Josh Bycer

A game design critic with more than a decade analyzing video games. I'm the author of the "Game Design Deep Dive series" and have interviewed hundreds of developers in the industry.

Opinion

Elden Ring Shatters Soulslike Combat Design

Where does Elden Ring’s combat slip up?

Review

Shadow Warrior 3 Slices and Dices Its Predecessor

Simplifying the gameplay while adopting the "push forward" model of FPS design results in a markedly different experience

Opinion

Tunic is the Alpha Zelda Experience

Prepare to get lost, in more ways than one

Opinion

Elden Ring Elevates Souls-likes Further Than Before

The Souls-like genre goes open-world

Game Design

Defining Free to Play Ethics

Coining the term “Player Friendly Design”

Feature

A Look Back at Super Mario RPG

Relish the nostalgia with the games of the ‘90s