Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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If you thought Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was bloated, you're not going to like Revelation - but I'd much rather have too much to do than too little
This article discusses the open-world design of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, drawing comparisons to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and other open-world titles like The Witcher 3. While acknowledging the potential for bloat and excessive tutorials, the author expresses enthusiasm for director Naoki Hamaguchi's ambitious vision and the game's expanded mechanics.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation Hands-on Preview – Worth developing Mako poisoning for
Final Fantasy VII Revelation, the final chapter of the remake trilogy, promises to be an epic conclusion, picking up after the events of Rebirth with the party facing the Weapons and the looming threat of war with Wutai. This preview highlights Yuffie's expanded role, the introduction of Cid and Vincent, and new exploration tools, though it notes concerns about the return of Chadley's side-content padding. Visually, Revelation appears to be a significant step up from Rebirth, with stunning environments and detailed character models.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation appears to eclipse the scale of the past two games
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, the concluding part of the remake trilogy, appears to significantly surpass the scale of its predecessors. The preview highlights the airship Highwind as a central hub and showcases the exploration of new regions like Wutai, alongside expanded side activities and a deeper FITS system for character customization. The game is set to release on April 8, 2027, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
The world’s crying out for a game that’s actually fun to play – SSX was the PS2 launch game that made snowboarding feel like the future that never arrived
The original SSX on PlayStation 2 is celebrated as a groundbreaking launch title that perfectly blended technology, design, and timing to create a uniquely fun snowboarding experience. Its innovative mechanics, such as the boost meter fueled by tricks, and its dynamic soundtrack set it apart, establishing the EA Sports BIG brand and influencing subsequent titles like SSX Tricky and SSX 3.
Onyx: The Dark Grip will have you gripping your Switch 2
Bloober Team has announced Onyx: The Dark Grip, a 2.5D supernatural horror game exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, set for a 2027 release. Players will guide a vessel named Holden using unique touchscreen, microphone, and gyro controls to solve puzzles and confront nightmares.
Games Inbox: Which was the best game in the Nintendo Direct?
Readers discuss the recent Nintendo Direct, with particular praise for Metroid Ravenous and the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Some express disappointment over the lack of major Mario franchise titles and question Nintendo's development priorities, while others praise the volume of indie games and the potential for the Switch 2.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation May Have More Content Than Rebirth, per Director: “It’s All Good Content”
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi stated that the upcoming finale will contain at least as much, and possibly more, content than Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. He assured that all content will be appealing and contribute to the game's appeal, despite some players feeling overwhelmed by Rebirth's scope. The game is set to launch on April 8th, 2027, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, with two paid expansions planned for post-launch.
Fable: How Playground Games is Building Albion for a New Generation | Official XBOX Podcast
Playground Games' Ralph Fulton discusses the upcoming Fable game on the Official Xbox Podcast, highlighting the combat system, world design, and player agency. The interview, conducted at Gamescom, reveals details about the game's initial experience, including the introduction to Bowerstone and the emergence of heroic powers. Fulton emphasizes the team's focus on player choice and the intricate details within the game's environments and combat encounters.
Broken Mirror Games Reveals ONYX: The Dark Grip Exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2
Broken Mirror Games, a label of Bloober Team, has revealed ONYX: The Dark Grip, an exclusive dark adventure game for the Nintendo Switch 2 set to launch in 2027. The game is designed for handheld play, utilizing the Nintendo Switch 2's hardware features for unique gameplay interactions. Players will control both 'The Vessel' and 'The God' in a struggle for survival within an isolated, frozen town.
Duel of Meloch is a bold experiment that blends two beloved strategy board games together, but newcomers may get left behind
Duel of Meloch is a bold experiment that successfully blends the mechanics of Scythe and Expeditions into a standalone game, but it is most worthwhile for players who already own and understand both parent titles. While it offers a mechanically fascinating mashup and lovely components, newcomers will find the requirement to learn three rulebooks a significant barrier, and the game doesn't feel distinct enough to stand on its own.
Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley launch Nova Games Foundation to fund young designers
Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley have launched the Nova Games Foundation, a philanthropic program offering grants to young game designers. The foundation will provide $100,000 grants annually to 20 designers, with some eligible for up to $500,000, and includes mentorship from industry veterans. Recipients retain game ownership and can choose their own publishers and platforms.
You probably shouldn't play the Zelda Ocarina of Time remake with an N64 controller, but I'm holding for OG…
The author argues that while the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will naturally feature modern controls, there's value in supporting the original Nintendo 64 controller. This would preserve unique gameplay elements like Z-targeting's atmospheric camera shifts and sound cues, offering an authentic experience for long-time fans.
Perfect Ten: Strange omissions from the initial lineup of beasts to tame for Final Fantasy XIV’s Beastmaster
The latest Final Fantasy XIV patch introduces the Beastmaster job, allowing players to tame previously unmastered beasts. However, the author notes several surprising omissions from the initial list of tameable creatures, including common enemies like moles, yarzons, funguar, bears, wolves, peistes, beetles, boars, skeletons, and bombs, questioning the logic behind the selection.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream gave us fall season props, so I built a Halloween hedge maze
A player details how they used new seasonal props in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream to construct an elaborate Halloween hedge maze. The article highlights the creative possibilities within the game and expresses a desire for more substantial content updates from Nintendo.
Blood of Dawnwalker devs Rebel Wolves are already looking for someone to help write a sequel, so here's where I'd like to see its vampy tale go next
Despite The Blood of Dawnwalker having only recently launched, developer Rebel Wolves is already seeking a lead writer for a sequel. The article speculates on potential narrative directions for future installments, suggesting a continuation of the protagonist's centuries-spanning journey across the globe, possibly exploring different historical periods and settings.
Onyx: The Dark Grip is a new Bloober Team horror game coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch 2
Bloober Team has revealed Onyx: The Dark Grip, a new horror game exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, set to launch in 2027. The game will utilize touchscreen and tilt mechanics, requiring it to be played in handheld mode. Players control Holden, who must uncover the mysteries of a fog-shrouded town.
Ocarina of Time Remake Release Date, Is It Exclusive & More
Nintendo has revealed more details about the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, launching November 5 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. The remake introduces new features like a dedicated jump button and motion controls for the slingshot, while preserving elements like loading screens and the original pacing. The company is also celebrating The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary with new merchandise and a world concert tour.
2,045 days later, Valheim's 1.0 launch proves its scope for epic journeys is still unbeatable
Valheim's 1.0 launch, after five years in Early Access, highlights the game's enduring appeal in the survival genre. The article praises its sense of discovery, poetic atmosphere, and blend of survival and RPG elements, though it notes minor frustrations with the building mechanics. Developer Iron Gate Studios is commended for creating a world with near-endless scope for epic journeys.
Total War: Warhammer 40k is aiming to be the most complex and most accessible game Creative Assembly has ever made - here's how the devs managed both
Creative Assembly aims to make Total War: Warhammer 40,000 both the most complex and most accessible game in the series. Developers Joy Dey and Dave Petry explain how new systems, detailed combat simulation, and a robust tutorial campaign are designed to cater to both veteran players and newcomers to the Total War and Warhammer franchises.
CD Projekt Red says Songs of the Past will 'complete' The Witcher 3 story with Dandelion at its center — 'This is part of The Wild Hunt, and it felt like a chapter was missing'
CD Projekt Red has stated that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's upcoming expansion, Songs of the Past, will complete the game's narrative by focusing on the character of Dandelion. Developers from Fool's Theory emphasized their desire to give Dandelion the spotlight he deserves, drawing from the original novels to tell a story that felt like a missing chapter of The Wild Hunt.
