Adrian Ruiz

San Jose

Co-Host and Contributor at But Why Tho?

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Articles

Star Wars Stories: What We Learned At Star Wars Celebration

1 week ago | butwhytho.net | Adrian Ruiz

We have some new Star Wars stories coming our way. At the Stories From a Galaxy Far, Far Away… panel at Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, several exciting Star Wars publishing projects were unveiled. These announcements span across beloved Star Wars eras and explore new stories that continue to expand the galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars Manga: What We Learned At Star Wars Celebration

1 week ago | butwhytho.net | Adrian Ruiz

Get ready for more Star Wars manga! At the Manga Mania! panel at Star Wars Celebration Japan, fans were treated to a preview of some exciting new Star Wars manga adaptations and releases that are sure to take the galaxy far, far away in a whole new direction. From the iconic Thrawn saga to a fresh look at Jedi: Fallen Order and an exciting new take on the lightsaber’s legacy, these upcoming manga titles promise to deliver new adventures and fresh perspectives for fans of all ages.
The Beginning After The End Episode 2 Review

1 week ago | butwhytho.net | Adrian Ruiz

The Beginning After the End Episode 2 does more than continue Arthur’s story—it deepens it. By peeling back the layers of who King Grey once was and how Arthur is slowly becoming someone else entirely, the anime starts to carve out a real emotional identity. What could have just been a worldbuilding episode ends up being something much more—an exploration of power, potential, and the people who help shape both. One of the best additions this week is the deeper glimpse into King Grey’s past life.
Hexas is Humor and Heart in New Dimensional Double Shift DLC

2 weeks ago | butwhytho.net | Adrian Ruiz

If you ever needed a chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt VR snapshot of Texas, Hexas might be it. Owlchemy Labs’ latest update to Dimensional Double Shift drops players into the Gas N’ Grill—a wild, demon-filled roadside attraction straight from a Lone Star fever dream. And after playing it for the first time on a Quest headset in a hotel room, I get it. Not just the jokes, the rhythm, or the VR charm—but the point.
Game Director Talks Cyber City's Mechanics & More

3 weeks ago | butwhytho.net | Adrian Ruiz

With a new set around the corner and more players returning to the game, Teamfight Tactics (TFT) continues to evolve with every patch. I sat down with Game Director Peter Whalen during GDC to talk about accessibility, experimentation, and how TFT keeps its identity while chasing new ideas with every set. If you’re someone who’s bounced off before or is just waiting for the right moment to return, there’s a lot happening in TFT Set 14’s Cyber City that might pull you back in.
The Beginning After The End Episode 1 Review

3 weeks ago | butwhytho.net | Adrian Ruiz

The Beginning After The End Episode 1 offers a totally new lens for those coming into the anime only familiar with the novel series or Travis Baldree’s audiobook narration. The Beginning After The End by Turtleme has had visual adaptations, most notably the webtoon, but nothing quite like this. Seeing the world of Dicathen brought to life in motion adds a different texture to the story, especially for fans who’ve only imagined it through prose.
The Best Upcoming Co-Op Games We Saw at GDC 2025

3 weeks ago | butwhytho.net | Adrian Ruiz

GDC 2025 wasn’t just a celebration of innovative mechanics or fresh narratives—it was a clear sign that co-op gaming is having a moment. Whether you’re sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on a couch or queuing into a match across time zones, the future of playing together is looking better than ever. From lighthearted puzzle-solving to chaotic mech combat, here are our most anticipated and upcoming co-op games from this year’s show.
Turning Failure Into A Good Time

4 weeks ago | butwhytho.net | Adrian Ruiz

Hotel Barcelona doesn’t just play like a fever dream—it wants to be one. From the minds of SWERY (Deadly Premonition) and SUDA51 (No More Heroes), this 2.5D roguelike slasher-action game drops players into a surreal Appalachian hotel crawling with serial killers and wrapped in a looping timeline of death and rebirth. It’s a genre mashup that manages to be stylish, chaotic, and completely self-aware in all the right ways.
Winter Burrow Blends Cottagecore Charm with Survival

4 weeks ago | butwhytho.net | Adrian Ruiz

Among the many games featured at GDC 2025, Winter Burrow quietly stood out as one of the most surprising and heartwarming. It may not have had the loudest presence, but it offered something rare: a clear, confident tone wrapped in a comforting world of cozy survival mechanics and quiet storytelling. Developed by Pine Creek Games and published by Noodlecake, Winter Burrow is a woodland survival game where players take on the role of a mouse returning to their ruined childhood home.
Aquatica Reimagines Survival Beneath The Waves

4 weeks ago | butwhytho.net | Adrian Ruiz

In a hands-off preview session with Matt Kohl, lead developer at Snail Games, we got a deep dive into ARK: Aquatica—a bold new DLC celebrating ten years of ARK: Survival Evolved. Designed as both a tribute and a reinvention, this underwater expansion offers a completely submerged survival experience that reimagines the series’ core systems and opens the door to new players while giving longtime fans something unexpected.