Editor’s Picks: Flora’s Favorite Games of 2022
2022 was a mixture of massive releases and dozens of charming indies. Here are the top five games that impacted Flora the most in 2022.
Category: Features
Winding Down: Reflecting on Five Years of Games Writing
Flora Merigold reflects on five years of games writing, revisiting her favorite articles from Epilogue’s website.
The Trouble With Playing Games “Buffet Style”
If you are struggling to finish the games you’ve started, it might be because you’re playing games “buffet style.” Here’s why.
The Game That First Allowed Me to Explore Gender: ‘Pokemon Crystal’
During Transgender Awareness Week, the Pokemon fandom seems particularly supportive, which has unlocked some fond gender memories of Crystal.
My Abandoned Completionist Attempt to 100% ‘Yakuza 0’
Die-hard Yakuza fans may be tempted to 100% the prequel. Here’s why doing so is tougher than it seems. Beware of the platinum.
The Horror of Deadnaming: My Recent Replay of ‘Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!’
This article features a before and after story of two Doki Doki Literature Club playthroughs. It explores deadnaming after transitioning.
How ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ Nails The Vibes of ‘Cyberpunk 2077’
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners not only pays tribute to the game, Cyberpunk 2077, but enhances its strengths with an incredible story. Here’s how.
‘Metal: Hellsinger’ is Good, But It’s Missing Something
The headbanging premise of Metal: Hellsinger will hook any lifelong metalhead, but does the game maintain its groove?
My Disturbing Obsession With ‘Immortality’
Immortality is one of the most mind-bending games in recent memory, and will haunt my thoughts for years to come – in the best way possible.
I Can’t Stop Replaying ‘We Are OFK’
We Are OFK is a fantastic biopic of queer indie musicians. Come for the music, stay for the complicated relationship drama.
‘Neon White,’ Player Fatigue, and Gaming Burnout
Neon White is one of 2022’s best games, indie or otherwise. It is also an exhausting, protracted experience that may burn you out.
‘Fashion Police Squad’: Fun, Fashionable, Frustrating
Growing up in Florida, I’ve always wanted to be able to slap some fashion sense into folks who wear socks with their sandals. Fashion Police Squad (FPS for short, in case you missed this...
The Buildup to ‘Stray’ Reminds Me of ‘Untitled Goose Game’
The buildup to Stray feels a lot like the cultural conversation around Untitled Goose Game before it released. Here’s why we’re excited.
How ‘the earth is a better person than me’ Explores Self-Love
Games can hit you differently at different times. Here’s how the earth is a better person than me hit me during a turbulent time.
Being Trans is the ‘Dark Souls’ of Gender: An Exploration of Parallels
Comparing anything to Dark Souls is basically a meme, but here’s one trans woman’s perspective on how Souls reflects her experiences since coming out.
How ‘13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim’ Turned Me Into A Yakisoba Fan
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim made me want to try Yakisoba Pan. Here’s some context from the game, as well as a recipe to make your own!
Difficulty Spikes, Gacha Mechanics, and Luck-Based Progression: Is ‘NieR Reincarnation’ Worth Playing?
Fans of the NieR series seem unlikely to enjoy this gacha-laden mobile game keen on aggressive microtransactions. Should you play it?
Cheating the Challenge Away: My Experience With ‘Elden Ring,’ ‘Dark Souls,’ and ‘Returnal’
It’s no secret that Dark Souls, Elden Ring, and Returnal are brutally unforgiving games. But can you still enjoy them if you make them easier?
‘Ghostwire: Tokyo’ Feels as Empty and Abandoned as Its City
Ghostwire: Tokyo is a mixed bag containing beautiful urban environments and repetitive open world interactions. But is it worth playing?
Video Games Are Too Long: How the Promise of ‘Tales of Arise’ Falls Short
Tales of Arise starts strong, feeling like a comfy JRPG. But after a while, the game loses its luster, dragging on for too long.
A World of Secrets: Why You Should Play ‘Tunic’
Ben recommends listening to Tunic’s excellent OST while reading the review. Should you prefer, a video review is available on Patreon for supporters $1 and up. The article below discusses Tunic from a post-play...
Understanding The Surprisingly Hilarious and Thought-Provoking Player Messages in ‘Elden Ring’
The cryptic player messages in Elden Ring are baffling riddles. Here’s my attempt to interpret what these messages mean and why they were written.
A Universe of Wonder: Why ‘Outer Wilds’ is One of the Best Games of All Time
Ben suggests listening to Andrew Prahlow’s Outer Wilds’ original score while reading and watching. The following content involves spoilers and a post-play perspective. What does it mean to wonder? Playing Outer Wilds, I imagine,...
‘Alba: A Wildlife Adventure’ is the Most Joyful Experience I’ve Had in Gaming This Year
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is a joyful indie game that bursts with optimism and hope towards an exploitative adult world.
Gliding Through Self-Discovery: How Japanese Breakfast Guided My Procellous Journey With ‘Sable’
Here’s the story of how my love for Japanese Breakfast and Michelle Zauner brought me to Sable, a fantastic indie game.
Why ‘Pokemon Legends: Arceus’ Isn’t Very Good
In a lot of ways, Pokemon Legends: Arceus is a step in the right direction. So where does it go so wrong, and where could it be improved?
What Makes ‘Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door’ So Special?
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door has been endlessly praised, and rightfully so. Here’s a deep dive on two of its best characters.
Ranking the Yakuza Series: ‘Yakuza: Dead Souls’
One of the lesser known entries in the Yakuza series, Yakuza: Dead Souls is an inconsistent, over-the-top experience. But should you play it?
Why I Don’t Like Metroidvanias
People seem to love the Metroidvania genre of video games, but I have always struggled to enjoy them due to tedium and aimlessness.
‘What Should I Play Next?’: Ben’s Recommended Games of 2021
It’s Ben’s recommendation that you listen to his favorite original soundtrack of the year while reading. One of the questions I get asked most is “what game should I play next?” It’s a good,...
Reflecting on the Past and Looking Ahead to the Future: Video Game Resolutions in 2022
Life is short. Let’s play some games.
Why ‘SSX Tricky’ Needs a Remake
SSX Tricky is one of the most memorable sports titles from the PS2 era, nailing everything. Here’s why it deserves a remake.
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.
‘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.
The Top 10 Most Wholesome Characters in Gaming
This list features not only those characters that we must protect at all costs, but the most precious cinnamon rolls to ever exist.
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.
Companionship Therapy – How ‘Journey’ and Its Players Helped Me With Depression
Journey is recognized as an artistic achievement and timeless classic within video games. Here’s how Journey helped someone with depression.
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!
Anxiety and Judgement: A Dive into a ‘Psychonauts 2’ World
Psychonauts 2 opens with a statement about empathy and healing, and there is no better example in the game than Compton Boole.
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.
Why I Quit Playing ‘Hades’
I wanted to like Hades. With all of the critical acclaim it has received, and how people I know have put in hundreds of hours into it, I expected more.
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.
Like Night and Day – ‘Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye’ and its Frightening Disparity
The separation between the good and bad parts of Echoes of the Eye is like night and day, leaving me with a feeling of dissatisfaction.
An “Ordinary” Difference: A Fan Treatise on The Legend of Heroes
If you’ve never tried The Legend of Heroes video game series before, here is one fan’s passionate case for why you should.
Holding On By A Thread: A Look at ‘Keyword: A Spider’s Thread’
Keyword is a neat little title with a unique gameplay hook, but in its current state it feels a bit undercooked.
