Nick Rodriguez-Contributor

Staff Writer

Contributor

August, 2023
Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing, University of Illinois
Action RPG, From Software, Mass Effect
  • 1157
    articles
  • 61
    News
  • 1066
    Features
  • 1
    Lists
  • 27
    Reviews
  • 2
    Other

Page 17

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 The Best War Games and Screen Rant, 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

Pikmin 4 Key Art
Pikmin Can't Wait Too Long to Make its Mark on The Switch 2

Nintendo has historically taken its time with the Pikmin franchise, but it will hopefully pick up the pace for the next entry on the Switch 2.

Mafia The Old Country Series Yakuza 0
Mafia: The Old Country Could Be the Series’ Yakuza 0

Mafia: The Old Country promises to be a big shakeup for the crime-action franchise, putting it in conversation with 2015's Yakuza 0.

Video Game Dads Tier List
Father's Day Face-Off: A Video Game Dads Tier List

In honor of this father's day, it's worth honoring some of the best—and worst—fathers that the video game medium has to offer.

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Cal Kestis Star Wars
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Has the Perfect Blueprint for a Turn-Based Star Wars RPG

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has some truly incredible combat, which could have an unexpected influence on a future Star Wars video game.

The Alters Key Art
The Alters Review

The Alters is a cerebral, thought-provoking, and beefy story-driven survival game, and undoubtedly 11 Bit Studios' magnum opus.

1
gta-6-lucia-jason-red-dead-redemption-2-high-honor-deer-coyote-game-rant-1
GTA 6 'Stealing' One Mechanic From Red Dead Redemption 2 Makes Perfect Sense

Although GTA 6 can be expected to be quite different from Red Dead Redemption 2, one of the latter's systems should make its way into the former.

GTA 6 Jason Key Art
After Grand Theft Auto 6’s Latest Leak, Rockstar’s Biggest Challenge is Clear

If a recent Grand Theft Auto 6 leak is to be believed, then Rockstar is getting incredibly ambitious with one returning feature.

Cyberpunk 2077 Maelstrom Netrunner
Cyberpunk 2077's Sequel Has Permission to Expand Its Territory into Another Region

Cyberpunk 2077's sequel could take players anywhere in the world, but it doesn't have to go far to show one potential-rich setting.

Mass Effect Reaper
Mass Effect 4: The Argument For and Against a Reaper Substitute

The Reapers were a major part of the original Mass Effect trilogy, but it looks like they'll need to be replaced come Mass Effect 4.

Aniimo Big Monster
Aniimo is Fishing For Pokemon Fans in a Crowded Sea

Upcoming creature-collecting game Aniimo looks promising, but it's entering an increasingly crowded market of Pokemon-like releases.

Aniimo Trailer
Aniimo Is Playing with the Same Fire as Palworld

Aniimo has the makings of a potentially viral game, but it also faces the same legal complications of last year's viral sensation Palworld.

2
Resident Evil Requiem Grace Looking at Her Computer
Resident Evil Requiem Makes Good on a 23 Year Wait

Resident Evil Requiem was just released, revealing that it will take players back to a setting that has been long-neglected by the series.

Elden Ring Nightreign Berserk Schierke
In Some Ways, Elden Ring Nightreign Is FromSoftware at Its Most Berserk

It's no great secret that FromSoftware is influenced by Berserk, and Elden Ring Nightreign continues this tradition of homage and iteration.

Baby Steps
Baby Steps Hands-On Preview: Brilliantly Clumsy

The Best War Games recently went hands-on with Baby Steps, the next bizarre project from the minds behind Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy and Ape Out.

Elden Ring Nightreign Junya Ishizaki
Hopefully, Junya Ishizaki Isn't Done Directing After Elden Ring Nightreign

Junya Ishizaki made his directorial debut with Elden Ring Nightreign, which is hopefully just the start of his directorial career.

Elden Ring Colosseum
Elden Ring Nightreign Could Up the Ante With One Obvious FromSoftware Feature

Elden Ring Nightreign is a cooperative experience through-and-through, but it could be that much better with the inclusion of a FromSoftware staple.

Sirona Ryan in Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Has an Easy Way to Win Fans Over at Launch

This year, Hogwarts Legacy received a significant update, and its sequel shouldn't drag its feet on bringing the same features to the table.

Ghost of Tsushima Building
Ghost of Yotei Fans Shouldn't Go In Expecting One Improvement

Ghost of Tsushima has one notable shortcoming that many hoped would change in the sequel, but that's unlikely to be the case.

elden-ring-nightreign-hades-risk-of-rain-game-rant (1)
Elden Ring Nightreign Isn't Hades, It's Risk of Rain 2

Hades has seemingly been the benchmark against which modern roguelikes are measured, but Elden Ring Nightreign is more like Risk of Rain 2.

Elden Ring Nightreign Duchess-2
Elden Ring Nightreign Probably Won't Have Any Bloodborne Content, but It Could Feature Another Beloved IP

There's an obvious reason for why Bloodborne has been underrepresented in Elden Ring Nightreign, but this doesn't apply to another popular IP.