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'Grand Theft Hamlet' Review: 'The Play's The Thing'
Grand Theft Hamlet (Pinny Grylls, Sam Crane, 2024); Image courtesy of Tull Stories) In spite of all the surreal emotions that arise from...
Joe Breuer
Dec 12, 20245 min read


Cozy Gaming v Triple-A: What Makes Slow-Paced Games So Entertaining?
Image by Rylie Howerter via Flickr Animal Crossing: New Horizons defined the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns for gamers on an international scale. At such a distressing and uncertain time in humanity, people turned to the highly immersive game for a sense of community, comfort and entertainment. As a series Animal Crossing has served the same purpose continuously since its original release in 2001, providing people with an outlet to access a subdued reality where players can fish, c
Aaliyah De Freitas
Dec 6, 20243 min read


'Now Play This' at Somerset House
As technology continues to become increasingly sophisticated and ever-present in all areas of life, the familiar boundaries of digital space are slowly starting to change. For many enthusiasts, gaming is largely considered as a bridge between reality and fictional, fantastical worlds. ‘Now Play This’ is an exhibition that explores the playful nature of gaming against the tangibility of physical spaces and hardware. Photo courtesy of Somerset House Presenting audiences with a
Karan Nimsons
Apr 18, 20243 min read


Let’s Dance, Boys! The Enduring Allure of Bayonetta
Since 2009, the game's lead heroine sparked debates with her unconventional portrayal, earning both critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase.
Karan Nimsons
Feb 29, 20242 min read


Spirittea is Your New Favorite Comfort Game
Hey human, we've got problems! This town is crawling with troublesome spirits, and you're the only one who can see them!
Humaira Valera
Feb 16, 20243 min read


'Fortnite Festival' Review: A Fire Festival, Or Like Fyre Festival?
Screenshot from Fortnite Festival, courtesy of Epic Games News page on Fortnite Festival “Fortnite has a new game mode I think you’ll like,” said my brother to me last month. This was a sentence I would have never expected anyone to direct my way. I soon found out he was referring to Fortnite’s latest game mode, ‘Fortnite Festival’. As my household’s resident rhythm game player, I was duly elected to beat my brothers’ friends top scores on his Friends List leaderboard. My sac
Talia Andrea
Jan 11, 20245 min read


Starfield Is Everything Wrong With Bethesda’s Current Direction
Starfield, Bethesda Softworks (BGS) newest AAA title, dropped on September 6th. Their first big title since Fallout 4 in 2015 and their first new IP in over 25 years, Starfield was hotly anticipated and had been in the works for nearly a decade. It also was expected to be crucial in regards to the image and success of BGS going forward. Bethesda has a long history of being a pioneer in the gaming industry. They have been successfully making games since the late 90s with the E
Owen Marburg
Jan 10, 20245 min read


Way In Over Its Head? The Appeal of Cloud Gaming to its Industry
When looking at the sky, it’s easy to forget that should you somehow touch a cloud, your hand would just go through it. There’s nothing for you to physically grasp, despite knowing that clouds are real and serve a real function in ecosystems. It’s the same for cloud storage and the convenience it has provided in the age of the Internet; digital data is stored in logical pools on servers as opposed to any hardware. Many industries, namely music and film, have already used clou
Kiana Kardooni
Jan 9, 20244 min read


STRAND Magazine Arts and Culture Roundup 2023: Our Top Picks From This Year
Image courtesy of Ian Schneider via Unsplash (licensed under Unsplash License) It's the most wonderful time of the year, as I'm sure the...
The Strand Magazine
Dec 1, 202310 min read


From Twitch to Wembley: My Evening at Critical Role LIVE
I wrote a piece for the Strand’s 2023 Freshers edition titled “The Arduous Quest for Tickets and Why it Sucks.” I delved into all the emotions—the stress and worry—that engulfed me in the days after the announcement of Critical Role’s London return after five years and their first live-show in three. I managed to snag two tickets before the announcement of the sell-out circulated on social media. Three minutes. They sold out in three minutes. Now, a couple of weeks post-show
Arjan Mann
Nov 21, 20236 min read
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