Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Mafia: The Old Country Studio President Says GTA Comparisons Are “an Internet Thing”
Hangar 13 president Nick Baynes stated that comparisons between the Mafia franchise and Grand Theft Auto are primarily an "internet thing" and do not influence the studio's development strategy. While acknowledging the similarities, Baynes emphasized that Mafia focuses more on narrative-driven experiences, contrasting with Grand Theft Auto's sandbox gameplay. The article also briefly touches on the "Man of Honor" DLC for Mafia: The Old Country, which was released in August 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Director Likens Parrying to Guitar Hero, Believes Most “Will Play This Way”
Rebel Wolves director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz likens the parrying mechanic in The Blood of Dawnwalker to Guitar Hero, suggesting most players will adopt this challenging playstyle. The open-world action RPG, launching September 3rd for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, will feature vampiric abilities and Hexes that can be used during the night.
Mortal Shell 2 Might Finally Give Bloodborne Fans What They Want
This article draws parallels between Bloodborne and the upcoming Mortal Shell 2, suggesting the latter may offer a similar aggressive combat experience. It highlights mechanics like Bloodborne's regen system and Mortal Shell 2's Harden and firearm usage as key elements that cater to fans seeking a challenging, offensive-minded Soulslike. The piece concludes that while not a direct sequel, Mortal Shell 2 captures the spirit of Bloodborne's combat philosophy.
Star Wars Zero Company interview – ‘we finally brought this genre to new people'
Developers from Bit Reactor, including directors Greg Foertsch and James Brawley, discuss their upcoming turn-based strategy game Star Wars Zero Company. Having previously worked on the XCOM series at Firaxis Games, they aim to blend authentic Star Wars storytelling with deep tactical gameplay, making the genre more accessible to a wider audience. The interview also touches on design choices, narrative integration, and the challenges of adapting beloved IPs.
Marvel’s Wolverine Is Hiding A Lot More Depth Than Its Linear Structure Suggests
This article analyzes the potential depth of Marvel's Wolverine beyond its seemingly linear structure, highlighting Insomniac Games' ability to create engaging experiences outside of open worlds. It discusses how Logan's investigative skills, enhanced senses, and the Rage system contribute to gameplay variety, alongside features like Nightmare Doors and New Game Plus, suggesting the game offers more than just combat.
The Sinking City 2 Interview – Survival Horror, Arkham, Floods, Console Graphics, and More
Frogwares' Sergiy Oganesyan discusses The Sinking City 2's shift to survival horror, making investigation optional but rewarding, and its unique tension-based gameplay design. The game will feature two graphical modes on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, targeting 60fps, while the Series S will run at 1080p/30fps. The studio is also focused on PC performance with Unreal Engine 5 features and upscaler support.
Why You Can’t Stop Playing Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, developed by Arc System Works in collaboration with Marvel Games, offers a unique 4v4 anime-style fighting experience that balances accessibility with high-skill gameplay. Despite a less-than-ideal PC port, the game's responsive controls, gorgeous presentation, and intricate combo mechanics, including Link Combos and the Assemble system, keep players engaged. The article explores how the game's depth, character-specific mechanics, and challenging neutral game contribute to its addictive nature, even for players who are not fighting game veterans.
David Brevik, creator of Diablo, reveals the 'worst ending' to any game he's played: 'But I really…
David Brevik, creator of Diablo, discusses his gaming history and current library in this interview. He shares his thoughts on the 'worst ending' in Eye of the Beholder and his enduring love for games like EverQuest and Marvel Heroes, which he still plays on fan-made servers.
One of Zelda: A Link to the Past's most radical ideas couldn't be realized until Link's Awakening because Shigeru Miyamoto didn't want to see Link without his sword
Shigeru Miyamoto requested that a radical idea for freely combining weapons and freely choosing which weapons to hold be cut from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Director Takashi Tezuka revealed that this system was later implemented in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening for the Game Boy, allowing players to swap items, including the sword.
Kingdom Hearts creator Tetsuya Nomura teases his role in the new anime series, tells fans to "let your imagination run wild"
Tetsuya Nomura, creator of Kingdom Hearts, has confirmed that a new anime series is in production and that he is involved in creating new character designs for the project. While details remain scarce, Nomura has encouraged fans to use the released key art as a hint. Additionally, an extended trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4 revealed that Donald, Goofy, and King Mickey will be playable characters for the first time, and an adult Riku will assist Sora.
