About Single Player: Two video game creators go head-to-head in this delightful queer enemies-to-lovers workplace romance debut, perfect for fans of TJ Alexander and Helen Hoang.

My debut novel Single Player is about a game developer who lands her dream job writing the love interests in one of the biggest RPGs (role-playing games) to hit the market in years, only to find out her boss is a diehard hater of happily-ever-afters. Tensions run high—and eventually, sparks fly—as the two devs are forced to work together to reconcile their differing views on the role of romance in video games.

While I’ve always been a gamer, I really fell in love with the hobby during (what else?) the pandemic. I started drafting Single Player in 2022 after wondering what would happen if someone decided to apply video game logic—especially as it pertains to courtship and romance—to real life. What follows is a list of swoony video games that inspired my “rivals”-to-lovers sapphic rom-com.

1. Life is Strange

This episodic, choices-matter game follows Max Caulfield, a photography student, as she uses her newfound powers of rewinding time to—again and again—save the life of her childhood friend (and maybe new love interest!), Chloe Price. While romance isn’t the main thrust of this game, the rekindling friendship between Max and Chloe is so well-executed that I returned to it often while writing Single Player. Plus, the game’s soundtrack is just immaculate.

2. Fire Emblem: Awakening

Have you ever wanted to matchmake a whole troop of soldiers while protecting your fantasy kingdom? Well, that’s exactly what you do in Fire Emblem: Awakening. Sure, the encounters are tactically interesting by themselves, but to make each fight really challenging, try winning the day by making sure your preferred troops are stationed adjacent to each other so they fall in love while dispatching baddies. Awakening also boasts some of the hardest-hitting one-liners I’ve ever heard. Next time you’re squaring off against someone in one-on-one battle, definitely try shouting “Pick a god and pray” or “Foul miscreation!”

3. Dream Daddy

Dream Daddy is a game in which you play as a single dad and your only task is to meet and go on dates with other hot, single dads. In sum, it’s a dad dating simulator. Given how fun and adorable this game is (the art is just…chef’s kiss), it’s no wonder why I make a pretty overt reference to this gem in Single Player.

4. Dragon Age: Inquisition

In Dragon Age, you play as a luckless individual who accidentally becomes a hero tasked with closing interdimensional rifts across the world while building up a party of nobles, bards, mercenaries, and even spirits. I replayed this game while working on Single Player and every time one of my companions “GREATLY DISAPPROVED” of something I said or did, I had to quell the urge to drop everything and reload my last save so as not to piss off a fictional character. And honestly, who hasn’t walked away from a conversation they wished they could reload?

5. Mass Effect

Coming out of the same studio as the Dragon Age games, the Mass Effect series is well-loved for both the strength of its story and its at times quippy, at times utterly heartbreaking writing. Moreover, because you can romance the same character across all three games, there’s an emotional weightiness to each decision you make in the endgame—characters can die, including the character you’ve just spent a hundred-and-twenty real-life hours trying to get to love you (egads!). I love how player choice impacts companion approval and disapproval in Mass Effect, and I borrowed a lot of that when writing the way Cat, the protagonist of Single Player, approaches her personal relationships.

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About We Used To Live Here: Get Out meets Parasite in this eerily haunting debut and Reddit hit—soon to be a Netflix original movie starring Blake Lively—about two homeowners whose lives are turned upside down when the house’s previous residents unexpectedly visit. Out 18 June 2024.

While writing my debut novel We Used to Live Here, I ran into creative roadblocks at least once a month. Whenever that happened, I forced myself to take a step back and focus on other things. You may call that procrastination — I call it ‘searching for inspiration’. And more often than not, this inspiration was found in the groundbreaking world of video game narratives.

Video games have been influencing me since childhood. Many of my earliest stories were unabashed ripoffs of games like Final Fantasy and Legend of Zelda. These writings, now lost to the defunct Nintendo Nsider forums, still hold a special place in my heart.

Here are five horror video games that have profoundly influenced me. All of which directly, or indirectly inspired my book, ‘We Used to Live Here’.

Inside
Playdead Games

Inside thrusts the player into a dystopian nightmare. From the first frame you’re scrambling through the woods, running for your life. Masked men with tranquilizer rifles and vicious hunting dogs in close pursuit. Who are you? Why are you being chased?

This game allows the player to theorize their answers rather than spoon-feeding a forced narrative.

Filled with surprising moments of beauty and shocking turns of horror, Inside is a masterclass in ‘show, don’t tell’ world-building. Not a single word is spoken throughout its 3-4 hour runtime. A towering reminder to storytellers everywhere that less is often more.

One of my favorite pieces of media ever created, period.

Phasmaphobia
Kinetic Games

Investigate dangerous supernatural entities with your friends.

When it comes to writing authentic scenes, firsthand experience is the best form of “research.” Unfortunately, firsthand experience of getting chased by demons is hard to come by. In that case, try playing games like this.

Resident Evil 7: Bio Hazard
Capcom

Bringing the iconic franchise into a first-person perspective, RE7 is a claustrophobic and truly harrowing masterpiece. I first played it in VR on PS4, an experience that has influenced every single horror story I’ve written since. There’s something about literally having to peek your head around a corner, then venturing forward into a dark hallway that will likely be the death of you.

It’s essentially one big game of hide-and-seek: locked in a decrepit manor with a family of murderous and ever-mutating psychopaths. RE7 is a standout in a series filled with horror classics.

Firewatch
Campo Santo

“You are here, and it’s beautiful, and escaping isn’t always something bad.”

An atmospheric and heartbreaking exploration of grief and isolation. Firewatch is more of a character study/ mystery thriller than a horror, but the experience impacted me so much that I had to include it here. Almost a decade later, its world and characters remain vivid in my memory.

Inscryption
Daniel Mullins Games/ Devolver Digital

“Another challenger… it has been ages.”

Imagine being trapped in a dingy cabin, forced to play a strange card game with a shadowy figure who may or may not be human. Daniel Mullin’s brilliant game only gets weirder from there. I can’t even say how it inspired my novel without spoiling the experience. But if you enjoy dark humor, addictive gameplay, and mind-bending narratives, look no further.

The post 5 Fantastic Horror Video Games Recommended By Author Marcus Kliewer appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Aftershock promises a post-apocalyptic story about an earthquake that devastates Los Angeles, leaving hundreds of thousands of Americans either dead or missing, and a mysterious island that appears off the coast in its aftermath. Callies plays Cassie Williams, a woman who forges through the island in search of her missing daughter. Looking more deeply into the podcast’s story, it is, for Callies, about forgiveness, something she believes the world needs more of right now.

