Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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OG Star Fox designer may prefer the Mario Galaxy Movie design, but says the Switch 2 game designs are "exactly the visuals" he had in mind for the Nintendo 64 classic
Original Star Fox designer Takaya Imamura stated that the visual designs for the upcoming Nintendo Switch remake of Star Fox 64 are exactly what he envisioned for the Nintendo 64 classic. While acknowledging the visual style of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Imamura believes the new game's realistic character designs will give it a distinct identity.
Super Alloy Crush Early Access Review – It’s pretty mega, man
Super Alloy Crush is an Early Access indie platformer that draws heavy inspiration from the Mega Man X series, offering vivid visuals and smooth gameplay. Players control intergalactic treasure hunters in a combat-focused adventure with two distinct characters, Muu and Kelly, and a satisfying upgrade system. While the game features a linear story mode and a roguelike Battle Rush mode, the difficulty balance is inconsistent, and content is limited beyond chapter 3, though the developers are actively planning expansions and improvements.
Kiln Review - For the love of pottery
Kiln is a 4v4 party brawler from Double Fine Productions where players sculpt their characters using a pottery wheel, impacting their abilities in battle. The game features deep customization options, strategic combat mechanics, and a social hub. While offering a fun and unique experience, the review questions its long-term player retention due to a potential lack of content variety.
Gears Of War Creator Lays Out Vision For A New Game, And It Sounds Intriguing
Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski has outlined his vision for a new game called "Hollow Point." The proposed two-player cooperative title would blend elements of John Wick, Carrie, and Lovecraft Country, featuring an ex-Marine with guns and a young woman with psychic powers battling Lovecraftian monsters in a New England town during a hurricane.
Hell is Us Scheduled for September Release on Nintendo Switch 2 - GameHaunt
Hell is Us is scheduled to release on September 24, 2026, for the Nintendo Switch 2, launching simultaneously with PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S versions. Developed by Rogue Factor and published by Nacon, the action RPG will include all previous updates and expansions. The game emphasizes organic exploration without maps or markers and features a melee-focused combat system against creatures called Chimeras.
If you've ever had your shoes stolen in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, that was apparently PC Gamer's fault,…
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 lead designer Prokop Jirsa revealed that a PC Gamer article about players believing shoes were stolen in the original game inspired the implementation of a similar system in the sequel. NPCs will now steal items like shoes and caps if the player passes out drunk, a feature that was directly influenced by player reactions and media coverage.
Going Platinum: Astro's Playroom Was the Perfect PS5 Appetiser
Astro's Playroom is highlighted as the perfect introductory game for the PlayStation 5, praised for showcasing the console's capabilities and the DualSense controller's features. The article celebrates the game's joyful design, infectious enthusiasm, and the satisfying experience of earning its Platinum Trophy, which involves collecting PlayStation history artifacts.
Sunday Interviews
Stellaris is celebrating its 10th anniversary with continued DLC support, a testament to its enduring popularity. Designer Bennett Foddy expresses his admiration for 'friendslop' games and has uninstalled Baldur's Gate 3.
Original Star Fox artist says Star Fox Switch 2 has “exactly the visuals” he had in mind making Star Fox 64
Original Star Fox designer Takaya Imamura expressed that the upcoming Star Fox game for the Nintendo Switch 2 features visuals that align with his original vision for Star Fox 64. He noted his appreciation for realistic character expressions, contrasting them with the movie version of Fox.
Dragon Quest creator thinks AI pals are "not just a convenient tool, but a friend to each individual player"
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii believes AI companions can be more than just tools, acting as friends to individual players. Speaking at a Google Cloud Next conference, Horii expressed his desire to integrate AI characters into Dragon Quest X and potentially other series to enhance player camaraderie and provide empathetic support. He also confirmed that Dragon Quest 12 is still in development.
Bennett Foddy, designer of QWOP and Baby Steps, is obsessed with friendslop games and won't uninstall Baldur's Gate 3, even though he'll probably never finish it: 'It was too big and so I stopped'
Designer Bennett Foddy discusses his PC gaming habits, including his obsession with 'friendslop' games and why he hasn't uninstalled Baldur's Gate 3 despite finding it too large to finish. He also touches on his own games like QWOP and Baby Steps, and his current interest in roguelikes like Brogue and NetHack.
Path of Exile 2 Director Jonathan Rogers isn't worried about missing swords, "as long as there's nothing in the game that I feel is bad"
Path of Exile 2 Game Director Jonathan Rogers is not concerned about the absence of certain features like swords, prioritizing the overall quality and design of the game. He discusses the upcoming 'Return of the Ancients' update, the evolution of the endgame Atlas map, and the integration of build guides, aiming for a 1.0 launch in late 2026.
The Sims 3 review (2009)
This review of The Sims 3, originally published in 2009, highlights its improved simulation aspects and the freedom offered by its open world and Create-A-Style tools. The game allows players to control Sims' lives, fulfilling their wishes and navigating life's dramas, though the core gameplay loop can become rote for some players. The open town of Sunset Valley enhances the sense of scope and exploration compared to previous titles.
"My job is to trick you": Obsession's Curry Barker on finding his own way to frighten horror fans and leaning into the "modern jumpscare"
Director Curry Barker discusses his approach to horror in the upcoming film Obsession, aiming to create a "modern jumpscare" that relies on unsettling moments rather than traditional scares. He contrasts this with predictable jumpscares, stating his goal is to surprise and trick the audience, drawing parallels to comedic timing.
Why Is Everyone Acting So Weird About PS5 Game Mixtape?
The narrative game Mixtape has launched to a 9/10 review score, but is facing unusual discourse online regarding its gameplay mechanics and design choices. Critics have pointed out the lack of consequences for failed prompts and questioned the game's classification as indie, despite its publisher Annapurna Interactive and small development team. Former executive Mike Ybarra also weighed in on the discussion.
WILL: Follow the Light Review - Lost in the fog
WILL: Follow the Light is a narrative adventure game that struggles to deliver on its atmospheric potential due to heavy-handed writing and uneven puzzle design. While the sailing sequences and environmental depictions offer glimpses of what could have been, the overall experience is hampered by stiff performances and a story that over-explains its themes. The game was released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Stellaris is getting space nomads and scenarios for its 10th birthday
Paradox Interactive announced Season 10 for Stellaris, which will introduce space nomads, allowing players to control species without a homeworld using mobile arkships. The update also includes the Willpower expansion focused on Ideologies and new scenarios like a king-of-the-hill PvP mode and a roguelike ship journey. Game director Stephen Murray discussed the technical challenges and design inspirations behind these new features.
What Star Fox tells us about the Ocarina Of Time remake - Reader’s Feature
This reader's feature speculates on how a potential remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo Switch 2 might turn out, drawing parallels with the recently announced Star Fox 64 remake. The author discusses potential graphical styles, the inclusion of voice acting, and the importance of gameplay innovation over a purely graphical update for long-time fans.
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain once proposed a first-person time-travel RPG where you could assassinate historical figures…
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain discussed 'Time Walker,' a first-person RPG concept he drafted at Troika Games in 2001. The ambitious proposal involved a 'temporal agent' traveling through time to assassinate historical figures and prevent reality from unraveling, with gameplay mechanics that would become easier as the timeline destabilized. The game was also envisioned for the Xbox with online multiplayer and an open-ended skill tree.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Revealed for PS5, Xbox, and PC
Daybreak Game Company, Cold Iron Studios, and 20th Century Games have announced Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2, a sequel to the cooperative third-person survival shooter. The game will feature four-player co-op, new character classes, deeper squad mechanics, and expanded customization. Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is set to launch this summer for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
