Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
Latest coverage
DAMON and BABY Preview – Cute but unpolished mess
Damon and Baby, an upcoming twin-stick shooter from Arc System Works, shows promise with its charming art style and music inspired by Guilty Gear, but suffers from significant polish issues. The preview highlights bugs in menus, repetitive environments, stiff animations, and problematic sound design, suggesting a lack of refinement despite the talent involved. The game is slated for release on March 26th for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.
GTA VI Wildfire Mechanics Hinted at in New In-Game Artwork Discovery
New artwork for Grand Theft Auto VI suggests the game may feature wildfire mechanics, with a sign in the "Mont Kalaga" piece reading "preventing wildfires is up to you." This has led to speculation about player agency in managing environmental events, potentially involving real-time fire simulation and impacting gameplay systems. The inclusion of such mechanics would represent a significant evolution for the series, moving beyond pure chaos to incorporate environmental responsibility.
Do you need to play any other games before Resident Evil Requiem?
Resident Evil Requiem is a standalone experience that does not require prior knowledge of the series, according to Capcom. The game's plot offers some new lore but is largely self-contained with only vague hints about the future. Readers also discuss other upcoming games, character appearances in the Resident Evil franchise, and platform exclusivity concerns.
Path of Exile 2 Endgame Guide: Mapping & Currency
This guide details the endgame systems in Path of Exile 2, focusing on mapping, currency strategy, and efficient progression. It explains how the Atlas endgame system, randomized map modifiers, and currency management are crucial for character optimization and long-term success. The article also touches on gear optimization, defensive layering, boss preparation, and efficient farming strategies for players aiming for mastery and profitability.
Blood-drunk shooter Ultrakill is back with a whole hellworld full of lies, portals and non-Euclidean spaces
The "Fraud" update for the FPS game Ultrakill has been released, introducing the eighth layer of Hell, which features deceptive architecture and non-Euclidean spaces. Developed by Arsi "Hakita" Patala and published by New Blood, the update was delayed due to the complexity of implementing its reality-bending mechanics. The game is known for its style-scoring combat, blending elements of Quake and Devil May Cry.
Resident Evil Requiem review - legendary horror at an all-time high
Resident Evil Requiem is a celebratory return for the legendary series, masterfully blending suffocating horror with nostalgic action elements. The game features two distinct halves, one focusing on first-person horror with agent Grace Ashcroft and the other on action-packed sequences with series icon Leon S. Kennedy. Despite a jarring shift in tone midway through, the game is a spectacular, polished blockbuster that pays homage to the franchise's 30-year history.
100+ Awesome Bulbasaur Nicknames (Cute, Cool, Male & Female, and Nature-Themed)
This guide provides over 100 nickname suggestions for the Pokémon Bulbasaur, categorized by themes such as Grass-type, Poison-type, appearance, cuteness, gender, and pop culture references. It also offers advice on choosing a nickname that reflects the Pokémon's personality, evolutionary line, and battle style, emphasizing the importance of a name that grows with the Pokémon.
A Chummy Chat about Find Your Words 📒
Capybara Games developers Jon Maur and Vic Nguyen discuss their new indie game, Find Your Words, which centers on using an AAC device in a camp setting. The game was inspired by their personal experiences as parents of children who use communication tools, aiming to make AAC more familiar and accessible. They hope the game celebrates players with communication challenges and encourages understanding from others.
PREVIEW Starsand Island
Starsand Island is a cozy life-simulation game where players return to their home island to escape city life. Despite a jarring start in its Early Access version, the game offers an enjoyable gameplay loop with various jobs like crafting, farming, and exploration, set on a beautiful, whimsical island. The preview highlights the game's potential, hoping for more story buildup in the final release.
52 Best Fallout 4 Mods In 2026
This guide lists 52 of the best mods available for Fallout 4, a decade after its initial release. The article highlights mods that fix bugs, overhaul gameplay systems, enhance customization, and add new content, ensuring the game remains fresh for players.
