In modern-day video games, open-world design has become synonymous with adventure on a grand scale. As the industry continues to add depth and breadth to these designs, the amount of content has increased exponentially. From open fields to endless side quests, the growing magnitude in games has left many players feeling overwhelmed and drained. After struggling through my own backlog
Read moreFew companies have experienced peaks and valleys quite like Nintendo. From the ground-breaking success of the Wii to the disaster of the Wii U, the iconic video game company was on the brink of financial ruin. But Nintendo quickly regained status among the industry’s titans with the release of the Nintendo Switch. As the hybrid console continues to sell at
Read moreOver the past decade, the bar by which fans evaluate difficulty is tied directly to a singular franchise: Dark Souls. First released in 2011 by FromSoftware, Dark Souls is an action role-playing game that is as punishing as it is polarizing. As more players overcame the arduous kingdom of Lordran, the game spawned a fan base of “git-gud” gamers. Studios
Read moreBack in 2010, Nintendo fans were blown away by Monolith Soft’s open-world JRPG Xenoblade Chronicles. While the game’s aesthetic featured a standard definition of 540p, critics praised Xenoblade for its intriguing story, expansive and cohesive world, and splendid soundtrack. Despite its reputation as a revolutionary Nintendo exclusive, the game is not without flaw. At times, the story pacing was mired
Read morePerhaps the oldest and most complicated genre in video game history is the action-adventure series. Renowned for its combination of exploration and combat, the earliest recorded title in the genre was Adventure for the Atari 2600. Fans were amazed to investigate multiple screens, search for new areas, and encounter dangerous enemies. Technology then began to progress, the industry transitioned into
Read moreFans of 2D Zelda games were thrilled when Nintendo released the Link’s Awakening remaster in late 2019. In its launch weekend, the game sold over three million copies. The industry praised the upgraded aesthetics as well as Nintendo’s homage to the original game. While players continue to heap nostalgic admiration onto the 1992 remaster, Link’s Awakening is an abbreviated experience.
Read moreWhile the previous XBOX exclusive has long been heralded as a direct comparison to Hollow Knight in terms of exploration and progression, there are several nuances that fans should consider before purchasing either title.
Read moreThe comparison of Link’s Awakening to Breath of the Wild continues to revolve around a $59.99 price tag. Although a handful of similarities exist between the two installments, Link’s Awakening has little in common with the 2017 Game-of-the-Year winner. Breath of the Wild is a 3D, open-world game that emphasizes curiosity and exploration. However, Link’s Awakening is a compact, 2D
Read moreLink’s Awakening Remake is almost here, and debate rages on regarding the game’s $59.99 (USD) price tag. Originally released for the original Gameboy in 1993, Link’s Awakening is a bite-sized experience in comparison to Breath of the Wild’s vast open-world. Is Link’s Awakening truly worth the same price as BOTW? The answer to this question depends on what you value
Read more