Editor’s Picks: Flora’s Favorite Games of 2021
From games like Life is Strange: True Colors, Chicory, and NieR Replicant, here are Flora Eloise’s picks for 2021’s Games of the Year.
Author: Flora Merigold
‘Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ Isn’t Very Fun: Here’s Why
Miles Morales is a good game, but it’s missing something. Repetitive puzzles, combat, and missions undercut the solid characters and writing.
Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Lost Judgment’
There’s some debate about whether Judgment and its sequel are worth playing. But for die-hard Yakuza fans, Lost Judgment is essential.
A Video Game Thanksgiving: What We’re Thankful For in 2021
Here’s what we’re thankful for in gaming from 2021.
How ‘No Longer Home’ Left Me Feeling Directionless and Alone
While No Longer Home is an important game that I’m glad exists, it caused me to feel depressed and isolated in an unintended manner.
Time Capsules and Parasocial Relationships: A Reflection on ‘I Told You So!’
If you loved Heart of the Woods, you owe it to yourself to give I Told You So! a quick playthrough. Here’s why.
How I Became Obsessed With ‘Pikmin Bloom’
You don’t have to be a longtime Pikmin fan to enjoy the wholesome delights of Pikmin Bloom, the newest Pokemon GO-like.
Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Judgment’
Even for a die-hard Yakuza fan, Judgment doesn’t bring a lot to the table. Unless you’re a crime drama connoisseur, you might skip Judgment.
Left Behind Game Club: ‘Hades’
Listen in as Flora Eloise joins the Left Behind Game Club, a video game podcast, to discuss the incredibly popular roguelike, Hades!
Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Yakuza: Like a Dragon’
There’s much debate about which Yakuza game stands above the rest, but Yakuza: Like a Dragon is guaranteed not to disappoint. Here’s why.
A Quality Queer Experience: Why I Love ‘Life is Strange: Wavelengths’
If Life is Strange: True Colors rocked your world, then you MUST pick up the Steph DLC “Wavelengths,” one of the series’ strongest entries.
What Makes ‘Kena: Bridge of Spirits’ Special
Kena: Bridge of Spirits does almost everything right, from animation to combat to storytelling. Here’s what makes this game so special.
Consider the Albatross: A Critical Review of ‘SkateBIRD’
SkateBIRD has a lot of heart but the moment-to-moment experience of playing it is both tedious and frustrating. Here’s our in-depth review.
The First Chapter of ‘Life is Strange: True Colors’ is Everything I Could Have Hoped For
After stumbling with Life is Strange 2, the newest game in the series regains its footing. True Colors is a refreshing story. Here’s why.
‘Cyberpunk 2077’ is Great, Actually – Why I Gave CD Projekt Red Another Chance
Cyberpunk 2077 was maligned for its unethical marketing practices and broken, buggy game. But has it been patched up by now?
Is ‘Furi’ Too Difficult?
Furi is tough as nails, but does it cross the line of being “too difficult”? This article takes a look at the Edge boss fight.
Flipping Through the Dictionary: An Eccentric Approach to ‘Disco Elysium’
Disco Elysium is one of those rare games that will make you periodically stop to look up a word. Here are some of the more obscure terms.
The Major Problem with Taking Screenshots on the Playstation 5
The Dualsense controller is a massive improvement to the Dualshock 4 if you can excuse this one broken feature: the screenshot button.
Badasses Only: How I Beat the True Final Millennium Tower in ‘Yakuza: Like a Dragon’
Yakuza LAD’s True Final Millennium Tower achievement is impossibly difficult. Here’s how I beat it after dozens of failed attempts.
Why I Love ‘Last Day of June’
Last Day of June faced mixed critical reception on release, but it tells a heartfelt story that shouldn’t be ignored. Here’s why.
In Defense of Easy Mode
One of the first criticisms I read when I began my academic study of videogames was the idea that difficulty settings are bad game design. This article, insightful at the time, made me realize...
‘The Last of Us’ is Bad, Actually – A Look at Games Immune to Criticism
The Last of Us is a critical darling that is normally considered above criticism. But is it really that good?
Why I Stopped: Reflecting on Three Years of Twitch Streaming
Twitch streaming can be an extremely rewarding activity, but I have chosen to take some time away from it this year. Here’s why.
How I Lost Respect For ‘Persona 4 Golden’
Between some questionable gender reduction and arguably homophobic scenes, I couldn’t remain enthusiastic for Persona 4 Golden.
