‘Horizon Forbidden West’ Does Open Worlds Right
Frankly speaking, there is nothing more exciting—or daunting—than an open-world video game. Fire one up and you’re quickly faced with enough real estate to lose hours of your life happily…
While You Wait for ‘Horizon Forbidden West,’ Play Something Weird
After a couple of quiet years, 2022 is set to be a time of spectacular video game releases. Pokemon Legends: Arceus just came out; Elden Ring will be here in…
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Made Me Love Linear Games
Every gamer has that specific kind of title they gravitate toward. For me, it’s a cocktail of action-adventure mixed with RPG elements and an open world. Throw in a great…
In 2021, Gaming Was Crucial and Also a Privilege
As it comes to an end, it’s hard not to acknowledge 2021 was only a minor improvement over 2020. Covid-19, worldwide political turmoil, climate catastrophes—all the stresses of the previous…
Help, I’m Stuck in Cutscene Hell
It’s time, once again, to put down the controller and pick up the needles. I’m 10 hours into Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and I’ve already knit an entire hat, because…
I’m Trapped in the ‘Witcher 3’ Grind, and I Hate It Here
A few hours into The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt it becomes clear: I’m already stuck. Not that I don’t know where to go or how to get there, I’m just…
The Case for Putting Down the Video Game Controller
During the past 15 or so months, video games have emerged as a sanctuary for many people. Amidst the Covid-19 lockdowns—and in the absence of mental and emotional outlets like…
Replaying ‘Mass Effect’ Is Good for My Mental Health
Over the past year, mental health has taken a hit. Mass Covid-19 deaths, depression, isolation, economic struggles, anxiety over the state of humankind—it’s been grim. Amidst all of this, people…
I’m So Over DLC
Downloadable content is such a common part of modern gaming life it’s rote. A few levels here, a few skins or characters there—DLC is pretty much a given, especially on…
It’s Hard to Play a Character Who’s a Dick—but It’s Worth It
Video games are nothing without their main characters. Commander Shepherd from the Mass Effect trilogy; Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn—we’d never root for them if they weren’t, well, at least…