This week on exp.

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Subscriber Post: Pro Wrestling (TRY, 1986)​

I have (generally) been unimpressed with Nintendo’s black box output, but along with Golf, this one was a really nice surprise.

Unlocked Post: Despelote (Cordero/Valbuena, 2025)​

The only article you’re going to read about a video game that includes a reference to Jeanne Dielman and Fishing With John. Probably.

From The exp. Archives: Gunhouse (Necrosoft, 2014)​

I don’t do these that often, but when I feel like I know the developer really well–maybe too well to honestly critique their work–I cadge an interview with them. Here it’s a really deep design interview with Brandon Sheffield that’s probably obsolete because it’s so specific to the PS Vita(!) version of Gunhouse. Looking forward to another round when Demon School comes out (wishlist now, etc.)

exp. Du Cinéma

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Thunderbolts* (2025)

The main issue with Thunderbolts* isn't really the film's fault: it is, of course, the MCU's. Because—and I think this is borne out in how fatigued and almost indifferent the positive reactions to this movie are—if the MCU is a banquet you can never leave, Thunderbolts* is like receiving a perfectly delicious hotdog after being forced to down a cup of cold sick. It's a good hotdog! But you still sort of wish you were anywhere else.

You can feel the weight of the MCU machine—gotta advertise those future movies—but they actually work to get you on side rather than relying on that alone. That they were able to immediately and unceremoniously kill a character no one likes? Unbelievably funny, gives you just enough to make you go "oh, maybe this was made people who actually like movies."

Not only that, that they might actually want the images you see on screen to be cool and enjoyable? The action is clear (they do a fun riff on some iconic Terminator imagery) and it even hits the comedy beats well enough that I actually laughed out loud at points. There are even... themes! And it manages to tell a complete story!!!

Christ, that kind of praise really is grim, isn't it? But I suppose that's where we are. Ultimately, I liked it! But I kept thinking "please don't make me drink any more sick."

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Other Zines

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​Kill Or Be Killed: A No More Heroes Fanzine​

“Preorders for KILL OR BE KILLED ZINE are OFFICIALLY OPEN! They’ll be available until August 5th.”

​BreakSpace - Issue 2​

“Our scorching Summer issue features 38 reviews of new ZX Spectrum games, Type-ins, interviews and loads more.”

And Finally…

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Mikolai over at Forgotten Worlds wrote a cute blog about their experience of publishing zines using the JRPG as a metaphor, er, a few months ago. But it came up in my feed recently and is an interesting manifesto/guide if you’ve ever considered it yourself. Give it a read!​

Next week on exp.: “You don’t have to put on the red light.”