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.

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!

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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.

I must confess, I am honestly stoked about the upcoming games Nintendo is preparing to release for the rest of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. For those of you who don’t know, simulation games are my absolute favourite from the game shop to play; however, some of the titles I’ll be mentioning in this article are NOT from that category but have made myself look forward to adding it to my gaming collection.

The Survivalists (Released October 9th 2020)

Hunt (or be hunted by!) animals for food and an array of mythical enemies, who aren’t necessarily pleased to see you. Get quests from a Mysterious Stranger or find them washed up on the shore. Prepare to trek into a procedurally generated wilderness, with a variety of biomes, for an adventure that’s unique to every player.

I recently played the demo for this game and found myself getting Stardew Valley vibes; the game is similar in pixelated style and layout. The gamer plays as an islander who has been shipwrecked and must rely on the elements of nature in order to survive.

Remothered: Broken Porcelain (Released October 13th 2020)

The truths buried in the Ashmann Inn will not be discovered easily – its many mysteries are intertwined and guarded by the looming threat of the stalkers, powerful hunters trapped in time and the confines of its walls. Survival will take more than just quick reactions as a strategic and resourceful approach will quickly become critical in this haunting adventure. Be smart – knowing the best time to sneak, flee or fight imminent dangers can quickly make the hunters become the hunted.

This is an upcoming sequel to Remothered: Tormented Fathers that is perfect for gamers who have previously finished the first game, for gamers wanting to try out the series, and for gamers who enjoy the psychological horror genre!

Red Lantern (October 23rd 2020)

The Red Lantern is set in Alaska, where you play as The Musher as she sets out to train a dog sledding team and start a new life. With your trusty crew of dogs, navigate the ever-changing landscape and events in the Alaskan wilderness as you find your way home. Combining roguelike elements into this story-driven adventure game, where hundreds of different events can occur, you’ll have to fend off bears, resist frostbite, care for your dogs, and maybe receive a moose-licking.

There are so many things I’m looking forward to about this game: the Alaskan setting, playing as a Musher, and experiencing what this game’s story has to offer!

Empire of Sin (Releases December 1st 2020)

Build a ruthless 1920’s criminal empire, and outsmart, out-gun and outlast your opponents in Prohibition-era Chicago.

Out of the games I’ve mentioned so far, this is the pick most out of my gaming comfort zone. However, being set during the roaring 20’s, role-playing as a mafia member, and strengthening your criminal following? What’s not to find appealing about this game?

Are any of these games I mentioned on your radar as well? Let me know in the comments below!

The post Four Exciting and New Nintendo Switch Games appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

In the world of video game entertainment, streaming reigns supreme. Platforms like Twitch host countless entertainers glamouring for attention and ad revenue. Watching others play video games has become a cultural phenomenon. Turner Tenney, better known in gaming circles as Tfue, owned the most followed active Twitch account as of July 2020, with a mind-blowing 7.8 million subscribers.

Streaming, however, is not the alpha and omega of gaming-related entertainment. On YouTube, fans of video games have a long history of creating imaginative and unique content. In the streaming arena, content creators set themselves apart based on the games they stream or the personalities they adopt. YouTube content creators, however, have achieved a delightful diversification and specialisation.

YouTube gamers offer some of the most unique, interesting, and informative takes on gaming-related content. Here are five YouTubers who deserve a lot more subscribers.

5. Larry Bundy Jr. – 385K Subscribers

Larry Bundy Jr, also known as “Guru Larry”, is a well-known entity, particularly among European gamers. He’s popped up on several British gaming television channels in the past, including Rapture TV, XLEAGUE.TV, and Game Network. A former manga-style artist who worked with companies such as Bungie and Rockstar, Bundy now creates several series on his YouTube channel.

