Every time I read a post these days, there seems to be maybe a 30% chance my name appears too. What did I actually do to seem worthwhile? 😂
I liked your review of your year, able to differentiate it from everyone else. Everything I've learned about Paradox games comes from you, and I believe you're meant to conquer the whole map? That means you have some big gaps in your coverage and audience, so I hope your world domination continues onward
You are engaged reader: the best kind! The vast majority of people, at least for me, will read a post and then leave without a comment or a like but you're a consistent staple down in the comments and I've never seen you comment on an article without having fully read through it and comprehended the whole thing.
Thanks Peter, so do I :) What do you do in paradox games? Haha, a harder question to answer than you might think
It was a great post in your own style, I think it might have gotten more likes than mine even, I think you put enough spin on it to call it your own work, I enjoyed it
This is very sweet, I love that you took the time to write your good wishes by hand. The Turkish one is pretty accurate I must say haha. To an even better 2026!
I'm 100% up for it, I know we're both big RE fans so I'm sure we could work on something around the time Requiem comes out, would love to contribute to one of your big contributor posts again too, I don't think I've done that since the Spring.
I'll agree with your Tekken 8 take in so far as the *launch* of Season 2 was an embarrassing disaster. I actually think, though, that as it winds down, we're back to a net neutral on the year at the very least. Things have been steadily improving since Fahk launched. Armor King appears to have been a real vibe shift and my universal experience with Miary is that she's super fun. A few characters need attention (Lidia and probably Asuka) but this is true of any fighting game.
I think with T8, its flaws are kind of built into the architecture. It'll never have the longevity or universal acclaim of T7. But they did an admirable job pulling the fat out of the fire before the player base abandoned the game. It was a real modern gaming situation where they could just build the plane in mid-air via patches, for good or for ill. I want that new Virtua Fighter ASAP, this franchise needs competition to keep it honest. But Namco has kept it out of the real genuine disaster zone imo.
As far as Harada goes, best of luck to him. I know he still wears the Captain's hat but I've been suspicious that he's not driving this boat for awhile now.
I'll most likely return to it once Season 3 launches. Having to write for the Substack and my general hatred of labbing/endlessly repeating combos means I sincerely doubt I'll ever get to competitive level but I still love playing Tekken.
This is exactly what I was going to reply with before I read the rest of your comment. I don't hate T8 but I'm under no illusion that I'm going to love it wholeheartedly one day and think it's perfect, I hate the modern fighting game meters and rage arts and all that crap, it dilutes Tekken's core. Again, couldn't agree more, will be buying VF and hope it's good enough to disrupt.
He's had a long and thankless job, it's a shame to see him go on such a sour note.
Every time I read a post these days, there seems to be maybe a 30% chance my name appears too. What did I actually do to seem worthwhile? 😂
I liked your review of your year, able to differentiate it from everyone else. Everything I've learned about Paradox games comes from you, and I believe you're meant to conquer the whole map? That means you have some big gaps in your coverage and audience, so I hope your world domination continues onward
You are engaged reader: the best kind! The vast majority of people, at least for me, will read a post and then leave without a comment or a like but you're a consistent staple down in the comments and I've never seen you comment on an article without having fully read through it and comprehended the whole thing.
Thanks Peter, so do I :) What do you do in paradox games? Haha, a harder question to answer than you might think
It's only the polite thing to do, shows how much I like what I read!
"I don't want any comments giving me cruel labels" *puts Oblivion Remastered in GOTY list*
I'd steal this format for a post of my own again but I don't want it to be my only other successful post like the last time I did that.
Happy whatever it is you UKers get up to around the real holidays, unboxing day and mushy peas eve or whatever.
I was asking for it really, wasn't I?
It was a great post in your own style, I think it might have gotten more likes than mine even, I think you put enough spin on it to call it your own work, I enjoyed it
Mushy Peas Eve, Degloving Day and Bloatmas
*points at my very tiny country in the highlights map* That me
Thank you for so many great articles and reviews this year. Enjoy your well deserved holiday break!
This is very sweet, I love that you took the time to write your good wishes by hand. The Turkish one is pretty accurate I must say haha. To an even better 2026!
Mutlu yıllar!
I'm sorry to say I had to machine translate it, I don't know any Turkish haha. To an even better 2026 and lots of baklava for you XD
Enjoy your break man. And thank you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you from Nigeria. Can't wait to see what next year brings.
Don't mention it, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you too from the UK. Lots of plans moving forward
Oh Thank you, Scan!
Two posts a week for nearly every week? You must be cooked!!
Have a great, well deserved break and catch you in the NY.
Definitely been running on fumes for a bit, especially after the Resident Evil series in October.
You too Harrison, catch you next year, hope we can collaborate in future too!
Mate I’d love that! I’ll do my quarterly Greatest in gaming contributor posts, but we should cook up another collab.
I'm 100% up for it, I know we're both big RE fans so I'm sure we could work on something around the time Requiem comes out, would love to contribute to one of your big contributor posts again too, I don't think I've done that since the Spring.
I'll agree with your Tekken 8 take in so far as the *launch* of Season 2 was an embarrassing disaster. I actually think, though, that as it winds down, we're back to a net neutral on the year at the very least. Things have been steadily improving since Fahk launched. Armor King appears to have been a real vibe shift and my universal experience with Miary is that she's super fun. A few characters need attention (Lidia and probably Asuka) but this is true of any fighting game.
I think with T8, its flaws are kind of built into the architecture. It'll never have the longevity or universal acclaim of T7. But they did an admirable job pulling the fat out of the fire before the player base abandoned the game. It was a real modern gaming situation where they could just build the plane in mid-air via patches, for good or for ill. I want that new Virtua Fighter ASAP, this franchise needs competition to keep it honest. But Namco has kept it out of the real genuine disaster zone imo.
As far as Harada goes, best of luck to him. I know he still wears the Captain's hat but I've been suspicious that he's not driving this boat for awhile now.
I'll most likely return to it once Season 3 launches. Having to write for the Substack and my general hatred of labbing/endlessly repeating combos means I sincerely doubt I'll ever get to competitive level but I still love playing Tekken.
This is exactly what I was going to reply with before I read the rest of your comment. I don't hate T8 but I'm under no illusion that I'm going to love it wholeheartedly one day and think it's perfect, I hate the modern fighting game meters and rage arts and all that crap, it dilutes Tekken's core. Again, couldn't agree more, will be buying VF and hope it's good enough to disrupt.
He's had a long and thankless job, it's a shame to see him go on such a sour note.
Dziękuję :)
Very cute with those hand written wishes.
Let's have a great 2026.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Ah, moj polski no dobre haha, I went in 2015 though, lovely place
Happy you enjoyed the note, I thought it was a little more sincere than just words on a screen. Same to you!
Enjoyed this different take on a round up for the year!
Have a lovely holiday and take care of yourself! Looking forward to more of your writing in 2025.
Same to you! All the best and always enjoy reading your reviews :)
Season's greetings to you too, have a great rest of December :)