Why RPG Side Quests Can Be More Memorable Than the Main Story 

Why RPG Side Quests Can Be More Memorable Than the Main Story 

The kingdom is burning. An ancient evil has returned. Reality itself may collapse by Thursday. Anyway, somebody in the village has lost their cat. We have priorities. RPG side quests have a peculiar ability to derail even the most urgent heroic journey. The main story...
Games I Swear I’m Going to Finish One Day

Games I Swear I’m Going to Finish One Day

I have unfinished games, and then I have unfinished games. Sometimes I start something, discover that I’m not particularly enjoying myself, and stop. No tragedy occurs. The game and I simply acknowledge that this relationship has run its course and go our separate...

The Best Parts of RPGs Have Nothing to Do With Saving the World

Most RPGs spend a great deal of time convincing us that something terrible will happen if we do not act immediately. Kingdoms are collapsing, gods are waking up, armies are advancing, and someone somewhere has definitely found an artefact they should not be touching....
Why Do RPGs Give Us Choices That Aren’t Really Choices? 

Why Do RPGs Give Us Choices That Aren’t Really Choices? 

An RPG gives you three dialogue options. You think about what your character believes, pick the answer that feels right, and prepare for whatever follows. Five minutes later, everyone is standing in exactly the same room discussing exactly the same problem, which...