Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
The Metroidvania Genre Owes Credit To Much More Than Castlevania And Metroid
This article explores the origins of the Metroidvania genre, arguing that its roots extend beyond Metroid and Castlevania. It highlights early exploration platformers and RPGs like Aztec and Xanadu: Dragon Slayer 2, as well as Sega's Wonder Boy series, as crucial precursors that introduced key mechanics.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Review – Master of the Blade
Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks a triumphant return for the action samurai franchise, offering a challenging and modern take on the series' core identity. The game excels with its tightly designed, skill-based sword combat, which is praised as some of the best in modern gaming, particularly its parry mechanics. While the narrative is serviceable rather than standout, the satisfying moment-to-moment gameplay, deep progression systems, and solid technical performance on PlayStation 5 make it a highly recommended experience for fans of complex action titles.
Housemarque Co-founder Ilari Kuittinen leaving after 31 years
Housemarque co-founder Ilari Kuittinen is leaving the company after 31 years, marking his last day on August 31, 2026. Kuittinen plans to take a break from the industry before eventually returning in a consulting and mentorship capacity. He expressed pride in Housemarque's accomplishments, including the success of Returnal and Saros.
Hole in Zero?! Designing for the Absurd in Golftacular!
Both Good Games announced that their absurd mini-golf party game, Golftacular!, is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. The article details the game's design process, focusing on how player exploration and the desire to "cheat" led to unique mechanics and items, including a "hole in zero" concept. The game also features a Puzzle Mode that teaches players the full extent of its item-based mechanics.
GTA 6 is so big, Rockstar doesn't "know that there's anybody on the team that knows all of it"
Rockstar Games' Rob Nelson stated that Grand Theft Auto VI is so vast that no single team member may have experienced its entirety. The studio aims to evolve its signature open-world design while retaining core elements that resonate with players. The game is set to launch in November.
One More Season: A Week Playing Retro Bowl
This article explores the appeal of the mobile game Retro Bowl, a pixelated American football manager that can be played in short bursts. The author spent a week with the game, finding its simple yet engaging management loop and accessible gameplay a refreshing change from larger, more demanding sports titles.
Wisdom of Nym: Melee weaponry Final Fantasy XIV could use for future jobs
This opinion piece explores potential melee weapons that could be introduced for future jobs in Final Fantasy XIV, moving beyond past job archetypes. It discusses the viability and design challenges of whips, hammers, poles, and various sword types, considering their historical use in the series and potential gameplay roles.
Marvel Snap’s Hit New Draft Mode Will Return In September With Changes
Marvel Snap's popular Draft Mode is set to return on September 28 with changes to its scoring system, utilizing Sanctum scoring. Developer Second Dinner plans to iterate on the mode based on player feedback, with future iterations potentially featuring different rule variants.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword review - A sword saintly samurai thriller
Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks a strong return for the series, blending its classic samurai roots with modern sensibilities. The game features a compelling narrative, a strong cast led by Miyamoto Musashi, and satisfying combat, though some minor details are lacking. It successfully threads the needle in the competitive samurai action genre, offering an approachable yet deep experience.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Review | TheXboxHub
Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks a strong return for the series, offering engaging action-adventure gameplay centered around satisfying combat mechanics like parrying, dodging, and the unique 'isshin' attack. While the game features a compelling story and characters, its pacing, particularly during tutorials and the late-game boss encounters, is noted as a minor drawback.
The Blood of Dawnwalker review
The Blood of Dawnwalker is a grim horror RPG from Rebel Wolves that offers compelling ideas but doesn't always fully realize them. While its combat and world-building are praised, drawing comparisons to Elden Ring and The Witcher 3, the game's unrelenting bleakness and some design choices, like the time management system, are noted as drawbacks. Despite its flaws, the game is considered an effective piece of storytelling with a strong atmosphere.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword review
Onimusha: Way of the Sword offers a sublime mix of classic Capcom action and weighty physical swordfighting, though its pacing is its main drawback. The game excels in its combat mechanics, challenging players with precise parries and satisfying executions, and features a compelling use of Toshiro Mifune's likeness as Miyamoto Musashi. Despite its strengths, the game suffers from modern bloat with a dull hub world and grindy crafting, which detract from the overall experience.
The Blood of Dawnwalker review: "Despite clear Witcher 3 DNA, I wish this vampire RPG was messier"
The Blood of Dawnwalker is a freeform vampire RPG that attempts to streamline its time-based questing, but ultimately results in a less engaging experience. Despite its folklore-rich world and some interesting combat mechanics, the game suffers from pacing issues, underdeveloped vampire powers, and repetitive activities, leading to a lack of immersion.
Fighting Is Everything In Onimusha: Way Of The Sword
Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks an excellent return for the long-dormant series, evolving its swordplay with captivating aplomb. While the semi-open-world structure is a stumbling block with dull side quests, the combat is incredibly satisfying and rewarding, featuring deliberate, layered battles and phenomenal boss fights.
The Blood Of Dawnwalker Makes You Want To Do Everything–And Tantalizingly Won’t Let You
The Blood of Dawnwalker is an ambitious action-RPG from Rebel Wolves that features a compelling time-based narrative and intricate systems, though some elements like combat and progression could be more refined. The game's strength lies in its well-written quests and the consequential choices players make, creating a deep and engaging world despite some technical jank.
Control Resonant makes an exception to the rule about eating the Mold
Control Resonant will feature Dylan Faden making an exception to the rule about consuming the Mold, a parasitic organism from the original game. Remedy Entertainment showcased Dylan's new abilities, including gravity manipulation and enhanced glide, along with the challenging "The Collective" boss fight. The action RPG is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on September 24.
Prästens odyssé bland häxor och troll - SULFUR har något särskilt
This analysis explores the influences and inspirations behind the game SULFUR, drawing parallels to classic 90s first-person shooters like Duke Nukem 3D and Wolfenstein 3D, as well as the roguelike Hades. The article highlights SULFUR's unique sound design, engaging gameplay loop, and well-written narrative elements.
Respawn Monday #14: Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 Beta and My Return to Rainbow Six Siege — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
The author discusses their recent gaming experiences, including the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta and a return to Rainbow Six Siege. While finding Modern Warfare 4 to be a familiar but unexciting entry in the franchise, they rediscovered their passion for the strategic depth of Rainbow Six Siege.
The Daily Grind: Are there features in your MMORPG that nobody uses?
This article discusses the phenomenon of underused features in MMORPGs, using Star Wars Galaxies' auction system and City of Heroes' LFG tool as examples. It questions why these features persist and prompts players to share their own experiences with unused game mechanics.
How to Choose an Online Slot Provider: Features That Actually Matter
This analysis discusses the key features that players should consider when choosing an online slot provider, emphasizing quality over quantity. It highlights Evoplay as a modern example, showcasing strengths in original mechanics, portfolio diversity, technical quality via HTML5 and mobile optimization, and fairness through certification. The article also touches on the growing importance of innovation and the development of gaming ecosystems.
