (with community responses).
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-04...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
Get Notified: vggn.eo.page/sub
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-04...
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Mini-Review: Onimusha - Dawn of Dreams (PS2)
While I was playing, Capcom released this as a PS2 classic (digital only, but it's only $10) on PS4 and PS5 for anybody interested in checking out the last mainline Onimusha before next month's Way of the Sword releases. As to the…
While I was playing, Capcom released this as a PS2 classic (digital only, but it's only $10) on PS4 and PS5 for anybody interested in checking out the last mainline Onimusha before next month's Way of the Sword releases. As to the…
August 23, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Mini-Review: Onimusha - Dawn of Dreams (PS2)
While I was playing, Capcom released this as a PS2 classic (digital only, but it's only $10) on PS4 and PS5 for anybody interested in checking out the last mainline Onimusha before next month's Way of the Sword releases. As to the…
While I was playing, Capcom released this as a PS2 classic (digital only, but it's only $10) on PS4 and PS5 for anybody interested in checking out the last mainline Onimusha before next month's Way of the Sword releases. As to the…
Mini-Review: Beast of Reincarnation (PS5 Pro)
I feel like I have a good grasp on what happened in the story, but if I was asked to explain it, I probably couldn't. Don't worry, though; no spoilers here. Opinions have been mixed, with some (like me) loving it the whole way…
I feel like I have a good grasp on what happened in the story, but if I was asked to explain it, I probably couldn't. Don't worry, though; no spoilers here. Opinions have been mixed, with some (like me) loving it the whole way…
August 14, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Mini-Review: Beast of Reincarnation (PS5 Pro)
I feel like I have a good grasp on what happened in the story, but if I was asked to explain it, I probably couldn't. Don't worry, though; no spoilers here. Opinions have been mixed, with some (like me) loving it the whole way…
I feel like I have a good grasp on what happened in the story, but if I was asked to explain it, I probably couldn't. Don't worry, though; no spoilers here. Opinions have been mixed, with some (like me) loving it the whole way…
Well, I had planned to play Genma Onimusha (original Xbox - an expanded version of the first game) for my Onimusha series play-through before moving forward with Dawn of Dreams, but I was spoiled on those remasters. Just not in the mood for D-pad tank controls, so I'll skip it.
August 14, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Well, I had planned to play Genma Onimusha (original Xbox - an expanded version of the first game) for my Onimusha series play-through before moving forward with Dawn of Dreams, but I was spoiled on those remasters. Just not in the mood for D-pad tank controls, so I'll skip it.
Mini-Review: Onimusha 3 - Demon Siege (PS2)
Capcom hasn't remastered the third game in the main trilogy yet, but the PS2 version holds up great. French actor Jean Reno joins the cast of heroes this time, but only with a few spoken lines in French at the beginning and the end…
Capcom hasn't remastered the third game in the main trilogy yet, but the PS2 version holds up great. French actor Jean Reno joins the cast of heroes this time, but only with a few spoken lines in French at the beginning and the end…
August 7, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Mini-Review: Onimusha 3 - Demon Siege (PS2)
Capcom hasn't remastered the third game in the main trilogy yet, but the PS2 version holds up great. French actor Jean Reno joins the cast of heroes this time, but only with a few spoken lines in French at the beginning and the end…
Capcom hasn't remastered the third game in the main trilogy yet, but the PS2 version holds up great. French actor Jean Reno joins the cast of heroes this time, but only with a few spoken lines in French at the beginning and the end…
Mini-Review - Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny (PS4 on PS5 Pro)
Different heroes, including the main protagonist Jubei (instead of Samanosuke), but the same third-person action with fixed camera angles. Whether a product of this remaster or improvements to the original I'm not…
Different heroes, including the main protagonist Jubei (instead of Samanosuke), but the same third-person action with fixed camera angles. Whether a product of this remaster or improvements to the original I'm not…
August 2, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Mini-Review - Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny (PS4 on PS5 Pro)
Different heroes, including the main protagonist Jubei (instead of Samanosuke), but the same third-person action with fixed camera angles. Whether a product of this remaster or improvements to the original I'm not…
Different heroes, including the main protagonist Jubei (instead of Samanosuke), but the same third-person action with fixed camera angles. Whether a product of this remaster or improvements to the original I'm not…
Is BlueSky a dead site, or am I doing it wrong? I'm probably doing it wrong. Anyway, see below. Is there a game or series it seems everybody else played, and you think you'd enjoy, but just never got around to? For some, it's games like Zelda, Pokemon, Mass Effect, Fallout... but could be anything.
