One of the most prolific developers in the burgeoning indie game scene, Stephen Lavelle recently released his first large-scale game production with English Country Tune. Filipe Salgado catches up with the recuperating developer about the transition from small to large games, the difference between
Chances are you’ve heard of The Sims, Will Wright’s mega-hit about living, having feelings, and dying. What happens when that dollhouse game meets Facebook, a social experiment of a very different character? Filipe Salgado argues it’s a match made in hell.
Our senior writer Filipe Salgado bought his first console since the NES. He wonders why he can’t remember any of the Xbox 360 games he played in 2011, and looks back on his indie roots.
The first commercial game from auteur Stephen Lavelle, English Country Tune turns a cold and logical framework into exactly what it wasn’t supposed to be—a murky narrative.
Volition’s insane answer to Grand Theft Auto is less a reinterpretation than a novelty outfit. Filipe Salgado sees a lot of purple but it’s the same old, same old.
An Independent Games Festival entry presents a new trial for Portugal’s fledging game development scene. Filipe Salgado looks at the unusual origins of Seed Studios’ PlayStation Network strategy game Under Siege.
Bethesda’s new role-playing game is finally free enough to be all things to everyone, even those with a dim and narrow view of humanity. Filipe Salgado looks at the why and how of self-expression in Skyrim.
In contrast to the urgency of Arkham Asylum, the latest Batman installment nearly suffocates with its diversions. Filipe Salgado chronicles his turn in Arkham City.
A late studio still has valuable lessons to teach us about world building and the art of noir. Filipe Salgado reviews the obscure sequel to an overlooked mystery, Hotel Dusk: Room 215.
Port 127’s Hipster City Cycle is a game in constant motion. Filipe Salgado rides through the satirical 8-bit world on his fixie bike, right into the good graces of hipsterdom.
Why does Filipe Salgado always feel guilty whenever he plays Pokémon? Maybe it’s because Pokémon unabashedly refuses to grow up—save a few evolutions here and there. But is that really such a bad thing? Pokémon Black and White shows some awkward signs of growth—but still appeals more to the rowdy li
