With its brief runtime and cheery vibe, Kabuto Park is the epitome of cheap and cheerful.
However, KM Nelson finds that there is more to like about this cutesy bug battler than its bargain price tag.
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[PATREON UNLOCK] Update Patch - May 2025
May was a ridiculously busy month for games, so its a good thing that Joe Chivers was here to deliver weekly updates on the latest goings on.
Review | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - A Journey Unlike Any Other
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a true triumph in almost every department.
While it's certainly one of the best games of the year, Joe Richards found that it manages to undercut its own key moments by not giving them enough time to breathe.
Review | despelote - Deeply Personal Yet Extremely Universal
despelote tells a deeply personal tale of the childhood love of sport set against the background of tumultuous times, but in doing so, Alex Green finds that it taps into the universal appeal of football, to become deeply relatable.
The startmenu Podcast | 008 - Less Randy ft. Mik Deitz
With Dave out of commission, Lex takes the reins again to talk to KM and special guest Mik Deitz about medieval mishaps, the state of Bungie and Randy Pitchford running his mouth again.
It’s What’s On The Radio: Skin Deep Composer Priscilla Snow Talks Scoring an Immersive Sim
Skin Deep's music is a mix of fictional commercial jingles, techno sea shanties and Bond-esque melodrama that works remarkably well.
KM Nelson interviews Priscilla Snow about creating the soundtrack for Nina Pasadena's exploits.
Impressions | Expelled! An Overboard! Game - School And Scandal
Expelled! An Overboard! Game sees Amelia Tyler try not to get kicked out of boarding school in a looping puzzle game, and while it can sometimes feel repetitive, Amy Eastland is finding that there is more than enough good stuff to keep her invested.
The startmenu Podcast | 007 - Load Bearing Gex
Dave is back in the hosting chair to talk with Lex, KM and Vivian Winn about 50 Cent Blood On The Sand, Giant Bomb buying Giant Bomb, and more.
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[PATREON UNLOCK] Update Patch - April 2025
An eventful month for the games industry saw Marathon getting shown off, Oblivion Remaster getting released and the BAFTAs handing out awards.
Joe Richards rounds up everything that happened in April.
A Guide To Freeware Games That Will Run On Anything
Gaming is a hobby that seems to be getting more expensive by the day.
Thankfully, Adam Wescott has collated a list of fully fledged experiences you can play right now for free.
Review | Skin Deep - More Than Meets The Eye
Nina Pasadena is here to save cats and kicks ass, and she’s all out of ass… wait, what?
Kate Robinson breaks down this irreverent immersive which is anything but surface level.
Review | Phantom Breaker: Battlegrounds Ultimate – Thirty-Eight Eclectics from the Seventh Gen
Phantom Breaker is a delightfully engaging pixel art, beat ‘em up romp, however, some strangely dated character designs make it hard for Jay Weaver to wholeheartedly recommend it.
Review | Synergy - Gorgeous But Deadly
Synergy tasks you not just with building a city, but fostering an ecosystem.
Cee takes a closer look at this gorgeous and unique take on the genre.
The startmenu Podcast | 006 - You DIDN'T Get Jecht Shot ft. TurboShawn
With Dave out on assignment, Lexi was joined on the podcast this week by KM, Michael Beckwith, and special guest, TurboShawn, to discuss Clair Obscur, The Hundred Line and Blitzball... for some reason.
Review | Cuisineer - Needs More Seasoning
Cuisnieer’s mix of action rogue-lite gameplay and cooking management should deserve a Michelin Star, but sadly, Branford Hubbard found that some elements of the dish need a bit more of a kick.
Mini-Review | Monarchy - A Special Announcement
Monarchy has the nugget of a good idea, but in its current state, it is impossible to recommend because it simply does not function.
Branford Hubbard delivers this special announcement.
Frog Encompasses Everything That Makes Chrono Trigger Great
Chrono Trigger is a certified classic, but Mazen Haggag believes that Frog is the beating heart and soul of the game.
sonicmenu | What Can The Sonic Games Actually Do With Team Chaotix
Much like how this article got lost in the shuffle of sonicmenu, Team Chaotix has struggled to find a place in modern Sonic.
Mazen Haggag investigates where Espio, Vector and Charmy have gone.
The startmenu Podcast | 005 - Tom Hall Killed Xalavier Nelson Jr With A Chainsaw In Galway
Lex, Dave and KM gather to discuss the FÍS Games Summit, Trump's Tariff Chaos and its effect on the Switch 2, and the BDS boycott on Xbox and Microsoft.
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[PATREON UNLOCK] Update Patch - March 2025
Despite the Switch 2 not being announced until April, March was full of gaming news.
From Split Fiction to Tomodachi Life, Amy Eastland rounds it all up in last month’s Update Patch.