Metaphor: ReFantazio comes to Nintendo Switch 2 on November 12. Some might say “Welp. Here we go again. Here’s another big JRPG coming to a Nintendo handheld.” I think there’s more to scratch at beneath the surface here, though. Metaphor was already one of the most acclaimed RPGs of 2024, winning Best RPG at TheContinue reading “Metaphor: ReFantazio Is the Kind of RPG Switch 2 Was Made For”
Tag Archives: games
When Momentum Becomes the Mission
For the longest time, open-world games treated the space between missions as a necessary inconvenience. Moving from point A to point B was the tax you paid to get to the actual gameplay. You held down a sprint button, followed a mini-map waypoint, and waited to arrive. Then, in 2018, Insomniac Games demonstrated with Marvel’s Spider-ManContinue reading “When Momentum Becomes the Mission”
2010: The Year Open-World Games Became Blockbusters
Sometimes a shift in gaming history doesn’t arrive with a press conference or a new console. Sometimes it arrives with a pistol bang. In retrospect, I think 2009’s Red Faction: Guerrilla may have been that pistol bang for the open-world revolution that would explode into the mainstream in 2010. I didn’t actually play Guerrilla when it originally released. My experienceContinue reading “2010: The Year Open-World Games Became Blockbusters”
Xbox’s FY27 “Turnaround” Doesn’t Pass the Smell Test
When Xbox CEO Asha Sharma told employees and investors that the gaming division expects to return to growth by the end of fiscal year 2027, the statement was intended to project confidence during an otherwise disappointing earnings report. Predictably, much of the conversation that followed focused on assigning blame; some argued the results still reflectedContinue reading “Xbox’s FY27 “Turnaround” Doesn’t Pass the Smell Test”
The Hard Truth About Microsoft’s Studio Spin-Off Strategy
Double Fine’s decision to lay off 23 employees only weeks after regaining its independence from Xbox should surprise no one who has been paying attention to the state of the games industry. When Microsoft began spinning studios out instead of simply closing them, many observers celebrated the move as a compassionate alternative. I argued atContinue reading “The Hard Truth About Microsoft’s Studio Spin-Off Strategy”
Xbox Is Responsible for Xbox
I bought the first Xbox on Day 1. My first run of the Halo campaign was in co-op with a buddy of mine who was out on the West Coast over Thanksgiving. Bought the 360 right before moving and took it on the road with me. Bought a little 20″ Polaroid 1080i TV so IContinue reading “Xbox Is Responsible for Xbox”
You’re Not the Authority on Fun
If there is one thing that is true about internet gamers, it’s that they have a hard time minding their own business. There is way too much commentary on not understanding how or why other gamers game the way that they do. It doesn’t matter if someone likes revisiting the same 5 games that areContinue reading “You’re Not the Authority on Fun”
Starting Fresh in New Eden: What Exordium Means for New EVE OnLine Players
Seal-clubbing is a time honored tradition. It is the online digital gaming equivalent of hazing; of putting newbs on the frat pledge line and putting them through the ringer. In truth, it is much less “congenial” than that, if I can use that term even in reference to frat hazing (which tells you just howContinue reading “Starting Fresh in New Eden: What Exordium Means for New EVE OnLine Players”
Another Studio, Same Market: Why New Game Companies Keep Missing Reality
Nope. This doesn’t make any sense. And it is exactly what I am talking about is part of the industry problem. What am I on about? Today, GameRant reported that Jason Blundell opened a new studio, Magic Fractal. This is the third studio he has opened in 5 years. None of which have shipped aContinue reading “Another Studio, Same Market: Why New Game Companies Keep Missing Reality”
A Delayed Bond, a Patient Industry: What 007 First Light Says About 2026
From the WccfTech article by David Carcasole: IO Interactive had one final holiday surprise for players ahead of the release of its next game, 007 First Light: a delay. The studio announced that the game has been delayed by two months and will no longer release on its previously announced release date of March 27, 2026.Continue reading “A Delayed Bond, a Patient Industry: What 007 First Light Says About 2026”
