Martin Wood-Features Writer

Editorial Team

Features Writer

January, 2022
MA Literature & Culture, BA English
Pokemon, Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda
  • 323
    articles
  • 323
    Features

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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

Minecraft No End Update
Why a Major End Update For Minecraft Seems Unlikely

Despite hopes that Minecraft's next update would center on The End, there are various reasons why this probably isn't going to come anytime soon.

Pokemon Scarlet Violet Keldeo
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Legendary Paradox Pokemon is Missing the Obvious

Despite Pokemon Scarlet and VIolet's Legendary Paradox Pokemon appearing to be two trios, an absent fourth Pokemon could be hinting at more to come.

Cobalion Raikou Paradox Pokemon
Cobalion and Raikou's Paradox Forms Could Hint at Two Future Pokemon Trios

After revealing Cobalion's and Raikou's new Paradox forms for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Game Freak could have two more Paradox Pokemon in the works.

Super Mario Bros Wonder Talking Flowers
Super Mario Bros. Wonder's Talking Flowers May Be More Than Meets The Eye

Though they might seem like background NPCs, Super Mario Bros. Wonder's Talking Flowers could have a bigger role aside from running commentary.

Mario Kart Booster Wave 6
The Likeliest Candidates For Mario Kart 8's Wave 6 Racers

With two characters set to join Mario Kart 8 Deluxe during its final DLC wave, looking to the series' history could help predict who will appear.

Alan Wake 2 Northlight
Alan Wake 2's Northlight Engine Explained

Remedy Entertainment's Northlight game engine has a history with Alan Wake 2 that arguably makes the two the perfect pair for the sequel.

Gen 10 Fossil Pokemon
Gen 10 Needs To Do Right By Fossil Pokemon

After inconsistent representation for three generations of Pokemon, Gen 10 ought to either restore or revamp the tradition of Fossil Pokemon.

Mission Impossible Games
It's Time to Bring Back the Mission: Impossible Games

With the future of Mission: Impossible uncertain after its next film, now is the perfect chance to revive the series' games and continue its legacy.

Zonai Rauru Mineru
Even After Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the Zonai Remain a Mystery

Despite their central role in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, there are still questions about the Zonai that have been left unanswered.

Pokemon Go Raids
What Pokemon GO's Gym Raids Can Learn From Scarlet and Violet's Tera Raids

After years of little change to its Gym Raid battle mechanics, Pokemon GO should take notes from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Tera Raids.

Pokemon Go Zygarde
Pokemon GO's Routes Miss the Mark with Zygarde

Amidst the backlash to its new Routes, Pokemon GO has overlooked the original premise of collecting Zygarde cells in Pokemon Sun and Moon.

Zelda Pokemon Shrine Trainer
Pokemon Should Learn From One Key Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Area Ahead of Gen 10

Game Freak needs to learn its lessons between Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's gyms and Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's design as it moves into Gen 10.

Minecraft Moon
It's Time For Minecraft To Shoot For The Moon

After conquering the overworld's depths and interdimensional travel, Minecraft should explore its final frontier and take players to the moon.

Pokemon Scarlet Violet Professor Villain
Why Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Professors Should Stay a One-Time Broken Tradition

Future Pokemon games shouldn't repeat the tradition-breaking twist of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Professors in order to safeguard their legacy.

Minecraft Farmer Potato
One of Minecraft's Most Useless Items Needs to be Redeemed

Even though it was added to Minecraft many years ago, one item above all others remains useless to players and is in dire need of an update.

Pokemon Violet Academy
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Academies Could Have Been a 'Home From Home' Situation

Despite Pokemon Scarlet and Violet setting up its Academies to be the player's base of operations, the lack of player agency lets them down.

Hollow Knight Silksong Versus Hornet
Silksong Has Become a Victim of Hollow Knight's Success

As a consequence of its predecessor's success, Hollow Knight: Silksong has earned a reputation for slow development and delays ahead of release.

Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Horse Link
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was Right to Cut BotW's Best Horse Gear

Despite being its predecessor's best bridle and saddle set, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom had good reasons to exclude them for the sequel.

Death Stranding 2 Sam Fragile
Death Stranding 2's Next Trailer Has To Answer One Question Above All Others

With only a few updates and one teaser so far, the next trailer for Death Stranding 2 should address the abnormal age gap between two key characters.

Stardew Valley Secret Notes
Why Stardew Valley's Secret Notes Are Still a Big Deal

Stardew Valley's Secret Notes might seem like basic hints at first, but diving deeper reveals still unsolved mysteries and layers of hidden lore.