In our interview below, Callies talks about the challenges of recording during the pandemic, the exhilaration that you feel when you “step off into nothingness,” and her newfound love for podcasting.

Aftershock can be found on iHeartRadio and anywhere podcasts are heard.

Congratulations on Aftershock’s release! You’ve said before that it’s a story about “forgiveness and second chances”—would you tell us more about what you mean by that?

It feels like we all need a big dose of forgiveness right now, don’t we? Giving it, receiving it… Somewhere along the way I feel like our culture got so wrapped up in judgment and outrage that we lost sight of how deeply we all need to be forgiven in life – and so then how deeply we all need to practice forgiveness. I wanted to explore that – to put characters into ‘unforgivable’ situations and then see how they could find their way to atonement from there. Particularly with Cassie and McKayla, who are the spine of the series.  

In addition to acting, you’re also the series’ director, writer, and co-creator. How did you initially become involved with the project? Where did the story come from? What inspired you to take on multiple roles throughout its production?

Well, I took on multiple roles for two reasons – first because that kind of creative input is a gift for someone like me. To be able to have a hand in so many aspects of the storytelling is thrilling and a first in my career. I loved every second of it. But then, practically, podcasts don’t have big budgets. So if something needed doing, I just did it so that, you know, it would get done. The initial kernel of the idea came to me from Patrick Carman, a YA author I was put in touch with through my producing partner Ben Haber. He was interested in telling a story about an island that rose up out of the sea,  and since I grew up on one, that fascinated me. I’m from Hawai’i, and we have stories there about Maui pulling the islands up with his fishhook as his brothers paddled their canoe. Origin stories are powerful, as are the explorations of who goes to that new land and why.  

I understand that you recorded the series during the pandemic, which seems like it would have been such an emotional undertaking! In addition to your character’s experience of literally earth-shattering change, you (and the rest of the world) experienced a similarly seismic, though less cataclysmic, change as well—what was it like to flit between Aftershock’s post-apocalyptic world and our world’s pandemic-ridden reality?

Actually, having a creative project to focus on was a gift during the pandemic. It made everything harder, of course, because the pandemic just had that effect on life. But at the end of our recording sessions, even through the technical headaches and the scheduling challenges and the covid safety of it all, we were all so grateful to feel like artists for a while. It was a part of ourselves we knew and valued and missed during lockdown. It was a kind of nourishment, like a kind of heart food. 

You’re no stranger to stories that explore what worlds would look like after mass devastation. From zombies in The Walking Dead to aliens in Colony. And now: Aftershock. What is it about this genre that interests you and keeps you wanting to explore? How did your previous work inform how you approached Aftershock?

I think we learn a tremendous amount about who we really are when our world falls apart. But Aftershock is a very focused crisis – it’s not a zombie apocalypse or an alien invasion – it’s a localized event that destroys Los Angeles but leaves the rest of the world intact.  It’s also a very grounded disaster in that, unlike zombies and aliens, an earthquake is something scientists have been telling us for a long time is going to happen – it’s just a matter of when, there’s a feeling of inevitability about it.  And so set against that disaster, our characters turn into people they didn’t know they could be.  That’s a fascinating space – when you step off into nothingness and leave your old self behind.  

The cast is truly impressive! What was it like to get everyone together? What surprised you the most throughout the process of collaborating with and directing them?

What surprised me was that everyone said yes! I put together a dream team – mostly of friends and colleagues i’d worked with before – and got to play them all. It was such a generous thing for them to do. And such a joy. There were moments that just took my breath away. Michael O’Neill and Tati Gabrielle did a scene together that made the mixer in the booth where Michael was recording weep. That was pretty cool. They left everything on the field and I’m so grateful. 

Now that production is essentially over and the first few episodes have been released, would you return to the podcast format for future stories? Can we expect more seasons of Aftershock?

I’d do another scripted pod in a heartbeat. It’s an exciting medium – telling a story that keeps the audience blind, but engages their full imaginative attention. It’s such a cool set of creative challenges. As for more aftershock seasons – that’s a question for iHeart… and let me know if you get an answer!

What’s next for you?

I’m directing a couple of episodes of TV this fall, so that’s where my attention is right now. I head off Friday to the first one! 

The post ‘Aftershock’ Podcast: A Conversation with Sarah Wayne Callies appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

For fans of the weird and undiscovered, step inside the world of Conner Creek in the YouTube series and narrative podcast, Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye. The series is created by the Tin Can Brothers, Corey Lubowich, Brian Rosenthal, and Joey Richter, who are known for hits such as Spies are Forever, Solve It Squad, and many other live and virtual sketches, short films, and stage shows. This project was backed on Kickstarter by over 2,000 people and released in the fall of 2020. I have been a fan of the Tin Can Brothers for years for their innovative and accessible work, and Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye did not disappoint!

The show follows a twin podcasting team, Artemis and Paul Schue-Horyn (Mary Kate Wiles and Steve Zaragoza) as they venture into the small mining town of Connor Creek to follow a corporate corruption story brought to them by Ryan Reynolds (Darren Criss), who isn’t that Ryan Reynolds but is still well known in his town. All they want is to sink their teeth into the story to find the truth, impress their boss (Sean Astin) and prove that they can be the top podcasting team at American Podcasting Network. The corporate corruption investigation turns into more of a hairy situation as the eccentric townspeople begin dying under mysterious circumstances. As rumours of werewolves begin flying around an already divided town, Artemis and Paul must figure out what is going on, who they can trust, and if running this story is worth risking their lives.

The entire narrative is exhilarating from start to finish. It blends horror, mystery, and comedy and feels like a cross between Twin Peaks and the popular game One Night Ultimate Werewolf. The series’ voice is completely new and exciting, leaning into the weird and supernatural while also touching on social and political division. You won’t be able to stop watching, as each episode hooks you in right away and leaves you in suspense. The innovative multimedia narrative consists of 10 YouTube episodes and 11 podcast episodes that create an immersive experience. Depending on your preferences, you can either watch just the webseries, or listen to the podcast, but to get the best experience in my opinion, you’d experience them together in the release date order. The podcast is the polished version of what Artemis and Paul release to the world after their adventures, and the webseries acts as a behind the scenes of their journey and so together you have access to backstories, other perspectives and lots of other juicy details.

