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2026 media thread 2025: x.com/Prof9/status...

Digimon Story: Time Stranger (PS5) Cyber Sleuth had such an incredible hook and strong audiovisual identity that could be felt in every aspect. Time Stranger doesn't quite have that, but it makes up for it in so many ways, and is overall a huge step up in quality. I can't wait to play the next one.

Metroid Prime 3 Corruption (Wii U) This game goes all-in on storytelling and dilutes the Metroidvania experience quite a lot. That's okay IMO; it means the 3 games all offer something different. I honestly love all the little motion gimmicks, they really enhance the immersion. Glad I played on Wii.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (PS5) I promised I'd play this if it won GOTY, so I did. It's incredibly good, with a transcendent OST and fantastic story. It's got all the usual parrying BS (fake-outs & feints) but the game ends just before it hits a breaking point. Gustave is such a lovable goofball.

Mega Man Star Force anime (YouTube) A cute alternative take on SF1. The dub is well-produced with a surprisingly stacked cast of VAs who would go on to become big names. Sounds like we got the better half of S01 so I don't mind that much that it doesn't cover the full story. Anime Crown is great.

Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen (NS1 & NS2) Kanto's open design is still unmatched, and Sevii feels like getting half a game extra. Every victory in FRLG feels earned; every achievement hard-fought; every milestone rewarding. So much cool hidden stuff in these games that you have to actively dig for.

Sonic the Hedgehog Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles (YouTube) This was a nice little surprise. Tangle & Whisper are fine in this but I do think comics OCs (which I don't follow at all) should get a *proper* mainline game debut before being added into other types of side media. Gemerl stocks rising.

Pragmata (PS5) Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned, short, linear, level-based, companion character action adventure. Story is pretty unremarkable, but the gameplay is so good. Hacking feels fun even if combat favors gunplay maybe just a bit too much. And wow, what a visual spectacle this game is.

The Mandalorian and Grogu (IMAX) The novelty of Mandalorian S1 having long worn off, this film makes it painfully clear how much of a non-character Mando is. Like most modern SW media, it's just more of the same, but deep down, there's some small joy to be found in that; like eating comfort food.