The best of these series, by far, is Fact Hunt. The show, by its very nature, deals with obscure, weird, and fascinating gaming facts. The Fact Hunt banner covers a diverse range of topics, including Six celebrities who ruined their own games, Five angry programmers who hated their own games, and Four cases of idiotic censorship of retro games. Bundy has a real knack for digging up little-known facts about gaming history.

The success of Bundy’s YouTube series has even spawned a book, Fact Hunt: Fascinating, Funny and Downright Bizarre Facts about Video Games. Much like his YouTube videos, Bundy’s book digs deep for weird, obscure, and forgotten incidents in gaming history.

In short, Bundy’s channel is a treasure trove of information for any fan of the gaming industry.

4. Stop Skeletons from Fighting – 281K Subscribers

Derek Alexander began his YouTube career paying homage to James Rolfe’s work. Rolfe, of course, created the “Angry Video Game Nerd” character, whose profanity-laden reviews of retro games have made him one of the most successful YouTubers of all time.

Alexander started his YouTube career as the Happy Video Game Nerd, reviewing games in a style that mimicked AVGN while shifting the tone from outrage to joy. In 2015, Alexander began collaborating with filmographer, writer, and producer Grace Kramer and renamed the channel Stop Skeletons from Fighting.

The overarching theme of Alexander’s work is still “the joy of gaming”, but the style and quality of content has changed radically. Freed from the constraints of trying to imitate AVGN, Alexander and Kramer have created an exuberant examination of video games.

Although SSFF has created several series, the best, by a country mile, is Punching Weight. Alexander describes the series as “a celebration of the weird, ambitious, and unnecessary” and it delivers in spades. Topics range from Ambitious Game Boy Color Ports to Randomly Generated N64 Games. With a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye, Alexander explores games that were ahead of their time or bit off more than they could realistically chew.

Punching Weight is simply a fun series, made all the more special thanks to Alexander’s unapologetic love for all things video games.

3. Game Sack – 248K Subscribers

Game Sack is such a blast of fun. The show began in 2011 with hosts Joe Redifer and Dave White. Recently, White left the show and Redifer decided to continue on solo. Although the interaction between the two hosts is sorely missed, Game Sack continues to create high-quality content.

Game Sack is all about presenting the breadth of video games. Episodes usually last 30 to 40 minutes and create a fast-moving overview of games that fit into a particular category. In essence, most episodes are a string of mini-reviews. It’s a blast of content that allows viewers to fully explore a particular gaming niche.

Game Sack includes console and gaming series overviews, but its absolute best content is focused in two series: Left in Arcades and Left in Japan. Left in Arcades focuses on video games released in arcades that were never ported to home consoles. Left in Japan, on the other hand, focuses on Japanese video games that were never localised in the west.

Both of these series allow gamers without extensive arcade experience or extensive collections of imported games to explore some of the very best, and worst, those gaming experiences have to offer.  Redifer’s delivery is detail-oriented, yet filled with humour.

With less than 250,000 subscribers, Game Sack is an often-overlooked gem of a show.

2. SNES Drunk – 174K Subscribers

Whereas each Game Sack episode presents a variety of games, SNES Drunk keeps it short and sweet. SNES Drunk is the brainchild of Alex, a mid-30s gamer from Minnesota who attempts to answer a simple question: is a particular retro video game still worth playing today?

Although SNES Drunk features some list-based content about rom hacks or forgotten games, the bulk of content focuses on short reviews that explore the modern playability of retro games. Reviews are usually three to five minutes in length and are perfect little sips of content in between activities.

Modern gamers who are curious about exploring retro games through services like Nintendo Switch Online or the various mini-consoles released in recent years can rely on SNES Drunk to provide succinct evaluations of retro games and how they mesh with modern sensibilities.

1. Jeremy Parish – 53.5K Subscribers

In the world of games journalism, Jeremy Parish has certainly been around the block a time or two. He’s been an editor at 1UP.com, IGN, and USGamer, and currently works as a media curator for Limited Run Games. He also creates a podcast, Retronauts, and  regularly publishes content on YouTube. Although he did not coin the term, Parish famously played a role in popularising the term “metroidvania”.