The YouTube videos are bingeworthy and a quick enjoyable watch. The dialogue flies fast and strong, with lots of witty bits. They are able to pack lots of Connor Creek lore and fun into the roughly ten minute long episodes without rushing anything, which is a huge testament to the writing. The cinematography is stunning and I don’t want to venture too far into spoiler territory but the special effects and action sequences are Hollywood quality and dazzling. Every detail is intentional to aid in the mystery or add depth to the world and it is beneficial to pay attention to everything if you want to sleuth alongside Artemis and Paul. The release became very interactive as fans would work together to come up with theories and the Tin Can Brothers would chat with viewers before each episode premiere. They also offer lots of behind the scene information and footage if you join their Patreon or check out their website.

The podcast is so well put together that if you close your eyes, you’ll feel like you are right there with the team exploring the town. It also adds a lot of humour and background to an already rich story. There’s new characters to round out the world beyond Conner Creek and the characters you already know from the screen get more of a chance to shine. You really get to know the twins and their dynamic in a different way. They’ve had time to reflect, and it’s fun to see the differences of how they report the events vs how everything actually plays out in the moment. What do they choose to include and leave out? What does the world know about this mystery?

The ensemble of characters is one of my favourite parts and what I find myself coming back to when I think about the show. Everyone is incredibly weird in the most delightful way, with their own accents and role in the town. The cast is extremely talented and come from various mediums from digital, Broadway, television and companies like Starkid Productions and Shipwrecked Comedy. They clearly have fun working together which just amplifies their performances. Mary Kate Wiles and Steve Zaragoza have realistic sibling energy and play off of each other so well. Then some of the other townsfolk you will meet include Madison Reynolds (Joanna Sotomura), the noble sheriff, Dr. Henry Edwards (Carlos Valdez), the drunk doctor, Rita Waldeburg (Sinead Persaud), the passionately morbid mortician, and Mary Jo and Ellis Walker (Ashley Clements and Gabe Greenspan), a couple of gossipy florists, just to name a few. Every character is memorable and endearingly ridiculous in their own way.

So what are you waiting for? The Tin Can Brothers have done an incredible job of creating an immersive series that is a real howl. I have now rewatched/relistened multiple times and every time, I’m on the edge of my seat. I hope that a second season is in store, but in the meantime, you can find all the video and podcast episodes of Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye on YouTube and the podcast episodes also on most streaming platforms.

The post Dive Into ‘Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Combine two decades of radio experience, a dozen years of comic book writing and a lifelong obsession with Star Wars, and a truly unique project is born: Mud 79, a full-cast, fan-produced Star Wars audio drama.

“Fearless” Fred Kennedy, a life-long fan of comic books and Star Wars, is the drive host for Toronto’s Rock Station, Q107. Mud 79 is his brain child.

“When I was growing up, I didn’t want to be a broadcaster,” Kennedy said. “I wanted to be a paleo cultural anthropologist and study the origins of human culture.”

A love of science fiction is born

Due to his father’s military service, Kennedy grew up in Belgium. There, his love for science fiction was born.

“My dad would go on, like, trips for work,” he said. “Whenever he was home, one of the things we always did was watch Star Trek. So Star Trek, if I’m being honest, is the beginning of all my nerd love.”

Kennedy’s exposure to Start Trek opened up a world of science fiction for him. He began watching European animated series such as Ulysses 31 and City of Gold. From there, it was a quick leap to Star Wars.

“I remember watching Return of the Jedi for the first time with one of my cousins, who is like six years older than me, and just being blown away,” he said. “I watched Return to the Jedi before I watched any of the other ones. And that scene when Luke Skywalker walked down the hallway of Jabba’s palace and chokes the Gamorrean guards, I was like ‘I’m in’. I don’t even know what’s happening right now, but this is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Raised on radio

Kennedy’s family would eventually relocate to Canada. There, he began to take an interest in radio broadcasting.

“When I moved to Canada, I was listening to the radio, and it was like, all of the radio stations were in English, which to me was a wild thing,” he said. “So I could listen. And it wasn’t even that they were just in English; there was a country music radio station. There’s no country music in Europe. I never listened to Country. I found it so fascinating.”

In high school, he became involved in a radio club that would steer him toward his future career.

“All the radio club did was we broadcast music for an hour before classes in the morning,” Kennedy said. “That was the morning shift. Then there was the lunch shift where you broadcast music during the lunch hour. And then, at any school events, we ran the audio equipment.”

From high school, Kennedy went to broadcasting school and immediately disliked the experience. He decided to take a college demo and send it to radio stations to get a job instead. He took the first job offer he received and left broadcasting school behind.

“I shamelessly love it so much,” he said. “Despite all of the flaws in the industry, despite all the jokes that people make about radio people, I don’t care. I love it so much. I can’t deny it.”

From spinner rack to published author

In addition to his radio work, Kennedy has been writing small press comics for over a decade. When he first moved to Canada, he didn’t have a lot of friends. He quickly managed to connect to the world of comic books.

“I used to go to the 7-Eleven,” he said. “I would play Street Fighter II, and it had a spinner rack of comics, and I used to read all the comics while I’d wait for my turn.”

As he got older, he developed a love for creating comics, as well. He has written several comic book stories, including contributing to anthologies like True Patriot Presents and working on his own science fiction quarterly, The Fourth Planet.

“I think that there’s a lot of things that you can do in comics that you can’t do in any other medium,” Kennedy said. “It’s a really cool methodology of telling stories, and I just love it. I love writing comics. And I also love the collaborative nature of it because I can’t draw.”

Creating Mud 79, a Star Wars audio drama

Now, Kennedy has combined his extensive experience in radio broadcasting with his story-telling skills to create Mud 79, a full-cast audio drama set in the Star Wars universe.

“For the past three years, I’ve been doing a podcast,” Kennedy said. “But then, when the pandemic happened, I found myself kind of lacking subjects I really wanted to talk about a lot. I just started working on this audio drama that’s been kicking around in the back of my head for a few years now.”

Mud 79 tells the story of a mud trooper and his squad. After the battle of Endor, the Empire is imploding. The trooper is stuck on a backwater planet, holding the line alongside his fellow imperial troops.

“There’s this painting by this Italian painter, and it’s this watercolour painting of a scout trooper,” Kennedy said. “He’s like leaning up against the tree holding binoculars, and it looks like it’s raining. And I love that picture so much. I love it so much because you’ve got a mask, but with the body language, there’s just this sense of sadness and desperation in the way this guy is leaned up against this tree.”

For Kennedy, the weakness of Star Wars has always been that the Empire doesn’t contain characters, but caricatures.

