This Month On exp.

Subscriber Post: Jingle Bells (Jack & Jill Software, 1986)​

As has become traditional, in the month of December I try and make sure I write up as many Christmas games as I can manage. This year I'm going to try and keep to my intent to write up new (preferrably 2025) games when I can, so it's (sadly) not going to be all Christmas, all the time, but it's good to start the month off with one, and I've already got some subscriber-exclusive Christmas essays brewing, so if you want to make sure you're as full of Christmas cheer as possible and haven't already joined the Patreon...

Unlocked Posts: and Roger (Tearyhand Studio, 2025) / Florence (Mountains, 2018) / Flotilla (Blendo Games, 2010) / Baby Steps (Cuzzillo/Boch/Foddy, 2025)​

Uh, that looks like four articles but it's actually three. This is the first time I've broken the format to talk about two games at once, but I think it was necessary, and I don't think it's going to be the last time.

From The exp. Archive: Super Stardust Portable (Housemarque, 2008) / Batman: Arkham City (Rocksteady Studios, 2011) / ModNation Racers (San Diego Studio, 2010) / Santa’s Sleigh Ride (Energy Games, 1981)​

I'm jumping forward in the archive a bit so I can further juice the Chrimbofication of exp. this month to include a chunk of the Christmas essays I've written across the years (although I only started doing it in 2021.)

exp. Du Cinéma

​Frankenstein (2025) / The Life And Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)​

I didn't expect to post my article on The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp to the main site—I expected it would be short enough that I'd be happy to just leave it on Letterboxd—but it took more paragraphs, and more redrafting, than I expected (this is actually the second version of the essay I wrote.) It was only when I read the Criterion essay that I accepted that the movie was difficult enough to get a handle on that I felt satisfied that my perspective was worth sharing—and if so, why not do it properly. I think maybe I'm being a bit too precious about how long and detailed an article has to be to get upgraded to a "real" post; several of the essays below (notably Predator: Badlands and Sentimental Value) probably deserved it.

Also reviewed: Who Killed the Montreal Expos? (2025) / Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) / Predator: Badlands (2025) / Sentimental Value (2025) / The Running Man (1987​)​

exp. Capsule Review

​Small Worlds (Schute, 2010)

Friend-of-exp. Jim McGinley shared this example of a lost art—the Flash game—and I had, I guess, missed it completely, so it's possible you did too. Winner of the Jayisgames 6th Casual Gameplay Design Competition" and playable on archive.org, it's a short platformer where you jump around, gradually revealing beautiful pixel-art scenes that express a kind of melancholy. One section (you'll know the one) veers slightly into annoying if you don't nail certain jumps, but this feels the way snow globes look in whimsical, heartfelt movies, and not the way they are in real life, which is nothing. Well worth your time.

Zine News

​Retro Game Zine Issue 012​

"Retro Game Zine Issue 012 investigates the cyberpunk Kojima cult classic, Snatcher!"

​Funland Zine No. 5​

"Yoshiro Kimura on life on Earth. Luke Vincent on life on alien worlds (or at least SLC). Kaitlin Tremblay on death in the cosmos."

​FREEZE-ZX Issue 2​

"Here’s a taste of what’s inside: A retrospective of Auf Wiedersehen Monty from Gremlin Graphics. An exclusive interview with Gremlin's graphics developer, Terry Lloyd ... And yes—a special centrefold map to enjoy."

​Logos From Planet Blip​

I haven't had a chance to play (watch?) Blippo+ yet, but when they announced this they described it as a zine, so I'm more interested than I was already (which was interested).

​Zine Things Happen​

"From the author of Sarah Records' These Things Happen, comes a new 40-page, full-colour music fanzine. Feat. Blueboy, Josie, Beth Arzy, Swansea Sound."

And Finally…

"SIGN OUR BOYCOTT XBOX PLEDGE: We are asking gamers, game workers, streamers & journalists to join us in boycotting & divesting from Xbox, to force Microsoft to end its complicity in the genocide of Palestinians. We’ve provided concrete actions everyone can take. Sign here: nogamesforgenocide.com."

Next week on exp.: When suddenly Johnny gets the feeling he's being surrounded by...