Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Kirby Air Riders’ forgotten feature
Despite Kirby Air Riders selling nearly two million copies, its amiibo training feature has failed to gain traction compared to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This is attributed to several factors including the high cost of amiibo figures, the complexity of training with swappable vehicles and per-vehicle proficiency, and technical limitations with the dual NFC chips preventing data extraction and analysis. The limited character selection in the amiibo line-up further contributes to its lack of popularity.
Here’s Why Fortnite Sucks This Season
This season of Fortnite's core Battle Royale mode is criticized for an overabundance of random gimmicks like Sprites and Overrides, leading to a disorienting and inconsistent player experience. The article argues that this excessive randomness, particularly with mechanics like the Speed Shooter Override, negatively impacts player numbers and makes the game less engaging and more frustrating, contrasting it unfavorably with the more consistent Reload mode.
Marvel’s Wolverine is my game of the year and I don’t care who knows it - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that Marvel's Wolverine, despite a mixed critical reception and some unfair online criticism, is their game of the year for 2026. They praise its engaging combat, compelling story, and well-developed characters, particularly Mystique and Jean Grey, finding it superior to Insomniac's Spider-Man titles.
GTA 6 is Game Informer’s Next Cover Story, New Details and Screenshots to be Revealed
Game Informer will feature Grand Theft Auto 6 on its next cover, promising new details, 12 screenshots, and exclusive interviews with Rockstar Games. The article will explore the creation of Vice City, dynamic weather systems, and the game's unique vibe, with a release date set for November 19th on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Naoki Hamaguchi’s favorite Materia, song & outfit
During an interview at Tokyo Game Show, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi shared his personal favorite Materia, songs, and outfits from the upcoming RPG. He also confirmed that a memorable snowy segment from the original Final Fantasy 7, requiring stamina management, will return in Rebirth.
Bluey’s Happy Snaps interview: dev on replicating the show’s look, making a photography-centric game, Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 versions, more
In an interview, Gameloft game manager Karl von der Luhe discusses the development of Bluey's Happy Snaps for the Nintendo Switch. He highlights the challenges of replicating the show's 2D animation style in a 3D world and the inspiration behind using photography as the core gameplay mechanic. The interview also touches on the game's faithfulness to the Bluey TV show's locations and its appeal to families.
Onimusha: Way Of The Sword Made Me Realize I’ve Been Playing Action Games Wrong
This article discusses how the author's experience with Onimusha: Way of the Sword led them to reconsider the use of lock-on mechanics in action games. By disabling the lock-on feature, the author found greater control and awareness of the combat environment, leading to a more strategic and enjoyable gameplay experience.
I made the hot dog vendors in GTA 5 work because Rockstar never did
A modder has successfully implemented working hot dog vendors in Grand Theft Auto 5, a feature that was seemingly intended but never fully realized by Rockstar Games. This mod allows players to purchase hot dogs for in-game currency, which also provide a small health boost.
The Blood of Dawnwalker devs "rebalanced" the RPG's controversial time mechanic out of fear "that people will complain too much," and then people complained too much
Rebel Wolves director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz revealed that the controversial time restriction mechanic in The Blood of Dawnwalker was significantly rebalanced before launch due to fears of player complaints. Despite the changes, the mechanic continues to be a point of contention, with the first major mod addressing it entirely, and future sequels may see it removed or altered.
Not Everything Needs To Be A Soulslike, And Onimusha: Way Of The Sword Shows Why
The article argues that the industry's over-reliance on the Soulslike formula, pioneered by FromSoftware, has led to a lack of variety in action games. Onimusha: Way of the Sword is highlighted as a refreshing example of an action game that successfully deviates from this trend by focusing on diverse defensive mechanics rather than solely on reactive combat.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Review – The Hand of Hope
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve offers a compelling narrative about global conflict and its impact on individuals, picking up a decade after Ace Combat 7. While the story suffers from pacing issues and a disappointing final mission, the game excels with its stunning visuals, impressive cloud rendering, and robust multiplayer modes. The core gameplay remains true to the series' arcade roots, with enhancements to squad management and special weapon options.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's battle lead "regrets" how hard the Platinum trophy was to earn, so director Naoki Hamaguchi says Revelation's is "easier"
Square Enix developers acknowledge that the Platinum trophy for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was excessively difficult, with director Naoki Hamaguchi expressing regret over the design. For the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, the team aims to make the Platinum trophy more accessible, with Hamaguchi expecting a significantly higher completion rate.
World of Warcraft Forever discusses beta player reactions, Skyborne, and planned future adjustments
Blizzard Entertainment is discussing player reactions from the World of Warcraft beta, including feedback on the campfires system and the Skyborne design. The developers also addressed concerns about Druid forms, layering bugs, leveling speed, and plans to adjust blue-letter gear rewards. Inappropriate character names are being removed from the beta, and players are encouraged to complete a survey.
Ace Combat 8 Is Utterly Absurd–And Better Off For it
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve offers a visually stunning aerial combat experience, with its clouds and sky serving as a prominent and interactive element. While the story's propaganda angle is somewhat underdeveloped, the game excels with its bombastic melodrama, phenomenal music, and satisfyingly arcade-like flight mechanics. The addition of a robust multiplayer suite and extensive customization options further enhances the package, making it a strong return to form for the series.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve review
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a masterpiece of arcade flight action, blending intense aerial combat with compelling anime melodrama. The game features refined controls, a dynamic weather engine, and a strong narrative with memorable characters and superweapon encounters. Its multiplayer mode offers both PvP and PvE, with returning boss battles.
Arc Raiders is introducing a PvE queue test in mid-October
Arc Raiders is testing a dedicated PvE queue from October 13th to 20th, allowing players to experience the game without PvP combat. This test aims to gauge demand for a PvE-focused version, as the game was originally designed with PvE in mind before evolving to a PvPvE model.
007: First Light, Big Walk, and Resident Evil: Requiem lead the Golden Joystick Awards nominations
The nominations for the Golden Joystick Awards 2026 have been revealed, with 007: First Light and Big Walk leading the pack with five nods each. Resident Evil: Requiem follows with three nominations. Voting for most categories is open until October 23, with the Ultimate Game of the Year award to be decided later.
After 20 hours with World of Warcraft: Forever, I'm convinced it gives old school fans nearly everything they could…
World of Warcraft: Forever aims to recapture the spirit of the original game with quality-of-life improvements from the modern version, a new Skyborne race, and a level cap of 60. The beta shows promise with a vibrant community and engaging questing, though graphical updates are subtle. This new pillar of WoW is set to launch on November 4, 2026, for PC.
Review: Heave Ho 2 (Switch 2)
Heave Ho 2 offers a chaotic and joyful co-op party experience where players control wobbly blobs with long arms to navigate obstacles. While the imprecise controls are part of the fun, they can also lead to frustration, especially when playing with less experienced friends. The game features diverse visuals and constantly shifting objectives, keeping gameplay engaging across its Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 releases.
Bungie Says Marathon Flopped Because It Was Too Hard
Bungie has acknowledged that their extraction shooter Marathon did not perform well at launch due to its high difficulty, which alienated a mainstream audience. The company cited the game's challenging nature as the primary reason for its lack of broad appeal.