Best Video Game Journalism

October 26, 2022 6:47 AM

I had a hankering to read some good video game journalism - video game reviews in specific, but about the culture in general is fine too. I'm looking for the type of articles where the enthusiasm of the reviewer really comes across. Also, articles where the reviewer uses the video game as a platform to go off on tangent discussions. Doesn't have to be super current. Thanks!
posted by triage_lazarus to Writing & Language (17 answers total)

Waypoint! The Waypoint Radio podcast is arguably their main, but the articles are also good.
posted by rodlymight at 7:13 AM on October 26, 2022 [2 favorites]

These are not reviews in the traditional sense or written journalism, but the YouTube channel Game Makers Toolkit has really excellent and well-researched analysis including critical commentary and focuses on broader conclusions to be drawn about how games are designed.
posted by lookoutbelow at 7:29 AM on October 26, 2022

The Triple Click podcast is great.
posted by AlSweigart at 7:41 AM on October 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

I am always checking Kotaku - scratches my itch for actual reviews, but also discusses broader issues as well.
posted by dngrangl at 9:02 AM on October 26, 2022

On mobile so can’t link right now but Jacob geller on YouTube is exactly what you’re looking for
posted by capnsue at 9:27 AM on October 26, 2022

This recent Projects post sounds like it might be what you're looking for. I read through many of the other post on the linked blog as well, and they are all quite good although mostly not video game related.
posted by Jawn at 11:30 AM on October 26, 2022

Rock Paper Shotgun archives. Some amazing writing.
posted by kittensofthenight at 11:36 AM on October 26, 2022 [3 favorites]

Pop a bag of popcorn and watch some YouTube videos by Tim Rogers, formerly of Kotaku and now independent.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 11:48 AM on October 26, 2022 [2 favorites]

Also Tim Rogers - he used to write very long form reviews. I like the Bioshock Infinite one.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 1:07 PM on October 26, 2022

Historian Bret Devereaux writes about the mechanics of video games (particularly Paradox grand strategy games) and how they do or don't fit with theories of history; long series on Europa Universalis IV, Crusader Kings III, Victoria 2.
posted by Superilla at 1:28 PM on October 26, 2022

Digital Antiquarian

Is a great survey of classic computer games starting in the 1970's. The current articles have reached 1995 or so.
posted by Jacen at 1:54 PM on October 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

Many people have created fansites for games they love over on Neocities. There's a whole directory page dedicated to video game websites, where you probably won't find any professional journalism, but no shortage of enthusiasm.
posted by wandering zinnia at 2:17 PM on October 26, 2022

Most of Charlie Brooker's reviews for PC Zone in the 90s especially the Carmageddon 2 one...
posted by turkeyphant at 5:00 PM on October 26, 2022

Jason Schreier’s books are great, as is his writing for Bloomberg. He’s also one of the hosts of Triple Click (mentioned upthread), probably my favorite podcast.
posted by sevensnowflakes at 5:55 PM on October 26, 2022

A bit unconventional, but videogamedunkey's review of Super Mario Odyssey was so overflowing with joy, adoration, and love that it single-handedly convinced me to buy a Nintendo Switch, and judging from the comments I'm hardly the only one.

In a similar vein, the Play.tm pre-release review that originally put Katamari Damacy on my radar was one of the very few at the time to recognize it not just as a goofy physics puzzler, but a genuinely affecting masterpiece:

It's not just the concept, nor the gameplay alone that succeeds in pulling the player in. Katamari Damashii is a game of such joy and such beauty that it's the experience as much as the game itself that is so memorable. "Joy" and "beauty" may sound rather coy, and they're certainly not words normally used to describe video games, but both are absolutely apt when describing Katamari Damashii. The whole title is crafted with a level of wonder, love and passion that I've previously never seen outside of a Nintendo game. [...]

I understand that gamers operate on a limited budget, and when shelling out £40 on a game value for money is important. It can be tempting to go for a 100-hour epic RPG, or perhaps a multiplayer sports title to entertain you and a few chums for months on end. But consider this: would you prefer a lifetime of mediocrity or a moment of ecstasy? Katamari Damashii may be short, but the possibly limited time it will spend in your PS2 is worth more than weeks and weeks some other titles may spend there. [...] If I have tempted you, and you have the means, import Katamari Damashii as soon as you possibly can. Not only can it be picked up for the same price as a PAL release at RRP (including postage), but you'll feel all warm and smug in the knowledge that you've just bought one of the greatest video games ever made.

Eighteen years later, Katamari Damacy is in the permanent collection at MoMA alongside landmarks like Tetris, Myst, Portal, and The Sims.
posted by Rhaomi at 11:59 PM on October 26, 2022

Critical Distance curates the "best" video game criticism each week, but they maybe lean a little to the academic side if that's not your bag.
posted by juv3nal at 6:15 PM on October 27, 2022 [1 favorite]

Oh I should note, if you don't like what you see in Critical Distance's This Week in Videogame Blogging, you can nominate stuff (even your own stuff) by tweeting @critdistance with the tag #twivgb
posted by juv3nal at 6:15 PM on October 30, 2022