More thoughts on Elbaph Arc in One Piece

Hello everyone I'm XboxClown89, earlier this year I revealed my thoughts on the current arc in One Piece manga. It really shouldn't be a surprise we're still in that arc right now. For an story arc I originally think was going to be this critical to the story. So many huge questions I had answered. I will try to limit on not revealing any major while discussing newer thoughts I had on this arc.

For a good while a rather long flashback. Which still isn't done I'm up to Chapter 1168 to clarify. I could never imagine such massive bombs were going to dropped!!! Let's put it this way my mind was really blown with Egghead Arc. Majority of this flashback we're currently in easily outdone that!!! You could even say after a lot of consideration.

The present events making perfect sense. This is lining every major thing together perfectly!!! Some of the biggest questions are finally getting answered. I never seen an manga author do this amazing of a job writing in my entire life!!! Some of which even further confirmed my own predictions actually going to happen.

The flashback itself reveals a legendary pirate crew before it's unexpected end. Which led to an handful of it's members becoming legendary pirates later most of the Four Emperors of the Sea. There's a couple characters I wasn't expecting to show up. A particular character's actions lining up years later with all this!!!

Of course, Elbaf is a major focus in all this madness. I gotta be honest I absolutely loved their old king. Now I see an redemption story for one of his sons. I been noticing a lot of stuff that happens. Even indirectly will happen later within the story. Such as the famous saying, "History repeats itself." Some of the future stuff will line up with some of the past events.

I think the entire point of that flashback is in some way everything repeats. The insane amount of surprises I still felt isn't done yet. I would even say this has to be one of the greatest story arcs the author ever written!!! I am quite serious a large amount of it is in the present within Elbaf. This long flashback lines up it's history with some critical events along the way.

Basically what's currently going in Elbaf already happened a few times before. The fate of the country currently not certain. There's so much on the line right now. Luffy expecting a particular person from Wano to join his crew in the near future. Which lines up with Oden being on two legendary pirate crews. Considering he was that person's idol.

What I'm about to say only covered in the manga. But they might animate parts of it in the show soon. This person already getting followers that used to be enemies. Which also mirrored their idol with some of his closest allies. There's a huge chance Luffy despite not being the one to form his Grand Fleet. Possibly could get more forces within that to terrify the World Government.

Now the fated showdown of Luffy vs Blackbeard even lines up with this flashback in a few surprising ways. I can't wait for this war to start myself. We already know one of the most essential wars currently going on. This flashback really speaking volumes to it's greatness!!! Don't worry Shanks is essential to this as well.

To avoid spoilers I won't reveal anything major about his involvements in things. Just confirming yes he's in the long flashback a few ways. None of it is cameos either. I'm becoming more convinced Luffy vs Blackbeard very likely going to be the next arc. Even Boa Hancock's country involved in a rather unexpected way.

There's a few major changes I noticed with this flashback. We finally gotten a great look at things before Roger's final words right before he's executed triggered the Great Pirate Era. We also get to see a country that's completely went 360 with it's ways to a point. I also will confirm the big expected thing with Dragon aka Luffy's father happened.

I just won't reveal exactly but it wasn't what I expected. This also revealed more of Luffy's grandfather Garp's past as well. I'm just surprised after this one incident he stayed as a vice admiral within the marines. The old king had a similar dream to Oden funny enough. Both wanted their countries to join the alliance with the World Government.

Unfortunately tragedies caused both of those to not happen. Although it still left the door for their successors to eventually complete their dreams. Now this is exactly how in depth with the writing Oda widely known for. We already figured Luffy is in the foot stops of the late Pirate King. Some of the more recent stuff with Luffy mirrors Roger in several ways.

This arc is going to be a lot longer than anyone ever expected. Especially bridging all of that to the present. Directly tie things together with the next arc afterwards to come full circle. You also gotta keep in mind he does use a lot of characters. It's safe to say there's a few thousands getting closer to millions in the near future.

I honestly can't think of any other Shonen manga series with this many characters!!! I can't wait to eventually go back to what's going in the present soon. What I do know for certain is the next chapter about to further blow our minds!!! It's really impressive how much this author thinks of everything. Even the little things suddenly become rather important later on within the story.

One Piece really packs in the details unlike any other authors of his field. This arc is more or less the climax portion of the Final Saga. Of course, there's still plenty more story telling. From this point on regardless what's going to happen. The following arc going to be one of the hardest final arcs to top within Shonen manga history.

Especially if Oda maintains control over his franchise. Some of the authors ended up getting rushed to finish up their series. Even with the company attempting to make newer series not last as long. I still felt Oda going to make sure even if something happens to him. His master piece going to end exactly how he planned it.

I will give the author of Yu Yu Hakusho & Hunter X Hunter respect. He already thought ahead just in case he passed away. Before finishing Hunter X Hunter despite serious back pains. Last I checked he had a huge stack of chapters about to get added to that story. Now that's two authors of the genre I highly respect!!!

Oda also working with teams on other One Piece shows. I don't know how involve he is with One Piece: Heroines show. I do know he's heavily involved with the live action show. I'm dying to watch Season 2 of that!!! I believe he's also working with the team making The One Piece show. It's meant to be a faster pace anime show based on the famous manga series.