What's a game (or two, or three) you're embarrassed to admit you've never played? A game you think you'd enjoy, and other people love or even say is essential, but you just never got around to it, didn't own the console it was on, etc.? Some answers (if any) will appear in VGGN with a credit/link.
July 31, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Is BlueSky a dead site, or am I doing it wrong? I'm probably doing it wrong. Anyway, see below. Is there a game or series it seems everybody else played, and you think you'd enjoy, but just never got around to? For some, it's games like Zelda, Pokemon, Mass Effect, Fallout... but could be anything.
Mini-Review - Onimusha: Warlords (PS4 on PS5 Pro)
My backlog is full of games and franchises that I just never got around to, like Onimusha. I begin my 4-game series run (a 5th coming soon) with the first game's remaster, now with 3D controls (or tank controls as an option, for…
My backlog is full of games and franchises that I just never got around to, like Onimusha. I begin my 4-game series run (a 5th coming soon) with the first game's remaster, now with 3D controls (or tank controls as an option, for…
July 29, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Mini-Review - Onimusha: Warlords (PS4 on PS5 Pro)
My backlog is full of games and franchises that I just never got around to, like Onimusha. I begin my 4-game series run (a 5th coming soon) with the first game's remaster, now with 3D controls (or tank controls as an option, for…
My backlog is full of games and franchises that I just never got around to, like Onimusha. I begin my 4-game series run (a 5th coming soon) with the first game's remaster, now with 3D controls (or tank controls as an option, for…
Non-Review: 007 Racing (PS1 on PS3)
After my 007 game marathon, I kept regretting that I didn't at least *try* 007 Racing, a game I didn't think I'd like, but without which the series run just lacked closure. So I tried it. I actually thought I *might* enjoy it after the first…
After my 007 game marathon, I kept regretting that I didn't at least *try* 007 Racing, a game I didn't think I'd like, but without which the series run just lacked closure. So I tried it. I actually thought I *might* enjoy it after the first…
July 27, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Non-Review: 007 Racing (PS1 on PS3)
After my 007 game marathon, I kept regretting that I didn't at least *try* 007 Racing, a game I didn't think I'd like, but without which the series run just lacked closure. So I tried it. I actually thought I *might* enjoy it after the first…
After my 007 game marathon, I kept regretting that I didn't at least *try* 007 Racing, a game I didn't think I'd like, but without which the series run just lacked closure. So I tried it. I actually thought I *might* enjoy it after the first…
Mini-Review: Aphelion (PS5 Pro)
I'll start by saying I didn't *dislike* Aphelion. In fact, it's a type of narrative exploration game I love. It's a sci-fi mystery that unfolds through an adventure on an alien planet, and it had me engaged and guessing what would happen (I was…
I'll start by saying I didn't *dislike* Aphelion. In fact, it's a type of narrative exploration game I love. It's a sci-fi mystery that unfolds through an adventure on an alien planet, and it had me engaged and guessing what would happen (I was…
July 26, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Mini-Review: Aphelion (PS5 Pro)
I'll start by saying I didn't *dislike* Aphelion. In fact, it's a type of narrative exploration game I love. It's a sci-fi mystery that unfolds through an adventure on an alien planet, and it had me engaged and guessing what would happen (I was…
I'll start by saying I didn't *dislike* Aphelion. In fact, it's a type of narrative exploration game I love. It's a sci-fi mystery that unfolds through an adventure on an alien planet, and it had me engaged and guessing what would happen (I was…
What's a game (or two, or three) you're embarrassed to admit you've never played? A game you think you'd enjoy, and other people love or even say is essential, but you just never got around to it, didn't own the console it was on, etc.? Some answers (if any) will appear in VGGN with a credit/link.
July 24, 2026 at 9:08 PM
What's a game (or two, or three) you're embarrassed to admit you've never played? A game you think you'd enjoy, and other people love or even say is essential, but you just never got around to it, didn't own the console it was on, etc.? Some answers (if any) will appear in VGGN with a credit/link.