“I just have always felt like there’s never really been a boots on the ground type story in Star Wars,” he said. “It’s like Platoon set in Star Wars is the simplest, most direct way of explaining it.”

Putting the pieces of Mud 79 together

Kennedy wrote the story in collaboration with his producer, Dila Velazquez, who helped him iron out a bunch of stuff and voiced “the Madame” in episodes 5 and 6. Kennedy also serves as the primary narrator and completes all post production personally.

“Voice actor roles are all people I know that are big Star Wars fans,” he said. “People that I know are not just broadcasters, but just like big fans of Star Wars that I wanted to involve in it.”

Forty-seven individual voice actors contributed to the first season of Mud 79.

In order to complete post-production, Kennedy had to draw on his extensive radio background.

“One of the jobs that I had when I started out in radio was producing commercials,” he said. “There are a lot of foundations of production that I learned then that made this entire thing possible. So, it’s those skills that I learned as a producer, but I also relearned all kinds of things as I went.”

The time investment in post-production was vast because Kennedy knew that high quality was a must.

“I knew it needed to be pro-level sounding, even from the get-go,” he said. “This needed to be something that could have a studio behind it. Otherwise, no one would care, and no one would take it seriously. I find with audio in particular, people are very judgmental.”

A matter of perspective

Although many Star Wars fans have received Mud 79 positively, it has not been all sunshine and rainbows. Kennedy’s choice to focus on realism in dialogue meant that swear words were fair game.

“The first piece of hate mail I got was ‘there’s no swearing in Star Wars’,” he said. “He said other things, which is interesting because he swore at me when he said there’s no swearing in Star Wars.”

Kennedy voiced a version of the script where there were no swear words. Instead, he threw in all the classic Star Wars swear words, but it didn’t feel true to him.

“My dad was [in the] military,” he said. “I worked on a military base. And this was like a training camp. So this is when soldiers were coming in, and they were training and they’d be there for a few months, and then they’d leave. And so I am watching the way these guys interact and watching the way these guys talk and they swear, they really do. And it sounds weird to say, but when they swear, it doesn’t feel vulgar, if that makes any sense. It’s not a vulgar thing, they just do it. And it becomes just the way they speak and the way they interact.”

Some fans have met Kennedy’s choice to focus on the perspective of imperial troops with skepticism.

“As soon as people hear it’s from the imperial [perspective], ‘well, I don’t know if I want to listen to that’,” he said. “[They think] it’s justifying all the awful things that the Empire did, when it’s not. If you listen to just the opening, he explains, ‘if it wasn’t for the Republic, my planet would have been scoured. So I owe everything I have to them. Why wouldn’t I join?’ You know, I really like telling a story like that. I want to humanise people, you know?”

Mud 79 returns and an ode to fan projects

With the first season of Mud 79 complete, fans can expect Kennedy to return to that world at some point. How soon, however, remains unclear.

“There might be a bit of a delay with the second season of Mud 79, and that’s because I just signed a contract for a comic and I can’t really talk about it,” he said. “I can say that I’m really excited about it.”

As a creator of a fan project, Kennedy would love to see more fan-made projects given a fair shake.

“There’s so much great fan-made Star Wars; it has the most vibrant fan base, the most multicultural, the most diverse fan group out of almost any property,” he said. “I see so many absolutely incredible fan-made projects out there. I think that we as fans need to do a bit of a better job of supporting other fan made projects. And we see so many people shouting and shouting to get recognised and having a voice when we really need to take the time to see those other people that are also shouting for a voice. There are so many wild things out there.”

The post Fred Kennedy On Creating ‘Mud 79’, A Fan Made Star Wars Audio Drama appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

There is no secret that, just like any other significant successful franchise, Harry Potter has already gone far from being just a book series. Aside from the popular films, theatre production, adventure parks, and an enormous amount of fanfiction and fanart produced over the last 20 years, there is a relatively underestimated genre of Harry Potter-themed podcasts which gained traction in recent years. Here, we will present all Harry fans as well as those who are just beginning their journey through the Wizarding World with nine entertaining, exceptionally interesting podcasts that feature Harry Potter as a major topic of a discussion.

Harry Potter and The Sacred Text
With Vanessa Zoltan and Casper ter Kuile
Approximate length of an episode: ca. 30-45 min.

This podcast features intriguing, meaningful conversations about events and feelings in the Harry Potter book series. Every episode is themed according to a dominating emotion or phenomenon in a chapter, whether it is loneliness, responsibility, love, or wonder. Moreover, bringing laughter to such serious discussions, Vanessa and Casper have a competition, trying to recapture the basic events of a chapter faster than the other one at the beginningof each episode.

One may be piqued with the continuously repeated word “bless” in the podcast. However, no need to worry: although having a naturally religious connotation, here, it is used in a sense of “paying due respect to a character, a feeling or an event”.

Listening to it and gaining lots of insight, one cannot stop re-evaluating ideas and views of the story. In fact, this as well as the two following podcasts are created by the same production organisation called Not Sorry Productions. The main goal of this committed team is to produce entertaining and educational content with incredible care and devotion to their audience. You can find out more on their website.

The Women of Harry Potter
With Vanessa Zoltan and Ariana Nedelman
Approximate length of an episode: ca. 20-30 min.

Women play one of the central roles in the Harry Potter series. In this feminist podcast, Vanessa and Ariana try to “lift up the successes and struggles of the women in [their] favourite book series”, according to the bio of the podcast on Spotify.

Indeed, focusing on the in-depth discovery of the women in Harry Potter and dedicating each episode to a certain significant female from the novels, Vanessa, Ariana, and their guests celebrate the characters achievements and pay close attention to their motivations. Furthermore, each episode is provided with an exciting and, in many cases, enlightening quiz which not only considers a topic of an episode but also sheds light onto particular chapters of American and world history, stories of the famous personalities and much more.

Witch, Please
With Hannah McGregor and Marcelle Kosman
Approximate length of an episode: 60-110 min.

This is another Harry Potter-themed podcast from Not Sorry Productions, where two lady scholars share their thoughts and views on the books, movies and all the Wizarding World. The quality of structure and content give the scholarly-creative natures of its makers with each episode consists of the segments with a thematically underlined discussion.

