Tumblr’s Princess of Pop: MARINA Returns
MARINA’s Princess of Pop sparkles with nostalgic synths and playful hyperfemininity. It’s a vibrant, sometimes cheesy, love letter to Tumblr-era melodrama, blending honeyed vocals with neon-bright metaphors. Not perfect, but utterly her — a bold, unapologetic celebration of pop’s glittery, chaotic heart.
Fancy That: PinkPantheress Quietly Reigns
PinkPantheress keeps her distance on Fancy That, a 9-track rush of confessional lyrics, glitchy beats and deadpan delivery. It’s short, self-aware, and strangely addictive—less a big pop statement than a late-night scroll through old feelings. Even in a tiara, she’s not oversharing. And that’s what makes it hit harder.
Mudborne is the Anti-Chore Cosy
In a gaming landscape overrun by pastel to-do lists, Mudborne croaks back with surreal swamp logic, frog genetics, and cosmic pond gods. It’s cosy with edge, structured without stress — a tender, muddy rebirth for players burnt out by the genre’s grind. Finally, a cosy that doesn’t condescend.
Inside The Face at the National Portrait Gallery
While everyone’s busy chasing nostalgia, The Face exhibition reminds us that the real magic was in its chaotic, collaborative spirit — part fashion shoot, part cultural time bomb.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure: Sanrio’s Cutest Time Sink
This isn’t just a Hello Kitty cash grab—it’s a dangerously cosy life sim with surprising depth. Between decorating, crafting, and befriending Sanrio icons, Hello Kitty Island Adventure turns downtime into a full-time commitment. Cute? Absolutely. Addictive? More than you’d think. Here’s why you won’t be able to put it down.
Inside the Animal Crossing x SeaLife Exhibition
If you're a fan of Animal Crossing, the Aquarium Tour at SeaLife is a must-see, combining the charm of the game with real-life sea creatures. From meet-and-greets with Tom Nook and Isabelle to hidden villager stamps, it’s an experience that celebrates both the game and its passionate community. But is it worth the ticket price?
Sim-fully Overlooked: The Chaotic Brilliance of The Sims Bustin’ Out and The Urbz on GBA
The Sims on Game Boy Advance wasn’t about designing the perfect home or finding true love—it was about surviving in weird, chaotic cities with nothing but odd jobs and big dreams. Bustin' Out and The Urbz ditched the cosy life sim formula and gave us something messier, funnier, and way more relatable. It's about time we gave these underrated handheld gems the love they deserve.
Infinity Nikki is Inspiring Gamers to Bond Over High Heels and Earrings
Seeing a feminine dress-up game acknowledged as a “real” game is groundbreaking. Twelve years ago, Papergames was told that the Nikki franchise was too niche to succeed in the competitive gaming market. The monumental success of Infinity Nikki proves otherwise, showing there’s a community of gamers eager to save the world in an iridescent ballgown and heels.
Short Trip: The Hand-Drawn Cat Carrying Experience
As the chaos of finals, demanding work weeks, and holiday preparations looms, the need for a moment of respite becomes undeniable. Thankfully, we’ve found the perfect game to help you pause, breathe, and recharge amid the holiday frenzy.
Anora: Exoticism as Empty Currency
Sean Baker’s Anora drapes itself in the glittering veneer of social commentary, but at its core, it struggles to engage meaningfully with the very systems it critiques. Anora "Ani" Mikheeva, played with quiet resilience by Mikey Madison, navigates the hostile labyrinth of Brighton Beach’s underbelly, where survival is a dance of compromise. Brighton Beach itself hums with authenticity, a backdrop pulsating with the chaotic beauty of immigrant life. Yet, the film’s gaze—intent on humanising its protagonist—falls into familiar traps, reducing Ani to a cipher, a lens for exploitation rather than an agent in her own story.