Mini-Review: A Hat in Time (PS4 on PS5 Pro)
My son (18) loved this game when he played it recently, and wouldn't let up until I fit a playthrough into my schedule, so here we are. It's a 3D platformer (think Yooka-Laylee, Mario Odyssey, Astro Bot, Psychonauts) with stuff to…
My son (18) loved this game when he played it recently, and wouldn't let up until I fit a playthrough into my schedule, so here we are. It's a 3D platformer (think Yooka-Laylee, Mario Odyssey, Astro Bot, Psychonauts) with stuff to…
July 24, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Mini-Review: A Hat in Time (PS4 on PS5 Pro)
My son (18) loved this game when he played it recently, and wouldn't let up until I fit a playthrough into my schedule, so here we are. It's a 3D platformer (think Yooka-Laylee, Mario Odyssey, Astro Bot, Psychonauts) with stuff to…
My son (18) loved this game when he played it recently, and wouldn't let up until I fit a playthrough into my schedule, so here we are. It's a 3D platformer (think Yooka-Laylee, Mario Odyssey, Astro Bot, Psychonauts) with stuff to…
Mini-Review: Return to Monkey Island (PS5 Pro)
At last, I've played through what's probably the conclusion to the Monkey Island point-and-click adventure game saga. I've jumped around through this series, having played the 4th game on PS2 years ago, then remasters of the first…
At last, I've played through what's probably the conclusion to the Monkey Island point-and-click adventure game saga. I've jumped around through this series, having played the 4th game on PS2 years ago, then remasters of the first…
July 19, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Mini-Review: Return to Monkey Island (PS5 Pro)
At last, I've played through what's probably the conclusion to the Monkey Island point-and-click adventure game saga. I've jumped around through this series, having played the 4th game on PS2 years ago, then remasters of the first…
At last, I've played through what's probably the conclusion to the Monkey Island point-and-click adventure game saga. I've jumped around through this series, having played the 4th game on PS2 years ago, then remasters of the first…
VGGN Issue #44 collects all 22 of my James Bond 007 game mini-reviews. Also, a depressing Recent Events in light of horrible GTA6 and PlayStation disc news, and XBOX layoffs.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-04...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
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July 18, 2026 at 4:04 PM
VGGN Issue #44 collects all 22 of my James Bond 007 game mini-reviews. Also, a depressing Recent Events in light of horrible GTA6 and PlayStation disc news, and XBOX layoffs.
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-04...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
Get Notified: vggn.eo.page/sub
Read it: vggpodcast.com/news/vggn-04...
Archive: vggpodcast.com/news
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Mini-Review: 007 - First Light (PS5 Pro)
My 007 marathon ends with the recently-crowned king of Bond games, First Light. It's every bit as good as I'd heard. My biggest worry was that it would just be a re-skinned Hitman (both made by IO Interactive). I loved their Hitman WoA…
My 007 marathon ends with the recently-crowned king of Bond games, First Light. It's every bit as good as I'd heard. My biggest worry was that it would just be a re-skinned Hitman (both made by IO Interactive). I loved their Hitman WoA…
July 15, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Mini-Review: 007 - First Light (PS5 Pro)
My 007 marathon ends with the recently-crowned king of Bond games, First Light. It's every bit as good as I'd heard. My biggest worry was that it would just be a re-skinned Hitman (both made by IO Interactive). I loved their Hitman WoA…
My 007 marathon ends with the recently-crowned king of Bond games, First Light. It's every bit as good as I'd heard. My biggest worry was that it would just be a re-skinned Hitman (both made by IO Interactive). I loved their Hitman WoA…
Mini-Review: 007 - NightFire (GBA on Retron5)
First, the good. It's a technical marvel that this game is as substantial as it is and runs as well as it does as a first-person shooter for the GameBoy Advance. On a tiny screen, it looks pretty good; kudos to the devs for a true…
First, the good. It's a technical marvel that this game is as substantial as it is and runs as well as it does as a first-person shooter for the GameBoy Advance. On a tiny screen, it looks pretty good; kudos to the devs for a true…
July 11, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Mini-Review: 007 - NightFire (GBA on Retron5)
First, the good. It's a technical marvel that this game is as substantial as it is and runs as well as it does as a first-person shooter for the GameBoy Advance. On a tiny screen, it looks pretty good; kudos to the devs for a true…
First, the good. It's a technical marvel that this game is as substantial as it is and runs as well as it does as a first-person shooter for the GameBoy Advance. On a tiny screen, it looks pretty good; kudos to the devs for a true…