Nick Rodriguez-Contributor

Editorial Team

Contributor

August, 2023
Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing, University of Illinois
Action RPG, From Software, Mass Effect
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About Nick Rodriguez

Nick is a freelance writer from Chicago, IL, with a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His lifelong belief in the artistic power of video games led him to contribute to TheBestWarGames and ScreenRant, platforms where he has managed to share helpful news content, thoughtful opinion pieces, and more than a few hot takes.

While he believes all gaming genres and categories have worth, Nick's interests lie primarily in the realm of single-player experiences, with hand-crafted stories, tight and challenging gameplay, and emotive, unique visual and audio design. On the industry side of things, he is committed to supporting creators, identifying and criticizing exploitation, and combating negativity and toxicity.

Aside from gaming, he enjoys long-distance running, reading, contributing to his blog, working on his Honda CX650C, writing fiction, and having a beer or two.

Favorite Games

- Bloodborne
- Disco Elysium
- Death Stranding
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Mass Effect 2
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Dead Space
- Signalis
- Hades
- BioShock
- Super Mario Galaxy
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Industry Focus

A bit of everything, but with a particular affinity for indie games, industry news, gaming events, and new technology.

Favorite Console

Easy win for the PS2.

Latest

Kratos and Deimos in God of War Sons of Sparta
God of War: Sons of Sparta Bringing Back This Forgotten Character Feels Like the Calm Before the Storm

The shadow-dropped God of War: Sons of Sparta is surprising by its very nature, but one member of its central cast is especially meaningful.

Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 Finally Brings an 18-Year-Old Curse To an End

Konami just revealed Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2, which is a watershed moment for at least one important reason.

Legacy of Kain Defiance Remastered Raziel New Look
Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered is Doing Something Demon’s Souls Remake Dropped the Ball On

With Legacy of Kain: Defiance bringing back a hefty piece of cut content, Sony's fumbling one aspect of Demon's Souls (2020) is highlighted.

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nivalis-steam-game-rant-1
New Cyberpunk Game on Steam Essentially Lets You Own Cyberpunk 2077's Afterlife Bar and Rewrite Nightlife

Cyberpunk 2077 and its ilk are thrilling sci-fi adventures, but an upcoming Steam game looks to tell a different story in a similar setting.

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Post battle carnage in Samson
Batman: Arkham Collides with the GTA Series in New Open-World Crime Game

An upcoming open-world action game aims to mix the ultra-violent freedom of Grand Theft Auto with the close-quarters combat of Batman: Arkham.

Velvet Crowe with a transformed arm in Tales of Berseria
Upcoming JRPG Remaster Puts You in the Shoes of an Anti-Hero (and the Original Received "Strong" Reviews on OpenCritic)

Yet another beloved JRPG is getting a remaster this year, and it should offer a hard-hitting narrative and great gameplay to boot.

Romeo Is a Dead Man Key Art
Romeo Is a Dead Man Has Cult Classic Written All Over It [Review]

Although its flaws are rather obvious, Romeo Is a Dead Man is an unforgettable and ultimately successful sci-fi romp through spacetime.

Sora Smiling While Holding a Keyblade in the First Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts Relux Leaks Explained (And How Trustworthy is the Leaker?)

Leaks have recently emerged about a possible remake of the first Kingdom Hearts, but just how realistic and how reliable are these claims?

Borderlands 4 Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned
Everything Coming in Borderlands 4's First Major DLC: Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned

Borderlands 4 is expanding with Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned, a beefy story DLC with new gear, locations, and an all-new Vault Hunter.

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Standing in a Graveyard in RadCity
Disco Elysium's Mind is Trapped in Fallout's Wasteland in New Game, and You Can Play It Right Now

An upcoming isometric horror-themed survival game is coming to Steam later this year, and it has major Fallout vibes with a hint of Disco as well.

Next Xbox Console Xbox Series X PNG
Everything Rumored or Leaked for the Next-Gen Xbox Console

Contrary to some claims, Xbox does seem to be planning a 10th-generation console release, though it will likely look different from previous models.

Prescribe and Pray Character Above Papers Please
New Simulation Game on Steam Applies Papers, Please–Style Gameplay to Life-or-Death Medicine

Papers, Please, one of the most simple and powerful indie games of all time, seemed to have had an impact on one upcoming medical sim.

Doom Eternal Call of Duty Black Ops 7 David Mason
The "Mighty" 89 Opencritic Shooter That Proves Tight Mechanics Still Matter More Than Hollywood Presentation (Looking at You, Call of Duty)

Some shooters (not naming names) want to make the player feel cool, while others transform the player into something that actually is.

Blood Message Trailer
God of War Ragnarok Meets Black Myth Wukong in New Action-Adventure Game

An upcoming narrative action game seeks to channel the Eastern history focus of Black Myth Wukong alongside the cinematic flair of modern God of War.

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Dual Wielding enemies in High On Life 2
Why Rick and Morty Co-Creator Justin Roiland is Not Involved in High on Life 2

While High on Life 2 is slated to release as planned, it will be doing so without the involvement of series creator Justin Roiland.

Unreal Engine 5 Halo Footage Master Chief
25 Years After Blowing Our Minds The First Time, Master Chief Seems To Be Experiencing An Identity Crisis

The Halo franchise was once at the top of the FPS genre, but it's struggled to find its footing, and tough decisions need to be made moving forward.

An Image of the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller
Steam Machine Hardware Has Me Worried About the PS5’s Long-Term Future

Valve's Steam Machine is poised to deliver a crushing blow to the console industry, possibly dethroning the current reigning champion.

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Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Henry and Hans Get Turned Down
5 Easier Replacement Games if You Want to Play Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 But Think It's Too Hard

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 can be a little intimidating, so here are some alternate options to explore, perhaps as appetizers.

Key Art of Main Characters from Villion Code
What is Villion: Code, the New School RPG Developed by Persona Veterans?

Some major former Atlus and Persona talent is working on a new game called Villion: Code, which is releasing in Japan later in 2026.

Promotional Drawing of Lucy Ella Purnell from the Fallout TV Show
We Could've Received A Fallout Movie 28 Years Ago, And I'm Actually Glad We Didn't

Fallout is now a successful multimedia franchise, but this may never have happened if a certain 1998 movie adaptation got the green light.

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