Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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The industry makes great games, but nobody can find them
Industry professionals at the Madeira Games Summit identified discoverability as a critical issue, stating that current algorithms favor volume and short-term engagement over quality, burying unique games. The problem is exacerbated by a lack of financial motivation to fix the system, leading to a focus on optimizing for metrics rather than creating compelling experiences. Solutions proposed include platforms offering better analytics and curation, publishers focusing on niche identities, and developers prioritizing community building and creative risks.
EA Sports FC 27 hands-on first look - a more beautiful game
EA Sports FC 27 is set to introduce significant improvements over its predecessor, including a new social hub called The Grounds and revamped gameplay mechanics. The Grounds offers a customizable space inspired by global football culture, while gameplay enhancements focus on more realistic interceptions, improved player AI, and a refined crossing system. Career Mode also sees major updates with dynamic player ratings and a more realistic transfer system, alongside new unexpected events and press conferences.
Hidden Gems of Game Design Vol 50
This 50th volume of the 'Hidden Gems' feature highlights overlooked games from the past. It discusses Addams Family Values, Wipeout 3: Special Edition, DoDonPachi, Carmageddon, and Disney's Chicken Little, exploring their unique design elements, commercial struggles, and lasting impact.
Beast of Reincarnation Review - One with nature
Beast of Reincarnation is a sci-fi action-RPG from developer Game Freak, released on August 4, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. While its narrative and protagonist are somewhat lacking, the game excels with its fast-paced, flashy combat, stunning art direction, and engaging creature design. The gameplay loop involves Emma, a blightborn woman, absorbing abilities from mutated wildlife to combat the Beast of Reincarnation, supported by her companion Koo and a robust skill tree.
Beast Of Reincarnation review – the new best dog in video games
Beast Of Reincarnation is a new action RPG from Game Freak that features impressive graphics and Soulslike-inspired combat. While the game offers a deep combat system and extensive skill tree, its dull story and uninteresting characters detract from the experience. Despite some pacing issues and a lack of accessibility options, it stands as one of Game Freak's best non-Pokémon projects.
Beast of Reincarnation: Early-Game Tips to Help You Manage the Miasma
Beast of Reincarnation is an action-RPG that blends influences from Dark Souls and Bayonetta. This guide offers early-game tips for players, focusing on utilizing the companion Koo for exploration and combat, mastering stealth mechanics, and leveraging Emma's unique hair abilities for traversal and combat advantages. The game is set to release on August 4 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and cloud gaming, with Xbox Play Anywhere support.
Beast Of Reincarnation’s Cinematic Focus Fails Its Flashy Action
Beast of Reincarnation offers a fascinating world and flashy combat, but is held back by a dull cast, reused bosses, and a general lack of polish. While the core gameplay loop of chaining combos and parrying attacks is satisfying, the uninteresting dialogue, repetitive encounters, and inconsistent performance on PC and Xbox Series X detract from the experience. The game's ambitious science fiction narrative and art direction are undermined by flat character performances and mundane environments.
The Pokemon dev has surprised me with this sci-fi action RPG that wonderfully combines dog combos with intense swordplay
Beast of Reincarnation is a compelling action RPG from Game Freak that blends satisfying combat, deep build customization, and a surprisingly rich narrative. While the game features challenging swordplay and a unique dog companion mechanic, occasional camera issues and unclear waypoints detract slightly from an otherwise excellent experience.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Developer Diary Highlights The Traps and Puzzles
A developer diary for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis showcases the game's upcoming traps and puzzles, emphasizing how mythology and technology are interwoven into their design. The developers promise a fresh take on familiar mechanics and a challenging experience for players.
Beast of Reincarnation (PS5) Review: Game Freak’s Action RPG Is Rewarding
Game Freak's action RPG, Beast of Reincarnation, offers a rewarding experience on PlayStation 5 with its unique canine companion, Koo, and engaging combat mechanics. While the creature design and boss fights are highlights, the story and exploration can feel repetitive and uninspired compared to titles like Elden Ring. Despite its flaws, the game presents a solid framework for a potential sequel, showcasing Game Freak's willingness to experiment beyond the Pokémon franchise.