The crown jewel of Parish’s YouTube content is, without a doubt, his Works series. Here, Parish attempts to chronicle the entire output of games for a particular console in order of release. Some videos focus on a singular game, while others combine an overview of two or three games into a single video.

What works best about Parish’s videos is that he brings his experience as a gaming journalist to his video projects. His content is meticulously researched; he always makes an effort to place a particular game into its historical context. His delivery is authentic and authoritative. There have even been several spin-off books of the Works series, which each chronicle a single year’s releases for a particular console.

The biggest drawback of Parish’s project here is that it is simply too big. Given the sheer number of video games released, and the fact that he has begun separate series focused on the NES, the Game Boy, the SNES and the N64, it is highly unlikely that Parish will ever actually manage to achieve completion.

The journey, however, is definitely worth it, even if the destination seems out of reach. The fact that Parish barely has over 50,000 subscribers is a crying shame.

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Five Gaming YouTubers Who Deserve More Subscribers appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The year is 1989. You are a man named Henry who has retreated from your messy life to work as a fire lookout in the Wyoming wilderness. Perched high atop a mountain, it’s your job to look for smoke and keep the wilderness safe. An especially hot, dry summer has everyone on edge. Your supervisor, a woman named Delilah, is available to you at all times over a small, handheld radio—your only contact with the world you’ve left behind. But when something strange draws you out of your lookout tower and into the world, you’ll explore a wild and unknown environment, facing questions and making choices that can build or destroy the only meaningful relationship you have.

Let’s be honest, with a cover and description such as with this one, who could not be drawn towards it?! This was a game that had been on my radar for quite some time, so when Nintendo had this title marked down to just $5.99 during their summer sale, I knew it was the perfect time to snatch this one up!

This game has frequently been described as a walking simulator, which in part is correct. The player spends 76 days (some days are skipped) as the newly hired park ranger named Henry walking around the park on quests given to him by neighbouring park ranger, Delilah. However, the game has so much more to offer players who pick this one up; there are elements of adventure, exploration, and strategy sprinkled into this game that will make it a real treat for those that find themselves giving this one a go.

Adventure is present in this game quite a bit. The player will find themselves interacting with some obnoxious teenagers, shutting down a fireworks show, amongst other challenges during the course of the game’s storyline. Players will never find themselves bored as each day that passes bring about something different that must be achieved before moving onto the next day.

Throughout the park are multiple cache boxes to be discovered; each one will offer a map portion that will update the player’s own map as well as other items that may or may not be beneficial at some point in the game. The player will also find themselves getting the opportunity to explore a cave and find a way to break into a fenced area around the site! It is for the latter, where the player will need to develop a strategy in order to pass this obstacle.

The biggest selling point of the game, though, is the dialogue between Delilah and Henry. As players never get to see the faces of these two characters, it was crucial for the developers to cast two strong voice actors for these roles and they totally nailed it! I loved following Henry’s daily communications with Delilah and listening to their tones change as their relationship blossomed.

I totally recommend this game to other gamers! The game is about six hours long and can be knocked out fairly quickly, but expect a gaming hangover as I found myself missing the adventures of this duo for a while after I beat the game.

The post Game Review: Firewatch appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hero shooter Overwatch has an incredible diverse roster of characters: cowboys, robots, soldiers, even the undead. One character, however, stands out as particularly meta: South Korean professional gamer turned mech pilot D.Va.

As the only avatar in the game that is actually a gamer, D.Va has the distinction of spouting numerous voice lines filled with video game references. A personal favourite of many players seems to be “Is this easy mode?” It is meant as an insult of the opposing team, but it also perpetuates a troubling attitude among gamers.

What’s so bad about easy mode?

