Vlad Mazanko-Senior Author

Staff Writer

Senior Author

April, 2024
Open-World, Action RPG, Racing
  • 366
    articles
  • 347
    Lists
  • 19
    Guides

Page 5

About Vlad Mazanko

Vlad Mazanko is Ukraine-based gaming enthusiast, writing about the industry since 2013 and covering everything from games and studios to movies and TV shows. He joined the Valnet family back in 2021, with past works featured at TheGamer and DualShockers. Over the years, he has worked on news, guides, lists, and reviews, always aiming to ensure a combination of factual accuracy and an engaging overall read.

Industry Focus

With years of experience in gaming news and a wide range of factual knowledge about the industry, his newest passion is doing lists. These allow to deliver brief squeezes of his favorite games, genres, and their creators. Mostly covering open-world action and RPG titles, soulslikes, and racing games, he also strives to complete every game before covering it to share a full picture with the readers.

Favorite Games

Some of his favorites of past years include Elden Ring, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Alan Wake 2, Resident Evil 4, Marvel Snap, Balatro, Forza Horizon 4, Cyberpunk 2077, The Last of Us Part 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, Gwent, God of War, Black Myth: Wukong, Grim Dawn, and The Witcher 3. He's also able to find joy even in not-as-universally-beloved games like Anthem, Mafia 3, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Marvel's Avengers, The Callisto Protocol, Outriders, or Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

Favorite TV Shows

With a recent renaissance in video game adaptations, he greatly enjoyed Arcane, The Last of Us, and the Fallout series. Other notable TV shows and miniseries he'd recommend to anyone are Legion, Watchmen, Euphoria, Undone, True Detective, Sugar, and Fargo. He enjoys distinct visual storytelling coupled with a strong emotional core, as well as entangled stories with plenty of mind-blowing twists.

Latest

Ghost of Yotei Zeni Hajiki Playing
How to Win at Zeni Hajiki in Ghost of Yotei (Good With Coins)

Players who struggle with the table coin mini-game Zeni Hajiki in Ghost of Yotei will be glad to know there's a way to make it much easier.

Driving Games With The Best Visuals 2025
Racing Games With The Best Graphics

Become truly immersed in racing with these games that provide the most stunning visuals in the genre as of 2025.

Games To Play While Waiting For Marvel's Wolverine
Games To Play While Waiting For Marvel's Wolverine

Sharpen your claws and dive into these brutal action games while waiting for Marvel's Wolverine release.

Best Soulslike Games That Make You Think
Best Soulslike Games That Make You Think

Beyond strong combat and exploration, these soulslikes feature plenty of intricate mysteries and puzzles to solve.

Open-World Games With Fastest Movement
Open-World Games With The Fastest Movement

There's absolutely no need to use vehicles or mounts to move fast in these open-world games.

All Rockstar Games Worth Playing In 2025
Every Rockstar Game Worth Playing In 2025

Despite too few new Rockstar releases over the past years, its portfolio is still full of great games well worth playing today.

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 & Other Games That Became Internet Darlings
Clair Obscur, & 7 Other Games That Became Internet Darlings

These games are only mentioned by players with awe — and for good reason.

All Assassin’s Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji Sumi-e Locations
All Assassin's Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji Sumi-e Locations (Breathtaking!)

Here's where to find all Sumi-e locations in Awaji, complete the Painting Memories side quest, and unlock the Breathtaking achievement.

All Secret Treasure Locations in Assassin’s Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji
All Secret Treasure Locations in Assassin's Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji

Here's how to find all the legendary items from the Tomeji's Prize, Yasuhira's Secret, and Nowaki's Memento letters.

Highest-Rated Soulslike Games On Open-Critic, Ranked
Highest-Rated Soulslike Games On Open-Critic, Ranked

Can any studio compare to FromSoftware's expertise in the soulslike genre? Let's find out.

Best Games That Were The End Of An Era
Games That Were The End Of An Era

Sometimes, players have to say goodbye, as things will never be the same as they once were.

All FromSoftware Games Worth Playing In 2025
Every Must-Play FromSoftware Game In 2025

Does FromSoftware's signature approach to the soulslike formula feel outdated in 2025? Spoiler: not one bit.

Best Games For Ridiculous Gameplay
Best Games With Ridiculous Gameplay

Different genres, same intentions - these games provide some of the most ridiculous gameplay for their players.

Best Open-World Games For Wreaking Havoc
Best Open-World Games Where You Can Go Wild

Sometimes you just need to let off some steam, and these open-world titles could be the perfect destination.

Hell is Us - Best Defensive Gear Stats And Where to Find
Hell is Us: Best Defensive Gear & How to Get It

Below are some of the strongest options among all the Defensive Gear that players can use in Hell is Us.

Hell is Us - Best Passive and Active Relics
Hell is Us: Best Relics & How to Get Them

Here are the strongest relics among both passive and active options that players can get in Hell is Us.

Lords of the Fallen 2 With Nioh 3 Soulslike Mash-Up
Upcoming Soulslike Games With Ridiculous Mechanics

From late 2025 onward, these upcoming soulslike games promise to shake up the genre with innovative mechanics.

Upcoming Open-World Games With Realistic, Grounded Settings
Upcoming Open-World Games With A Focus On Realism

Realistic open-world games are rare, but these upcoming titles should be on every fan's radar.

Far Cry 6, Watch Dogs Legion And Immortals Fenyx Rising Open-World Ubisoft Games
Ubisoft Open-World Games That Get Better As You Play

These Ubisoft games might not start off running, but they prove that some open-world games are better as a marathon, not a sprint.

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Trevor from GTA 5, Geralt from The Witcher 3, Fem V from Cyberpunk 2077
Best Open-World Games You Need To Play Before You Die

These are the absolute masterpieces that any player keen on open-world games should try.