PinnedCalen BenderLudic Narratives and the Pokémon NuzlockeChallenge-seeking impulses and emergent storytelling combine to redefine the play patterns of a children’s video game.May 7May 7
Calen BenderWhy You Should Try Magic In Elden Ring (And Dark Souls)Engage with another side of the tried and true formula to feel the joy of unique progression again.Sep 10Sep 10
Calen BenderThe Way For Me, But Not For TheeHow Skyrim presents something great, then sabotages it immediatelyApr 22Apr 22
Calen BenderVideo Games Deserve Better Magic SystemsSpells should feel like wrestling with reality and breaking rules, not just choosing what flavor of DPS you’d like spew at an enemy.Apr 9Apr 9
Calen Bender‘Shangri-La Frontier’ Embraces the Game and Drops the MelodramaIf you die in the game you. . . get to keep having fun on your adventure?Nov 21, 2023Nov 21, 2023
Calen Bender‘Slay the Princess’ Is A MasterpieceAn engaging exploration of trust, relationships, and perspective that you need to playNov 2, 2023Nov 2, 2023
Calen BenderTriangle Strategy: A Hidden GemA turn-based Strategy RPG that delivered on every expectation and promise it made to me.Apr 1, 20221Apr 1, 20221
Calen BenderCatharsis Means “Release” for a ReasonAn uncomfortable personal story with a lesson I wish I’d learned far earlier.Jan 11, 2022Jan 11, 2022
Calen BenderThe Horror and the Wild — Album ReviewThe Amazing Devil takes us on a tempestuous exploration of our relationships with ourselves and others.Jan 4, 2022Jan 4, 2022
Calen BenderLeftist Anti-TheismA case study in shooting yourself in the foot.Dec 7, 20211Dec 7, 20211