Since 2015, Hannah and Marcelle are discovering and discussing the pitfalls, meanings, and messages. However, returning from a two-year break in 2020, they started a whole new run on Hogwarts day, September, 1st. Differently shaped and re-boosted, the podcast now has several episodes dedicated to one book from a series at a time with the topics and events looked on through the prism of literary criticism and research. “We research so many things in our work already that we are relying 100% on the actual Harry Potter texts to provide us with the answers to the questions that we are asking. And if those answers are not there, we are just going to speculate back and forth at this table”- they were laughing, recording their first episode back in 2015, meaning not to be quite concerned with the textual evidence. Although that is also not totally true, this time Hannah and Marcelle decided to have a look on Harry Potter from some serious scientific perspectives such as Orientalism, Queer Theory, Feminist Theory, Class and Status etc.

S.P.E.W.: Serious Potter in an Everyday World
With Seth and Justin Quam
Approximate length of an episode: ca. 40-60 min.

In each episode, two brothers, Seth and Justin, discuss and debate their views on Harry Potter, with the major theme of the podcast: how Harry Potter and the real world we all live in mirror each other in all possible ways and forms, from a phenomenon of journalism as a social and political tool to the idea of unrequited love and the notion of self-care. Sometimes joined by their guests, the pair share their interpretations of the text and show how much one can “learn from the Harry Potter universe in social justice struggles”. 

Some topics might seem too controversial in terms of politics, cultural differences, or social activism, but it does not make the episodes less noteworthy. Actually, it only gives more desire to discuss the subject further, which in the case of Harry Potter is usually an inevitable outcome.

#WizardTeam: A Harry Potter Podcast
With Bayana Davis and Robyn Jordan
Approximate length of an episode: 60-100 min.

This podcast is one of the creations of a project Black Girls Create, a media space established by and for Black creators and critical fandom. They call themselves a “unique intersectional hub” with an aim of encouragement and representation of Black women and people of colour overall in media, culture, fandoms etc.

In their podcast #WizardTeam, apart from a thorough “chapter-by-chapter” reading of Harry Potter novel series, Bayana and Robyn also examine Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the Fantastic Beasts series, reconciling the whole Wizarding World for their listeners. Moreover, their recent “What if…?” rubric, featuring a milestone of each Harry Potter fan, deserves a separate mention. Here, the podcasters and their guests together seek the answers to the questions every Potterhead asked themselves at least once: “What if Dumbledore had never been cursed with the Resurrection Stone?”, “What if Remus Lupin joined the Golden Trio in the seventh novel?” or “What if Hermione never got the Time Turner?”.

Wizard Studies: Perusing All Things Harry Potter Podcast
With Katie and Audrey
Approximate length of an episode: 60-100 min.

Two times a month since March 1st 2019, Katie and Audrey meet up to peruse all possible things from the magical world of Harry Potter novels, contributing each episode to a character, his/her personality type and features, the way of communication with other figures, major and minor events, items, places and other important topics and issues about the books and the wizarding universe.

Likewise, there are very witty pop quizzes at the end of every episode, and a Facebook group, Wizard Studies Podcast Group, arranged for everybody who would like to answer occasional pop quiz questions and eventually get their voices heard on the podcast.

PotterStudy: A Harry Potter Podcast
With Zahra Pain
Approximate length of an episode: 50-60 min.

This podcast is a creation of a Middle East-born American living in Britain who dedicate each episode to a separate character, examining his nature and everything that surrounds him/her, how this influenced figure’s development and growth, if it does.

Each episode has a special guest with whom Zahra talk about Potterian characters as if they are real people: what would they feel, how they behaved or would behave if a certain situation turned out differently. Why Draco is an “almost character”; is Luna really much more mature than the majority of figures in all 7 novels; would Dudley Dursley vote for Brexit, or where does Hermione’s sense of justice leads her – all these are the topics debated here.

Tales From Godric’s Hollow
With Josh Brown (a.k.a. The Muggle) and Matt Sonnenberg (a.k.a. The Professor)/Joe Slionski (a.k.a. The Dean) and Marissa Dorado (a.k.a. The Boss)
Approximate length of an episode: 90-210 min.

Initially, the podcast starts with Matt “The Professor” leading Josh “The Muggle” through the whole Harry Potter novel series for the very first time. For a fan and a constant re-reader (which is practically the same thing), it is amazing to listen to the process of someone else step by step exploring the magical universe, you are so keen on; for a first-reader, it’s a great opportunity to read and amuse yourself along the way! After each book, there comes a movie and a detailed discussion of its distinctions from an original written story.

Although both of them step out later in the show, there is always nature that abhors the vacuum. Therefore, Joe and Marissa a.k.a The Dean and The Boss step into to enjoy the Wizarding World with the podcast’s listeners, taking them on the journey not only through the books but way further. They discuss each and every little unit of Harry’s world, from the primary narrative to Fantastic Beasts, Cursed Child, Tales of Beedle the Bard, Orlando adventure park, fanfiction, breaking news and a lot more. If you are interested in knowing more, check out the podcast’s own website.

Swish and Flick: An All Potter Podcast
With Tiffany O’Malley, Sarah O’Malley, Megan Petras, Katie Petras
Approximate length of an episode: 90-135 min.

The infamous expression of one of the loveliest characters of the whole series, Professor Filius Flitwick, could not even possibly indicate a bad thing. And indeed, it does not. This podcast is led by four friends, each representing a Hogwarts House. Designed as a book club, the chapter-by-chapter travel through the magical world goes along multiple ideas and hypothesis based on never-ending interpretations. “We explore unknown areas with fan theories and even come up with some theories and ideas of our own” – write the hostesses on the Swish and Flick’s website.

Dynamic friendly discussion and tons of various opinions, it’s a perfect match for either a cup of cocoa with marshmallows or a glass of dry red. The podcast also has its own collection of merch: mugs, sweatshirt, pins are presented on its website.

At first glance, all such podcasts might seem quite similar, considering a relatively limited amount of topics and issues to discuss. However, the ideas and thoughts that Harry Potter evokes in every single one of the podcasters and their listeners are absolutely diverse. This variety is where the beauty of podcasting lies in. Such conversations make it clear that there is no one particular right or specifically wrong point of view on a single story, every theory, concept or notion is valid as long as one can prove the position.

Sincere Recommendations And Important Disclaimers:

• Consider reading (not watching a movie!) before listening as it can inevitably influence your perception of the story and characters.
• The chapter-by-chapter type of podcasts is perfect for those who encounter Harry Potter for the first time.
• There are too many good podcasts on such a popular topic as Harry Potter. Those presented in this article are a personal choice of the author, hence, there are as well the other fabulous works that, unfortunately, did not make their way here. If you know some, we would be happy if you share in the comments below!
• There is no ranking logic in placing of the podcasts the way they are situated in the article.