I mentioned all of this because we know Oda truly cares for his works as well as his fans. As long as he's still in control. I do think One Piece manga has a very bright future ahead. I also think the moment that final chapter drops. Every One Piece fan in the entire world will drop everything to read it. I strongly believe that chapter going to be well worth the long wait to read.

As for the current arc in the story. There's plenty of interesting surprises I didn't even see coming. So far the most critical long flashback the author ever written to date. Now I am thinking a rough estimation of three maybe four years. For this arc to end the way the author intended. I am not even sure if it'll be like Egghead Arc or end up like majority of them.

The later being the Strawhats saved another country from a tyrant. He previously saved a few kingdoms in this journey. Majority of royalty in those kingdoms were actual decent people. Not all nobles are bad in One Piece. Personally it would be nice if eventually the one person designated to rule an country. But majority of it's civilians heavily against.

Eventually comes together for a brighter future for the country. Thus mirroring his father's change from his old ways. This long flashback set so many things into motion it's ridiculous!!! The absolute best part is the pacing perfect in the manga version. I should point out the original anime show about to take a few months break.

I believe they're still animating Egghead Arc last I checked. Which means more time being spending on episodes based on Elbaph Arc. We just don't know if any filler episodes on the way. We do know a new One Piece movie been confirmed. Which will be the sixteen One Piece movie. Honestly I'm rather curious to see how this current arc going to end?

My thoughts on Full Moon's new movie poll

Hello everyone I'm XboxClown89, before I get to today's topic. Recently been notably more busier than I expected. On top of that I might have to delay my upcoming Games of 2025. Which could end up coming out early next year depending on things. Now I got that off my shoulders here's a surprise I didn't expect from Full Moon Features.

A few days, Charles Band himself started a new movie poll. Ideally there's fourteen movie concepts. But only ten of them getting made next year. He also stated you don't have to pick ten to take part in this poll. I always wanted to get involve with this movie company for a long time. For those not familiar with their movies.

They are low budget horror or porn movies. I mostly watch a lot of their horror movies over the years. These films aren't for everyone either. Essentially movies the bigger movie companies refuses to make. They have a notable track record with such weird movies. I am prepared to go over my ten picks for that poll.

At one point, they were partnered with Paramount. Some of the finest movies came out in that era. They became notably smaller budget movies after that ended. Even right now a lot of their fans are supporting to keep em in business making more movies. Which is similar to Troma another famous indie movie company that doesn't appeal to everyone.

1. The Grim Rapper

2. Models Vs Werewolves

3. Svengali 2026

4. Subhuman

5. Sirens of Seduction

6. The Cyber Bride

7. Lost Girl's Private Diary

8. The Haunting of Eleanor

9. Dungeon Dolls

10. Robotica

11. Buried Secrets

12. Catacombs of Horror

13. Terror Express

14. The Haunted Heads of Doctor Decapto

Hopefully by the end of this you have a good idea what to expect from their films. I do wanna say Buried Secrets was very close getting picked. I do think it had a great picture with it's description. To me kept coming off like Leprechaun series. In particular, a group of people find treasures. Suddenly they're being stalked by an supernatural being.

Svengali 2026 was obvious going to be a porn film. The picture of that was alright with it's description not selling me on wanting to see the movie. I don't wanna say it sucks not in that sense lol. It just didn't peak my interest even by a little bit. The Cyber Bride was kinda meh at best. Going by it's description, an woman created a ridiculous robot she ends up loving in fall with.

The same robot ends up doing the same with her. Personally the other robot concept was more interesting than this. I don't wanna throw salt it just wasn't my thing. The Haunting of Eleanor is a weird love triangle involving an alive woman and two ghosts that's a couple. This one could be either horror or porn considering that concept.

It sorta had the same reaction I had with The Cyber Bride. I don't think there's going to be much to work with. Especially with a lot of the movies I picked. I'm respectfully revealing how I felt about the movies I didn't pick. Before I start revealing my thoughts on my ten choices. I should point out Band been using AI to help make movies faster.

It's very likely AI going to get a lot of these movies done. Although, he previously tried an ten movie concept that didn't fully happen before. I'm actually curious if these ten movies going to happen next year or not. In all honestly, I always respected what he's done over the years. Same with Lloyd Kaufman from Troma.

1. The Grim Rapper

This movie was previously in the ten movie planned I briefly mentioned. As soon as I fully saw the picture for the movie sign me up!!! The concept was the most unexpected among all of them I felt. A greedy record executive uses an AI to revive a murdered Hip Hop legend. This dead guy has a cursed boom box.

Also going by it's description, the characters gets trapped inside the music studio. Suddenly the dead going after the living. Honestly, I do welcome such out there concepts for a horror movie. You see a lot of similar horror movies. You just want something different this could be it!!! The Grim Rapper absolutely sounds like something only Full Moon would make at it's core.