Keep The Door Locked Walkthrough – All Endings
This guide provides a walkthrough for the horror game Keep The Door Locked, detailing how to deal with various in-game events and achieve all four possible endings. It explains the basic mechanics, safety rules, and how to spot anomalies to survive the hotel's dangers.
Akatori Review | TheXboxHub
Akatori is a pixel-art platformer with a strong narrative about a young monk journeying across five realms to prevent corruption. However, the game suffers from unsatisfying movement controls, floaty jumps, and frustrating level design, particularly with its one-hit-kill spikes. While the presentation and ambient music are pleasant, the Metroidvania elements, such as backtracking, are sidelined, leading to an overall mediocre experience despite its compelling story.
Minecraft's Sulfur Cube mob has unlocked an ocean of creative new minigames
Minecraft has introduced the Sulfur Cube mob, a versatile entity that can be transformed into various forms for use in player-created minigames. Mojang has highlighted creative examples on the Minecraft Marketplace, ranging from sports-style games like Sulfur Golf and obstacle courses like Sulfur Rush, to arcade-style Breakout and even shooter and adventure experiences. The new mob has unlocked a wide array of creative possibilities for the sandbox game.
Marvel Tōkon's simple but effective combo trials are an elegant tutorial solution that I wish more fighting games…
Marvel Tōkon's combo trials offer an innovative approach to tutorials by presenting players with 'Level-Up Missions' that require them to devise their own combos based on specific criteria. This method encourages critical thinking about character mechanics, a departure from traditional, prescriptive combo trials that are often forgotten. The article suggests this design could be a valuable feature for other fighting games to adopt.
Duskfade Review | TheXboxHub
Duskfade is a modern 3D platformer that aims to recapture the charm of classic games, featuring a colorful world, engaging platforming mechanics, and a lighthearted story about a clockmaker named Zirian saving his sister. While the combat can become repetitive, the game excels in its exploration, intuitive controls, and visually appealing environments powered by Unreal Engine 5. It is available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
How to make the perfect video game according to Google AI - Reader's Feature
A reader explores the concept of the 'perfect video game' by asking Google's AI for its criteria, which include good controls, clear rules, no wasted time, and good style. The AI's top picks were Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Elden Ring, prompting a discussion on how games like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Assassin's Creed succeed and fail in meeting these standards.
Nintendo has not “lost its soul” – here’s why
This article argues that Nintendo has not lost its soul, despite concerns arising from remakes and industry trends. While acknowledging the increasing cost of gaming and the shift towards digital, it highlights Nintendo's continued focus on charm, personality, and satisfying gameplay in titles like Mario Kart World and Pokemon Pokopia. The piece also touches on Nintendo's strategic decisions regarding hardware and non-game features, concluding that while some aspects may be missed, the core spirit remains intact.
Crimson Desert Patch Adds Quests to Knowledge Tab, Finally Lets You Research With Camp Funds
Crimson Desert's latest patch, version 1.18.00, introduces a new 'Quests' category to the Knowledge tab, retroactively granting entries for completed quests. Research now requires Camp Funds instead of Silver, and an exploit allowing excessive stacking of trade goods has been fixed. The game's first paid DLC is slated for release in Q3 2026.
Marvel’s Wolverine Isn’t Open-World Because He’s “Not Somebody Who Stays in the Same Spot” for Long
Insomniac Games has confirmed that Marvel's Wolverine will not be an open-world game, opting for a linear action-adventure structure to focus on a "Logan story." Senior project director Jess Reiner-Reed explained that Wolverine's character, unlike Spider-Man, is not someone who stays in one place. Head of technology Mike Fitzgerald added that traversal is not a key element for Wolverine, with focus placed on his claws, healing factor, and rage. The game is set to launch on September 15th for PlayStation 5, featuring performance at 60 FPS with ray tracing.
Dragon Quest creator comments on why DQ9 was a Nintendo DS exclusive, team was “a little disheartened” by the fan reaction
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii reflected on the decision to make Dragon Quest 9 a Nintendo DS exclusive, citing the desire for easy local network play and multiplayer features. He admitted that the team was disheartened by the fan criticism at the time, who had expected a successor to the 3D graphics of Dragon Quest 8 on home consoles. While Dragon Quest 9 remains a Nintendo DS title, the possibility of a remake on modern platforms is hinted at.
