Storytelling
Ongoing coverage on Storytelling.
Latest coverage
Moonlighter 2 Review
The sequel to Moonlighter introduces deeper roguelite systems and more complex management mechanics. However, a weak story and an annoying grind prevent it from reaching its full potential, making it good but not as great as it could have been.
Recension – Ace Combat 8 - Wings of Theve
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve offers an improved narrative and robust online modes, but an uneven campaign and familiar gameplay prevent it from reaching its full potential. While the storytelling is more engaging and the introduction of squad commands adds depth, some missions feel like filler. The game excels in its polished graphics, extensive aircraft roster, and impressive cooperative multiplayer options, making it a solid, if safe, entry in the series.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve – Soaring to new heights
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve offers an expansive campaign with thrilling aerial combat and a compelling narrative, building upon the series' strengths. While it introduces new features like first-person cutscenes and improved tutorials, the larger scale leads to occasional issues with mission variety and optimization, particularly in its experimental multiplayer mode. Despite these growing pains, the game delivers spectacular set pieces, gorgeous visuals, and an outstanding soundtrack, making it a fantastic entry for both newcomers and long-time fans.
Cissy Jones on her career move from corpo stooge to games like Firewatch, Baldur's Gate 3, Starfield, and Telltale's The Walking Dead: "The willingness for people to tell stories in this space is so incredible"
Voice actor Cissy Jones discusses her career transition from corporate roles to acclaimed video games like Firewatch, Baldur's Gate 3, and Starfield. She highlights the unique and powerful storytelling capabilities of the gaming medium, contrasting them with traditional media.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve review: "Soars thanks to thrilling dogfights and a genuinely gripping Metal Gear-like story"
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve offers exhilarating flight combat and a gripping, Metal Gear-like story that makes it one of the best entries in the series. Despite a slow start due to extensive cutscenes, the game quickly picks up pace with intense missions and a compelling narrative. The soundtrack is exceptional, and while the online component has potential, the single-player campaign is a standout experience.
Duskfade Makes Boss Fights Feel Poignant
Duskfade, an action-platformer with PS3-era sensibilities, uses its story and boss fights to explore themes of loss and grief. While its combat and character designs are derivative, the game's narrative, particularly its use of boss encounters as manifestations of the protagonist's sister's emotions, delivers impactful and poignant moments. The article highlights how the game's simple yet effective storytelling can convey complex emotional subjects with care.
Meet Key Players Shaping Makoto Daito’s Journey in STRANGER THAN HEAVEN
SEGA and RGG Studio have revealed key characters for STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, launching January 15, 2027, on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Cloud. The game follows Makoto Daito's 50-year journey across five cities and eras, featuring a diverse cast including portrayals of historical and posthumous figures like Bunta Sugawara and Tupac Shakur. The article highlights the game's narrative depth, evolving combat system, and unique music creation mechanics.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve’s 16-Minute Opening Cinematic Sets up The Death of a “Legend”
Bandai Namco Entertainment has released the 16-minute opening cinematic for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, detailing the tragic setup involving the legendary pilot Jan "Rex" Cope. The footage showcases the player character inheriting Cope's identity after his death and sets the stage for the game's narrative. Ace Combat 8 launches on October 1st for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
New publisher PUBLSH launches with Disco Elysium-inspired title Pera Coda
A new game publisher, PUBLSH, has launched with the goal of providing publisher-level leadership without excessive control. Co-founded by Ben Granados and Samuel Clarke, PUBLSH's first title is the episodic murder mystery Pera Coda, developed by Turkish studio Elyzio. The company plans to publish four to five games per year with development budgets under $20 million.
Silent Hill: Townfall släpps i dag – och recensionerna ser bra ut
Silent Hill: Townfall, developed by Screen Burn Interactive, has officially launched with positive reviews. Critics praise its atmosphere, storytelling, and sound design, with an average score of 82/100 on OpenCritic. Some players have noted microstuttering issues common in Unreal Engine games and expressed dissatisfaction with the focus on stealth.
