Martin Wood-Features Writer

Staff Writer

Features Writer

January, 2022
MA Literature & Culture, BA English
Pokemon, Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda
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  • 323
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About Martin Wood

Having worked as a writer since 2014, Martin Wood started as a gaming academic before joining TheBestWarGames. His passion and aspirations for the field began with his childhood favorites, like Pokemon Silver and Jak & Daxter. Now an advocate for the critical study of gaming and backed by a Master's in Literature & Culture specializing in digital media from the University of Birmingham, he's hoping to share his ideas and insight with others. When he's not cooking up new articles though, he'll either be "researching" new games or trying his hand at some game design of his own.

Favorite Games

Despite its age and hit-and-miss legacy, the Jak & Daxter trilogy will always have a special place in my heart alongside others like Pokemon, Uncharted, and Assassin's Creed.

However, my most recent favorites include the likes of The Legend of Zelda Switch games, the Horizon series, and Control.

Favorite Console

Thanks to games like Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and its sequel Tears of the Kingdom, it has to be the Nintendo Switch for proving that you don't need the highest specs to deliver a great gaming experience. I can't wait to see what comes next with the Switch 2!

Industry Focus

With my academic specialization in digital media, I'm driven to engage with gaming at a deeper cultural and technical level.  I want to understand what makes games tick, why they succeed or fail, how future games might evolve moving forward, and so much more.

Ultimately, I want my enthusiasm and ideas to help encourage others to see gaming as more than just entertainment, but as a fascinating field worth digging into.

Latest

die hard christmas games parasite eve
Exploring the 'Die Hards' of Christmas Games

Since Die Hard can be a Christmas movie, gamers are keen to find their own Christmas game that celebrates the season as more than just DLC or events.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's new Scovillain, the series first Grass/Fire type Pokemon.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Scovillain Leaves A Lot to Be Desired as the First Fire/Grass Pokemon

Despite great potential as the first ever Grass/Fire type Pokemon, Scovillain's introduction in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet was underwhelming for fans.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Fidough, Greavard, and Maschiff
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Dog Pokemon Break a Huge Tradition

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet include a particularly high number of dog-based Pokemon, but this break from tradition could have a good explanation.

Cyclizar from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Cyclizar's Underwhelming Inclusion Was a Necessity

Though Cyclizar ultimately failed to impress Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players, its inclusion was still necessary for both gameplay and story.

Higgs' new design as seen in the Death Stranding 2 reveal trailer.
Higgs’ Return For Death Stranding 2 Spells Trouble For Fragile and Sam

Death Stranding 2's announcement at The Game Awards 2022 brought with it Higgs' return, sparking rumors of a revenge arc against Fragile and Sam.

Old Man Sam from Death Stranding 2 trailer alongside Old Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid
Old Man Sam Has Serious Solid Snake Vibes in Death Stranding 2

Following Death Stranding 2's reveal at The Game Awards 2022, fans have been speculating on an older Sam Bridges and what it means for the game.

Screenshots from Among Us new mode Hide and Seek and its trailer.
Among Us' Hide N Seek Mode Explained

Announced at The Game Awards 2022, Among Us is getting a new mode called 'Hide N Seek' that transforms the game into a very different experience.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Maushold alongside Magneton and Falinks
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Tandemaus and Maushold Push The Envelope on Pokemon As A 'Group'

Among the new Pokemon introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Tandemaus and Maushold are dividing fans through both their design and moves.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Legendary Quartet
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Legendary Quartet Explained

Alongside the mascot legendaries of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the Ruinous Quartet adds four new legendary Pokemon to Gen 9 with dark backstories.

Pokemon Scarlet Violet Starters-1
All Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Starter Evolutions Explained

With Pokemon Scarlet and Violet officially out, it's time to look at the starters and their evolutions to decide the good, the bad, and the Trubbish.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Baxcalibur alongside a silhouette of Godzilla
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Baxcalibur Has Some Unique Inspiration

The latest pseudolegendary line introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet appears to be directly influenced by kaiju in more ways than just looks.

Veluza from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet alongside two silhouetted Pokemon
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Veluza Could Have Been Another Pokemon's Regional Form

Among the new Pokemon to debut in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Veluza looks like it could have been a new regional form due to its uncanny looks.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Regional Fakes alongside their original counterparts
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Comparing Regional Fakes to Their Originals

In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, looking at the new regional fakes vs. their originals shows fans how this new feature might evolve in the future.

Quaqaval Evolution in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
How Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Quaquaval Compares to Past Water Starters

With Quaxly's final evolution Quaqaval revealed, fans are quick to compare the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet newcomer to previous Gens of Water starters.

Paldean Wooper and Tauros from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Why Are There So Few Regional Variants?

Now that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has officially launched, fans have been quick to point out and question the deficit of regional forms for Gen 9.

Skeledirge Evolution in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
How Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Skeledirge Compares to Past Fire Starters

After fans fell for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Fuecoco, now attention turns to comparing its evolution Skeledirge to previous generations.

Meowscarada Evolution in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
How Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Meowscarada Compares to Past Grass Starters

Ever since Sprigatito was revealed for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, fans were eager to compare its final evolution, Meowscarada, to other generations.

Zelda Tears Of The Kingdom Fridging Princess
Is Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Fridging the Titular Princess?

With The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom set to be a darker sequel, fans suspect Zelda might be killed in a first for the Nintendo series.

Need For Speed Underground Remake Collection
The Case for a Need for Speed Underground Remake Collection

As Need for Speed Underground and its sequel approach their twenty-year anniversaries, there's never been a better time for a remake collection.

An assortment of mobs from Minecraft
Minecraft 1.20 Needs a New Hostile Overworld Mob

Despite exceptions like the Warden, Minecraft hasn't added a casual hostile mob to its Overworld for some time, and this needs to change in 1.20.