Why Super Smash Bros Melee Is Still One Of The Most Unique And Rewarding Competitive Games Ever Made

Recently I had the pleasure of writing about one of my favorite games, Super Smash Bros Melee for the Nintendo GameCube. Melee is a exceptionally weird case of an amalgamation of many unintentional mechanics coalescing into a fighting game like no other. It's crazy fast, has endless depth due to its fluidity, and is immensely …

What Is Ludonarrative Dissonance, And Does It Matter?

I wouldn't be a wannabe game critic without weighing in my two cents on the topic of ludonarrative dissonance, so I finally got around to writing an article about it. It also gave me another excuse to write about Nier/ Yoko Taro, so definitely a net positive. In all seriousness, I think of ludonarrative dissonance …

Ant Man and the Wasp Review

In the wake of Infinity War the MCU sits in a limbo phase, the universe in a dismal state. Ant Man and the Wasp serves as a sort of palate cleanser for that traumatic turn of events, adjusting the stakes from a battle for the fate of all life forms, to a smaller scale story …

Anime Summer 2018: First Episode Recommendations

At first blush, it seems as though we have a decent crop this season, with a sprinkling of comedies, hot-blooded action, and some juicy character dramas. Using my highly scientific process of sifting through the Anime News Network's Season Preview Guide,  I've selected seven shows for culling. I don’t entirely believe in the “three episode” …

Hollow Knight Review: A Mysterious Labyrinth Beckons

There may be a plethora of Metroidvania games that are worthy of your time, but Hollow Knight stands out among crowded genre thanks to its excellent world design, cohesive sense of style, and sturdy gameplay. It's easily one of the most interesting titles I've played this year, and gets my emphatic recommendation. Check out my …

Anime Spring 2018 Wrap Up: My Recommendations

As the we move into the summer, it’s finally time to look back at the most recent crop of Japanese cartoons. This spring’s season of shows didn’t have a great deal of breadth, but featured a few great action and comedy series backed by some complete surprises (the biggest surprise was that I somehow liked …