I’ve been struggling to understand my affinity for World of Warcraft lately. Historically, I’ve never held a sustained interest in the game beyond a month or two. Don’t get me wrong: the online world of Azeroth is charming, mesmerizing, and unforgettable. But WoW’s core gameplay pales in comparison to the richness of other titles. Where other…
I’m willing to wager that the coronavirus pandemic has been largely terrible for everyone. However, I’ve been fortunate to discover one upside of self-imposed quarantining: it’s freed up a few hours in my everyday life that I’d otherwise spend on transit or other mundane activities. Faced with a newfound surplus of free time, I opted…
I’ve played World of Warcraft on-and-off extremely casually since 2009. The game’s colorful, charming art style and extensive lore still hold a certain allure all these years later, even if WoW’s emphasis on grinding has repeatedly pushed me away. But now that WoW is more respectful of its players’ time, I’ve found more reason to stick around…
The Last of Us Part II is one of the most subversive video games I’ve ever played. As you may have read or heard, TLOU2’s post-apocalyptic story doesn’t attempt to placate fans of the first game: this is a brutal story set in a brutal world. But rather than developing the story and gameplay as…
After seeing Uncut Gems (2019) earlier this year, I knew I’d have to start exploring the previous works of Josh and Benny Safdie, the two brothers who wrote and directed the film. So I started my foray into their catalog with Daddy Longlegs (2009), a comedy-drama about an irresponsible but loving father. Coming from Uncut Gems, Daddy Longlegs is…
It was a few weeks after the launch of World of Warcraft Classic, and I was navigating my Gnome Mage through the tepid Wetlands. With a click of my keyboard, my character deftly weaved his hands and hurled a magical bolt, dealing the killing blow to a nearby spider. The fuzzy-legged creature fell and writhed in agony.…
Grinding, or repeatedly participating in a mundane in-game activity in anticipation of an in-game reward, is nothing new. Both single-player and multiplayer games have featured elements of grinding, whether intentional or as a byproduct of bad design. While I don’t have a problem with optional grinding in standard games, the inclusion of grinds in subscription-based…
After wrapping up The Last of Us and pondering what to play next, I found it strange that World of Warcraft came to mind. Where The Last of Us forces you to navigate tense and dynamic combat scenarios, World of Warcraft’s gameplay is dull and formulaic. For the most part, you’ll be performing the same sequence of…
WARNING: This post contains heavy spoilers for Naughty Dog’s 2013 video game, The Last of Us.
I have a love-hate relationship with gaming these days. As I’ve gotten older and my free time has been eroded by the demands of adulthood and my own bull-headed ambitions, I’ve become more picky about the titles I play. Nowadays, I shy away from the expansive digital game worlds that implore you to explore them…
