Articles
Mad Max - Torque
Mad Max - Torque
Mad Max delivers satisfying vehicle combat, weighty melee, and one of gaming's most convincing post-apocalyptic wastelands. Despite its overlooked status the pacing issues, repetitive endgame content, and unrealized ideas prevent this open-world adventure from reaching the heights of the films that inspired it
7 August 2026
Games.designA Plague Tale: Innocense - System Save Achivement
A Plague Tale: Innocense - System Save Achivement
A Plague Tale: Innocence delivers an exceptional blend of stealth, storytelling, and atmospheric world-building. Its memorable characters, haunting presentation, and inventive use of light and LOD'ing make it one of the genre's standout narrative adventures.
2 August 2026
Games.designNews Update: July 2026
Adrift Game Design Document
Adrift Game Design Document
The player has to bring an ailing spacecraft back to life in a point click style puzzle game. Build up power reserves to unlock new areas of the ship and new subsystems to control. At certain intervals disasters and environmental hazards may occur that risk setting the player back and put more stress on the player.Build up power clicker mini-games then redirect power via circuit bypasses, fuse puzzles, and activating systems in sequence. Open new areas by routing life-support, activating fire suppressors, or lifting locked doors. All testing the players knowledge of the ship and its operations.
28 July 2026
AdriftSubnautica 2 - Early Access Launch
Subnautica 2 - Early Access Launch
Subnautica entered Easly Access several weeks ago and so far things have been going great. Combat, co-op, tone, and exploration, many of Subnautica 2's early shortcomings are typical of an Early Access release. Unknown Worlds has time to refine these systems, and the game's strong sales suggest players remain optimistic about its future.
27 July 2026
Pond-eringsAlan Wake 2 - Shared Universe-itus
Alan Wake 2 - Shared Universe-itus
Alan Wake II delivers exceptional atmosphere, strong performances, and ambitious new mechanics, but its technical shortcomings and departure from the original game's design ultimately undermine what should have been a definitive sequel. Despite its strengths.
24 July 2026
Games.designFactorio - Trees
Factorio - Trees
Factorio stands as one of the finest automation games ever created, combining elegant design, staggering technical optimization, and near limitless replayability. This review explores the mechanics, philosophy, and engineering decisions that transformed a modest factory builder into a modern PC masterpiece.
19 July 2026
Games.designChopping Block: July 13th 2026
Game Industry Pricing Changes
Game Industry Pricing Changes
Video game prices have remained surprisingly stable for decades, but the economics behind them have been changing. From inflation and rising development costs to free-to-play games, digital distribution, and evolving monetization strategies, the industry has fundamentally reshaped how games are designed, sold, and valued.
7 July 2026
Pond-eringsNews Update: June 2026
Arrival: Speaking in Circles
Arrival: Speaking in Circles
Arrival is celebrated for its striking visuals and thought-provoking themes, but beneath its elegant presentation lies a story built on questionable linguistics and shaky causality. This review examines where the film's ambitious ideas succeed, and where its internal logic quietly falls apart.
25 June 2026
Whole PlotsHardspace Shipbreaker - Sequel
Hardspace Shipbreaker - Sequel
An in-depth look at Hardspace: Shipbreaker, examining its innovative zero-gravity salvage mechanics, grounded sci-fi storytelling, immersive presentation, and technical achievements. This article explores where a potential sequel could expand on its physics-driven gameplay, ship variety, and management systems.
19 June 2026
Games.designStar Trek (2009)
Star Trek (2009)
Star Trek (2009) successfully relaunched the franchise with spectacular visuals, a charismatic cast, and plenty of action. Beneath the excitement, however, lies a script filled with scientific inconsistencies, questionable worldbuilding, and narrative choices that don't always stand up to the scrutiny of classic Star Trek's mindful fans.
13 June 2026
Whole PlotsMiddle-earth Shadow of War - Nemesis Lite
Middle-earth Shadow of War - Nemesis Lite
Middle-earth: Shadow of War builds confidently on Shadow of Mordor by expanding its world, refining the excellent Nemesis System, and introducing large-scale fortress warfare. While weighed down by uneven pacing and a notorious late-game grind, it remains one of Monolith's most technically ambitious and memorable games.
7 June 2026
Games.designChopping Block: June 1st 2026
Chopping Block: June 1st 2026
Caravan Sandwitch, Humans: Fall Flat, Sea of Stars
1 June 2026
Chopping BlockNews Update: May 2026
Codified Digital Ownership
Codified Digital Ownership
The streaming wars were not an inevitable consequence of technology, but of business decisions. They created a fragmented ecosystem that left consumers with a out ownership rights and a declining user experience. In a competing ecosystems, one that explores a model for true digital ownership, and argues that stronger consumer rights could have created a healthier future for creators, distributors, and audiences alike.
20 May 2026
Pond-eringsPlanet of Lana - Tree Shader
Planet of Lana - Tree Shader
Planet of Lana is a colorful evolution of the cinematic platformer genre, blending Studio Ghibli-inspired visuals with clever puzzle mechanics and a interesting companion system. This article explores its world, design choices, presentation, and the technical tricks behind its atmospheric environments, including its approach to dynamic foliage and shaders.
14 May 2026
Games.designFallout 4: Lock Picking
Fallout 4: Lock Picking
Fallout 4 expands Bethesda's post-apocalyptic formula with settlement building, deeper crafting systems, and a more action-oriented approach to combat. While some design decisions hold it back from surpassing earlier Fallout titles, the Commonwealth remains a compelling world to explore. I also take a closer look at the franchise's long-running lockpicking minigame and why such a simple mechanic remains so effective.
9 May 2026
Games.designStill Wakes The Deep
Still Wakes The Deep
Still Wakes The Deep, a first person horror game and one of the better cosmic horror games made. With a tightly written plot, smart compelling character drama, and strong visual storytelling it results in an impressive game. The mechanics of Still Wakes The Deep aren't incredible robust, but involve a number of important adaptations including the regenerative health system which employs an animated overlay that is unique.