Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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The Shadows Dance: A Review of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a meticulously crafted RPG that excels in its focused narrative, deep turn-based combat, and compelling character dynamics. The game's deliberate pacing, precise combat mechanics inspired by Souls-like games, and striking art direction create a memorable experience. Despite minor camera and timing issues, it stands out as a disciplined and daring title for players seeking depth over spectacle.
Survival Horror 'The Florist' Looks Like Classic Resident Evil In All The Right Ways
The Florist, a new survival horror game inspired by classic Resident Evil titles, is set to launch on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC in 2026. Developed by Unclear Games, the game features fixed camera angles and a unique unlimited inventory system. Capcom's classic Resident Evil titles are not currently available on Nintendo platforms, leaving a gap that The Florist aims to fill.
Silent Hill f Review: Cakes in the Mist
Silent Hill f is a triumphant return to form for the series, delivering a deeply unsettling psychological horror experience. The game masterfully uses fog, sound design, and ambiguous narrative to create pervasive dread, reminiscent of the franchise's roots. While combat can be challenging and the story may alienate some, its artistic expression and intimate terror make it a compelling nightmare for devoted fans.
Top 10 Game Features We Miss Most, And Why They Made MMOs Great
This article discusses ten features that are often missing from modern Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs), arguing that their absence diminishes the genre's soul and community aspects. Features like manual grouping, open-world bosses, functional player housing, and memorable NPCs are highlighted as crucial for creating engaging and immersive online worlds.
Mafia: The Old Country – A Deliciously Compact Fever Dream
Mafia: The Old Country is praised for its deliberate compactness and focused design, offering a refreshing alternative to large, sprawling open-world games. While its retro mechanics and pseudo-open world contribute to a unique, immersive experience, the game falters with problematic reinforcement of gender tropes and workmanlike combat. Despite these flaws, its intentionality and restraint make it a standout title.
Fire up your best fanfic ideas and dust off your self-insert OCs, because Genshin Impact Luna 2 is welcoming user-created content in Miliastra Wonderland
Genshin Impact Version Luna 2, launching October 22, introduces Miliastra Wonderland, a new mode allowing players to create and share user-generated content including management sims, action combat, and party games. The update also features a new character, Nefer, an Archon Quest with returning characters like Varka and Arlecchino, and new story elements in the Nod-Krai region.
Reimagining a Tradition: Silent Hill f Review
Silent Hill f offers a significant departure from the series' traditional American setting, shifting to 1960s rural Japan and incorporating Japanese folklore. While the combat system is criticized as counterproductive, the game excels in its atmospheric presentation, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 for stunning visuals and immersive sound design. The narrative focuses on personal trauma and internal struggles, making it a fitting, albeit unconventional, addition to the Silent Hill franchise.
Capcom says Resident Evil Requiem is closer to Resident Evil 2's style of survival horror
Capcom has stated that Resident Evil Requiem will lean more towards the survival horror style of Resident Evil 2, rather than the action-heavy approach of later titles like Resident Evil 5 and 6. Director Koshi Nakanishi explained that the team aimed to create an experience that is an upgrade of the Resident Evil 2 formula. The game is set to release on February 27th, 2026, for the Nintendo Switch and other platforms.
Decades-old Nintendo Power issue explains Nintendo's choice of A/B/X/Y buttons
An old issue of Nintendo Power revealed the reasoning behind Nintendo's A/B/X/Y button layout on the Super Nintendo controller. The decision was inspired by CAD software, where A and B are primary buttons and X and Y are secondary. This design choice has been maintained by Nintendo to this day.
Are 2D Games Still Popular in 2025?
Despite the dominance of 3D AAA titles, 2D games continue to thrive, particularly within the indie gaming sector. Platforms like Steam Deck and the rise of the Android market have increased accessibility for 2D and 2.5D titles, fostering experimentation in storytelling and design.
Visions of Mana – A Return to Reverie
Visions of Mana aims to revive the Mana franchise by blending nostalgic elements with modern action RPG gameplay. Unlike its predecessors, it focuses on moving forward rather than dwelling on the past, offering a vibrant world rooted in nature and magic. The game emphasizes exploration and a rhythmic combat system, distinguishing itself from darker fantasy titles with its focus on awe and wonder.
Valkyrie Squad Siege Breakers Switch Review
Valkyrie Squad: Siege Breakers is a new auto-shooter from Digital Crafter that refreshes the genre with its waifu-themed gameplay, strategic team rotation, and detailed characters. Despite having only four levels, the game offers depth and tactical combat, making it a standout title in the auto-shooter genre. The review highlights its strengths over Vampire Survivors, particularly in character personality and individual upgrade systems.
SGJ Podcast #501 – Games in Which Direct Combat Isn’t a Factor
This podcast episode discusses video games where direct combat is not a primary factor or is absent entirely. The hosts acknowledge the challenge in finding suitable imagery for the topic and mention technical issues with their streaming platform. They also tease a future episode focusing on games that engage players long-term.
Why Is Minecraft Still So Popular In 2025?
Minecraft continues to maintain its immense popularity in 2025, with over 300 million copies sold since its 2009 launch. Its enduring appeal is attributed to its non-linear gameplay, offering both Creative and Survival modes with endless replayability. Frequent updates from Mojang, introducing new biomes, mobs, and tools, also contribute to player engagement.
Creative burnout and changes
A game blogger is stepping back from their video game blog due to creative burnout, finding less enjoyment in writing about games and more in other creative pursuits like AI chatbots and translation. While not quitting entirely, the blog will be put on the back burner with irregular posting, prioritizing personal enjoyment and rediscovering the passion for gaming and content creation.
New Minecraft update - here's our Minecraft 1.22 wishlist for Mojang
This article outlines a wishlist for the upcoming Minecraft 1.22 update, focusing on potential overhauls to The End and Jungle biomes, and the addition of new farming mechanics. It also discusses recent additions in the Minecraft Fall Drop 2025 preview, such as copper tools, armor, golems, and shelves.
Is Blackjack the Original Skill-Based RPG? A Deep Dive for Canadian Gamers
This article explores the parallels between the card game Blackjack and modern Role-Playing Games (RPGs), suggesting Blackjack served as an early blueprint for skill-based gameplay. It highlights how Blackjack requires a mix of strategy, risk-taking, and probability calculation, similar to RPG mechanics where players develop specific styles and make calculated decisions. While not a true RPG, Blackjack's depth and emphasis on player choice and risk tolerance are presented as foundational elements that influenced the development of the RPG genre.
MotoGP 25: Deep Dive into Accessibility, Immersion, and Innovation
MotoGP 25 aims to balance simulation purism with arcade accessibility, featuring significant visual upgrades powered by Unreal Engine 5 and highly detailed audio design. The game introduces gyroscope controls for a more tactile experience and offers an accessible Arcade mode as a gateway to its deeper simulation aspects, alongside a forgiving Race Off mode.
All Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 Game Mods and How to Access Them
This guide details all available Game Mods and Cheats for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, categorized into Assist Mods and Fun Mods. Assist Mods impact gameplay mechanics like balance and special meter, while Fun Mods alter visual elements such as skater size and screen filters. These can be accessed through the Options Menu and unlocked via the Secret Shop using Skater Bucks.
Best Valheim mods for 1.0: updated September 2026
This guide details the best mods available for Valheim, despite the game not officially supporting modding. It covers installation methods, primarily using the BepInEx framework, and highlights various mods that enhance crafting, trading, visuals, equipment management, custom textures, hero abilities, food stats, loot systems, world generation, camera perspectives, farming, timekeeping, and archery. The article also mentions official commands and cheats as an alternative to mods.
