Video Game Journalist

Okay, everyone, let's address the Elephant Mario in the room. Where have I been? I was posting just about every day, and suddenly, I disappeared faster than a speeding Concorde! In fact, quicker than that, I disappeared faster than the video game -  Concord . Well, I am here to tell you that it was not for bad reasons at all. In fact, I had a range of opportunities come my way, and I wanted to talk to you all about my experience working as a video game journalist in the industry, the good, the bad, and the [unnamed company that I will not directly address...but it does rhyme with Lame Aunt]...that's right you guessed it - Gamerant. So if you are a budding journalist reading this who wants some guidance in navigating the industry, or maybe you are just nosy and want to learn more about my life, well let's-a-go! So around June time I reached out to some gaming outlets around the world to see if I could be a guest writer on their stuff. I loved the direction my career was goin...

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows, Xbox, Mac Release Date: 16th August 2024  Farewell North is a masterclass in storytelling by developer  Kyle Banks that takes you on a physical and emotional journey through the remote islands of northern Scotland. In Farewell North you play as a border collie called Chesley as you help your human through grief and support them as they try to move forward with their life. The game really nails the feeling of being a dog. Not that I have ever been a dog, but you know what I mean! You are encouraged to explore, dig, and chase wildlife to help your human companion on their journey. I particularly liked a mechanic where in certain areas a path may be blocked, so you have to look at it through the gap between two trees to unblock the way. It is almost like this game explains all the bizarre behavior that dogs have, and made me see things from a dog's eye view!  There were a few moments in which you had to herd sheep and these sections I di...

Eeh Bah Gum, I'm well chuffed! Thank Goodness  Thank Goodness You're Here, is here!   It's reet grand! If you struggled to read that, then get used to it because this game is apologetically Yorkshire and I absolutely love it!   This is the most I have laughed whilst playing a video game since South Park: The Fractured But Whole! Although it only takes around 2 hours to complete, Coal Supper packs a lot of laughs and a lot of surprisingly beautiful animation into your short visit to the town of Barnsworth. So the 'plot' (to use that term incredibly loosely) is that you play as a traveling salesman who just arrived at the northern town of Barnsworth. The locals will ask you to do various different tasks for them, which normally involves slapping everything and everyone in sight! The actual stories come from watching the locals as they go about their weird and wonderful lives in this fever dream of a town! Throughout the game you basically go around Barnsworth on a loo...

Yesterday I was at the supermarket (buying my weekly diet of Oreos and action figures aimed at children) wearing my Cuphead T-Shirt and minding my own business when I heard a voice say "that game is an absolute classic!" I turned around to see who this wise person was and it was an older gentleman with his grand kids, pointing at my shirt. I realised in that moment 2 things: video games are played by more people than we think...and I am getting old. We all have the stereotype of the 'gamer' in our heads, but perhaps the secret is out, perhaps everyone has realised what a wonderful and diverse art form video gaming is and if we love it...we have to let it go free! When I was a young innocent gamer on the bus with my lime green Gameboy Color I always felt a little self conscious, I would even hide my Gameboy if I saw some cooler kids get on the bus. Fast forward 20 years and I was sat on a train last week playing my Nintendo Switch and a man in a suit (aka a grown up ...

The reason I am excited for August is the lovely weather...NOT! Im gunna be closing the blinds, locking myself inside and playing video games baby! Brace yourself people, August is about to be harsh on your bank account! There are some incredible games on the way. So get a second job, pray for the death of a rich family member or sell a kidney - because you are going to need the cash! Thank Goodness You're Here Thank Goodness You’re Here is without a doubt one of my most anticipated games of 2024 and it comes out in just a few days. The developers describe the game as a 'Comedy Slapformer' set in the Yorkshire town of Barnsworth and if there are two things I love, it is Yorkshire and giving someone a good slap! Also the cherry on this Bakewell tart of a game is that Matt Berry is one of the voice actors!  Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, MacOS Release Date: August 1 st 2024 Developer(s) Coal Supper Genre(s) Indie Game, Platformer, Adven...

‘This Little Car Of Mine’ is a relaxing and cosy driving game by indie developer Sam Claydon that explores the theme of grief as you, the player, are on a journey to scatter the ashes of a loved one. I recently interviewed Sam about his game and being a one man development team! Does it feel overwhelming developing a game completely on your own? I love indie game development, especially having full creative control on a project. It can sometimes feel like a daunting task but by taking every element of the game and breaking it into smaller pieces it is more manageable for myself. I really enjoy creating games so if I ever feel overworked, I take a break and come back to the project with fresh eyes. I also use an online planner to keep all of my tasks confined in one place. How long have you been working on 'This Little Car of Mine'? This Little Car Of Mine started as my final module for my MA at Falmouth University. I loved making the game and wanted to pursue it to see it compl...