Critical Practice
The full set of close readings, essays, and notes remains available beyond the homepage feature cut.
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R.01 / Essay
07 / 2026Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 turns the separation between authored scenes and player-controlled gameplay into a study of compartmentalization.
R.02 / Review
07 / 2025A rich, humane sequel that balances Peter and Miles, sharp traversal, stronger stealth, and a story about healing the world.
R.03 / Review
06 / 2025A soulslike with fierce combat, striking cel-shaded violence, and a revenge story that cannot quite match its mechanics.
R.04 / Review
03 / 2025A taopunk Metroidvania with brutal parry combat, gorgeous art, and a story whose philosophy deepens as the mechanics unfold.
R.05 / Review
09 / 2025A focused Remedy expansion set inside a hidden FBC facility, carried by atmosphere, sound design, and paranatural horror.
R.06 / Review
11 / 2024A faithful Star Wars sequel about impossible odds, the pull of the dark side, expressive combat, and exploration that could use more depth.
R.07 / Review
11 / 2024A sweeping mythological sequel with intense combat, rich character arcs, and a few rushed final turns in an otherwise unforgettable journey.
R.08 / Review
10 / 2024A samurai open-world game with fluid combat, elegant exploration, vivid landscapes, and a story that balances honor, loss, and adaptation.
R.09 / Review
09 / 2024A grounded stealth game whose systems feel thin, but whose dark steampunk mood and simple single-player focus still have charm.
R.10 / Review
09 / 2024A familiar open-world sequel elevated by spectacular machine combat, vibrant environments, and strong character writing despite performance hiccups.
R.11 / Review
08 / 2024A short cinematic experience carried by phenomenal audio, visual fidelity, performances, and atmosphere, with intentionally light gameplay.
R.12 / Review
06 / 2024A dark Pinocchio soulslike with strong level design, satisfying parry-heavy combat, and a gothic steampunk world that makes Krat feel alive.