2. Models Vs Werewolves

I will be honest I originally wasn't going to pick this concept of a movie. It involves five ladies that goes out to have fun on a rare full moon night. But there's werewolves close by. To me it's sorta like Zombies Vs Strippers. I guess we could assume if this gets picked. This would be a spiritual successor to that. It's an concept only Full Moon would attempt.

What's next Soccer Moms vs Vampires? I'm just curious enough to vote for it. My actual hype isn't going to be high. Especially with some of the movies I'll be talking about. I'm not used to see werewolves in their movies either. I actually expect this be a rather trashy movie. Only the right people could enjoy it thing.

3. Subhuman

I actually liked this picture a lot. This guy named Kyle enters the mind of a woman whose not an human. He ends up becoming a prisoner in his own apartment. His only hope is one of his neighbors, Heather to come save him. This reminded me of Silent Hill 4: The Room with some similarities. The description doesn't even give us clues what this evil woman actually is either.

I do liked the title since it's surprisingly fitting for the concept. I would say this is mid among all my choices. At the same time, this could even up being better than I expected. What I do know is they could do a lot with that concept. I just wished it would've happened before Band started using AI. To be fair though Subhuman could stand out from some of his similar films.

Indirectly Full Moon also has Subspecies series. Band also involved with Dreamaniac possibly making this it's spiritual successor. This goes to show don't attempt reading a different being's mind. Bad things are doomed to happened. I do think this fits Full Moon's history of movies well. Not sure how well the final film going to turn out though.

4. Sirens of Seduction

The picture alone sold me on the concept. We have this guy whose obviously an vampire similar to Count Orlok from Nosferatu. The movie is about a man that uses severed heads. He has a collection of female heads. Suddenly this is like Shrunken Heads in a few ways. These heads were carved from alabaster, ruby and crystal and draped in silk.

Both involves an man commanding shrunken heads. I expect this to be a darker, twisted take on that. Professor Grantham forces these heads to do horrible things. I wouldn't be surprised somehow they turned on him. I actually hope we get to see the process of making these heads. You can tell I actually wanna see this movie if it happens.

5. Lost Girl's Private Diary

I know the title doesn't sound like much. Everything else quickly sold me on the concept. The picture works wonders I loved it!!! The story about a struggling writer that finds an old diary. Which so happened to be written in blood. She attempts to steals stories from that book. Ends up completing an ancient ritual.

The world now has to deal with skeletal demons. Right off the bat it's remind me of Evil Dead series. You know when anyone reads a particular section from the Necronomicon. The deadnites starts talking the life it's virtually the same here. What really sold me on this was skeletal demons. I love anything skulls as well as skeletons it's right up my alley!!!

6. Dungeon Dolls

Three women are trapped inside a basement dungeon. They so happened to be dressed up like life-sized dolls. The gamekeeper whose wearing a mask confirmed in the description. They have to go through a series of tasks. I think you can see which direction we're going in. This is essentially Saw was more of a sex movie.

To me, this all sounded interesting. I liked the picture for the concept to a degree. I do wanna see how truly mess up things could get. Ultimately they are trying to escape to survive. The fact they're forced to dress up like dolls is pretty mess up stuff. The title is perfect for the concept. I'm already going in with ideas what could happen is a good sign for this!!!

7. Robotica

This had one of the shortest descriptions across fourteen movie concepts for the poll. Yet this was one of the very few I wanted right on the spot. The story follows two security guards during a night shift. While patrolling an adult toy company a particular female sex doll prototype. Named Robotica malfunctions I liked where we're going with this.

Sure I did quickly think of M3gan. This is more like the first two Demonic Toys movies. Both those movies took place in the same toy warehouse. In a weird way this could be considered a spiritual successor to those movies. The picture itself was not what I expected at all. This could even be similar to Child's Play remake to a degree.

8. Catacombs of Horror

I will be honest I took a little extra time deciding to pick this movie. The description actually reveals a large amount of stuff. A young woman traveling to a village in Italy. She ends up feeling in love with a local guy. We still haven't gotten to parts of the description that gotten my attention. She falls into the catacombs that's under his family estate.

Hidden inside the catacombs is a creature. She ends up being marked as a sacrifice by her boyfriend. Who gets revealed to be the creature's devoted high priest. I know that's a lot to take in right? They actually could do a lot with this concept. Her boyfriend pretends to be on her side. When in truth, he wants to give her to the creature is pretty mess up!!!

9. Terror Express

The story is about a murder-mystery bachelorette party on a luxury train. When the bridesmaids open an antique puzzle box. This caused three seductive incubi.. It's hard to tell if this going to be an horror movie with some sex scenes or more of their weirder porn films honestly. The fact this already sounds like a weird Hellraiser style movie.

This is happening on an train no less. Just like that Black Sabbath song, rest in peace Ozzy Osbourne. The picture is among the weirdest I'm not kidding. We have five people freaking out over a severed arm. Honestly, regardless which type of movie it turns out to be. I still quite curious to see what actually happens.

10. The Haunted Heads of Doctor Decapto

I absolutely loved this picture representing the concept. We have a cloaked man holding three severed heads. He's also surrounded by more floating severed heads. We also see a red moon just behind a house with some creepy trees. The story involves a disgraced medical research that's been hired to assist a mysterious doctor.

