Imagine you are a cat raised by frogs or maybe toads? Who cares… you live a sweet zen like life in a forest. Everything seems calm and simple, jump, climb, see cute creatures and then just when you feel safe, the world falls apart around you with no explanation and you must run and jump and climb while saving and surviving and being a cat. As frantic and scary and as often as you may die (you have more than 9 lives), the zen feel never disappears.
This is Princess of the Water Lilies. A game that came out late 2025 but because of the life I have been handed did not get to truly relax with and try until recent circumstances where nothing has gotten easier but the need for moods and feels like this game became very necessary.
One of the most fascinating things are the boss battles. Scary, intense, but never do they feel impossible. You just need to keep trying, you’ll get it. It’ll still feel calm somehow. Even as new mechanics get added each level, it doesn’t feel like too much, it just feels like progression through intense yet never heartbeat faster inducing. This is a great and wonderful thing and makes Princess of the Water Lillies stand out for me.
The game is available on Steam for $14.99 US.
Disclaimer: This game was recieved free for review, but truly has earned a glowing one.
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One of the best experiences I had at PAX was learning more about HANK: Drowning on Dry Land. While I was disappointed to discover the game would only be a short snippet of a larger idea when it came out, it did not ruin my excitement. The time travel mechanic, avoidance of paradox, multiple deaths, and multiple solutions for a small game, along with amazing art and a killer song kept my interests high.
On Jan 13th 2026 at noon EST you can all experience the final version for only $2.99 on Steam. There will also be an art book available.
While I can’t show you the new trailer just yet, here’s the music video released awhile ago to whet your appetite. As well as a thumbnail with a few additional thoughts underneath.
HANK will surprise you with how it can trick you into thinking you have it all solved. In good ways, and actually never bad ways. The reversing and speeding time mechanic works amazingly well. Just pay attention, you don’t want to accidently bump into yourself… or do you? Dying is just part of the adventure. I’ll bring you more as HANK comes closer to release date, but mark your calendar and wishlist today.
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Things in the real life continue to be stressfull. Focus is on unfortunately mothers recovery from stroke in November. It is a slow and wavy process, mentally and physically. We are trying our best to maintain a life of pop-culture and the everyday, it is a struggle, but here is a new Nerd Notes.
My newest dream obsession is Atlas9 in Kansas City, MO. Introduced to me by Jacob the Carpetbagger, I went into deep dives and would truly love to see this spot in person. Will I? Who knows, but you should check it out. At least watch Jacob’s video to understand my fascination:
And now the Nerd notes, in no particular order other than a history date going back to Dec 5th till Dec 18th, music, games, fun, trailers, etc.
the entire One More Time album is on repeat on my phone when travelling.
The ending of RJ Skinner (City) and team’s weekly official unofficial podcast/interview/skit show was more than wrestling, it was just pure entertainment and it came to a conclusion perfectly.
Amazing that this the International footage was actually found while Baz worked on his stellar film.
The Boys comic had a weird ass ending, I have no clue how the show will end it.
This 2026 VR game looks fascinating.
A book turned into a less than 3 minute animation. A great short but also a celebration and an ad.
One of my most anticipated games of 2026. A new trailer of silliness that aired during Days of the Devs 2025 Game Awards edition
Lobo looks cool.
This Billie Eilish mockumentary looks fascinating.
Joe Brumm and LUDO worked closely with Halfbrick to make this so I’m excited.
One of the coolest games announced at The Game Awards. Bruce Straley is a proven creator.
Look its called Gail Daughty and the Celebrity Sex Pass. Much of The State/WHAS are in it.
NOBODY 2 and NORMAL? Bob on fire!
Killer song.
I do want it that way.
Very curious to see what season 2 brings.
Great teaser.
I heard this song during I Love L.A., its five years old but its new to me and now I’m totally into Baxter Dury.
Luc Besson on this classic?! Yes please.
Guy Ritchie has proven he has a good handle of Sherlock and I’m interested to see what else he does with the “mythology”
This director has not made a bad film.
This is a fever dream.
Just watch it.
If you haven’t watched Sunny Side Down, you need to.
Another banger.
One of my other most anticipated games of 2026 and that came as a total surprise even with FBC being a thing.
I was on the floor. Just listen. Closely.
This is creepy, and sexy, also Michel Franco makes intense stuff.
Investigate, infiltrate and battle aliens using iconic gadgets from the franchise
Gateshead, United Kingdom – December 5th, 2025 – Coatsink are delighted to announce that Men In Black: Most Wanted is available today on Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3. Step into the iconic franchise and take on the role of a neuralyzed agent to investigate a hostile alien race that’s established itself across the US.
Based on the Sony Pictures hit film franchise that earned almost $2 billion at the global box office, Men In Black: Most Wanted allows players to become agents. Head out into the field to investigate – from motels, to black markets, to airbases – and make use of a variety of gadgets to solve environmental puzzles and thwart an invasion of Earth. Use the neuralyzer to wipe the memories of civilians and wield iconic weapons from the MIB franchise in combat sections when you find yourself confronted by hostile aliens.
To aid you in your investigations, you will have magnet gloves that allow you to manipulate objects from a distance, the Scout Bug to get access to otherwise unreachable areas and the Omni Scanner which scans valuable data and intel.
“We are thrilled to let players step into the world of Men In Black: Most Wanted today,” said Richard Snowdon, Coatsink CEO. “At Coatsink, we are no stranger to working on iconic franchises, having previously created the Jurassic World: Aftermath series and Transformers: Battlegrounds. Adding Men In Black to that list is a great honour and we’ve worked really hard to capture iconic elements from the series in an experience that blends infiltration, investigation and combat.”
