HeyJaredI Play Games So You Don't Have To
A newsletter where I summarize the many games I play, discuss them with others, and post essays on related topics.
- Indexed issues, last 90 days
- 18
- Latest publication
- Sep 27, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Aug 27, 2026
Latest issues
Weekly Update 2026-09-27 (opens the original)
Read excerpt
Game Releases and UpdatesAge of Empires 2 Viking Sagas DLCThis package of new, ranked-qualified civs and what is touted as a three-episode epic of campaign missions is the latest big overhaul for a game that’s only gotten more loving investment in the decades since its initial release. The roster additions essentially do what the Dynasties of India DLC did years ago, taking the relatively generic Viking civilization and adding three far more specific regional variants and tying them all together
Mortal Shell II (opens the original)
Read excerpt
Mortal Shell was a Souls-like that really, really wanted to be just like Dark Souls, the way a little kid wants to be Michael Jordan. It was one of those imitators that tried so hard to emulate every little thing that made Souls special without really seeming to understand how it all should come together, and the end result was bad. Not good, not respectable, not even ‘I bet some people like it better.’ Pretty awful from start to finish, chock full of bizarre choices, exhausting slogs, and terri
From the Archives: Prodigal (opens the original)
Read excerpt
NoticeI initially wrote this post in 2024 before starting my page. Most of these older posts will not be available for free subscribers, but I’m making an exception for those that wound up being ranked in the top 10 of my favorite games from each year. Read more
From the Archives: Wizordum (opens the original)
Read excerpt
NoticeI initially wrote this post in 2024 before starting my page. Most of these older posts will not be available for free subscribers, but I’m making an exception for those that wound up being ranked in the top 10 of my favorite games from each year. Read more
From the Archives: Halls of Torment (opens the original)
Read excerpt
NoticeI initially wrote this post in 2024 before starting my page. Most of these older posts will not be available for free subscribers, but I’m making an exception for those that wound up being ranked in the top 10 of my favorite games from each year. Read more
Publishing over time
Last 90 days. Choose a month to open its work.
Recurring subjects
Named in the text we hold. One piece can cover several.
Audience
No verified audience measurement yet.
About this data
Counts cover the work we have indexed. Tone needs enough text and a confident classification. Excerpts and episode notes are not full articles or transcripts.
Identity or attribution wrong? Suggest a correction.