There has always been a bit of a “cult of difficulty” in the gaming community. Bragging rights, be they in the school yard or on online forums, seem to be a driving motivation for many gamers. Some gamers always are looking to “beat” somebody, be that other gamers or the game developers.

The rise of developer From Software and their style of brutally difficult, unforgiving gameplay, certainly has contributed to this “cult of difficulty”. The From Software formula is usually referred to as “Soulsbourne”, a portmanteau of the games Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls and Bloodborne. These titles famously do not feature difficulty settings; the same brutal difficulty applies to all players.

The From Software style even helped make a meme famous among gamers: “git gud”, an intentional misspelling of “get good”. This phrase has been used to mock players who struggle with difficult games.

What is particularly troubling is that many game developers seem to buy into this “cult of difficulty”. Numerous games released in the last few years make it a point to actively mock gamers for playing on an easier difficulty.

Ninja Gaiden Black, released in 2004 for the Xbox, for example, included a difficulty mode called “Ninja Dog”. On this difficulty setting, protagonist Ryu Hayabusa wears a purple ribbon to signal his lesser status. Non-playable characters in the game openly mock him throughout the game, even in victory.

Multiplatform shooter Wolfenstein: The New Order, released in 2014, includes difficulty settings that insult the player from the word go. The lowest difficulty is called “Can I play, Daddy?” and is accompanied with a picture of protagonist B.J. Blazkowicz dressed as a baby. The description even refers to the player as a “spineless gamer”.

Even worse, some developers decide to include an easy mode in their game, then actively lock players out of content unless they switch to a higher difficulty. Cuphead, rightly praised as one of the most beautiful games of this generation, offers a simplified mode for its brutal boss battles, then locks players out of the final area of the game.

Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, released in 1996, omits a final cut scene on the “easy” difficulty, leaving the players with a cliffhanger unless they replay the entire game on “normal”. Did playable character Dash Rendar survive? On easy mode, it appears he did not.

The end effect is a gaming culture that is exclusionary. A vocal group of gamers excludes others who love games on the grounds of not being “good enough”. Some developers buy into this attitude, and eliminate difficulty settings or openly mock gamers who play on lower difficulties.

Video games are an interactive medium. There should be an effort to enable interactivity for players of all skills levels. Thankfully, some developers are moving in the right direction with what best can be described as a “Narrative Mode”.

A narrative mode enables gamers to play on a difficulty setting that focuses on story or world exploration and eases combat difficulty. Playstation exclusive Horizon: Zero Dawn calls this setting “Story”. Death Stranding, another Playstation exclusive, calls it “Very Easy Mode”. Assassin’s Creed: Origins refers to it as “Discovery Mode”.

The gaming industry has been reaping the benefits of an ageing demographic. In the 1980s and 1990s, publishers often focused their efforts on children and teenagers. According to the Entertainment Software Association, the average age of gamers in the US today is 34. This older generation of gamers, unlike teenagers, has disposable income that has helped the gaming industry reach record sales.

This ageing demographic, however, also faces the stark realities of adulthood: full-time jobs, raising children, and financial obligations. Time is at a premium for working adults. When faced with having to balance work and family obligations with the time needed to “git gud”, many ultimately have to choose their obligations. Developers should continue to seek ways to keep these individuals involved in the gaming community.

In the end, there are really two ways to get enjoyment from video games. Some gamers play for fun and relaxation, while others play for challenge or to prove they are better than others. Developers and publishers should make it a point to cater to BOTH types of gamers.

Include brutal difficulty for those players who enjoy that, but don’t mock or exclude gamers who do not. It is ultimately better for developers’ and publishers’ bottom line, since more gamers can buy into their games, and better for gaming culture.

The rise of the narrative difficulty setting bodes well for the future of the gaming industry. The gaming community is, after all, big enough for people of all skills levels.

The post Easy Mode vs The Cult of Difficulty In Gaming appeared first on The Nerd Daily.