He lives in a remote forgotten mansion in the wilderness. This doctor shows his new assistant his collection of human heads. Which are somehow alive, aware and surprisingly young. DeCapto discovered a method for immortality. However it only works on disembodied heads. The real reason his assistant there is to improve it's effectiveness or his head gets added to his head collection.

For me, this was among the most interesting of the concepts. Some could criticize it revealing a little too much. Then again just having half this description would've cost it a lot of votes. Honestly whoever wrote all of this thank you so much. I'm very interested in seeing this movie if it's among the ten selected movies to be made next year.

In a way, it's sorta like Puppet Master series. We know another method of immortality was used on the puppets. Going back to Decapto in a cloaked was like servants of Sutekh. Once again I gotta mention Shuriken Heads. Even Band himself confessed he had a thing for heads. I do think in the right hands AI or not this could be a rather interesting movie.

Conclusion

Assuming ten out of fourteen movies from this poll happens. I would be interested in seeing every single one I voted for out of the lineup confirmed. Hopefully they end up on Tubi I'll would like to watch them all. I'll even review all of them together in one long movie review blog. I'm just glad I can finally do something with Full Moon Features.

If I had to confirm which three movies I selected I wanna see the most? The Grim Rapper, Robotica and The Haunted Heads of Doctor Decapto respectively. The Grim Rapper was an idea previously going to happen. Everything about it screams Full Moon in a nut shell. Robotica despite how limited it's description was to the other movie concepts in the poll.

What was presented ended up being more than enough to sell me on the concept. The Haunted Heads of Doctor Decapto really gotten my attention. I felt this one has a huge potential to be something amazing. I would be very happy all three of those movies happens next year. I guess we have to wait for the results of that poll soon.

Megabonk (2025) review

Hello everyone I'm XboxClown89, I previously wishlist today's game. But a surprise nominee removal from The Game Awards lead to me buying the game in question. I actually was really close voting for the game for Best Debut Indie Game award. Which ultimately went to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I'm here to review Megabonk for my own personal amusement.

Megabonk (2025)

The most recurring description for the game is Vampire Survivors but in 3D. I am not going to lie it's tricky to rank it for an upcoming blog for that reason. At the same time, there's a few notable changes to differ it barely enough from that. I'll be very direct with a video from Megabonk's creator confirming he was heavily inspired by Vampire Survivors.

Yes it's essentially Vampire Survivors at it's core. But you actually can jump especially making tricky jumps to platforms. Considering it's in full 3D you really felt like you're in that world. You actually have to turn the mouse to see around you often. Which you don't need to do for Vampire Survivors or similar style games.

Obviously the maps are quite big that isn't infinite. Sometimes I felt a little too big but mostly decent. Majority of stuff you use in Vampire Survivors also presented in this. Let's put it this way if you do well at Vampire Survivors. Then you should do amazingly well at Megabonk. Don't expect nearly as much content as some of those games.

It's not what I call being light on content either. Achievement hunting wise it's a lot of fun. The audio as a whole truly amazing work. The controls is exactly where it needs to be. You constantly level up in the levels with randomized aspects. Which means every playthrough going to be different by default. They also done three tiers for two locations.

You start with Tier 1 Forest just one level. I am not going to lie there's some major problems. Like the difficulty can easily become unbalanced difficult at times. Even after you defeat the stage boss, the exit doesn't appear at the boss portal. I don't know how to get around that issue. It turns out a portals only appears for Tier 2 and Tier 3 respectively.

This means regardless which Tier once the final boss is defeated. You inevitably going to lose what an painful way to end the experience right? It almost comes off being trolled by the developer. You try so hard to finish the other level sets. The odds are really against you in so many ways. Honestly, this could turn a lot of people off from the game.

At times a lot of enemies will gang up on you. It doesn't get as bad as some similar games. I personally find it amusing for a lot of enemies. The default attack is simply moving into you I'm not kidding. The projectiles some of them fires can be a little confusing how to properly counter. Some bosses' health bars are quite massive.

Just like Vampire Survivors, you got a time limit. Which also has something similar when the timer runs out. In Vampire Survivors, it starts with one reaper. It is possible more than one reaper can come after you. In Megabonk's case, a lot of ghosts with horns constantly after you. As soon as they start becoming darker you're about to get very overwhelmed.

There's also challenges to help spice up the game. You can use silver coins to unlock stuff. I nearly have all the characters at the time writing this review. Just like some of those games, everyone specialize in what they do including their debut weapons. Megabonk is incredibly simply with a surprising level of depth.

This was made within a year I'm quite impressed. I considered Megabonk being a parody of the genre. One of my favorite characters is Monke. Whose an monkey that fires out bananas. Essentially this monkey constantly throwing bananas at enemies. The real reason Monke stands out is being able to walk or jump up higher areas with ease.

It almost felt like a cheat code how that works. It's incredibly fun to use especially when you ran out of time. Megabonk does cost a little more than the base game of Vampire Survivors. To be honest, you really can't go wrong playing both of them. You also get a radar as well as a huge map to figure out where to go.

