Casual Gamer
Guardians of the Galaxy Made Me Love Linear Games
Open worlds can be fantastic, but they can also be exhausting.
In 2021, Gaming Was Crucial and Also a Privilege
With pressures bearing down and social gatherings still fraught, gaming has become important for many people's mental health, but it's also quite expensive.
Help, I’m Stuck in Cutscene Hell
The cutscenes in Yakuza: Like a Dragon are great—until you need to put down your controller in a hurry.
I'm Trapped in the Witcher 3 Grind, and I Hate It Here
No one should have to work this hard this early in a game.
The Case for Putting Down the Video Game Controller
If gaming isn’t as fulfilling as it used to be, it’s OK to walk away and go do something else.
Replaying Mass Effect Is Good for My Mental Health
When I revisited the trilogy, I asked a researcher whether video game nostalgia is actually beneficial. Turns out, it is.
I’m So Over DLC
Dropping a bunch of cash and relearning game controls just to play a few new levels isn’t worth it anymore.
It’s Hard to Play a Character Who’s a Dick—but It’s Worth It
In God of War, Kratos is kind of mean, but finishing his journey has its rewards.
Sometimes It’s OK to Give Up
Just because you devoted 100 hours of your life to it, doesn't mean you have to finish a video game that now bores you.
Can Video Games Be a Healthy Outlet for Stress Relief?
Personal experience says yes, but here’s what science says on the matter.
The Case for Launching an Easy Mode for Difficult Games
Balancing a studio’s desire to create a challenging game and casual players’ demands for something lighter can be tough. Control did it very well.
The Real Pleasure and Pain of Making Choices in Video Games
Life is chaos, but needing to control a fictional story can be stressful too.
Bugsnax Is Keeping Me Going (and It Might Just Help You Too)
The island quest-style game is perfect for this "casual gaming" moment.