Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trilogy Providing a Complete Experience in Each Game Was “Non-Negotiable”
Square Enix game director Naoki Hamaguchi stated that ensuring each game in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy provides a complete experience was a non-negotiable aspect of development. While Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth omitted certain iconic locations to maintain pacing, the upcoming finale, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, is expected to be over 100 hours long and will feature an open world accessible from the start, along with an automatic leveling function for story-focused players.
"Fable's original combat has a legacy of being quite approachable," so the RPG's devs don't want to change that with the new game
Developers for the upcoming Fable game aim to maintain the series' legacy of approachable combat, while still incorporating depth through mechanics like targeted limb damage and unique spell interactions. The team also emphasizes a variety of activities beyond fighting, including dialogue choices and exploration, to create a more engaging player experience.
Hidden Gems of Game Design Vol 52
This article highlights several underappreciated games, including the Cursed horror series, the text-based fantasy adventure Shadow and Ink, and the RPG-infused block breaker Wizorb. It also touches on the classic arcade shooter Pooyan and the indie platformer Flinthook, showcasing diverse gameplay mechanics and design choices.
Metro Redux's Next-Gen Update arrives this month as franchise passes 50 million sales
4A Games is releasing a free next-gen update for Metro 2033 Redux and Metro Last Light Redux on October 22nd for PC and October 29th for consoles. This update coincides with the Metro franchise surpassing 50 million sales worldwide. The enhancements include 4K textures, improved animations, and platform-specific features like DualSense and Xbox Impulse Triggers, aiming to prepare players for the upcoming Metro 2039.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation lead explains that making each game in the RPG trilogy a "complete experience" was…
Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy lead Naoki Hamaguchi explains the design philosophy of making each game a complete experience. He discusses how the team avoided leaving plot points unresolved and why certain locations were omitted from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth to maintain pacing. Hamaguchi also hints at a gentler side of Cloud's character in the upcoming final chapter.
"We felt that fans were getting a bit desensitised to the violence" Gears of War: E-Day devs made a "big investment" in gore, and weirdly, it works
Developers at The Coalition discuss the significant investment in gore and realistic violence for Gears of War: E-Day, aiming to make combat more impactful and less desensitizing for players. They explain how detailed effects, dismemberment, and blood pooling contribute to the game's cathartic combat system, balancing grimdark storytelling with moments of levity.
Resident Evil 5 should never be remade but Resident Evil 6 is fine - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that Resident Evil 5 should not receive a remake due to its problematic setting and mediocre quality, suggesting Resident Evil Code: Veronica could fill its narrative role. Resident Evil 6, however, is deemed suitable for a complete reimagining due to its lack of lasting impact and irrelevance to later entries in the series. The author also touches on the success of other Resident Evil remakes and the potential for future remakes of Resident Evil 1 and Zero.
End of Abyss Review – Void Stranger
End of Abyss attempts to blend atmospheric narrative with survival horror, but ultimately falters due to tedious pacing, frustrating backtracking, and underdeveloped combat mechanics. While the environmental design and art direction are praised for their eeriness and scale, the game struggles to maintain tension and immersion, leading to a disappointing experience.
The Wolf Among Us Remastered interview: Telltale on why the game is returning, improvements detailed, more
Telltale discusses the upcoming remaster of The Wolf Among Us, highlighting significant improvements to character models, lighting, and environments. The remaster aims to honor the game's legacy, reintroduce it to new and existing fans, and prepare them for the sequel, The Wolf Among Us 2, launching next year. Game designer Matt Saia detailed the extensive work involved in updating the original Telltale Tool game.
Ubisoft’s MOBA March of Giants schedules a playtest October 7 as it discusses its vision for the game
Ubisoft's upcoming MOBA, March of Giants, developed by Massive Entertainment, will host an open playtest on Steam from October 7th to October 18th for players in North America and supported European countries. The playtest will feature a "pioneer program" rewarding participants with in-game unlocks. Developers also shared insights into the game's design, inspired by World War I industrialization, and detailed recent gameplay mechanic updates.