Easily among the most fun games I played this year. I wish there was more actual locations in the game. If you wanna be technical you currently have six levels right now. Which isn't a lot of levels for a game of this style. If it didn't have the challenges, this wouldn't been worth it's price for me. The challenges gets very creative that also helps you unlocking some stuff faster.

Some of them actually might be the prefer variation of the game to play. I won't sugar coat you will lose a lot. Don't get upset though because you may unlock stuff as well as earn silver coins. There's plenty of unlockables to take hours to get. Megabonk is among the craziest games in the genre I played. I will confess it's not my favorite though.

My thoughts on Megabonk removal from The Game Awards 2025

I originally didn't plan on discussing this. However I really enjoyed the game a lot. I figured since I'm reviewing Megabonk. I should share my thoughts on this situation. The Game Awards didn't properly research the solo developer for the game. In fact, the person in question requested Megabonk removal from their awards show.

They respectfully agreed to do that. There's some mixed opinions on this. Some people including myself felt their honestly was worth noting on the matter. It actually gotten me more interested in playing Megabonk. Others felt they might know who made the game. Very quickly toxicity came out following that.

Regardless who actually made Megabonk thank you so much!!! My big issue actually led to a huge disappointment. Originally Best Debut Indie Games award had five nominees. Reduced to four following Megabonk's removal. They didn't state anything on why they didn't replace the game? Even it's creator threw out an indie game they wish would've taken it's place.

As far as I'm aware The Game Awards isn't replacing Megabonk. Which I personally found to be very disrespectful. Now I know this occurred early into the voting. At the same time, they had enough time to simply replace it. Indie video games is really doing wonders right now. Obviously there's no shortage of worthy replacements.

They could've put Best Debut Indie Game award on hold following this. Then after they found an replacement restart the voting for that particular award. Hell they also could've waited to do it along with Players' Voice award. In a way I felt bad for not just the creator of Megabonk. But also for many indie developers that could've gotten nominated for this award.

I already know The Indie Game Awards 2025 coming soon. The point I'm trying to make it they need a few new rules regarding this situation. Maybe when it eventually happens again. They could do the right thing this time or keep doing questionable stuff coughs nominees for Best Fighting Game award. I personally hope indie developers keep going strong!!!

My thoughts on The Game Awards 2025 nomination

Hello everyone I'm XboxClown89, I know I previously covered Golden Joystick Awards 2025 in a few entries. However there's some rather interesting nominees I gotta talk about. I may reveal some of my votes as well. I will say this it's better than last year's nominations in a few awards. Yes I watched the short announcement live stream.

Now I don't plan to cover every award they're doing. I will directly discuss a few of them in more details. An handful I'll only mention because of well interesting choices. The voting begin a few hours ago. This will take place on December 11th. Golden Joystick Awards 2025 is this Thursday. A day before my birthday funny enough.

Last year it literately was my birthday. This won't be full rant but as soon as I say a few games. You may know what's about to show up lol. I do have a major issue with lag that made voting for every single award felt like an eternity!!! Especially when voting for Golden Joytstick Awards was much faster in comparison.

A brief mention Expedition 33 alone had three voice actors nominated for Best Performance. Which makes up half the total nominations for that award. Best Mobile Game award nominated Sonic Rumble!!! I still haven't tried the Steam version. Very quickly I heard bad stuff about this Sonic game. The one award that stands out from the rest in a huge way.

Best Fighting Game easily the biggest wtf happened? 2XKO is an Early Access fighting game not on Steam. It's not even fully out yet supposedly coming out this year. This bags a lot of questions why nominate an fighting game not even released? This isn't the case of Best Early Access Game award from Golden Joystick Awards either.

Two of the nominees are fighting compilation games. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 and Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection respectively. Last year, Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics nominated for the same award. Which ultimately went to Tekken 8. I knew it would win yet I wanted to support the return of such an iconic crossover fighting game franchise.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is in the process of getting fixed up by Digital Eclipse. I'm even amazed the collection gotten nominated at all. It kinda felt like they didn't know enough fighting games. They figured to allow that in to make things easier for em. In truth, I bet the fighting community isn't happy about this.

My actual vote if you haven't already guessed by now is Capcom Fighting Collection 2. Sure I may not been as hyped as the previous entries. I still really wanna play this collection soon. Even Capcom Fighting Evolution, most of the lineup is very solid. More than enough fan service thrown in with no paid DLCs at all.

Innovation In Accessibility award nominated Assassin's Creed Shadows. Up to a point, I mostly kept hearing not great stuff about the game. At one point I was excited to possibly considered giving it a try. Then all of that quickly went out the window fast. It's mind blowing they nominated an Assassin's Creed game this hated for such an award.

For me, among the easiest votes I casted. Doom: The Dark Ages I instantly knew that's getting my vote. Best Adaptation left out Sonic 3 movie. I am not sure if I heard of Splinter Cell: Deathwatch before. Same with Until Dawn but I heard of their video game franchises. I ended up going with A Minecraft Movie.

I haven't even seen the newer Devil May Cry show yet. I'm sure parts of it I'm going to enjoy. Of course, The Last of Us show gets nominated again. I know this rant is more towards Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. The same show two years in a row won Best Series award there. Thankfully it won't get nominated next year for the same award.