‘NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…’ is an Exhausting Game That is Worth Finishing
Even though NieR Replicant can feel exhausting to play, it’s a game that’s absolutely worth sticking to until the final credits roll.
Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Yakuza 6: The Song of Life’
Yakuza 6 is the most profound Yakuza game, center-staging mature themes that deliver closure for the series’ core characters.
Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Yakuza 5’
Yakuza 5 is the most ambitious Yakuza game to date, featuring a strong cast of characters and diverse gameplay.
Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Yakuza 4’
Yakuza 4 takes some massive risks, some of which don’t pay off, but many earn their place along the highlights of the series.
With A Bang or A Whimper: A Critical Review of ‘Genesis Noir’
Genesis Noir’s stunning art style and cosmically exaggerated narrative are limited by rudimentary gameplay and performance issues.
Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Yakuza 3’
Despite setting up some crucial story events for later entries, Yakuza 3 is the most forgettable entry in the series.
Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Yakuza Kiwami 2’
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is an impressive entry in the series, running on the powerful Dragon engine. The story is bombastic and powerful.
Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Yakuza Kiwami’
Yakuza Kiwami is a stunning recreation of the original 2005 game. Essential for anyone who loves open world games and brawlers in particular.
Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Yakuza 0’
Yakuza 0 is the best video game prequel ever made. From absurd karaoke to tense melodrama, it began many people’s deep love for the series.
Delight in Mystery: A Review of ‘Heaven’s Vault’
Heaven’s Vault is a compelling adventure where you explore abandoned civilizations, uncover an ancient language, and solve complex mysteries.
How ‘Catherine’ Became the First Puzzle Game I Ever Loved
Catherine is the first puzzle game I have truly loved and is perhaps the only puzzle game I fully intend to play again.
The Forgettable Home Run of ‘Horizon Zero Dawn’
Guerilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn is often spoken about in the same terms as other big-budget 2017 masterpieces such as Nier: Automata and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but I found my experience with Horizon to be decidedly underwhelming across the board.
The 20 Best Games I Played in 2020
People have played more games than ever in 2020. Here are 20 games that stood out this year.
How CD Projekt Red Squandered A Decade of Good Will
CD Projekt Red will have to do a hell of a lot more than fix Cyberpunk 2077 for me to buy one of their games ever again.
Revisiting ‘Death Stranding’ – A Game That Predicted the Future – With A Completionist Approach
Death Stranding predicted 2020, which makes it all the more meaningful to play in the age of the Coronavirus pandemic.
‘Karen: An Outrage Simulator’ is The Most 2020 Game You’ll Play This Year
If 2020 is beating you down like a Dark Souls boss, Karen: An Outrage Simulator is there for a quick, cheap laugh.
Video Games and What We’re Thankful For in 2020
The Epilogue Gaming Staff share what they’re grateful for in video games for 2020. What are you thankful for?
How Two Video Games Helped Me Come Out As Transgender
If Found and Tell Me Why are deeply important games that helped me publicly come to terms with my gender identity as trans. Here’s how.
More Than a Meme: A Review of ‘Bugsnax’
Is Bugsnax more than a catchy theme song?
Why Do People Love the ‘Yakuza’ Series?
After uncovering the façade of Yakuza 0, I finally understand the outpouring of love and good will towards this righteously beloved series.
Can A Visual Novel Succeed As A Two-Player Game? An Exploration of ‘Locked In’
Locked In is a two-player visual novel that, despite its brevity, is more than its co-op gimmick.
‘Uncharted: The Lost Legacy’ is the Best Game in the Series: Here’s Why
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is a bold new direction for the Nathan Drake series. I want more games with Chloe and Nadine.
Should You Play ‘Until Dawn’ If You’re Afraid of Horror Games?
I am terrified of most horror games, but Until Dawn was actually great. Here’s why.
Why ‘Sleeping Dogs’ Deserves a Sequel
Sleeping Dogs often gets dismissed as a GTA clone, but the characters and setting are worth revisiting for next gen consoles.
‘The Last of Us Part II’ is The Most Disappointing Video Game I Have Ever Played: Here’s Why
As a lover of the original game, ‘The Last of Us,’ this sequel left me cold. In fact, I wish it had never been made.
Why ‘Bully’ Deserves A Sequel
Rockstar’s cult classic has been dead in the water for years, but the next console generation would be the perfect opportunity for a sequel.