The post 9 Harry Potter Podcasts To Check Out appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

It’s safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic had more than enough of us spending more time in our homes than ever before. Quarantine life wore out its welcome well into the early stages of its enforcement, which is where games stepped in and became our saving graces! 

I played several games on my Nintendo Switch Lite console during this ordeal and although it was hard to narrow the list down, I did my best at providing titles with different elements, difficulty levels, and hours of gameplay. 

5. Firewatch

Firewatch is a game that was perfect for this year of quarantine! It provides the right amount of summer outdoor fun with accommodating elements for all gamers: walking simulation, exploration, puzzle-solving, and more. This game took me under six hours to complete and left me with an emotional gaming hangover for weeks after.

4. Harvest Moon: Light of Hope (Special Edition)

This was the first game I purchased for my Switch Lite and I quickly fell in love. The gamer is provided a casual, laidback experience and can quickly establish a routine of chopping down trees, tending to animals, and repairing structures around the farm. I ended up finishing this game in about thirty hours, but even after completing the main storyline, there’s the availability of marriage and children which provides even more gaming hours!

3. Fire Emblem: Three Houses

This is a game I have only recently begun playing as I scored this one from my local Gamestop during Black Friday for $26.99! From videos I watched prior to purchasing, I can only best describe this one as anime meets the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Players get to choose between three houses, where he/she will further improve upon certain skill sets.

The game has plenty to offer and lots of hours of gameplay to enjoy. Once I finish my first playthrough, I intend to play two more to experience all the houses and choices that come with those selections.

2. My Time At Portia

This was a game that I discovered due to a YouTube review by Ircha Gaming, whose channel I have quickly become a fan of. I enjoy the gaming reviews she uploads and I have bought several games based on her input, which has never disappointed me!

The game has been described as “Stardew Valley on Steroids,” and “Stardew Valley 3D.” I can agree with this summarisation; players get the typical storyline of inheriting a farm, tending to animals, growing crops, and all that comes with Stardew Valley while also getting to mine, build, and explore a city that forbids modern technology.

I have put in almost thirty hours into this game, but unfortunately I recently somehow accidentally deleted twenty-five(ish) hours of gameplay, which has caused me to not pick up the game since. No worries, I plan to get back into the game I just need time to recover from the loss.

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

I’m sure this one was expected, but I can’t hide my overwhelming love for this title! I will admit that the sole reason I bought a Switch console was because of this game. I’ve always enjoyed farming simulation games and this one provided that aspect among other things.

It didn’t take long for me to spend hours of my life on this game; I’m currently 130 hours in with no signs of slowing down. With the developers constantly rolling out seasonal content, there’s always something to keep gamers returning to this one without fear of boredom.

Have you played any of these games listed? If so, leave a comment along with your thoughts as I’d love to hear them! 

The post Five Fantastic Nintendo Switch Games Played During 2020 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Release date: November 12th 2020
Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Studio: Insomniac Games 

When Insomniac unleashed their take on everybody’s favourite friendly neighbourhood superhero in the fall of 2018, it rapidly become a game of the year contender. The third-person action adventure title immersed fans worldwide as they found themselves swinging around New York City in 23-year-old Peter Parker’s shoes.

The game was a massive hit, having been critically praised on just about every level from the an enticing, emotional narrative, well-round and developed characters, an extremely fun combat loop, and, of course what might just be the best web swinging traversal since 2004’s Spider-Man 2 (sadly, without the inclusion of that pizza delivery minigame). By year’s end, it became apparent that this was not only one of the best games of 2018 for many, it was deemed one of the greatest superhero games of all time. This only begs one question in regards to the hugely anticipated follow-up, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, can Insomniac hit another home run? 

Taking place approximately a year after the events of the previous game, Spider-Man: Miles Morales follows our titular protagonist (a role reprised and brilliantly delivered by Nadji Jeter) who’s been under the mentorship of one Peter Parker since discovering his newfound powers and has assumed the role of a new Spider-Man.

Yuri Lowenthal returns as Peter Parker but after the OG web-head announces that he’s taking a much needed break overseas, his appearances are few and far between. The safety of New York is left in Miles’ hands and our young hero soon finds himself caught in the middle of an ongoing turf war between Roxxon Energy, and the Underground, a high-tech criminal organisation. 

The ‘straight outta Brooklyn’ Spidey is backed up by a great supporting cast, including Griffin Puatu as your best pal; Ganke Lee, a tech wizard who acts as a trusty support with all things Spider-Man; Jasmin Savoy Brown as Phin Mason, Miles’ childhood friend; Ike Amadi as uncle Aaron Davis; and Jacqueline Piñol as Rio Morales.  

The games main campaign should net you between 6 – 8 hours of playtime depending on your speed. Storywise, it’s a standard superhero affaire full of big set pieces, jam-packed action, and a number of plot twists along the way. While the length is noticeably shorter than the first game, the substance of the story more than makes up for it, and, with the edition of New Game plus there’s always room for replayability. 

Alongside adjusting to his new super identity and all the responsibilities that come with it, Miles is also adapting to changes in his personal life, having recently relocated from Brooklyn to Harlem, and, supporting his mom’s new political career which plays a significant role within the campaign. A majority of big story beats take place in Harlem and this really helps emphasise how, in contrast to Pete, Miles feels much more like a friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man who’s still finding his footing and learning how to be his own hero. This is not only reflected within the games writing but also through the various side missions you can undertake: helping the residents of Harlem resolve their problems which, yes, does involve rescuing a cat called Spider-Man. 

As well as side missions, there’s an abundance of activities to keep yourself busy with, including holographic training challenges left by Pete, and, collectable time capsules. While none of these are incredibly exciting, they’re still fun and will keep you swinging around the city for longer. Something that does play a unique role in this respect however is Ganke’s newly invented ‘Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man App’, a convenient and easy way for citizens to reach out to Spidey with any problems. Not only is this a welcome addition to the game’s UI, it also does a great job of utilising the Dualsense controllers touchpad. 

In terms of combat, the core gameplay loop hasn’t changed, which isn’t a bad thing since it’s as infectious and satisfying as ever. Miles does have some unique powers though that shake up combat enough in comparison to the first game. These include his signature ‘venom strike’, the manipulation of bio-electricity to stun and damage enemies, and the handy ability to camouflage that allow players to employ some great stealth tactics. 