I predicted Stranger Things going to win that following Best Series award. I'm not crazy about Minecraft it's alright. I do like Jack Black to a degree. It's such an out there concept for a movie. A game that allows you to creative stuff on the fly turned into a comedy movie. Honestly, it's such a bizarre concept that people ended up loving a lot.

Game of the Year award I felt is mostly better than last year's. I confessed majority of my votes went for Hades II. Which already gotten added to my long list of games. Most Anticipated Game is virtually Golden Joystick Awards' Most Wanted Game award in a nut shell. Just like there, my top choice hands down was Resident Evil Requiem.

An handful of awards I just didn't care for. I actually felt majority of them were well selected. It's just one of those things you wish a game or two could've gotten in. I don't know it's because Stuttering Craig's The Real Game Awards lit a fire for them to do better this year or not. What I do know is I'm mostly interested in Best Fighting Game award.

I'm predicting Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage getting the second most votes. Just a little above MK: Legacy Kollection. I kinda felt bad for 2XKO in this weird situation. By default going to get the fewest votes going by logic alone. Let's be honest, Power Stone series and Capcom vs. SNK series within Capcom Fighting Collection 2 too much for em.

Not only that, unlike the previous entries offers 2D and 3D fighting games. This by itself helps the collection stand out in a huge way. You really get your money's worth with this fighting compilation series. Simply packs enough punch to make the rest of em run away. Like Chuck Norris about to do the Roundhouse Kick you run!!!

In fact, I do believe Capcom Fighting Collection 2 possibly going to win that award. The collection offers an insane amount of content without paid DLCs. It's virtually fan service at it's finest especially if you love fighting games. I may be going out on a limb but that's my prediction. Game of the Year award I strongly felt going to be between three games.

Hades II, Hollow Knight: Silksong and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 respectively. Half of the nominations that's indie video games. A new record was broken following the announcement. I'm personally excited to see this happened. Beyond this point I have nothing else to say. The rest of the nominations I'm fine with.

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor (2025) review

Hello everyone I'm XboxClown89, today I'll be reviewing another game I originally played off of Game Pass. I really gotten into playing the hell out of this game!!! Prior to getting released on Xbox as Day 1 game for Game Pass. It used to be an Early Access game. I will be reviewing Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor.

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor (2025)

If you played games like Vampires Survivors, Brotato or Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood. Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor plays like those. However there's a major twist that helped it stand out from those. You play as dwarves breaking up rocks while fighting off alien insects. Not only that, it's actually done in fully 3D.

Majority of that style games is done in 2D that appears smaller. Basically this game looks absolutely massive even for any 1st map of a run you're doing. You get several objectives you could do. Like activating stations or kill off boss creatures in the final level of each set. Like most of those games you can randomly gain access to many weapons or abilities that could make or break runs.

Like Vampire Survivors, you also can get permanent upgrades. Although you can reset those upgrades for a different experience. You maintain every currencies in the process which is kinda awesome. Many types of rocks acts as currencies in this game. You also can get upgraded stuff your dwarves could use during the levels as well as upgrade em.

For example, you could have a low level item your dwarf wears. You could have what you need to upgrade it's level thus how helpful it'll actually be during the levels. I also liked there's outfits the dwarves can wear as well. The game is broken up into several sections. I got a few major tips to go over that's critical.

Expect to fail a lot while trying to complete the game. I even had times there's so many enemies on the screen. I couldn't even see a small path around any of them!!! It's actually quite overwhelming when it happens. In most levels, you get a few objectives you could do. Thankfully among completing those objectives they stay done.

This is also quite an achievement heavy game. Then again so was both Vampire Survivors and Brotato. Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is really replayable at it's core. I absolutely love everything audio wise as a whole. The actual art work was absolutely mind blowing!!! The levels are randomly generated from what I can tell.

Which means none of the levels will ever be truly alike. This by itself really adds to it's replay value. I'm even surprised this also in Xbox Anywhere program. Yes the difficulty will spike a lot especially in the later levels of a set. In fact, expect from start to finish to put in a lot of hours. It may not seem like a long game on the surface.

Trust me, for a longer length game it somehow maintains being fun as well as unique. I even voted for it in Golden Joystick Awards 2025 for Best Indie Game award. Not to be confused with it's Best Indie Game - Self Published award. Where I actually voted for Hades II. You get a great variety of upgrades during the levels.

Which does include speeding up breaking up the rocks as well as collecting em from a further distance. You can get a few weapons that all notably differs. It's even possible that they can't even get close to you. Unlike they are tanked enough or a boss creature. You would be very surprised how much actual depth this game has.

Elimination involves level sets with a huge drilling machine. After you finished the important objectives. Directly following killing off the bosses. You get a short time limit to get back in the drilling machine. Thank god it's a few levels within a set. The levels takes a lot longer to get through because of objectives.

As previously stated, the levels are quite huge. You have to figure where everything else every single time. Which isn't that bad due to how they set it up. I also love how the variety of level designs. Which does affect hazards to a degree. Sometimes you can't argue if you can make contact or avoid it altogether.

