Radiator Blog

JUNE 2, 2023

You're fighting not only the privatization of public health but also reckless climate engineering! Three safehouse skulls + main quest macguffin = boss fight. that a bigger US AAA or a non-US indie would've failed to capture. But not really. The player never quite experiences these ideas in the game itself.

Studios 246

Studios Co-op Open World Cutscenes 246

Radiator Blog

NOVEMBER 10, 2021

unlike Outer Wilds, golden loop here is heavily hard-gated by quest progression, not a "true" information game, compromise with AAA market? This fighting game health mechanic is too fussy and unreliable for a busy shooter. no mind control) only 5 powers (+1 PvP only power). Limited regen (e.g. No hoarding / shopping trips.

Fighting 130

Fighting NPC Puzzle AI 130

Radiator Blog

NOVEMBER 3, 2021

The final boss fight is a conversation, and the ultimate weapon is. Planescape Torment's final boss fight conversation works because the god stuff is a metaphor for the protagonist's personal arc -- the final boss isn't god! Final Fantasys end with god-killing because that's what changing your life requires! Take that, god!

NPC 130

NPC Fighting Art Dev 130

The Bottom Feeder

APRIL 5, 2023

As I said in my last GoWR piece (which got quite a lot of reads), it's kind of futile to critique big AAA games. On one end: Video games tend to work best as a power fantasy , a source of emotional pleasure and fulfillment for the player. This game needs to be wish-fulfillment power fantasy. This is a Power Fantasy.

Art 75

Art Fantasy Writing Indy 75

Keith Burgun

JULY 29, 2022

So what we end up with, over time, is a “tradition”, or traditions within a blanket term like “RPG” There are so-called “ARPGs” like Diablo, JRPGs like Final Fantasy, CRPGs like Ultima, tactical RPGs like Fire Emblem, and so on. Over the years, I have loved games in all of these categories.

Fantasy 52

Fantasy AAA Concepts Games 52

Moonmana

APRIL 7, 2023

Thanks to groundbreaking technology advancements, developers can now take advantage of cutting-edge software and game engines which enable them to create fantasy worlds in video games. Some say Unreal is better just because it’s a common choice for AAA studios. But is there an ultimate winner? What is Unreal?

Engine 52

Engine Engineering Game Engine Games 52

Deconstructor of Fun

JANUARY 31, 2022

The biggest acquisition in the sub-genre happened last year, with Applovin acquiring Machine Zone - the company that made some of the most iconic top-grossing 4X games of all time (Game of War, Modern Strike, Final Fantasy: New Empire). A true masterpiece of an ad rivaling launch trailers from AAA games.

Cross platform 52

Cross platform Platformer Puzzle Mobile 52