Like Peter before him, Miles also gets a snazzy array of unlockable suits, each boosting unique mods and powers. At launch there are currently 19 suits available with designs that pull inspiration from the game universe, various comic storylines, and, the 2018 cinematic hit ‘Into The Spider-Verse’, which features a mod that perfectly mimics the movies animation. 

Finally, we can’t finish this review out without mentioning the music and sound design. As per the original game, the orchestral score here swells as you pick up momentum while swinging but this time it’s cleverly infused with hip-hop beats and samples. Beats that Miles would definitely have on his personal playlist, all the more cementing the fact that this is truly his world and story. 

Ultimately, this is an absolutely worthy follow-up to one of the best games of the last generation. The shorter length lends itself perfectly to Miles’ story: the story of a young man developing his own identity as a hero while trying his best to live up to the mask he wears. 

Despite being an altogether smaller package, Spider-Man: Miles Morales doesn’t pack any less of a punch than its predecessor and Insomniac have knocked it out of the park once again. 

What did you think of Spider-Man: Miles Morales? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Game Review: ‘Spider-Man: Miles Morales’  appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

As challenging as the game is, I personally am really enjoying it. It really feels like a Crash Bandicoot game and offers up nostalgia and the things we loved about the original, as well as adding enough new things to feel like a fresh game with a modern take.

So whats new?

Unlimited lives: That’s right. In It’s About Time you get the option of playing in “retro mode” where you can collect lives like in previous games, or “modern mode” where you have unlimited lives and you’ll never see a “game over”. Go for modern mode, you’ll need it!

New Playable Characters: You can play certain levels as Dingodile, Cortex, and Tawna. Each character has different skills so it makes gameplay more fun that just playing as Crash for the whole game. Personally, I liked playing Cortex’s levels the most out of the three.

Masks : As you progress through the game, the levels will require you to complete certain sections using specially powered masks. Players can then flip gravity, slow time, super-spin, or pop in and out of alternate dimensions. I feel this is where the gameplay is different to the previous games as this isn’t something players would have encountered before.

Check out this gorgeous illustration of the new “Quantum Masks” from concept artist Nicholas Kole

Inverted mode: Some way through the game you’ll unlock inverted mode. This mode gives you the option to play the same levels again but experience it with different visuals. Some add a different effect to the game such as playing in near darkness unless you spin and break boxes to see the rest of the path, others just look REALLY pretty. It’s worth just having a go at different ones just to see what the new look is. One of my favourite levels is a Mardi Gras type level and it’s done as if it’s an old movie on a flickering tape with piano music. Cute!

Flashback tapes: In each level you can collect a tape which allows you to play bonus levels. These levels are reminiscent of the original crash “bonus rounds” and are retro in style and are a flash back to when Crash was in Cortex’s testing lab. They’re all about the jumping and breaking boxes (not my strength I must admit – yes I am aware what game I’m playing) but the music in these is a great throwback to the first Crash Bandicoot game.

It may seem that there is a lot of new extras, but again, I believe it still feels like a Crash game. The soundtrack is brilliant, the music fits, and some of the music is a remix of the classic old tracks. Lex Lang returns to voice Cortex (he does a great job!), and players will recognise old enemies such as Dr N.Brio, Dr N. Gin, and N. Tropy.

An example of an Inverted Level [Image Source]

What is there to collect?

If you’re a completionist then there is so much to collect!

There are 6 gems per level; the usual one for breaking all the boxes, one for completing the game in 3 lives or less, plus a hidden gem, then you’ll get 3 by collecting 80% of the Wumpa fruit. Collecting gems also enables players to unlock new outfits or “skins” for Crash and Coco.

There are the time trial relics which you can obtain by beating the level in a set time, and there are the new Flashback tapes which allow you to play mini levels. If you throw in Inverted Mode, then that’s double the gems, and double the relics to collect!

[Image Source]

My Verdict

I’m not a what you’d call a pro gamer. I’m not terrible at Crash, but I’m not the greatest, and I’m never going to be one of those players that can get all the gems and boxes to get that 100% finish (apart from Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped – I smashed that)

Woah, it is HARD. I went into It’s About Time quite naively thinking I wouldn’t find it any more difficult than the last game, after all, children still want to play this don’t they? I was WRONG.  It’s demanding, but to me it’s a fun challenge. Almost. Sometimes it felt frustrating, but at the end of the day it was still fun to play (nervous laughter).

Playing as Cortex was a highlight, his levels are engaging, his background music is awesome and his chatter is silly! I liked Dingodile’s levels the least, as his control felt a bit clunky and his levels felt long and a little dull (there is never any need for 400 boxes!)

A Flashback Tape Level [Image Source]

Overall Rating: 8/10

Where it loses points for me personally is that it felt a touch just too difficult, and I probably won’t replay it much as I know there are things I’ll never be able collect or levels I’d even re-attempt as they were too much for me. I feel it might be too challenging for the casual or a less experienced younger gamer. However, there is something to be said for the addicting part of it, because I’ll admit I sat there and attempted something nearly 100 times. Where it wins is that it’s new enough to be interesting, but still feels like classic Crash Bandicoot. It’s a great challenge, plus it looks lovely, there is a mix of environments and settings and theres lots to collect for those that like to 100% finish a game.

What did you think of Crash Bandicoot 4? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Let’s get this started.

Ghost of Tsuhima

Developed by Sucker Punch Productions
Release date: July 17, 2020

Ghost of Tsushima is yet another action-adventure, role-playing game and it follows Jin Sakai, a samurai warrior and the head of the Sakai clan, as he tries to reclaim Tsushima Island from the Mongols who overthrew its Jitō, Lord Shimura, who also happens to be our protagonist’s uncle. On his path to redemption, he meets and recruits several allies, encounters unexpected foes, and, just when you thought you know what’s going to happen next, you’ll be surprised with unexpected twists and turns, making it a very memorable game worth playing even after the credits start rolling.

What’s so great about it: The samurai-style combat is phenomenal and it gives players something to swoon over because everything is just flawless—from the light and heavy attacks to blocks and changing stances. Everything is tactical, and switching from different stances offer several features and outcomes and so it enables its players to choose strategically, all while trying to play defensively. The visuals are jaw-dropping too, and it’s very obvious just how talented the team was in producing such an aesthetically pleasing masterpiece. The overall length of the game’s also pretty impressive as it usually takes maybe 40 to 50 hours before achieving 90 to 100% game completion.

What’s not so great: The open world aspect was something that I was really looking forward to! However, the lack of guides and necessary waypoints made it a little hard for me to navigate through the game. There are moments when I have to go to one specific area and end up spending hours trying to actually get there because of the lack of guides. I would’ve liked it more if the game developers spent a little more time perfecting this specific aspect.