Small Saga Review (Nintendo Switch)
Small Saga is a charming and surprisingly deep turn-based RPG for the Nintendo Switch, praised for its unique art style, engaging story, and streamlined combat. The game offers a compact adventure with memorable characters and a creative setting, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of shorter RPGs.
Diablo 5 is Happening Because Blizzard “Needed to Give Him His Own Game”
Blizzard Entertainment has confirmed Diablo 5 is in development, with an expected release in Spring 2029. Executive producer Matt Zitterman stated the decision was made to give the titular villain his own game, rather than an expansion for Diablo 4. This sequel will feature a new story where Diablo has won, procedural dungeons, and returning classes like Demon Hunter and Monk, alongside a new Plague Knight class. Diablo 4 will no longer receive paid expansions, though seasons will continue.
LOTRO Legendarium: Looking back at Rise of Isengard
This retrospective looks back at Lord of the Rings Online's third expansion, Rise of Isengard, released in 2011. The expansion marked a shift towards more experimental storytelling and a free-to-play model for the MMORPG. It introduced new zones like Dunland and Isengard, pushed the level cap to 75, and featured a memorable player betrayal and escape sequence.
Trails In The Sky 2nd Chapter Review – An Excellent Sequel
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Second Chapter is an excellent sequel that builds upon its predecessor with a compelling narrative and engaging gameplay. While the combat system could benefit from further polish and the story pacing occasionally feels stuffed, the game's charming characters, vibrant world, and impressive presentation make it a treat for fans of the series. The PlayStation 5 version offers a smooth experience with consistent performance.
Overwatch w/Devs: Doctrine, Grimsvötn, Reworks, and More | Official XBOX Podcast
The Official Xbox Podcast features members of the Overwatch team discussing new content revealed at BlizzCon 2026. They detail the new hero Doctrine, the Grimsvötn map, and reworks for Sombra and Roadhog, while also teasing future content and a special "Westwatch" Dagger Heart tabletop event.
Diablo 5 senior game director says the game will tell 'three stories,' including the past, the present desolation of Diablo's takeover, and the future 'terror forming' of the Sanctuary
Diablo 5 will feature a narrative spanning the past, present, and future, with explorable biomes that dynamically change based on the influence of Diablo's Dread Commanders. Senior game director Joe Shely and narrative director Jennifer Hepler detailed how these environments will offer a unique experience each time players revisit them, reflecting the ongoing 'terror forming' of Sanctuary.
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter review for Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Second Chapter is an extraordinary continuation of the first game, offering a massive adventure that expands upon its predecessor's foundations. The JRPG excels in its interconnected storytelling, rewarding exploration, and fluid combat system, all presented beautifully on the Nintendo Switch 2. While not recommended for newcomers, it's a deeply emotional and memorable experience for fans of the series.
Recension – Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave lämnar ingen oberörd
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is a worthy successor to Fire Emblem: Three Houses, offering deep intrigue and tactical battles on the Nintendo Switch 2. The game features multiple branching storylines and characters, allowing players to engage with the narrative at their own pace. While the core gameplay remains traditional, new mechanics like Blaze Arts add fresh depth to combat.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave review - an essential for the Switch 2, and one of the best strategy RPGs ever made
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is hailed as a pinnacle of the series, blending the storytelling of Three Houses with the combat of Engage, and is considered an essential title for the Nintendo Switch 2. Despite minor issues like a single save slot and diluted difficulty on normal, the game offers deep strategic combat, compelling characters, and multiple engaging story paths that can take over 200 hours to complete. The game's design is praised for its intricate maps, varied victory conditions, and the ability to customize difficulty, making it a standout strategy RPG.
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave Review – It’s a long battle
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave offers a return to substance after Fire Emblem Engage, featuring a lengthy campaign set 100 years after Three Houses with four distinct storylines. While the tactical gameplay is familiar and refined, the game's extreme length, particularly a bloated Part 1, leads to uneven pacing and a sense of being overwhelmed, despite strong story and character development.
