We tore Henry Stockdale out of virtual reality for just long enough for him to write about his favourite flat-games!
All in GOTY
Review | Wayward Strand - A Strand Short
It has been a banner year for interactive fiction in the indie game scene. Wayward Strand deftly tackles difficult subject matter but is the game that surrounds it just as good?
Tyler Denyer reviews.
Review | Lunistice - Blast From The Present
PSX throwback games are so hot right now. Lunistice hopes to recapture the magic of classic games but has A Grumpy Fox gone away and made the best Sonic game in decades?
Broc Peterson reviews.
Journalism Has A Skill Issue - Jason Coles | Winter Spectacular 2022
Every now and again discourse happens. And every now and again, despite every bone in your body knowing you should just move on you can’t.
And every now and again Jason Coles writes something for startmenu.
Alex Orona and Super GG Radio’s Best Betas from the second half of 2022
Betas for indie games are becoming more and more popular and are a great way to discover new upcoming games.
Alex Orona walks us through his and Super GG Radio’s favourite betas from the second half of 2022.
How Stray Can Help You Appreciate The Little Things | Winter Spectacular 2022
Stray is a game about being a little cat in a big city, and this change in perspective helped give Marie Pritchard a much-needed appreciation for the little things.
Natalie Raine's Games of The Year 2021 | Winter Spectacular 2021
We love a good ole GOTY list, don’t we folks?!
Join Natalie Raine as she highlights her highlights of the year.
Santi Leguiza 2021 Was A Year of Endings and Beginnings | Winter Spectacular 2021
2021 being both the longest and shortest year of many of our lives has had us thinking a lot about endings and beginnings. No more so than for Santi Leguiza, who joins us again to discuss his Games of The Year for 2021 and how they revolve around bringing things to a close and starting anew.
Josh Broadwell Wants You To Celebrate Your Wins, Especially When You Don't Feel Like It | Winter Spectacular 2021
It is one thing to win with humility. It is a totally different thing to win and then put your fingers in your ears and shout “AH IT WAS NOTHING, ANYONE ELSE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER!”
Josh Broadwell slowly starting to accept that he might be pretty damn good at what he does.
The First Annual startmenu Awards | Winter Spectacular 2021
This article is just like 2021 itself; it will make you laugh and make you cry, it is way to long and will be gone in a flash, it was a lot of hard work and we’re not sure it was worth it, but we got through it all together!
Welcome to The First Annual startmenu Awards!
The Games Industry Has a Cynicism Problem… And So Does Ollie Luddy | Winter Spectacular 2021
It is very easy to be jaded in the games industry. In fact, you are probably right to be cynical most of the time.
However, Ollie Luddy has realised it is time both they and everyone else should give wide-eyed naivety a second chance.
Alexandra Day's Games Of The Year 2021 | Winter Spectacular 2021
It has been a great year for video games, especially indie games. However, it has been easy to miss some of the best experiences of the year when the world is still kinda on fire.
That is why we welcome Dreamfeel’s Alexandra Day to the site to highlight some gems you might have missed.
The Best Games I Played In 2021 By Tiffany Treadmore & Dov Grey | Winter Spectacular 2021
We asked our favourite Nintendo Leaker to send us their Top Ten Games of 2021.
Tiffany Treadmore and Dov Grey sent us a document titled “Get Back Inside!” and, yeah, that about sums this year up, doesn’t it?
Review | Epic Chef - Get It While It's Hot! | Winter Spectacular 2021
What is more adventurous than trying a type of food you have never had before?
A grand adventure, you say?
Well, Marie Pritchard is here to tell us about today’s specials and a game that serves up both!
Alex Green Looks Back at Xbox's Eventful Year | Winter Spectacular 2021
When you have been in the games industry for 20 years now 12 months might not seem like a big deal. But Xbox’s 2021 felt like a bit of a landmark.
Alex Green breaks down Microsoft’s 20th year selling attitudinal big black boxes.
Alex Orona and Super GG Radio’s Best Betas and Demos of 2021 | Winter Spectacular 2021
Spiders with laser swords? Fashion law enforcement? Mounds of flesh and garbage? 2022 seem like it will be an interesting time to play games.
Alex Orona is back with his and Super GG Radio’s best betas and demos from the last year.
Oisín Kuhnke's Games of The Year (Kinda) | Winter Spectacular 2021
What is a release date if not a miserable pile of numbers?
We welcome Oisín Kuhnke back to the site to award their games of the year. Were they released this year? WHO CARES!
Metroid Dread: The Game Jon Simpson Waited 19 Years For | Winter Spectacular 2021
Dread: to anticipate with great apprehension or fear.
Jon Simpson spent 19 years waiting for this game. Its title is truly apt.
Michael Leopold Weber's Top 5 Tips For Reaching Out To Game Devs | Winter Spectacular 2021
Gamers are not social animals. Which makes all the talking to other people for work when you are a games journalist feel like nails on a chalkboard. Michael Leopold Weber has returned to startmenu to give some advice for how to, you know, ummmm, talk to people…
Dave McAdam Says Carry On My Wayward Guardians | Winter Spectacular 2021
What could sum up the holiday season better than someone making a bunch of dad-rock jokes when they are meant to be having a serious conversation? Anyway, on a totally separate note Dave McAdam is here to tell you why you shouldn’t hold out for a hero. Instead, don’t worry, be happy.