Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Crimson Desert boss admits its story needs work, but it can't be fixed now so future updates will only focus on…
Pearl Abyss CEO Heo Jin-young acknowledged that Crimson Desert's narrative needs improvement, but stated that future updates will focus solely on gameplay issues. The open-world RPG has sold over three million copies since its March 19 launch.
Cyberpunk 2077 is a better role-playing game than The Witcher 3
Cyberpunk 2077 has evolved into a superior role-playing game compared to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, primarily due to its strong world design and a more dynamic player-driven protagonist. The game's first-person perspective, Lifepath system, and choice-driven narrative elements allow for deeper player immersion and a more personalized role-playing experience than The Witcher 3.
Pearl Abyss boss admits the studio "could have done a better job" with Crimson Desert's totally underwhelming story
Pearl Abyss CEO Heo Jin-young acknowledged player disappointment with Crimson Desert's story, stating the studio could have done better but prioritized strengthening gameplay. The company is also considering mod support for the game in the future, though no concrete plans are in place.
There's nothing 'euro' about 'eurojank,' says Stalker dev—after all, what are some of the 2000s' best RPGs if not beautiful all-American jankfests?
Designer Andrii Verpakhovskyi argues that the term 'eurojank' unfairly limits the perception of ambitious, bug-ridden games to Europe, citing American-developed titles like Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines and Fallout as prime examples. He suggests that the creativity and experimental nature found in these games, often born from limited resources and inexperienced development teams, is a broader phenomenon. The discussion also touches on how modern platforms like Steam can stifle innovation by enforcing genre conventions.
Total War Medieval 3 director says recreating its predecessors "would not make a good game"
Creative Assembly game director Pawel Wojs suggests that a direct recreation of previous Total War Medieval titles would not result in a good game. He advises players to approach the upcoming Total War: Medieval III with fresh eyes, free from nostalgia.
Slay the Spire 2 devs walk back the nerf that sparked 10,000 negative Steam reviews, and shovel buffs at The Regent after fans determine he's the worst class by a mile
Developer Mega Crit is rolling back controversial balance changes in Slay the Spire 2 after a significant negative review bomb on Steam. The team, led by Anthony Giovannetti, is encouraging players to use the in-game feedback tool for balance suggestions rather than Steam reviews. The Regent character is also receiving buffs due to community consensus that it is the weakest class.
Warframe of Mind: The Shadowgrapher’s Follie flub
The recent Warframe update introducing the Follie's Hunt game mode has been met with significant player dissatisfaction, with many finding it to be a "disaster." The mode fundamentally changes the player's role from predator to prey, but critics argue it fails to work effectively due to poor mission design, counterproductive mechanics, and a lack of enemy presence, making survival difficult and agency limited.
Saros will "tempt you to do tricky things", its game designer tells me about its aggressive, creative shield…
Saros, a roguelike inspired by Returnal, introduces a unique shield mechanic that encourages aggressive play and creative use of enemy projectiles. Lead game designer Abebe Tinari explains how this mechanic fundamentally changes combat encounters compared to its predecessor. The game is set to release on PlayStation 5 and features challenging boss fights and dynamic eclipses that alter gameplay.
Runs in Saros on PS5 Will Be Significantly Shorter Than Those in Returnal
Housemarque's upcoming roguelite shooter Saros will feature significantly shorter runs compared to Returnal, with individual biomes taking approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. The game will also include multiple save slots, autosave, and the ability to suspend runs, offering more flexibility and reducing player frustration.
Cakey's Twisted Bakery review - ChristCenteredGamer
Cakey's Twisted Bakery is a mascot horror game developed by a small team, offering unique gameplay mechanics and effective sound design to build tension. Despite these strengths, the reviewer found the experience tedious and the mascots unappealing. The game is available on PC for $4.99 and on major consoles for $9.99.
STRANGER THAN HEAVEN Gets New Trailer And Platform Details
SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have revealed new details for STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, confirming its release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC, and Xbox Game Pass. A new trailer showcased gameplay across five distinct eras and Japanese cities, with further information to be revealed on May 6. The studio also teased an all-new combat system and an all-star cast.
Bite By Night Class Tier List – Best Class at Launch
This Bite By Night Class Tier List ranks the available classes from best to worst based on their roles and abilities. The Security Guard is placed in S-tier due to its useful Cams ability, while the Medic and Fighter are ranked A and B tier respectively. The free Customer class is in C tier, suitable for new players.
Housemarque on how Saros evolves Returnal's punishing formula
Housemarque, the Finnish studio behind Returnal, is discussing how the difficulty of their latest PlayStation exclusive, Saros, evolves the punishing formula of Returnal. The studio wrestled with the question of whether Returnal was too hard when developing Saros.
Bite By Night Class Tier List
This guide provides a tier list for the classes in Bite By Night, an asymmetrical multiplayer game on Roblox that has recently left early access. It ranks classes like Security Guard, Medic, and Fighter based on their effectiveness and utility for survivors. The article also briefly explains what classes are and identifies the Security Guard as the current best pick.
Housemarque on how Saros evolves Returnal's punishing formula
Housemarque, the studio behind Returnal, is developing a new PlayStation 5 exclusive titled Saros. Developer Gregory Louden discussed how the team is evolving Returnal's challenging gameplay formula for the new title.
Slay the Spire 2 redesigns the map and rescues the Regent in a new balance patch
A new balance patch for Slay the Spire 2 has been released, featuring redesigns to the map and buffs for the Regent. The patch also includes another rework for the Doormaker and adjustments to relic rarity.
Saros has been made easier than Returnal due to player feedback, though creative director claims its still "a very challenging game"
Housemarque has made its upcoming sci-fi roguelike shooter Saros easier than Returnal, incorporating features like autosaves and multiple save slots based on player feedback. Creative director Gregory Louden stated that while the game remains challenging, these changes aim to allow more players to experience its content. The game will also feature permanent upgrades and shorter, approximately 30-minute run times, and is releasing exclusively on PlayStation 5.
Give 'em A Little Free Play
This guide explains the concept of 'free play' in tabletop role-playing games, particularly within the context of Blades in the Dark. Free play sessions are designed to break from the core gameplay loop, allowing characters to pursue individual goals and develop their stories through focused scenes, offering a change of pace and deeper character exploration.
Beyond the Diamond: Why Xbox RPGs Are Doubling Down on High-Stakes Mini-Games
This article analyzes how modern role-playing games, particularly on Xbox, are integrating high-stakes mini-games that carry real consequences, moving beyond simple diversions. These mini-games are presented as crucial for pacing, offering emotional breaks, and strengthening the main narrative by creating pressure and meaningful outcomes.
The Best Video Game Soundtracks Of 2026 (So Far)
This article highlights some of the best video game soundtracks released in 2026 so far, including those for Cairn, Esoteric Ebb, Marathon, Mewgenics, Scott Pilgrim, and Screamer. It provides listening options on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, and notes where vinyl editions are available.