World of Warcraft Forever delves into class design philosophy, including deep dives on the Priest and Warrior
Blizzard Entertainment is discussing the class design philosophy for World of Warcraft, with a particular focus on the Priest and Warrior classes. The developers aim to broaden useful choices without altering the core identity of these classes, making Rage more reliable for Warriors and providing Priests with new talent options for healing, utility, and damage.
Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered review for Nintendo Switch 2
Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered offers a robust package with numerous quality-of-life improvements and new content, making it a compelling modernization of the classic Musou experience. However, its performance and visual presentation on the Nintendo Switch 2 are significantly disappointing, with a variable frame rate and flat environments hindering the overall enjoyment.
The Royal Writ Review | TheXboxHub
The Royal Writ is a roguelike deckbuilder that innovates by removing traditional enemies, focusing instead on the player's deck eroding over time. While praised for its clever design and unique approach, the reviewer found it difficult to fully enjoy due to the lack of direct opposition and situational card design, ultimately respecting its originality more than loving its gameplay.
Recension – EA Sports FC 27
EA Sports FC 27 offers refined gameplay that rewards skill, but its Ultimate Team mode leans heavily into pay-to-win mechanics. While the core football simulation is praised for its smooth feel and rewarding manual defense, the Ultimate Team mode is criticized for its time-consuming nature and aggressive monetization, with a new age rating reflecting its gambling-like elements. The "The Grounds" street mode and career mode improvements are noted as positive additions.
Nintendo reveals GameChat origins including Switch 1 prototype, started working on Switch 2 features in 2020
Nintendo has revealed the origins of its GameChat feature, detailing its development starting around 2020 for the Nintendo Switch 2. Prototypes were initially created on PC before a special development kit based on the original Nintendo Switch was used to test integrating voice and video chat with gameplay.
Signal Veil – The Survival Horror Game Where Your Phone Is Your Only Guide
Signal Veil is a new psychological survival horror game from Serafini Productions and Time Hunters, coming to Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Players control Aki Mizuno, who uses a haunted mobile phone to investigate supernatural events and disappearances at Nishikawa High School, while managing her own deteriorating sanity. The game blends classic survival horror mechanics with a 90s anime-inspired visual style and emphasizes careful resource management and strategic combat.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer review - podracing paradise
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is hailed as the best Star Wars racing game and a top-tier sci-fi racer, praised for its exhilarating gameplay, deep upgrade system, and engaging roguelike campaign. Developed by Fuse Games veterans, the title successfully captures the fantasy of podracing and vehicle combat, offering robust online multiplayer on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
I Can’t Believe A Silly Star Wars Racing Roguelite Is One Of My Favorite Games This Year
Star Wars Galactic Racer is a surprisingly fun racing roguelite that leans into the absurdity of the Star Wars universe. While its story and sound design are weak points, the core gameplay loop of high-speed racing, risk-versus-reward decisions, and constant progression makes it an exhilarating experience. The game successfully captures the thrill of fast-paced racing, making it one of the reviewer's favorite games of the year.
Why Shorter Games Are Finding a New Audience Among Modern Players
Modern players are increasingly valuing shorter, more focused game experiences over lengthy, open-world titles due to time constraints and the abundance of entertainment options. This shift in player preference is influencing game design, with developers prioritizing concise gameplay loops, clear endings, and manageable commitments. While not replacing larger games, shorter titles offer a distinct value proposition of completion and memorable experiences.
If game developers steal one thing from No Law, I hope it's the open-world game's ridiculously detailed and realistic corner shops
The open-world game No Law is praised for its exceptionally detailed and realistic corner shops, which are seen as a standout feature. These shops are integrated into the game's systems, offering items that affect gameplay and reacting to player actions like theft or purchase.
