Author: David Carter

With the original taking place in the 1930s, the sequel taking place in the 1940s and 1950s, and Mafia III taking place in the late 1960s, the Mafia series has steadfastly advanced through the decades since its inception. I was prepared if the 1970s, 1980s, or both were to be the following stage. Whatever it was—casino intrigue, shine boxes, or late-night stealing of enormous kitchen knives from Martin Scorcese’s mother—I was game. However, Mafia: The Old Country takes us back to the beginning of the 20th century rather than bringing us closer to the finish. And not only to the…

We haven’t had a legitimate Ninja Gaiden game for a very long time. While numerous spin-offs, ports, and remakes have been made (such as the fantastic Ninja Gaiden II Black this year), Ninja Gaiden is seeing a renaissance with Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 4. The intriguing topic of what a Ninja Gaiden game would look like in the Year of Our Lord 2025 arises from taking such a long pause. The answer is “f***ing awesome,” if Ragebound’s return to 2D side-scrolling is any guide. I want to be playing it when I’m not because it’s one…

Before a 1v1 RTS match begins, there’s a moment that’s unlike anything else I’ve experienced in a game, and Stormgate delivers. I take a deep breath as I feel my heartbeat and watch the countdown timer begin to tick. It’s just me and a random stranger vying for fame or disaster as I’m staring at a vibrant command center and a group of employees. Although Stormgate’s journey to its current state during Early Access hasn’t always been positive, it is making some subtle and not-so-subtle design advancements to the basecraft formula. Although Stormgate no longer uses the Early Access moniker,…

For a game built around a sword that has been refined over years of iteration but has also become stale over time, The Edge of Fate is a title that may be a little too obvious. After finally feeling like it could have found its feet, this most recent expansion takes a few significant steps back in the illustrious and rich history of Destiny 2. Despite having an occasionally engaging plot, the 14-mission campaign is tedious and overstuffed with busywork; the RPG and buildcrafting revamp is trapped behind one of the worst grinds Destiny has ever seen; and the new…

For a game built around a sword that has been refined over years of iteration but has also become stale over time, The Edge of Fate is a title that may be a little too obvious. After finally feeling like it could have found its feet, this most recent expansion takes a few significant steps back in the illustrious and rich history of Destiny 2. Despite having an occasionally engaging plot, the 14-mission campaign is tedious and overstuffed with busywork; the RPG and buildcrafting revamp is trapped behind one of the worst grinds Destiny has ever seen; and the new…

Borderlands 4, which was originally scheduled for release on September 23, has already been pushed back 11 days to September 12, 2025, for PlayStation, PC, and Xbox. There was conjecture at the time that this was done to prevent Grand Theft Auto 6 from being released, but GTA was postponed until the following year. Additionally, Gearbox has previously stated that the initial price of Borderlands 4 will be $70. The Switch 2 “has been a joy to work with,” according to Pitchford, who previously did not clarify why the Nintendo version was released later than the other versions. We got…

I have no particular bad intentions for Max Verstappen’s racing career. The man enjoys playing video games until the wee hours of the morning and does his best to stay away from Daniel Ricciardo and TikTok. All of those things appeal to me as well, so I can’t be critical of a guy who has so many interests. For the first time since 2022, he isn’t in the lead in the Formula One World Championship, which I like. As a result, F1 in 2025 is currently feeling a little more youthful. Has the video game version for this year arrived…

I’ve heard that you’re looking for a new 3D Mario. I’m overjoyed to tell you that Donkey Kong Bananza is everything and more if you’re searching for a console-defining platformer with engaging, expressive movement, cutting-edge mechanics that are always developing, and skillfully designed challenges that maximize the interaction between said movement and mechanics. Bananza is more than just a “side project” from the team that created Super Mario Odyssey; it’s a fantastic follow-up to that masterwork, a fantastic reimagining of one of Nintendo’s original mascots, and a ground-breaking adventure in every way. DK’s universe is full of classic Nintendo enchantment…

There is an established belief that initial attempts are usually better than second attempts. There are a dozen causes for what is known as the sophomore slump. Bands have less time to develop, practice, and record a second album than the “breakout” success they worked on for years before anyone knew who they were; athletes who have great rookie years return to the mean; sophomore students don’t care as much as freshmen; and so on. The impact of a brand-new car’s scent cannot be denied. I think that the fact that it had been almost ten years since NCAA 14…

For gamers, Xbox Game Pass is a great option, particularly if you don’t want to purchase a gaming PC or console. For a very small monthly fee, the subscription library is essentially the simplest method to have access to a vast number of titles in the vein of Netflix, and streaming options enable them to be accessed on devices ranging from laptops to virtual reality headsets. However, what is Microsoft’s investment in those games? A lot. Over the past five years, the firm has spent more than $100 billion, acquiring publishers and developers from all around the industry, including Activision-Blizzard,…