Mark Smith-Contributor

Editorial Team

Contributor

May, 2023
Creative Writing (BA)
RPG, The Elder Scrolls, Final Fantasy
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Page 7

About Mark Smith

Mark has been thinking and writing about games since a Gameboy Pocket and a copy of Link's Awakening was first placed into his tender, seven-year-old hands.

Since then, he snagged a creative writing (BA) degree, roleplayed as a banker, an English teacher, and finally, a games writer – all while pursuing his true passion: inhabiting and creating virtual worlds.

As well as writing about, reading about, thinking about, talking about, dreaming about, and generally fantasizing about video games, Mark also dabbles with game development.

Proudest Gaming Achievement

I make my own video games (achievement unlocked!), which you can check out (and play for free) here:

https://markgsmith.itch.io/

Favorite Games

Mark's favorite game worlds are found in titles such as the Elder Scrolls, Metal Gear Solid, Jak and Daxter, and Guild Wars.

Favorite Console

The PS2 had all the bangers, but who can deny the divine right of PC gaming?

Latest

Best Game Worlds That Realistically React To Evil Decisions
7 Best Game Worlds That Realistically React To Evil Decisions

From Red Dead Redemption 2's honor system to the crushing guilt of murder in Undertale, these games pull no punches in punishing immoral actions.

Best Games Where You Start As A Child Then Grow Up
7 Best Games Where You Start As A Child Then Grow Up

Progression and growth are a huge part of video games, and games like Fallout 3 and Fable have players grow from infant to hero (or villain).

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Guild Wars 2 Easy Daily Activities To Maximize Gold Earnings
Guild Wars 2: 8 Easy Daily Activities To Maximize Gold Income

Making gold in Guild Wars 2 may be fair, but it isn't always easy. These tips will help players quickly top up their gold supplies in no time.

final fantasy largest bosses in the series ruby weapon sin
Final Fantasy: 8 Largest Bosses In The Series, Ranked

Final Fantasy has had some epic stories, heroes, and epic battles, but these are the biggest fightable bosses in the series.

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Biggest Dungeons In Elder Scrolls Games
7 Biggest Dungeons In Elder Scrolls Games

Dungeons are always a fun find in Elder Scrolls games, but the size of these dark gauntlets might make even veteran fans think twice about entering.

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Guild Wars 2 Best Gizmo Items, Ranked
Guild Wars 2: Best Gizmo Items, Ranked

There are many ways to expand inventory slots in Guild Wars 2, but what should players fill their bags with if not the best gizmos in the game?

Guild Wars 2 Best Gathering Tool Glyphs, Ranked
Guild Wars 2: Best Gathering Tool Glyphs, Ranked

Guild Wars 2's gathering glyphs can help maximize profits, and these are the best to attach to infinite logging axes, mining picks, and sickles.

JRPGs With Unique Enemy Weakness Systems
7 JRPGs With Unique Enemy Weakness Systems

Enemy weakness systems in games like Persona 5 and Ni No Kuni help elevate battle from slug fests to deeply tactical and engaging fights.

Guild Wars 2 Best Rich Orichalcum Vein Mining Locations
Guild Wars 2: Best Rich Orichalcum Vein Mining Locations

These are the top locations to mine rich orichalcum veins in Guild Wars 2 for maximum crafting or profit margins.

Best RPGs With A Paladin Class
7 Best RPGs With A Paladin Class

The paladin embodies the faithful knight in shining armor trope, and these rpgs let players live out their angelic savior fantasies.

Best Video Game Characters Who Became Gods
6 Best Video Game Characters Who Became Gods

Video games often depict powerful characters, but these heroes and villains have literally attained the power of gods.

Best RPGs With Unique Takes On Classic Fantasy Races
6 Best RPGs With Unique Takes On Classic Fantasy Races

Elves, dwarves, and humans have been done to death in RPGs, but these games put their own twists on classic fantasy races.

Guild Wars 2 Best Flax Farming Locations
Guild Wars 2: Best Flax Farming Locations

Rare and pricey, flax seeds are an important crafting ingredient for weaponsmiths and armorsmiths. Luckily, there are a few good places to farm them.

Parts Of Guild Wars 2 That Could Use A Rework
6 Parts Of Guild Wars 2 That Could Use Improvement

Guild Wars 2 is still going strong after more than a decade, but there are a few areas that could be improved.

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guild wars 2 hardest jumping puzzles
Guild Wars 2: Hardest Jumping Puzzles, Ranked

Guild Wars 2 has some nefarious jumping puzzles, but these are at the top of the pile for difficulty, thrills, and frustration.

Best Video Games That Let You Control Minions
8 Best Video Games That Let You Control Minions

As games like Pikmin or Overlord prove, why do anything when an army of minions can do it instead?

Best Video Games That Give You Teleportation Powers-1
6 Best Video Games That Give You Teleportation Powers

Video games work hard to make getting around fun, but games like Furi and Final Fantasy 15 allow players to simply teleport to where they want to be.

Best RPGs With A Druid Class
6 Best RPGs With A Druid Class

With nature's restorative and destructive powers, druids are a potent fantasy archetype, as demonstrated in games like Diablo 2 and Grim Dawn.

Best Games With Misguided Marketing Campaigns
5 Best Games With Misguided Marketing Campaigns

Marketing is supposed to help games like EarthBound or Dead Space 2 reach their audience, but sometimes a campaign can do more harm than good.

Best Games About Killing Waves Of Enemies At Once
6 Best Games About Killing Waves Of Enemies At Once

Combat is a common mechanic in video games, but titles like Grim Dawn and DOOM Eternal show what fighting an army single-handedly could look like.

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