Beast of Reincarnation review - Game Freak open a new world
Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation offers a hardcore post-apocalyptic JRPG experience with a compelling narrative, stellar soundtrack, and impressive art design. Despite a slow start and some initial mechanical confusion, the game's open world, flexible combat, and emotional story make it a standout title with potential for a new series.
The Sinking City 2 Makes 15 Huge Changes to the Original
The Sinking City 2 is set to significantly differentiate itself from its predecessor with a shift from detective action to survival horror. Key changes include a move from a fully open world to a more focused semi-open structure, a greater emphasis on environmental storytelling over NPC interaction, and a revamped investigation system that offers more tangible rewards. Combat has also been made a core activity with improved gunplay and new mechanics for dealing damage, alongside a redefined inventory management system and a more flexible skill progression through equippable Runes.
Beast of Reincarnation review: Cycles of destruction
Beast of Reincarnation is an action-adventure game from Game Freak that features a challenging combat system, a unique art style blending futuristic technology with nature, and a compelling relationship between the protagonist Emma and her canine companion Koo. While the narrative and open zones are less inspired, the robust combat and build variety make it a satisfying experience. The game launches on August 4, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, featuring Japanese voice acting with English subtitles.
Beast of Reincarnation review
Beast of Reincarnation is a melancholy action RPG from Game Freak that blends close-range combat with a meditative atmosphere. While it shares similarities with Stellar Blade, it offers a more patient and atmospheric experience focused on parrying and dexterity. The game features a sci-fi setting where the protagonist, Emma, battles a titular beast to save humanity, with combat mechanics involving swords, projectiles, and a companion dog named Koo.
15 Years Ago, Catherine Had Gaming’s Most Complex Trans Representation
This article examines Catherine's 15th anniversary and its complex, albeit awkward, portrayal of transgender representation in video games. Developed by Atlus, the game explored adult themes and featured a transgender character, Erica, whose representation was influenced by cultural differences between Japan and the West, particularly regarding gender expression and transition.
Splatoon Raiders Owes A Lot To Older Campaigns You Forgot About
This article argues that while Splatoon Raiders is a strong single-player experience, the campaigns in the original Splatoon, Splatoon 2, and Splatoon 3 were also significant and foundational. It highlights how Raiders draws inspiration from the lore, weapon variety, level design, and progression systems established in previous installments, emphasizing that the entire Splatoon series offers something special.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Reminded Me That Halo Infinite Was Great, Actually
Playing the remake Halo: Campaign Evolved highlights the strengths of Halo Infinite's gameplay, despite its development struggles and narrative issues. The article argues that Infinite modernized the core gameplay loop established in Halo: Combat Evolved, particularly with the addition of the grappling hook, and that the new Halo Studios should learn from both Infinite's innovations and the series' past successes.
Baldur's Gate 3 actor Devora Wilde loves the "little throwback" her Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 character…
Devora Wilde, the voice actor for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's character Clea, notes similarities between Clea and Baldur's Gate 3's Lae'zel, particularly their 'problematic mean girl' archetypes. Wilde finds it interesting that players tend to give Clea more grace than Lae'zel, despite both characters exhibiting cold and irritable personalities.
Riftbound’s Card Templates Are Getting A Big Overhaul in 2027
Riftbound, Riot Games' trading card game, is set to receive significant changes to its card templates and mechanics starting in January 2027 with the release of its sixth set, Legacy. These updates, detailed in a recent State of the Game update, aim to improve clarity and player experience, including changes to how Legend cards are acquired and how the term "play" is defined for card effects. The developers are prioritizing player feedback in these ongoing adjustments.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation will end the trilogy story & any DLC would be a spinoff
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will conclude the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy's main story within its base game, according to director Naoki Hamaguchi. Any future downloadable content for Rebirth would be considered a spinoff rather than a continuation of the main narrative. Hamaguchi also expressed interest in pursuing an original project after the trilogy's completion in Spring 2027.
