I’ve been very vocal about how much the homogenization of the game industry is a very bad thing. Yet, most unique games that are released get ignored and flop. I got into the playtest for Wild Gate, and I came away impressed, but with a pit in my stomach. I’m worried that yet another cool game will die because folks are too stuck in their own habits to give it the attention it deserves.
Survival games are one of my favorite genres. I probably have more hours in Ark and 7 Days to Die than most other games. However, it’s also one of the least uniform genres I can think of. Most survival games have a huge identity crisis that stops them from meeting their full potential. Many individual games address some of these issues, only to balloon other ones.
Helldivers 2 isn’t the same game I bought at launch. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever had the rug pulled from under me to this degree in a video game. In an overcorrection for mass appeal, Arrowhead has completely torn the game’s original vision asunder. From the game’s 60-day balancing rework onward, Helldivers 2 has become a much easier game even on the highest difficulty.
On January 30th, 2025 a new review aggregator website called CriticDB will launch with Rutledge Daugette, the founder of TechRaptor at the helm. But why am I talking about this?
Well, first of all. I’m excited to be included as one of the 75+ review outlets that will be present when the site launches. Secondly, CriticDB is going to be the type of useful gaming resource I really think we need right now, for reviewers like me, PR folks, and your everyday gamer who’s just looking for something to play. There are a few features that stand out to me that I want to go over real quick.