Freelance Writer & Game Journalist. Appolicious Associate Editor. Formerly: IGT EiC, AiG Co-Editor-in-Chief, TGE Senior Games Editor
How Vampyr Embraces Fragile Humanity
Most of the universe’s problems can be solved in a few hours or less. At least, that is, if you’re the star of a video game. The potential to leave everyone smiling while you stand triumphant atop vanquished foes always feels within reach. Unless you’re playing Vampyr. If you’re not vigilant and making constant careful observations, even idle conversation can lead to catastrophic failure in DONTNOD’s latest game.
The Subtle Morality Of Far Cry 4
Far Cry is a diverse series that has varied wildly across its sequels. Far Cry 4 broke this trend by not only being in the same universe as Far Cry 3, but by reusing a majority of the same gameplay ideas.
It’s gone from a semi-linear B-movie action flick to tribal tale of survival, to neon-drenched 80’s cyberpunk and beyond, and none of it directly building off of the game that came before. However, despite the fact that there’s always some new ambitious gameplay idea or storytelling hook, no...
Unleashed Potential: Krome Studio’s The Force Unleashed
The stories behind Star Wars games are often as exceptional as the sci-fi/fantasy epics themselves. We’ve heard many a tale, yet there’s one game that hasn’t had half as much said about it. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – not the one you know from you Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but an altogether different, remarkable version brought to life with features 7th gen gamers never saw. Today, we’re shining a light on the work of none other than Krome Studios, who took a game that broke ...
Would the Real Dark Troopers Please Stand Up
This is a reprint of the featured essay from Exploits #5, Unwinnable's magazine dedicated to the culture we love.
Back in the 90’s, Lucas Arts released the groundbreaking 3D action game Star Wars: Dark Forces. It defied expectations in many ways, but one of its longest enduring elements is its iconic enemies: the Dark Troopers, a group of ruthlessly eff...
How Wolfenstein II Lost Its Head Over Toxic Masculinity
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus should’ve been the ultimate successor to its surprise hit predecessor, Wolfenstein: The New Order; it’s certainly sold well enough. However, when it comes to nailing the same razor’s edge balance of bleak humor, surrealist pulp sci-fi, and pitch dark terror of a world taken over by Nazis, Wolfenstein II fumbles at its most pivotal moment.
Finding Religion in the Mass Effect’s Companions – Elijah Beahm
Discussing the compelling religious themes of Mass Effect through the companions Samara, Mordin, and Thane; navigating the highs and lows of each interpretation.
Tomb Raider and the Problematic Messiah
Religion in games is something you rarely see. It’s even stranger to imagine it utilized as a key aspect of any AAA project. You see some indie titles like Moon Hunters, but for something like Rise of the Tomb Raider, a bold Microsoft exclusive sequel to the well received 2013 reboot, to embed religion in itself is remarkable. Praiseworthy. To its credit, Rise gets far more right than most developers have; however, amid dozens of great details, it flubs one of its core aspects – its...
Interview With Asobo Studios on… A Plague Tale: Innocence
Asobo Studio’s A Plague Tale: Innocence is morbid modern fairytale in the making. Set during the Black Plague, it centers on sister and brother Amicia and Hugo as they evade the Inquisition, the plague, and other treacherous trials. Taking as much inspiration from Thief: The Dark Project as it does Hansel and Gretel, Asobo’s work may be one of the quietest sleeper hits announced at this year’s E3.
Interviewer Elijah Beahm reached out to the development team to hear more about this beak medieval stealth game.
Interview With Wes Platt on… Knee Deep
I sit down with the lead writer and developer of Knee Deep, Wes Platt, to discuss how the game came to be, what story beats didn't make the cut, and all sorts of behind the scenes goodness.
Finding Religion in Dead Space
Religion is something a lot of games avoid or touch lightly on. Others stomp on it with malice. Yet, Dead Space touches the core of religious life better than anyone could have hoped for.
Finding Religion in Mass Effect's Companions
A deep look at religion in the Mass Effect series.
Knee Deep - Bodies in the Bayou
Knee Deep impresses with its creative storytelling and southern charm.
Interview with Martin Emborg of Ultra Ultra
Upcoming stealth-action title ECHO promises an ambitious director AI that learns from your playstyle and mimics it. I sit down with Ultra Ultra studio head Martin Emborg to discuss his team's upcoming project.
Guns of Boom – Blasting Makes Me Feel Good
Guns of Boom is a multiplayer shooter in the vein of Valve’s Team Fortress 2. It’s not interested in highbrow, super serious action. If anything, it aspires to the blender utterly mad chaos of a reflex shooter with a dash of creative game design. The result isn’t perfect, but for a mobile multiplayer shooter, it’s not bad. It’s never groundbreaking, but it manages to be fun and engaging.
Tactics and Roleplaying with John Rhee Interview: Liege Interview ...
I sit down with lead developer John Rhee about his upcoming tactical role-playing game Liege, and discuss Liege's distinctive art style, tone, and combat systems.