Nick Rodriguez-Contributor

Staff Writer

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 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

rocksteady-batman-beyond-thumbs-up-game-rant
Why Rocksteady’s Rumored Batman Beyond Game is the Ideal Successor to the Arkhamverse

Rumors have emerged about Rocksteady developing a Batman Beyond game, and whether they are accurate, such a project has a lot of promise.

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Stardew Valley Saloon
Stardew Valley's Friendship System Could Be Flipped on its Head in Haunted Chocolatier

Haunted Chocolatier is poised to build upon much of Stardew Valley's core systems, and one social mechanic could use some bold iteration.

Naughty Dog Trend To Continue
As Time Goes On, One Naughty Dog Trend Seems Even Likelier to Continue

The past two console generations have been host to a burgeoning Naughty Dog tradition, which seems poised to continue moving forward.

Elden Ring Nightreign Dark Souls Content
Elden Ring Nightreign's Recycled Dark Souls Content Has One Obvious Upside

Much ink has been spilled about Elden Ring Nightreign's FromSoftware crossover content, but the concept would have one clear benefit.

Red Dead Online
'Save Red Dead Online' Shouldn't Be Necessary, But It Is

A new petition to "Save Red Dead Online" is gaining traction, spotlighting Rockstar's neglect of the ever-popular western property.

Baldurs Gate 3 Dark Urge Evil Storylines
Baldur's Gate 3's Dark Urge Makes a Case for More Evil Storylines in RPGs

The Dark Urge is one of the most fruitful and unique origins in Baldur's Gate 3, making it a good blueprint for other RPGs in the future.

Afterlove EP Key Art
Afterlove EP Review

Blemished and imperfect though it may be, Afterlove EP is a moving, heartfelt story that has a lot to say about grief, love, and moving on.

Cyberpunk 2077 Adam Smasher Close-Up
Cyberpunk 2077's Sequel Has a Low Ceiling to Shatter With Bosses

For as great as it is, Cyberpunk 2077 has some undeniable shortcomings, and its catalog of samey, boilerplate bosses is one of them.

Metaphor Refantazio Basilio
Metaphor: ReFantazio's Basilio Shows Persona How a Late-Game Party Member Is Done

Basilio joins the Metaphor: Refantazio party fairly late in the game, but he still feels like a key part of the story, which Persona can learn from.

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Exoborne Key Art
Exoborne Hands-On Preview

Tencent's Exoborne is chasing the extraction shooter trend, but so far, it isn't doing nearly enough to stand out in a crowded market.

3:02
red-dead-redemption-2-2025-replay-value-retrospective-story-good_2
Red Dead Redemption 2- Why 2025 Is the Perfect Time to Start Over

Red Dead Redemption 2 was originally released in 2018, but this is why it might be a good time to replay through this western classic.

3:02
Arthur Morgan Red Dead Redemption 2 Smiling
Red Dead Redemption 2: Why You Should Start Over in 2025

With Red Dead Redemption 2 coming up on its seventh birthday, it's still one of the best games ever made, and well worth revisiting in 2025.

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Cyberpunk 2077 Male V
If Project Orion Keeps V as Its Protagonist, It Would Come With One Witcher-Like Benefit

Audiences have assumed that V will be replaced by a new protagonist in Project Orion, but bringing them back could allow CDPR to channel The Witcher.

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Cyberpunk 2077 Meredith Stout
Cyberpunk 2077: Project Orion Life Paths Wish List

Cyberpunk 2077 doesn't fully deliver on the promises of its Life Paths system, but its sequel, Project Orion, certainly could.

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Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Final Fantasy
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Weirdly Proves One Classic Final Fantasy Game Was Ahead of Its Time

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 has a unique leveling system that is oddly reminiscent of a contentious Final Fantasy 2 progression system.

Haunted Chocolatier Combat Teaser Good Omen
Haunted Chocolatier's Latest Combat Teaser is Another Good Omen

While Stardew Valley fans remain starved for Haunted Chocolatier updates, the latter's most recent sneak peek sends a promising message.

Tides of Annihilation Stellar Blade Fans
Tides of Annihilation Looks Like a Fantasy Game for Stellar Blade Fans

Unveiled at Sony's recent State of Play, Tides of Annihilation looks to be serving up action-RPG fundamentals similar to Stellar Blade's.

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God of War Atreus Series Carried Away
God of War's Atreus is a Great Character, But the Series Shouldn't Get Carried Away

Atreus could very well become God of War's next protagonist, but Santa Monica Studios should be careful not to jump the shark.

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Skyrim Open-World
The Elder Scrolls 6 Could Learn From The Series' Modding Trends

The Elder Scrolls 6 ought to borrow a bit from its generous modding community, implementing some long-running, unofficial features.

Grand Theft Auto 6 Boat Logo
Cars Aren't the Only Vehicle That GTA 6 Needs to Perfect

For GTA 6, cars are—quite literally—the name of the game, but Rockstar will have to hone in on another, less familiar vehicle as well.

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