Battlefield 6's meta progression needed 'a little bit of a rework,' says producer
Battlefield 6 producer Alexia Christofi acknowledged that the game's meta progression system required significant rework due to player frustration with repetitive challenges. Electronic Arts is adjusting its approach to challenges and the Battle Pass for future seasons, aiming for a more engaging player experience across its distributed development studios.
Cicadamata" is the most exciting FPS I've played in years - come try the demo
Cicadamata is an exciting new first-person shooter demo available on Steam, featuring abstract art direction and unique gameplay mechanics. The demo showcases fast-paced combat, platforming, and speedrunning elements, drawing comparisons to classic titles like Jumping Flash!. The full game is expected to release later this year.
What Separates Slot Games That Last From Those That Don’t: Design, Risk, and Familiarity
Slot games achieve longevity through structural design, familiar mechanics, and transparent risk-reward loops, rather than just aesthetic upgrades. Key elements include intuitive layouts, clear bonus triggers, and deliberate high volatility for infrequent, significant wins. Familiar themes and visual cues lower the barrier for new players while anchoring veterans, with adventure, mystery, and sports themes often leveraging high volatility to build suspense and excitement.
The Ultimate Pokémon Nicknames Guide (All Generations)
This guide provides a comprehensive framework for choosing Pokémon nicknames, covering considerations like character limits, evolution compatibility, and public visibility. It explores various naming strategies including type-based, personality-based, appearance-based, real-world inspiration, role-based, lore-based, humorous, and cute approaches, with examples for popular Pokémon like Charmander, Gengar, and Snorlax.
Resident Evil Requiem Review | Giant Bomb
Resident Evil Requiem offers a "greatest hits" approach to the franchise, blending survival horror elements with action-packed gameplay. The game shifts between new protagonist Grace Ashcroft's tense, first-person horror segments and series mainstay Leon S. Kennedy's over-the-shoulder action, drawing heavily from Resident Evil 4 and 7. Despite some feeling that certain sections are glimpses of a larger game, Resident Evil Requiem is considered an excellent culmination of Capcom's 30 years in the franchise.
Nier Automata's Yoko Taro is writing an Evangelion anime TV show
Yoko Taro, known for his work on NieR: Automata, is writing a new Neon Genesis Evangelion anime TV show. The project is a collaboration between Studio Khara and CloverWorks, with Kazuya Tsurumaki and Toko Yatabe directing. NieR composer Keiichi Okabe is also involved in the music.
Final Fantasy X and Blitzball: A Matter of Discipline
This article discusses the author's negative experience with Blitzball in Final Fantasy X, comparing the challenging mini-game to aspects of Christian discipline. It suggests focusing on spiritual exercises that are not natural gifts to achieve spiritual growth.
Deadhikers Puts Co-Op Survival in the Middle of Nowhere
Deadhikers is an upcoming co-op survival horror game where players are dropped into a remote wilderness with no permanent base building, forcing them to constantly move and manage limited supplies. The game emphasizes atmosphere, isolation, and teamwork, with the environment itself posing a significant threat. It is currently listed on Steam with an unannounced release date.
Overwatch 2026 Impressions: Blizzard Finally Makes It Feel Like Classic Overwatch Again — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Blizzard has reverted Overwatch 2 to a more classic Overwatch feel with a massive update that includes five new heroes and a revamped narrative. The game now emphasizes familiar gameplay, free hero access for all players, and a seasonal drop plan. This shift aims to recapture the essence of the original game and re-engage players with its core strengths.
Romeo Is a Dead Man Review – I Swear I’m Not Making This Shit Up
Romeo Is a Dead Man is a chaotic and inventive action game from Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture, featuring a bizarre story involving time travel, space FBI, and zombie seeds. While the game offers a unique experience with numerous ideas and stylistic shifts, its execution is often exhausting and frustrating, with stiff combat and performance issues on PlayStation 5. The game is best enjoyed by existing fans of Suda51's distinctive style.
