Eric Van Allen Mar 3, 2021. 6 minute read
Guilty Gear Strive Nails Rollback Netcode, but Its Lobbies Are a Problem
Netcode is the ever-present specter looming over every fighting game launch. The genre ruled by infamous arcade cabinets doesn’t always make the cleanest jump to online battles, with results ranging from solid, like Killer Instinct, to very rough, like Granblue Fantasy: Versus. Now the developer of the latter, less online-friendly…
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TRENDING
Eric Van Allen Feb 4, 2021. 5 minute read
Early Assess: Dyson Sphere Program Finally Makes an Entire Genre Click
The universe of Dyson Sphere Program is vast and empty. There are tons of little ways the sci-fi automation game, out now in early access, separates itself from its titanic predecessors like Factorio and Satisfactory, but the biggest to me is how that universe remains so totally apathetic to your presence. When you…
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REVIEWS
Eric Van Allen Feb 2, 2021. 9 minute read
Dyson Sphere Program Tips Guide – 9 Things the Game Doesn’t Tell You
Welcome to the universe of Dyson Sphere Program. You’ve probably crash-landed on your first planet, salvaged your landing craft, and already started slowly buzzing down trees, plants, and rocks in order to craft your very first base. You’re well on your way, but there are a few things the game…
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GUIDES
Eric Van Allen Jan 15, 2021. 7 minute read
Every Hitman Level Is a Punchline and Agent 47 Is the Fist
I am a cameraman, wading my way through the crowds of Marrakesh. I’m on my way to an interview, between my GNN news crew and Claus Hugo Strandberg, an illustrious businessman hiding out in the Swiss embassy. Except I’m none of those things. In reality, or some version of it, I’m Agent 47:…
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FEATURES
Eric Van Allen May 22, 2019. 21 minute read
Every Fighting Game Movie Ever Made, Ranked From Worst to Best
The story portion of fighting games has rapidly evolved over the years. What started with a simple framing device — often a tournament of the world’s finest — has grown into cinematic epics like last month’s Mortal Kombat 11. But video games aren’t the only place where these stories unfold. With the release of MK11, I…
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LISTS
Eric Van Allen Apr 22, 2019. 11 minute read
Lore-Tal Kombat: All the Story to Catch You Up for Mortal Kombat 11
While Mortal Kombat is largely known for its bloody combat and gory fatalities, the story behind the carnage is one of the most intricate and interesting tales told in fighting games. Spanning several generations and now decades of games, the upcoming Mortal Kombat 11 looks to smash together new and…
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FEATURES
Eric Van Allen Mar 25, 2019. 3 minute read
How Modding Made Warcraft III Immortal
Warcraft III was a landmark game in the real-time strategy genre, but its most profound legacy is the lasting impact of its modding tools. The Battle.net framework and map editor allowed anyone with enough grit and determination to design their own battlegrounds, yet they were robust enough to facilitate the…
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FEATURES
Eric Van Allen Mar 1, 2019. 6 minute read
Dead or Alive 6 Review: Definitely Between Life and Death
Dead or Alive returns with a sixth installment that feels every bit like its predecessors — albeit with a few updates to bring it in line with the modern fighting game pantheon. It’s newcomer-friendly and gorgeous, yet still every bit as conflicted and sometimes frustrating as Dead or Alive can be.…
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REVIEWS
Eric Van Allen Feb 13, 2019. 7 minute read
Metro Exodus Review
At one point in Metro Exodus, I’m raiding a dark and eerily quiet warehouse. It’s similar to the several I’ve looted before, but I’m no less cautious. My eyes are darting all around the screen — my brain running through a mental checklist I need to finish before the next mutant…
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REVIEWS
Eric Van Allen Feb 7, 2019. 4 minute read
The Dota 2 Mod That Might Be The Next Big Video Game Genre
This past month, the five-on-five heroic warfare simulator Dota 2 has seen a surge in popularity thanks to a custom game mode developed by the independent Drodo Studio. Simply titled “Dota Auto Chess,” it has launched Dota into some of its highest concurrent player counts in ages and drawn in…
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FEATURES
Eric Van Allen Jan 22, 2019. 6 minute read
The Coolest Games We Saw at PAX South 2019
This last weekend was PAX South: the games industry’s annual sojourn to the Lone Star State. Amid the queso bowls and ample discussion of the Riverwalk, there were also some pretty rad games to see. Many of which were from smaller studios or independent developers! Since everyone was nice enough to come…
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LISTS
Eric Van Allen Oct 31, 2018. 5 minute read
My Hero One’s Justice Review
“My Hero Academia” has been a huge hit, selling over 16 million volumes of manga in Japan. It’s a blend of superhero, school life, and shonen action—and frankly one of the best currently running anime series. A tie-in fighting game should be a home run, but My Hero One’s Justice comes…
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REVIEWS