The Punished Backlog
@PunishedBacklog
Followers
138
Following
172
Media
383
Statuses
812
An inclusive group of gamers who love to write. Want us to cover a game? Reach us at press *at* https://t.co/mLN31PuYUf
Boston, MA
Joined March 2017
In a year filled with layoffs and furloughs, at least one person found solace in getting away from it all. For his #Bestof2025 recap, our own Matt Plaus shares the top 5 #videogames he enjoyed while unemployed and cruising the U.S. highway. https://t.co/g0YVCFRwpE
punishedbacklog.com
Hop in the car, bring your gaming laptop, buckle up, and get ready to blast down I-85.
0
0
0
It's that time of year again...the END OF IT. As always, editor Sam Martinelli ranks every single #videogame he played in 2025 into a very scientific and easy-to-understand #Bestof2025 tier list. What's at the top? What's at the bottom? FIND OUT HERE:
punishedbacklog.com
All of the games Punished Backlog editor Sam Martinelli played in 2025, ranked in tiers. But what's at the very top?
0
0
0
🧵And of course, a few notable postscripts to our Best #indiegames List of 2025. We'll have more GOTY and EOY coverage coming soon which will give plenty of love to @KennyYSun, @SupergiantGames, @TeamCherryGames, and @HazelightGames. Read here: https://t.co/jvlhbyofxt
0
0
0
🧵 "Tiny Bookshop is a love letter to not just books and reading, but to friendships, personal growth, and community... It is the cozy genre, perfected," writes @amandajotien about @neoludic's management sim in our Best #indiegames List. https://t.co/JD3VKlH32f
0
0
0
🧵"@spookydoorway deftly manages the hallmarks of mysticism and detective work in The Séance of Blake Manor, making it one of the best additions to the world of mystery gaming that I’ve seen in years," @amandajotien writes in our Best @indiegames List. https://t.co/Y04VMcAoxK
0
1
3
🧵 "@11bitstudios The Alters is a good mix of action, existential crisis, resource management, and storytelling," @amandajotien writes in our #indiegames list. "It's not a perfect game (even without the AI scandal), but I still obsessively played it." https://t.co/tHdg9oELvt
0
0
0
🧵 "Promise Mascot Agency is a glorious example of something that only an indie studio could make, free of the restrictions and oversight of a big boss," writes @amandajotien of @KaizenGameWorks game in our Best #indiegames list of 2025: https://t.co/Gcgwee4b9X
0
1
3
🧵 "PEAK is slapstick, colorful, bright, challenging, joyful, interesting, playful, different, innovative, difficult, funky, and, most of all, FUN," writes @amandajotien of @AggroCrabGames and @LandfallGames' collaboration in our Best #indiegames List: https://t.co/3gGWvgINak
0
0
0
🧵 "Dispatch reminds players that their decisions matter. It’s funny, charming, sharp, and engaging," @amandajotien writes of @theAdHocStudio's debut game in our Best #indiegames List. "I eagerly replayed the game right after completing it." Read here: https://t.co/4CHrngT9lS
0
0
0
🧵 "The beautiful world is expertly communicated, driven by a rich story, all fueled by deeply challenging combat. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 really is that good," @amandajotien writes of @SandfallGames' award-winning game. More of the best #indiegames: https://t.co/1ecG04yqkQ
0
0
0
🧵 "Citizen Sleeper 2 is a stunning experience... I think Martin is one of the indie auteurs of the decade, and I can’t wait to see what they do next," @amandajotien writes of the game by @JumpOvertheAge in our Best #indiegames List. Read it: https://t.co/HeQDuRRCx7
0
0
0
🧵 "I was entranced by Blue Prince," @amandajotien writes of the debut title by @dogubomb in our Best #indiegames List. "It was unrighteously snubbed at #TheGameAwards ... I can't wait for it to release on Switch so my mom can play it." Read: https://t.co/If4XCecXP8
0
0
0
🧵"It’s a surprisingly cozy experience considering you’re having cocktails with a potential murderer," @amandajotien writes about loving the characters in BEST SERVED COLD by @RoguesideGames in our Best #indiegames List of 2025. Read here: https://t.co/yKh9RTWffv
0
0
0
@amandajotien @theAdHocStudio @neoludic @tearyhand @RoguesideGames @JumpOvertheAge @dogubomb @LandfallGames @KaizenGameWorks @11bitstudios @spookydoorway 🧵"and Roger one of the most powerful gaming experiences I’ve had in years. Similar to Sam, I won’t say anything else — except to encourage you to try it," @amandajotien writes about and Roger by @tearyhand in our Best #indiegames List of 2025. https://t.co/3LnjOdApPB
0
0
0
"It's been a phenomenal year for #indiegames," writes @amandajotien. "I am energized by seeing people commit to their vision and make it a playable reality!" Check out our list of THE BEST INDIE GAMES OF 2025 (see thread 🧵): https://t.co/koXzIo0hGB
12
1
1
2025 has not been an uplifting year for many people, but its #superhero stories were here to remind us about hope, love, faith, and doing the work to make the world a better place. Kei Isobe starts off our #BestofYear coverage with this retrospective:
punishedbacklog.com
Even in tumultuous times, we can find solace in all sorts of things --- Kei argues that 2025's "capeslop" of superhero content gives hope.
0
0
0
@AppleArcade @assassinscreed @KitfoxGames @FieldsofMistria @frostpunkgame @TapBlaze @SupergiantGames @RawFury @SeanYoungSG @lovenikkimobile @MarvelRivals @masseffect @doot_dodo @blibloop 🧵Best Video Games 🎮 for #GirlGamers: @Minecraft, Regency Love by @TeaForThreeTime, Reigns: Her Majesty by @nerial, @TheSims 4, Sticky Business by @SpellgardenDevs, Tangle Tower by @SFBTom @SFBDim, and Tiny Bookshop by @neoludic. 💃🏾
0
0
1
@AppleArcade @assassinscreed @KitfoxGames @FieldsofMistria @frostpunkgame @TapBlaze @SupergiantGames 🧵Best Video Games 🎮 for #GirlGamers: Kingdom Two Crowns by @RawFury, Littlewood by @SeanYoungSG, Love Nikki: Dress Up Queen by @lovenikkimobile, @MarvelRivals, @masseffect, Minami Lane @doot_dodo and @blibloop, continued...
1
0
1
🧵Best Video Games 🎮 for #GirlGamers: @AppleArcade, @assassinscreed Odyssey, Boyfriend Dungeon by @KitfoxGames, @FieldsofMistria, @frostpunkgame, Good Coffee, Great Coffee by @TapBlaze, Hades I and II by @SupergiantGames, continued...
1
0
0
What video games are good for the girlies trying to get into gaming? All the femmes on our site answered. The range covers everything from mobile to Steam Deck, beginner to advanced, cozy to shooters, #indiegames to AAAs. Check out our #girlgamers list! https://t.co/Rx9xUFuryq
punishedbacklog.com
Girl gamers, unite --- we picked the best video games for the girlies, from beginner-friendly puzzles to next-level action shooters.
1
1
2