Game Design
Ongoing coverage on Game Design.
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Games Inbox: What Sega game deserves a remake the most?
Readers discuss which Sega franchises deserve a remake, with concerns about the company's neglect of its classic IPs and the challenges of remaking Saturn-era 3D games. Other topics include potential Star Fox game ideas, worries about Rocksteady's future, a bafflingly long Forza Horizon ban, Katsuhiro Harada's new studio, and the debate around using game guides and the definition of 'indie' games.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Director Says Clair Obscur’s Success Shows Appetite for More Action Gameplay
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, believes modern gamers desire more action elements, citing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as an example of a turn-based RPG successfully integrating real-time mechanics. He suggests this trend reflects a player preference for both strategic depth and immediate feedback. Hamaguchi also discussed the challenges of adapting the original Final Fantasy 7's combat for the Remake trilogy.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's Henry actor recorded voice lines just to prevent you from cheating
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 lead designer Prokop Jirsa explained that Henry's voice lines when exiting photo mode are a deliberate design choice by Warhorse Studios to prevent players from using it to gain an unfair advantage in stealth sections. This feature ensures players cannot use the photo mode to scout ahead or look around corners without consequence.
Path of Exile's overwhelming complexity isn't the real reason new players pass on it, director believes: 'I think that PoE 1's being such an old game is in itself the accessibility problem'
Grinding Gear Games co-director Jonathan Rogers believes the age of Path of Exile, rather than its complexity, is the primary barrier for new players. He suggests Path of Exile 2 offers a more accessible entry point due to its more intuitive systems and the removal of accumulated 'cruft' from the original game. Future updates for Path of Exile 2 aim to improve mechanics tutorials and overall player onboarding.
Persona boss says it out loud: turn-based RPGs never left, it's just that "recent critically acclaimed games have brought renewed attention to them"
Atlus P-Studio head Kazuhisa Wada believes turn-based RPGs never truly disappeared but have recently gained renewed attention due to critically acclaimed titles. He suggests that the perception of turn-based combat as outdated stems from developers shifting towards action-oriented gameplay rather than refining turn-based designs. Wada emphasizes the timeless appeal and exhilaration that turn-based gameplay offers, noting that many series and indie titles have continued to deliver high-quality experiences in the genre.
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Has 10-Hour Campaign With No Gameplay or Fights
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls will feature a 10-hour story mode that functions as an interactive comic book with no actual gameplay or fights. This approach, developed by Arc System Works, aims to appeal to casual players by presenting the narrative in a comic-style format, differing from traditional fighting game campaigns found in titles like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter.
ConcernedApe says future Stardew Valley update might let you cheat on your spouse, because "you should be able to…
Stardew Valley creator Eric 'ConcernedApe' Barone is considering adding a divorce mechanic to the game, believing players should be able to face consequences for 'wicked things' like infidelity. While he is hesitant due to potential fan backlash and the game's cozy nature, the idea has generated significant discussion within the community.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director says RPGs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 "may have been inevitable" as new players favor real-time games over turn-based
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi believes the trend of blending turn-based combat with real-time elements is an inevitable evolution for RPGs, as younger players favor instant feedback. He notes that pure turn-based games are increasingly seen as legacy genres, though innovative titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Persona 5 demonstrate ways to keep the combat engaging through presentation and mechanics.
The Next Chapter In Roguelite FPS.
Prophecy Games has announced Deadzone Rogue 2, the sequel to its popular roguelite FPS, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game builds upon the success of Deadzone: Rogue, which has garnered over 750,000 players and positive reviews across multiple platforms. A demo announcement is expected in June 2026, with a full release date to follow.
PS5 Fighter Marvel Tokon Has a 10-Hour Single Player Story, But It's a Comic with No Gameplay
Arc System Works has confirmed that the single-player story mode for the PlayStation 5 fighter Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls will be a 10-hour interactive comic book with no gameplay. Producer Takeshi Yamanaka explained the decision was inspired by Marvel's comic origins, utilizing voice acting and DualSense haptic feedback. This format, similar to Guilty Gear Strive's story mode, has generated surprise and disappointment among fans expecting traditional gameplay.