Escort involves a huge cutting machine that requires oil. Mostly to move from point a to point b. You could speed through these much faster. But I recommend more of a slow fast. Some parts you can move faster while others it's more wise to finish things at a slower pace. You would quite surprised how much strategies plays into everything?

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is a spin off of Deep Rock Galactic. Which I never played prior to playing this game. I will be honest I wanna play it now!!! I know some quickly labeled this an Vampire Survivors clone. I strongly felt it does more than enough to stand out on it's own. In all honestly, I am really deeply impressed by this game.

I also gotta mention regarding the game broken up into sections. The first section has a couple level sets you must complete. This by itself will take a lot of hours to finish. Even if you aren't going for optional objectives. You really shouldn't rush playing this. In fact doing so means you'll die in record time. I highly recommend exploring around levels to gain as much level ups as possible.

The more leveled up you are by the final level of a set. The more likely you're going to succeed finishing em. I also liked every major rock you can collect differs more than colors. Some of them has notably differ textures to help you tell em apart from each other. My wife funny enough is more into rocks.

You also get three versions of every dwarf. By default, they also notably differ from each other. Virtually having some advantages over the other thing. The different variations starts out with different weapons. Which does make just enough of a difference to be notable. You also can get stuff to customize em that changes aspects as well.

Elimination has a couple mini bosses leading to the final bosses within a level set. The final bosses are notably a lot bigger. You even could face two of them at the same time. This is excluding a ridiculous amount of alien insects you could be dealing with. At the end of Escort level sets is getting the huge cutting machine to the heartstone.

There's a few sections of it's health bar. Where these lasers from the planet through crystals gets used. They prevent the machine from further damaging the heartstone. Also you being outside the radius has a similar effect. It's even crazier this isn't even a co-op game like Vampire Survivors more recently. They also have Weapon Mastery & Class Mastery levels to test your skills more.

In both variations of the levels you don't get to choose your character. You have to play whatever you get is a rather unique concept that's quite risky. If you finish Weapon Mastery levels you get those weapons leveled up as a whole. Which means the weapons will be even more helpful in future runs. Yes you could risk it with 5 tier levels for max weapon level upgrades.

They really went the distance literately with this indie game. A surprising great balancing on difficulty that could either get easier or harder depending on things. An insane amount of ways to keep the game truly refreshing as well as replayable. It's so satisfying nearly loss an run to complete the set. You really can figure out your ideal set up for future runs that works for you.

I really love seeing this level of creativity within the game play. Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is possibly one of the greatest indie games I ever played!!! There's no question it really will keep you busy for hours. Among the very best games of this style. I don't really have much to criticize either. I actually felt it's the perfect game of this style since Brotato I played.

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is easily one of the finest games I played this year. You get just the right level of challenge. Depending on your upgrades could get a little easier or more difficult. Every upgrade you choose could heavily impact everything. I also gotta say this game plays perfectly on my Xbox and PC through Xbox Anywhere program.

This is easily one of the greatest games I played off of Game Pass in a long time. I was somewhat curious to check out when it gotten onto the service. I'm really glad I gave the game a try. At it's core, there's plenty of simpler mechanics with some complexity thrown in. I really love you can get creative with your set ups.

You never want too much of something upgrades wise. I prefer attempting to going as close to all around as possible. Virtually covering up all your bases truly goes a long way in this game. If you really want to max out all your permanent upgrades. You really gotta commit to that there's no true short cuts. Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor has to be one of the finest spin off games I ever played!!!

A very strong recommendation or more directly you gotta play this before you die. Trust me it's that great of an experience. One you'll remember for the rest of your time. Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is a truly impressive indie video game. Honestly, I strongly felt my standards for the genre gotten insanely high following this!!!

Overpowered 1 - Mars Infestation (2025) review

Hello everyone I'm XboxClown89, I'm back with another Xbox Anywhere game. For being the cheapest in a crazy purchase it was a little better than I expected. Not many people heard of this game because it came out a few months ago. Maybe my review could convince a few people to give the game a try. Today I'm here to review Overpowered 1 - Mars Infestation.

Overpowered 1 - Mars Infestation (2025)

It's broken up in four levels with two survival maps. There isn't much story in the game itself. There isn't even an ending when you complete it. Unless you consider the texts following completing the level that. In the main levels you get to explore. You constantly have to fight your way through rooms. It sorta reminded me of Smash TV and it's spiritual successor Total Carnage.

For the most part you can choose where to go. You get a few upgrades that helps a bit. A small variety of enemies you quickly memorize. There isn't technically a boss monster. The closest thing is Centipedes being the longest, biggest creatures. You can get more health but you gotta earn it. I know parts of this will seem like an endurance.

The true endurance are the two survival maps. There is only this dark cave design for every map. The controls are decent enough I felt. I actually like the art work of the game itself. I didn't expect to enjoy it this much for a cheap Xbox game. It works perfectly across two platforms I played the game on. Achievement hunting is honestly one of the most straight forward I ever done.