Final Fantasy VII Remake

Developed by Square Enix
Release date: March 2, 2020

2020’s Final Fantasy VII is the first in a planned series of games remaking the legendary 1997 PlayStation game of the same name. Set in the post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk city of Midgar, it puts players in the perspective of Cloud Strife, an ex-mercenary who joins eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE. Together, they try to stop the insanely influential Shinra Corp from using the planet’s life essence as an energy source. With a combination of role-playing elements, and real-time action, the FFVII remake will no doubt be an instant favourite for those who have been in love with the franchise since it’s humble beginnings.

What’s so great about it: The upgraded combat controls make it ten times more exciting than the ’97 classic because it just works smoothly. The overall design of the game is also very fresh and I don’t know how to explain it but it looks old and new at the same time. The story also feels like it’s gotten an upgrade—the dialogues sound engaging, and the overall plot feels like it’s been given so many twists and turns, promising a very thrilling experience.

What’s not so great: The game ends with a literal cliff hanger. After a brutal *final* boss battle, players are given a long cinematic to watch, and later on, the unexpected credits roll out! Although the game can be played for days—that is if you’re not planning on doing the side quests—the ending just caught me off guard only to realise that the next game in the series won’t be released until after the release of PlayStation 5. And who knows, it might even be a PS5 exclusive, which may or may not be a huge dealbreaker for those who might not be able to purchase the new generation console in a moment’s notice.

Resident Evil 3 Remake

Developed by Capcom
Release date: April 3, 2020

2020’s Resident Evil 3 is a third-person survival horror game that completely remade the 1999 classic and it follows badass Jill Valentine as she attempts her “last escape” from the zombie-infested Raccoon City, together with the brave mercenary Carlos Oliveira. Perfect for long-time fans of the Resident Evil franchise, Jill’s new and updated story will surely give its players that undeniably nostalgic feeling. Game developers also added “Resident Evil Resistance”, a completely separate online gameplay experience where players are given the chance to play as a mastermind, a character who can fully control an “arena” where four other online players are given limited time to escape from. Masterminds are given freedom to strategically place different kinds of creatures, deadly traps, and mechanised weapons that will aim to challenge other players.

What’s so great about it: The game’s inventory management will, once again, test each and every player’s ability to prioritise and weigh the impact/s of keeping or discarding certain items. The combat system’s also pretty commendable seeing that the developers made several improvements from 2019’s Resident Evil 2. Also, for those who are familiar with Nemesis, I’ve got great news for you. They completely remade him (is he even a him???). If you thought 1999 Nemesis was scary, then you definitely have another thing coming.

What’s not so great: If you play the game non-stop without aiming to acquire and maximise weapon upgrades, then you’ll be able to get through it in less than 3 hours. It’s insanely short! And I don’t know why that is—believe me, I’ve read tons of articles!—but they’ve removed a lot of essential elements that ultimately shortened the entire experience, and made it slightly less compelling. Also, the stand-alone Resident Evil Resistance isn’t that thrilling to me because it wasn’t what I was expecting. As a huge fan of the source material, I have to stand my ground and say that everything would have been a lot more impactful and engaging if they just focused on doing the base game justice.

The Last of Us Part II

Developed by Naughty Dog
Release date: June 19, 2020

The Last of Us Part II is another third-person, role-playing, action adventure title that is set five years after the events of the hit 2013 game of the same name. Set in a post-apocalyptic United States that is mostly overrun by infected cannibalistic creatures, it tells the story of Ellie, a badass woman who, after suffering a life-changing tragedy, leaves her life of security behind to seek for revenge, and Abby, a high-profile soldier who is part of a militia group who encounters deathly risks on the hands of an insane cult. Told through intersecting points of view and timelines, Ellie and Abby’s story will no doubt be an instant favourite for those who are fans of its predecessor and generally the action adventure genre.

What’s so great about it: The main story takes hours to finish, and it’s very obvious just how much care and precision went into the whole creative designing process. The weapon crafting and customisation improves over time because players will get the chance to unlock several functions for different guns and melee weapons. From incendiary shotgun shells to crafted explosive arrows, this game literally has everything. It’s brutal, it’s engaging, and, whether you go on full stealth mode or come out with guns blazing, it’s absolutely thrilling to play.

What’s not so great: I NEED ANOTHER SEQUEL. And I’m not sure I’ll get one this time around because this game’s ending wrapped everything up quite nicely.

Marvel’s Avengers

Developed by Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix
Release date: September 4, 2020

Marvel’s Avengers is a third-person, role-playing, action-adventure game that combines an original cinematic story with single player and co-op gameplay. It can be played offline by a single player or online with up to four other gamers during distinct parts within the campaign mode or through the “Avenger’s Initiative”, a segment that’s unlocked once a player finishes the main story. One thing that really got me so hyped up with this title is the impressive in-game character customisation feature. It gives its players full control over the original six Avengers (that is if you remove Hawkeye, and replace him with the iconic Kamala Khan a.k.a. Ms. Marvel), allowing them to personalise the entire gameplay experience from assigning abilities, to choosing legendary gears and outfits.

What’s great about it: The game’s plotline is so interesting, and it makes it easy for players to love the story instantly. Also, the customisation features turned the game into something that’s authentic and dynamic, allowing everyone to personalise their own game experience. The in-game photo mode is nice to play with too, and the combat system is extremely badass. (Did I mention that y’all can even customise each Avenger’s takedown moves???) And lastly, future game updates are promised to be completely free of charge! Hawkeye, and Kate Bishop will be part of a new update this November while Black Panther and Spider-man are confirmed to come at a much later date, albeit exclusively on the PlayStation platform.

What’s not so great: The insane number of glitches get distractingly annoying, especially when it disturbs campaign missions. I’m not gonna lie, it came to a point that it almost became a dealbreaker for me. Good thing the game developers were quickly able to deploy an update! Also, the repetitive use of assets and other resources for side quests and daily missions make the experience less exciting, especially if you’re the type of gamer who can play the same game for hours.

The year’s almost over, but there are tons of other games that’s just waiting to be released! We have the new Spider-man title, Miles Morales, Cyber Punk 2077, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and so much more! Give me a few months to play those too, and I’ll be back for yet another list of amazing games that will no doubt be worth your time!

Did you play any of these blockbuster games? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!

The post Five PS4 Games Released In 2020 That Are Worth Playing appeared first on The Nerd Daily.