“We’re thrilled to team up with Coatsink to bring Men in Black: Most Wanted to life in VR,” said Lance Sloane, SVP of Virtual Reality at Sony Pictures Entertainment. “Once again, the team has delivered exceptional work with an iconic franchise, and we’re proud to continue pushing the boundaries of immersive storytelling alongside our friends at Meta.”
Also All-American Rejects dropped another single earlier this week:
I have to thank Ben Lee and Ione Skye for reccomending this. I also want to remind you that just like Anthony, Flea is a quality actor
Ian Jones-Quartey, Patrick McHale, Rebecca Sugar, and Pendleton Ward worked on this type of exquisite corpse animated story and I look very forward to it.
Trite action thriller sure, but also cool ass cast and cool looking action. If I get a chance/opportunity to watch this through easy means I will. If I remember.
Instead of going back as far as the last Nerd Notes way back in October before mother’s stroke I will mostly skip November, but I will see my YT history to see if anything super caught my eye and is still pertinent as of today. Mother’s stroke recovery is still in progress and will continue to be for the forseeable future. I am adjusting to the new life and figuring it out as I can. Please continue to be as patient as you have been and as wonderfully supportive as you;ve been capable from your side of the screen or in the real world where applicable.
First up one of the things I very excited for in 2026 is the MEOW WOLF TTRPG. Sure I don’t have NYC friends to play with at this time but even if all I can do is read it and add to my Meow Wolf library that’s enough for me. Lore lore lore lore lore. https://meowwolf.com/blob/making-of-tavers-ttrpg
Here’s some music:
GAMES
I got to play this early and it is hella fun. Go play it.
This really does look great.
With the recent game remake, the ONLY reason this has any interest from me is because Christophe Gans was behind the helm. So even though it’ll have nothing to shock or even scare, as it was under his eye and creation, it’ll feel something different I can only hope.
WICKED FOR GOOD: A brilliant sequel. I want a full cut of both films. I will sit through that.
BLUE MOON: Ethan Hawe was great in this. It feels again like a play instead of a film. Especially as it all takes place on one night in one location.
CURIOSMOS (Demo): A very simple mechanic of bouncing things into a larger object to see planets grow and evolve, the demo ends just as the game reveals that things are about to get bigger and rowdier but I feel the simple mechanic will stay zenlike while telling a wild story through very adorable graphics. Download and play the demo and Wishlist this one today.
HYMER 2000: A truly creative way to deliver a visual novel with innovative and interesting ways to discover and unlock the story. You must read, you must think you must feel. Explaining the story is very difficult without spoilers, but mainly the thing to know is you are computer repair man sent to shut down a server so that a facility can be properly closed. The game is available on Steam, Nintendo Switch and Playstation.
FIONA & CAKE Season 2: I never really thought they could get more from the Adventure Timeverse, especially a story that felt new and extra and no a retread. We know the future, we know the past, what more could they give us. Adam Muto and team found it and gave us magic.
I LOVE L.A.: Easily hateable characters that you love being funny and sexy. It’s GIRLS on the west coast, cept from someone who is actual super likeable even if their characters are cringey.
My mothers stroke and the upkeep of household and life has made the maintenance of doing full reviews, posting press releases and even creating a Nerd Notes that is more than just a collection of videos without commentary very daunting. I have been gifted keys to games I truly think are worthwhile, seen movies and tv shoes you should see, read comics you should read, and listented to music you should hear. It is difficult for me to say much about any of them, so I am using this space to speak of many of them in short paragraphs or even less and providing links to find out more. Because of coverage issues, there will be multiple posts created.
SAMURAI ACADEMY-PAWS OF FURY: The action combat and the platforming in this seriously fun, plus it looks great. There are some flaws as in hunting for items on the map without a really clear distinction of what you’re looking for and a objective list that seems unclear, but they don’t take away from the enjoyment. Legit very enjoyable and I plan to play more and so should you.
HYMER 2000: A truly creative way to deliver a visual novel with innovative and interesting ways to discover and unlock the story. You must read, you must think you must feel. Explaining the story is very difficult without spoilers, but mainly the thing to know is you are computer repair man sent to shut down a server so that a facility can be properly closed. The game is available on Steam, Nintendo Switch and Playstation.
BIRDIGO: It turns out I am not great at making words via a choose a letter system. I mean I should know this, I always struggled with Scrabble and I’ve never done Wordle. That doesn’t change the fun I have had failing so much at Birdigo that I haven’t finished the first map. I have tried so many times. I KNOW you can do better than me.
THE DREAM COLLECTOR: An interactive art piece with visually enticing images and short poems that definitely capture the mind. I share a screenshot just as a perfect example. It is zen and lovely. If you seek something that is strange, lovely and different, this is for you.
I have seen many many films over the last couple weeks as well as TV. Here’s simple reviews.
PILLION: Funny, dramatic, sexy, evocative. Harry Lighton’s debut adapatation film is a lovely piece and Alexander Skarsgard and Harry Melling deliver brilliant performances.
ANENOME: Daniel Day-Lewis and his son Ronan truly created something interesting here. A play with some strange choices, but at its core is Sean Bean and Daniel truly bouncing off each other in ways where you become engrossed and ends up just at the right time.
THE SMASHING MACHINE: I honesly think we need a version where Benny puts everything filmed back in. The cut scenes display how much Johnson did to become Kerr.
IT-WELCOME TO DERRY: Once episode 5 hits you’re just woooooo. the first 4 are amazing though, these young kids pull you in, the adults are also great. The gore, the world building, everything is just so good.
and finally a MUSIC RECC:
AEROSMITH x YUNGBLUD – ONE MORE TIME is absolutenly a wonderful ep. 4 new songs and a mix of Aerosmith classic that hits different on this album then its original version, while evoking both the original feels and new ones.
