Ed Smith
There’s No Reason for 'No Russian' to Exist in ‘Modern Warfare 2’
As a marketing tool, it was effective. But as a coherent part of the game, it's a failure and a waste of time.
‘For Honor’ Gets Intimate with Violence
Many games expect us to be moved by explosive gunfights—but these one-on-one, sword-against-sword encounters feel so much more powerful.
Appreciating the Funny Side of ‘Resident Evil 7’
It’s truly horrific in places, but in others, Capcom’s latest might have you thinking of the violent slapstick of ‘The Young Ones’ or ‘Bottom’.
Exploring the Resident Evil Sequel That Never Was
Before ‘Resident Evil 2’, Capcom were working on a different sequel to their survival horror hit. Today, passionate hobbyists continue to resuscitate what’s now dubbed ‘RE 1.5’.
On the Level: ‘L.A. Noire’ and the Set of ‘Intolerance’
The decaying set of the 1916 movie is a perfect partner to Rockstar's story of a tragic hero chasing an American myth.
Games Made Violence Meaningful in 2016
The solution isn't to sanitize games, but give incidents of violence the appropriate weight. Several games got that balance right this year.
How ‘The Last of Us’ Unearthed the Ugly Side of Playing Protector
But Naughty Dog’s sequel has the chance to flip the standard protector/protectee roles, giving Ellie the power to keep her closest friends safe.
The New DLC for 'The Division' Adds Humanity to a Brutal World
A simple narrative conceit saves 'Survival' from resembling its nihilistic peers.
How Indie Dev Cosmo D Is Humanizing New York
The maker of ‘Off-Peak’ and the forthcoming ‘The Norwood Suite’ is finding unique ways to reflect the city around him.
On the Level: The Prison Cell of ‘Metal Gear Solid’
We focus on the pluses and minuses of a memorable scene from Hideo Kojima’s 1998 stealth classic.
‘Battlefield 1’ Offers a Unique Emotional History of the First World War
EA’s shooter expresses a distinct respect for the timeless significance and impact of WWI.
One Night, Ten Terrifying Titles: A Horror Gaming Marathon
Home alone this October 31st and fancy scaring yourself silly? Pick and mix a few of these games, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.