Staff Writer
Writer
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74articles
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205Features
About Tess Smith
Having worked as a writer, filmmaker and musician, Tess Smith has experience across much of the entertainment industry. As a lifelong gamer, first discovering the wonder of RPGs on her Gameboy Advance, and general fan of nerd culture, Tess now works to share her love for the medium with others. Taking a multimedia approach to media consumption and analysis, she has become an avid lover of video game music. This love has fueled much of her own work in the music space, working as a composer, producer and a vocalist. Tess is also deeply passionate about gaming as a medium for storyelling and is fascinated by the ways the medium can bring people together. Up until this point, much of her work has been in the academic sphere in pursuit of her degrees in Film and Media Studies from Bucknell and Columbia University. Even while working in these spaces, Tess' work focused on nerd culture, having completed pieces on Neon Genesis Evangelion and importance of games journalism in the new media space. She is now excited to share her writing with the world.
Favorite Console
PS4
Favorite Games
Death Stranding, Guilty Gear Strive, Heaven Will Be Mine, Persona 4 Golden, Street Fighter 6, and Yakuza 6.
Industry Focus
Fighting Games and JRPGS
Latest
It's Time for Another Attack on Titan Game
Now that Attack on Titan's anime has concluded, there has never been a better time for a video game adaptation that tells the whole story.
Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles Might Be a Solid Alternative to Cities: Skylines 2
Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles provides a fresh new spin on city building that could be perfect for fans left disappointed by Cities: Skylines 2.
Stardew Valley Meets Fallout At The End of The World in City 20
The upcoming survival game City 20 will blend elements of Stardew Valley and Fallout to create a unique post-apocalyptic slice-of-life game.
Unicorn Overlord: Meet the Characters
In Vanillaware's upcoming game, Unicorn Overlord, players will take control of Alain as he fights alongside a colorful cast of characters.
How Tekken 8's Roster Compares to Tekken 7
Tekken 8 has been a huge hit with gamers, though some may wonder how its roster stands up in comparison to its much beloved predecessor, Tekken 7.
How Street Fighter 5's Faults Made SF6 a Better Game
Street Fighter 5 was a flawed game that failed to pull in many fans of the series, but its faults paved the way for Street Fighter 6's triumph.
Persona 3 Reload Says a Lot About P6's Protagonist
The way that Persona 3 Reload doubles down on some of P5's innovations could indicate some of the changes coming to future entries in the series.
Why Persona 5 Royal's Depiction of Tokyo Could Evolve in a Big Way in Persona 6
Persona 6 has the chance to build on Persona 5 Royal's already fantastic depiction of Tokyo to deliver fans an unforgettable experience.
Grand Theft Auto 6's Story is Already More Intimate Than Red Dead Redemption 2
Grand Theft Auto 6's trailer has a much tighter focus than those of Red Dead Redemption 2, indicating that its story will be more intimate.
Why a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Sequel Probably Won't Be a Switch 2 Launch Title
There is plenty of demand a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate sequel, but it is unlikely to be a launch title for Nintendo's next system.
What Haunted Chocolatier's Dialogue Options Can Learn From Baldur's Gate 3
Haunted Chocolatier could borrow from Baldur's Gate 3's immersive dialog systems and world-building to make its townspeople more dynamic.
Every Story Character Death in Mortal Kombat 1
Mortal Kombat 1 is an extremely violent game, but very few of the major characters in its rebooted timeline meet a gruesome end during its story.
Tekken 8 Should Double Down on a Tekken 7 DLC Crossover
The desire for another DLC crossover from Final Fantasy in Tekken 8 is high right now, but another revisited crossover would be just as great.
Monster Hunter Wilds Needs One QoL Feature at Launch
Monster Hunter Worlds did a lot to improve the series' quality of life, but there is one important feature that it missed out on.
The Case for FF7's Tifa as a Tekken 8 DLC Character
Tifa Lockhart has been heavily requested as a Tekken 8 guest character, but her inclusion would make sense for a number of reasons.
How Monster Hunter World's Resurgence Shines a Light on Rise's Limitations
Monster Hunter Rise is a great game, but its predecessor's recent growth in popularity shows the ways in which it was a step back for the franchise.
Mortal Kombat 1's Kameos Put Its Newest Franchise Tradition into Question for MK2
Mortal Kombat 1's Kameo Fighters could transform one of the best things about the series into a double-edged sword for future entries.
Persona 6 Needs to Learn From Both Kinds of Persona 5 Dungeons
Persona 6 should follow in its predecessor's footsteps when it comes to Persona 5's distinct types of dungeons for players to explore.
Tekken 8: Why You Should Consider Maining Nina Williams
Tekken 8's Nina Williams is a dangerous jack of all trades who excels in pressuring her opponents and fast-paced, aggressive offense.
Is Mortal Kombat 11 Worth Playing in 2024?
Mortal Kombat 1 has been a divisive entry in the series, leading many to wonder if Mortal Kombat 11 is worth returning to in 2024.