The piece I am proudest of writing over the last few years is my analysis of Labour in the run up to the 2024 conference. I didn't call everything right (I assumed Starmer was safe as PM for one thing) but I foresaw the seething discontent on the left that has become a major feature of UK politics.

What % of the vote does Farage get in the 2014 Euro elections? 26.6% He's not really gained any new fans since then, just converted existing supporters who used to see voting for him at a General Election as a wasted vote, or who thought the Tories were a more sensible option.

Laser focused on bread and butter issues - Cost of Living Youth Employment Homelessness Defence And clearly wants to move quickly given his desire to start new policies to help with the cost of living tomorrow. Most obvious point of controversy was his rejection of the 1980s and Thatcherism.

Snap thoughts on Burnham's speech: Not using the lecturn worked well, he came across more down to earth than his predecessors He started off nervous but warmed to his theme quickly He acknowledged the disappointment with poiltics, and took some responsibility for it (I don't think Starmer did)

Final Thoughts: Mirror of Fate is exactly what you'd expect if a studio used to making 3rd person Hack n' Slashers was asked to make a metroidvania. Combat is meaty and varied, exploration is tight but limited and bosses are plentiful. It's a great introduction to the genre. Final Score: 7/10

Negatives: Story - While the core themes are well done, the broader narrative & ideas around fate feel undercooked Enemy Variety - Not a major issue, but a few too many enemies are reused for my liking Act 1 - The first act feels less interesting than the rest, the game really picks up in Act 2

Positives: Pacing - The 3 Act structure keeps the game moving forward, and provides gamplay variety Combat - Combo based & meatier than most metroidvanias, it also provides a variety of boss fights Themes - The narrative is built around themes of family trauma and abuse, which are well handled

Sixth is Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate by MercurySteam Release Year: 2013 Genre: 2.5D Metroidvania/Hack n' Slash First playthrough length: 11hrs (100% Complete) Grieving his dead mother, Trevor Belmont searches the ruins of Dracula's castle in search of the man who killed her...

This is one of the truest things a politician has ever said, and it's a point that's been echoed by Pratchett (among many others) There is no secret (or not so secret) cabal running things behind the scenes There's just people, fallible, emotional, changeable people doing what they think is best

This is true, but I would also say that the high levels of renting in Germany are unusual by European standards and contribute to some bad externalities (like the poorest Germans having less wealth than the poorest Greeks, and Germany having some of the worst social mobility in Europe).

Firstly, no shit Sherlock. Secondly, wait, he didn't even game out the possibility that his opponents wouldn't stand? That's literally what Labour and the Lib Dems did in 2008 when David Davis resigned! Farage was UKIP leader at that time! It's an obvious gambit to deligitimise the by-election.

Yes this is real, and yes it is a potent of how online our politics is going to become.

There's a lot of empty space in France and Germany, but they also just have more space to start with, e.g: Eng: 132,938 km (squared) UK: 248,532 km (squared) Fra: 551,695 km (squared) Plus we also have large areas that are sparsely populated, like the Highlands, Scottish Borders and N Wales.

Not to start discourse or anything, but I have just had some incredible beef brisket tacos at the Coal Drop Yard in King's Cross.

Singing Sweet Caroline after that, but I can't help but feel we've had a *very* narrow escape.

Come on England! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Historically that's not that surprising given that women tended to lean right in the UK until very recently. I am also surprised at how high that number is, but I think that age is playing a major factor here. I doubt that many heterosexual women under 50 are voting for the right.

Being out and about on London for the football reminds me how brilliant this city is. Where I am the bar is full of German fans, Paraguayan fans and neutrals having a great time. People from all over the world having a drink and sharing a laugh.

I was back in Westminister today, and as I often do, I left with a sense of optimism about the future. Yes things aren't great at the moment, but there are a lot of decent, hard working MPs and Peers doing their best to improve our society. Personally, I don't think their work will be in vain.

Final Thoughts: The Third Sin feels like the logical extension of the worst aspects of Blasphemous 2: a barebones story, soupy writing, and the unique aspects of the setting sanded off in favour of trying to be Castlevania. The only thing holding it up is the quality gameplay. Final Score: 5/10

Negatives: Writing - The story of this DLC feels like its going through the motions, with barely anything unique to say Enemy Variety - Only a few enemies feel fitting for the setting, with plenty of reuse from the base game Boss - There is only one boss fight in the DLC, and it is is a bit 'meh'

Positives: Level Design - The interwoven design of the mysterious castle allows for levels that loop and weave into each other Embrujo - The new whip weapon freshens up combat and creates new ways to interact with the environment Servants - NPC allies add to the gameplay without unbalancing it

Fifth is Blasphemous 2: The Third Sin by The Game Kitchen Release Year: 2026 Genre: Metroidvania First playthrough length: 4hrs An expansion for Blasphemous 2, The Third Sin has the Penitent One travel to a mysterious castle in the mist, becoming entwined in a plot to life its ancient curse.

My brother sent me this from the comment section of BBC Weather, and I think it sums up how a lot of people are feeling right now.

In the end, it wasn't close.

Ah yes, the two genders

Cherry Tree Bearing Fruit

Had an absolutely amazing English breakfast today at the Regency Cafe in Pimlico, and very reasonably priced considering the quality. I highly recommend giving them a try if you find yourself in Westminster with a free lunch hour.

I am *very* happy to announce that have been made the new Policy & Public Affairs Manager at the National Council of Voluntary Organisations! (@ncvo.bsky.social) Ending my freelance work means that I will be posting here less than I have in the past, but I'm sure I'll still be around here & there.

Final Thoughts: Rhianna Pratchett did her father proud with this one, it's chock full of entertaining comedic moments and paired with gameplay that shows a deeper understanding of the game's mechanics than the base game had. It's just a shame that the ending is underwhelming. Final Score: 8/10