The Dark Side of Pacifism in ‘Undertale’
What does mercy mean to someone who hates herself? How can pacifism combat depression? How does euthanasia fit into Undertale's moral code?
Nick Dinicola
Dying Is Painful, But Also Noble in ‘Darkest Dungeon’
We’re not struggling to survive just to survive. Our survival is a righteous act of defiance against evil incarnate.
‘Dying Light: The Following’, or in Other Words, ‘Dying Light 1.5’
The Following brings the series forward one big step, only to take a similar step back, ending right where it began, which was already a pretty good place to be.
I Finally “Get” ‘Hitman’
Hitman is a puzzle game. It has been described as such before, but there’s a difference between hearing that and understanding that.
‘Tharsis’ Reveals the Luck Inherent in the Roguelike
Tharsis can't fudge probability with a random number generator and that upsets people.
It’s Okay to Ask for Help in ‘The Witness’
Looking up a solution isn't a sin. The only sin is not understanding that solution when you do.
‘The Witness’: Puzzles Are Teachers, Puzzles Are Bullies
The Witness is the most pleasant and educational descent/ascent into madness you’ll ever experience.
‘Star Wars: Battlefront’ Dares to Simplify the Shooter
Sometimes "shallow" and "uncomplicated" is exactly what I'm looking for in a game.
‘Tharsis’ Is Casually Brutal
Tharsis is a uniquely short roguelike, turning the experience into something that a time-conscious gamer like myself can enjoy.
Should Hideo Kojima Just Go Make a Movie, Already?
In Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Hideo Kojima uses the language of cinema in ways that are only possible in a virtual game.
‘Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate’ Is a Great Tour Guide
Often enough in the Assassin's Creed series, it has been hard to appreciate its historical authenticity, since the gameplay is always pushing you away from the mundane up onto the rooftops.