Cian Maher

Cian Maher Aug 11, 2022. 6 minute read

I Hope Choice in the Next Witcher Game Is as Impactful as The Witcher 2

A brave young man is prepared to charge into battle donning little more than a magic amulet and a pair of tighty-whities. You, venerable witcher, can respond in one of three ways: You can tell the man, Newboy, that this is a bad idea; you can feign ignorance toward the…

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Cian Maher May 4, 2022. 9 minute read

One Does Not Simply Create Fan Projects Without Interference From the Tolkien Estate

When a solo hobbyist developer built an app for personal use inspired by The Lord of the Rings, he was soon forced to take his app down at the risk of going toe-to-toe in a legal battle with a colossal corporation. This is just one of the many ramifications of…

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Cian Maher Mar 31, 2022. 5 minute read

In Elden Ring, the Best Stories Are the Ones You Write Yourself

Last week, my brother watched as I skulked through the starlit streets of Nokron, Eternal City. “Is there more of a story yet?” he asked. It’s a difficult question to answer. Technically speaking, I’ve recovered two Great Runes and am therefore considerably closer to becoming the Elden Lord (I think?).…

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Cian Maher Apr 10, 2020. 7 minute read

How Persona 5 Told a Classic Crime Story With a Metaphysical Twist

Persona 5 takes pains to remind you of two things every ten seconds: that you, as protagonist Joker, were expelled, and that you are a “prisoner of your own fate.” There’s dramatic irony imbued in the latter, in that most people in the game fail to realize that Joker is…

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Cian Maher Aug 19, 2019. 6 minute read

How Pokemon Sword and Shield Could Tackle Brexit

Pokemon is renowned for many things, from its creepy and charming animalia and enchanted car keys to what seems to be a functional post-scarcity society. However, the cults of personality that act as its antagonistic forces are responsible for some of its funniest, darkest, and most intriguing moments. Their ideologies…

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Cian Maher Jun 25, 2019. 6 minute read

Scientifically Determining the Favorite Games of 7 Famous Dead Authors

You might think you’re decent at video games, but there’s a case to be made for how some of the most prestigious authors of all time would probably beat you at Overwatch if the PS4 existed in 1853. After all, they’re highly intellectual creative geniuses who would likely revel in…

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Cian Maher May 17, 2019. 4 minute read

Mewtwo is Basically Notorious 19th Century Poet Lord Byron

“I see now that the circumstances of one’s birth are irrelevant… It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.” – Mewtwo, Pokémon: The First Movie Some Pokémon are basically animals. And then there are those like Mewtwo, who is basically an intellectual peer…

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Cian Maher Mar 8, 2019. 6 minute read

A Brief History of Romance in Dark Souls

Bioware fans had a bit of a shock when it turned out that there was no romance in Anthem. With games like Mass Effect and Dragon Age featuring a whole host of arresting companions, it seemed odd that the studio would eschew one of the things that has become a…

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Cian Maher Feb 28, 2019. 5 minute read

The Real-Life Inspiration for Anthem’s Fort Tarsis

In Anthem, Fort Tarsis is a frontier city used by the game’s Freelancers as a base of operations. While the gargantuan structure called “The Wall” protects the city itself, Freelancers are tasked with venturing out into the world on missions to get supplies, scout nearby areas, and ensure that no…

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Cian Maher Jan 27, 2019. 6 minute read

How to Catch and Farm Shiny Pokemon – Pokemon Go Guide

In Pokemon Go, shiny Pokemon are easier to catch than ever before. Boasting alternate coloration from the usual sprites, shiny Pokemon are highly sought after by avid collectors and aesthetics enthusiasts alike. However, how do you actually get shiny Pokemon in Pokemon Go? Well, there are quite a few methods,…

GUIDES

Cian Maher Dec 14, 2018. 6 minute read

The 7 Best Non-Violent Games of 2018

Don’t get me wrong; I love a good shooter as much as the next person. I’ve played plenty of Overwatch over the last couple of years and have pumped countless hours into gun-toting campaigns for as long as I can remember. Violent games can be fun! It’s a bit odd,…

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