Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
First-Time Developer Drops Falling Block Puzzle Game ‘Blocks’ on Steam
Blocks, the debut falling block puzzle game from first-time developer teogamedev, has been released on Steam. The game aims to blend chaotic puzzle-solving with a relaxing musical experience, appealing to both competitive and zen players. This release highlights the growing accessibility of game development and the potential for simple concepts to find success in the current indie market.
I’m optimistic about the PS6 and it's all thanks to Valve - Reader’s Feature
A reader expresses optimism for the PlayStation 6, believing Valve's Steam Machine will provide much-needed competition for Sony. The author argues that a lack of competition has led to issues with the current PlayStation 5 generation, such as fewer single-player exclusives, and that Sony will need to innovate to compete with Valve's potential offerings.
Resident Evil Requiem delivered on the multiple-protagonist promise I've always wanted from Silent Hill
The article discusses how Resident Evil's use of multiple protagonists, particularly in a hypothetical 'Resident Evil Requiem,' fulfills a long-held desire for the Silent Hill series to explore different character perspectives and gameplay styles. It contrasts this with Silent Hill F's attempt at dual realities and praises Resident Evil's approach to balancing horror and action across its characters.
Indie Dev Turns Pinball Into Brutal Vertical Climbing Game
Indie developer OneThatEatYou has released a demo for their new game, The Fallosophy, which combines pinball physics with vertical climbing gameplay. The game features a two-button control scheme and is available now on PC. This experimental genre blend aims to offer a fresh and challenging experience for players.
WoW's recent revamp of Silvermoon for Midnight is so good, I'm starting to wonder if the MMO's model of a 'new exciting continent every 2-3 years' was ever the right way
The upcoming World of Warcraft: Midnight expansion's revamp of older zones like Silvermoon is praised for its detail and scope, prompting a discussion on whether Blizzard's traditional 'new continent every few years' model is optimal. This approach focuses on enriching existing areas rather than constantly introducing new ones, potentially avoiding the 'continent creep' issue common in long-running MMOs.
Elden Ring Players Crown Messmer as the Perfect Boss Fight
Elden Ring players have crowned Messmer the Impaler from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC as a near-perfect boss fight, praising its fairness and clear attack tells. This contrasts with other bosses like Gaius, highlighting community preferences for readable challenges over frustrating encounters. Messmer is seen as an evolution in FromSoftware's design, balancing difficulty with player respect.
Never Grave’s Pacing Feels a Bit Awkward
Never Grave: The Witch and the Curse is a Metroidvania with roguelike elements where players control a witch hat that can possess various entities. While the core concept and gameplay mechanics are solid, the game suffers from awkward pacing, repetitive level design, and difficulty spikes that hinder the overall experience. It is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Skull and Bones – How Ubisoft found fun in the Golden Age of Piracy
Ubisoft discusses how they found fun in the Golden Age of Piracy setting for their upcoming game Skull and Bones. The article explores the development process and the unique elements that define the game's pirate fantasy.
League of Legends Artist Creates Stunning Demon Fanart That Captivates Reddit
A Reddit artist's original demon fanart for League of Legends has garnered significant praise within the game's community. The artwork is highlighted as an example of fan creativity that enriches the game's world and fosters community engagement, reflecting current trends in the game's darker aesthetic.
Something for the Weekend – 07/03/26
Nintendo held an Indie World showcase, revealing new titles and updates. Among the announcements were Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, South of Midnight for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, and Echoes of Aincrad, an RPG set in the Sword Art Online universe. The article also reviews several games including Planet of Lana 2 and Pokémon Pokopia, and features previews for Tides of Tomorrow and Rogue Point.
Marathon's story is told like it's a single player game and that's no good when my friends are talking on Discord
The author argues that Bungie's upcoming game Marathon, despite being a multiplayer experience, presents its story in a way that assumes single-player engagement. This makes it difficult for players to follow the narrative while communicating with friends on platforms like Discord. The article suggests that developers of multiplayer games need to adapt their storytelling methods to accommodate concurrent player interaction.
Co-op works brilliantly in Slay the Spire 2 - it's already MVP of the wildly popular sequel
Slay the Spire 2 significantly enhances the original formula with the addition of co-op multiplayer, allowing up to four players to tackle the spire together. The game elegantly addresses potential balance issues by adjusting enemy health and individual resource pools, while introducing new collaborative mechanics like shared damage and strategic communication tools. This co-op implementation transforms the solitary deck-building experience into a dynamic, team-oriented challenge.
Every Elden Ring Enemy Fits Into Just 3 Categories, Reddit Analysis Reveals
A Reddit user has analyzed Elden Ring's enemy roster, categorizing every creature into three core types: Aggressive Rushers, Defensive Guardians, and Strategic Controllers. This framework highlights FromSoftware's deliberate design philosophy, revealing how these categories create varied combat challenges and contribute to the game's overall learning curve and player mastery.
Echoes of Aincrad Unveils Intense Death Game Mode - GameHaunt
Bandai Namco is introducing an optional 'Death Game Mode' for Echoes of Aincrad, where character death permanently deletes save files, mirroring the tension of the source material. This mode requires a constant internet connection and offers exclusive rewards like 'Survivor' titles and rare weapon skins. A 'Disconnection Grace Period' is being developed to address concerns about unfair deletions due to technical issues.
Mario Kart World is badly underrated and the best game on Switch 2 - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that Mario Kart World is an underrated and excellent game, potentially the best on the Nintendo Switch 2. Despite negative reviews, the reader praises its open world, racing mechanics, and social aspects, considering it a worthy successor to Mario Kart 8.
Why I love Resident Evil Requiem and Leon S. Kennedy - Reader's Feature
A long-time fan expresses their deep affection for the Resident Evil series, particularly highlighting Resident Evil Requiem and the character Leon S. Kennedy. The reader praises the series' blend of action, tension, and its unique, albeit nonsensical, storytelling, celebrating its enduring appeal and success as a single-player experience.
Marathon day two check-in: Into the Outpost, an overpowered shotgun, and why I love doors
The author provides a check-in after 10 hours playing Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon, highlighting enjoyment of the PvP trios mode and the new Outpost map. The article also discusses the effectiveness of the double-barrel shotgun and the ongoing community puzzle potentially leading to a fourth map, Cryo Archive.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred is Rethinking Its Approach To Levelling In A Good Way
Blizzard Entertainment is revising the leveling approach for Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred to allow players more time to familiarize themselves with new classes like the Paladin and Warlock. Game director Colin Finer explained that early game monster clearing will be slower, but later levels will feel more dynamic with more skills and faster combat. This change aims to provide a more evenly paced experience throughout the game's progression.
'It's kind of like you're a butcher': Hundreds of Slay the Spire 2 card ideas were cut during development in an 'incredibly destructive process'
Mega Crit studio co-founder Anthony Giovannetti described the development of Slay the Spire 2 as an 'incredibly destructive' process involving the culling of thousands of card ideas. The game is currently in early access on Steam, with plans to add more content over the next one to two years. Slay the Spire 2 has seen a strong launch, peaking at over 430,000 concurrent players.
Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf Review – We Were Here Together
Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf offers a well-crafted puzzle-platforming experience with improvements in presentation and flow over its predecessor. While it doesn't drastically depart from the original's mechanics, it features more intricate levels, seamless yet challenging puzzles, and a gorgeous hand-painted art style. The game is reviewed on PC and maintains a sweeping, emotional atmosphere with strong sound design and voice acting.