As for the survival maps I wish they were more like Endless Mode in Vampire Survivors & similar games. Just like the main levels, you face enemies. Until the timer runs out or you run out of lives. For the main levels, there's a lot of rooms with their own timers. For these maps though killing particular enemies drops upgrades.

I felt these maps ended up being my favorites. Sure it lacks exploring around the level from the main levels. At the same time, you get a bigger room than you regularly get in the main levels. Depending how well you're doing could end up with more upgrades than in the main levels. Difficulty can spike but ultimately after a few decent upgrades you'll start owning em hard!!!

I am glad I decided to purchase this game. Overpowered 1 - Mars Infestation felt held back. A few major changes would truly bring this game to life!!! Everything needs more variety is the nicest, most direct criticism I have for the game. For being a cheap game it justifies just enough. Honestly, I kinda wish there was more overall content than what it currently has.

I'm not calling the game a disappointment by any means. It just felt come to being something amazing or somewhat decent. For where it stands it's a little above alright. I will give the developer credit I sure had a hell of a time playing it. The game does not suck just needs more in the long run. Overpowered 1 - Mars Infestation I quickly made a notable impact with me in a good way.

DUSK (2025) review

Hello everyone I'm XboxClown89, today I'll be reviewing a game that took it's sweet time getting onto Xbox Series X. Even the launch trailer made a joke about it. I'm talking about a game I knew about a couple years. DUSK a famous indie boomer shooter style FPS game. I swear Xbox getting all the greatest FPS games.

DUSK (2025)

The game broken up into three episodes. Campaigns for those not familiar with that game design. It's heavily similar to the original Quake. Actually in most aspects a lot better than that. Although I found Cultic to be more like this funny enough. I always welcome an decent FPS game of this style. Like Cultic, you are facing an cult.

Not to insult Quake 1 fans everything was done better in DUSK. Character model designs are similar to Quake 1. None of them were direct copies. DUSK actually had a huge variety of enemies including Wendigos. Also like Cultic, there was Resident Evil 4 influence. The audio as a whole absolutely amazing work!!!

The levels do differ in length but still similar to Quake 1 in that department. This works very well on Xbox and PC through Xbox Anywhere program. There's some clever curve balls you won't see coming. Thankfully you can quick save for most of the game. You get a lot of weapons that differs enough. At the same time are mostly fun to use.

You wouldn't believe the greatest weapon isn't even in your arsenal. There's a famous joke weapon you can pick up. I won't sugar coat it any longer you throw a bar of soap it instantly kills em. I guess the message here is the enemies stinks very bad they need a bath lol. There's a lot of creativity within the levels I was quite impressed.

You also get the main antagonist that taunts you often aspect. This game's Shao Kahn in a nut shell Jakob. Yes that's spelled with a k I checked. DUSK is rather ambitious in it's simple appearance. None of the levels are alike. There's more bosses than I was expecting. DUSK doesn't save the bosses at the end of an episode like many 90s FPS games.

My favorite boss hands down was Big John. He's a parody of Alan "Dutch" Schaffer from Predator. He sorta sounds like Schwarzenegger with some of his voice overs. You get to collect a few colored keys to access areas. A couple times your flashlight breaks which is scripted to happen. You do get new flashlights within those levels.

Like Cultic, there's several aspects of horror. Wendigos can come after you invisible until either you get attacked or you hit em once. I really enjoyed using the bouncing platforms they truly made it a rememberable experience. DUSK was rather inspiring for me to play. I haven't tried out Endless Mode. I already know I'm going to enjoy it when I do.

I know for people familiar with DUSK. It's crazy I'm just now finally playing it. I wasn't expecting the amount of levels within each episode to be slightly longer than Doom 1. There's a lot of surprising depth in this game. There's some crazy power ups like a particular one stops time. Only you move but during your movements the enemies can move to a degree.

My personal favorite ended up being capable of jumping up anything!!! This power up can easily allow you to quickly jump up high buildings. DUSK was a truly amazing FPS game. Easily one of most refreshing I played in a long time. Then again I said that about a few games this year. I will give DUSK some respect it's not what you're expecting.

This game does so many things you wouldn't believe happens in the game. Some of which I'm not used to like a level you touch this thing. The level alters gravity sending you flying at an angle. Surprisingly you don't fall to your death here. The level in question reminded me of the first level in Postal: Brain Damaged.

You had a few houses high up with some clever platforming to get across. I did like the gore from taking out the enemies. I think what I actually loved more was how everything fits together. It's a rather crazy FPS game that takes you to plenty of interesting locations. I also liked the bosses has health bars. You can bet a lot of secrets are well hidden.

Honestly, I do prefer this over the original Quake. I still prefer Cultic slightly more in some aspects. Let's be honest, it does come close to Blood just not quite. There's no shortage what this game's potential. DUSK is a very strong recommendation. Especially if you love boomer shooters in general. I don't have much to criticize.

Some levels has a notable learning curve than others. There's some huge difficulty spikes especially with some of the bosses. Some enemies are just tricky to deal with. Despite those issues you're really going to have one hell of a time with this!!! DUSK is a great one that quickly stands out. Trust me you gotta give this a try to see what I mean.