Features by Paul Shkreli
Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen launched in Early Access in December 2024. Its vintage social gameplay scratches an itch I forgot I had.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 25 February, 2025
Square Enix hyped a console-quality Final Fantasy that was more than a cell phone game. So where’d it go?
feature by Paul Shkreli on 24 June, 2024
Christmas is over and the New Year is upon us. For me, Motoi Sakuraba has a hit list of wintery themes to help bide time until spring.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 02 January, 2024
Square Enix’s cinematic horror RPG might not be exactly festive fare, but it’s one of my favorite holiday traditions. The short running time and gooey body horror is the perfect antidote to traditionally lighthearted Christmas fluff.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 25 December, 2023
Funny, scary, and a little horny, Shadow Hearts celebrates the 22nd anniversary of its release in the West. The turn-based horror RPG is a rare breed - one the genre could use more of.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 12 December, 2023
I spent the last month playing remakes of games from my childhood. It’s the most fun I’ve had all year.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 10 December, 2023
Bizarre story choices and gameplay mechanics can’t slow down inspired combat and an experimental design approach that captures the essence of Final Fantasy.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 06 December, 2023
One of the few RPGs for the Nintendo 64 has a bit of a reputation - and should be readily available for gamers to see what all the fuss was about.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 29 November, 2023
Grandia II captures the essence of the genre - warts and all - as it transitioned between console eras at the turn of the century.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 18 October, 2023
Sailor Moon's SNES RPG led me to the world of fan translations. Two decades later, a port of the same game to modern consoles would be a nice surprise.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 07 October, 2023
For young readers and gamers alike, Super Paper Mario is a great hybrid of RPG mechanics and platforming that can serve as an on-ramp to the genre.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 31 August, 2023
Approaching the final hours of Final Fantasy XVI, and my mind keeps coming back to an earlier game in the series: Final Fantasy XIII.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 24 July, 2023
Square Enix recently released a modified version of ChocoboGP without a season model or microtransactions - which is how it should have been released in the first place.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 06 July, 2023
The long-running RPG series starring Mario should look back to move forward.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 26 June, 2023
With the Pixel Remaster project, Final Fantasy IV shines brightly on modern consoles. Without a Pixel Remaster version of the sequel, Final Fantasy IV: The After Years remains in limbo.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 15 May, 2023
It's been over two years since the release of SaGa Frontier Remastered. While other SaGa remasters have been released, SaGa Frontier 2 is curiously absent. This fan demands answers.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 23 April, 2023
It’s been 12 years since fans have heard from Aya Brea. Is now the perfect time for The 3rd Birthday to receive the Crisis Core: Reunion treatment?
feature by Paul Shkreli on 28 March, 2023
Twenty years after its release, Wild Arms 3 is the pinnacle of the series. Timeless cel-shaded graphics complement a classic turn-based system, carried on the backs of a charming cast that is as endearing as ever.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 23 March, 2023
Final Fantasy X-2's battle system is lauded - and it also holds a place of pride in the series' history.
feature by Paul Shkreli on 13 March, 2023