Author: Vincent Mahoney

Vincent is a game reviewer, graphic designer, illustrator and insurance agent: He wears many hats, but none of them properly cover his bald spot. His long-term goal is to publish a comic of the story he and his wife created together. He grew up playing action-platform games such as Super Mario, Metroid, Mega Man, Contra and Castlevania, but discovered his love for RPGs through Super Mario RPG and Final Fantasy VI, then embarking upon a quest to play every RPG he possibly can. At over 200 RPGs and counting the quest is not going so well, and there are buster swords, giant cats, eight virtues and personae appearing to him in his sleep. Please send help.

Save State: Come at me Scrublord, I’m Ripped

This week our Save State columnist dives into one game series that you probably all know well, The Halo Master Chief Collection, and one game that you may not have ever played, or at least remember: Yggdra Union.

John Wick Hex Casts its Spell

John Wick Hex takes the strategic chess-like dance of death that the Keanu Reeves character is known for and puts it front and center in an extreme tactical strategy game that is as much about time management and counting seconds as it is about raw destruction and murderous mayhem.

The Promised Space Program Crashes and Burns

This is a bit of an odd week as our Save State columnist performs accidental gremlin genocide with the Kerbal Space Program. And then we have Riviera: The Promised Land, a classic JRPG that challenges players to forget everything they think they know about how to actually play one.

Nordic Warriors Continue the Myth

Nordic Warriors carries on where Myth: The Fallen Lords left off back in the 1990s. Well, not really, but Nordic Warriors is so heavily influenced by that classic RTS that would be forgiven if you thought this was actually Myth 4.

Make War, Not Love with Cool Budget Wargame

Make War is a wargame that takes most of the planning elements and presents them almost like a logic puzzle. It makes for a nice twist on the Epic Battle Simulator genre. It’s lack of polish is forgivable given the very low cost of entry and many hours of fun gameplay.

Silly and Serious Gameplay Collide in Save State This Week

This week our Save State columnist does a little silly co-op with The Stretchers on the Nintendo Switch. But after getting pushed into saw blades too many times, he reverts back to brooding single play with The World Ends With You.

Save State Through a Xenoblade Cloud Darkly

Join our Save State columnist Vincent Mahoney this week as he goes ultra-modern and also way old school at nearly the same time. He’s tackling the PlayStation 2 classic Dark Cloud 2 and the definitive edition of Xenoblade Chronicles. Wonder which is the better game?

The Longing Makes for Excellent Ennui

One of the most unique games to come out in a long time, The Longing challenges gamers to help a cute little shade wait a long time to resurrect his king. Thankfully, the game progresses even if you are away, or else you would share his lonely fate.

Save State Slays an Epic RPG and a Platformer

This week our intrepid Save State gamer embarks on the epic quest offered by Octopath Traveler. After a few too many hours in that lovely world, he completes the experience with the fiery Freedom Planet platformer.

Save State: So You’re Saiyan There’s a Chance

This week out intrepid Save State columnist goes deep into the wacky past to take on two exciting and unappreciated titles from yesteryear. Say hello again to Legacy of Goku II and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.