How Accessibility Features Are Changing Modern Gaming
Modern gaming is increasingly incorporating accessibility features like customizable controls, subtitles, and colorblind settings as standard elements, benefiting all players, not just those with disabilities. This shift is improving player experience across PC, console, and mobile platforms, making games more inclusive and engaging. Digital storefronts are also enhancing accessibility, making game discovery and purchase easier for a wider audience.
Diablo 4 lead says "there's often no ideal solution" when it comes to doing anything in the action-RPG:…
Zaven Haroutunian, associate game director for Diablo 4, discussed the challenges of game development, particularly in action-RPGs where ideal solutions are often elusive. He highlighted the importance of player feedback and iterative adjustments, citing recent additions like the Warlord and Paladin classes in the Lord of Hatred expansion as examples of strategic repositioning and customization.
Shigeru Miyamoto filled Star Fox with animals because Star Wars and Gundam already had human sci-fi covered: "We're going to create our own original science fiction!"
Shigeru Miyamoto explained that the decision to feature animal characters in Star Fox, rather than robots or humans, was a deliberate choice to create original science fiction distinct from popular franchises like Star Wars and Gundam. This creative direction, inspired partly by local folklore and a baseball team, led to the iconic cast of Star Fox characters.
230 runs later, Hades 2's ranking system has me feeling cheated out of a huge missed opportunity
Despite hundreds of hours played on Steam Deck, the author feels cheated by Hades 2's post-game ranking system, finding it a missed opportunity for deeper engagement. While the game expands on many elements from its predecessor, the ranking system, similar to the first Hades, offers little more than a private prestige system with minimal in-game reward or narrative impact, even when tied to mentions of the goddess Nyx.
Quoteworthy
Ken Levine, creator of BioShock, explains his decision to prioritize stylized graphics over realism for the original game and his upcoming title Judas. He believes realistic graphics age poorly and prefers a distinct artistic vision. The article also briefly mentions a producer from Dead Space casting doubt on a potential remake.
"It's expensive and it doesn't age": Why Ken Levine didn't aim for realistic graphics in BioShock, and won't for Judas either
BioShock director Ken Levine prioritizes artistic style over photorealistic graphics in his upcoming game Judas, arguing that realism is expensive and ages poorly. He believes that strong art direction, rather than cutting-edge technology, is key to a game's lasting appeal, citing the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck as examples of platforms focusing on form factor over raw power. Levine also draws parallels between Judas's complex narrative branching and Larian Studios' work on Baldur's Gate 3, emphasizing the engineering and organizational challenges over technological demands.
Here are what characters you can play as in Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight features a launch roster of seven distinct playable characters: Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Jim Gordon, Catwoman, and Talia al Ghul. TT Games lead Jonathan Smith explained that the smaller lineup allows for more unique character progression, abilities, and playstyles, focusing on depth rather than sheer quantity.
Aether and Iron's Worldbuilt Intricacies
Aether and Iron is an opinion piece praising the intricate worldbuilding, art direction, and narrative of the game developed by Seismic Squirrel. The article highlights the "deco-punk" aesthetic, the compelling characters like Gia and Nellie, and the unique automotive chess combat system. It also commends the developers for their transparent development process and the artistic integrity of the game's visuals.
NTE: Neverness to Everness Review – Paranormal GTA
NTE: Neverness to Everness offers a unique urban fantasy setting with engaging paranormal activities and a surprisingly intriguing story premise. While the combat is solid and the world is visually appealing, some characters and dialogue can be grating, and the open-world elements lack the depth of titles like Grand Theft Auto. The game's use of potential AI-generated art and inconsistent lip-syncing are noted drawbacks, but its unique activities and solid combat make it worth considering.
The Sinking City 2 Hands-on Preview - Sink or Swim
The Sinking City 2 aims to refine the survival horror experience with a more curated semi-open world and optional investigation mechanics. The preview highlights improved combat, satisfying puzzle design, and a strong Lovecraftian atmosphere, though the narrative and protagonist characterization are still developing. The game is set to launch in 2026.
