Carla Carmona -Contributor

Editorial Team

Contributor

March, 2025
BA in English & Creative Writing | MA in English
RPG, Life Simulation
  • 285
    articles
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    News
  • 254
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About Carla Carmona

Carla is a writer from Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, now based in Atlanta. She’s an Emory alum with both a BA and MA in English, but more importantly, she’s a Pisces with lots of opinions about video games.

Her work has ranged from academic institutions to nonprofits and even Fortune 500 companies, but these days she’s happiest writing about games. As a Contributor for The Best War Games, she dives into fandoms, industry trends, and the weird little corners of gaming culture. She especially loves picking apart stories in RPGs and analyzing how games shape the way we think about modern storytelling.

When she’s not writing, she’s probably deep into yet another The Sims 4 playthrough (her 2,000+ hours say "sul, sul, The Best War Games readers"), crying about Shadow the Hedgehog, overanalyzing vampire lore, or flirting with disaster in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Favorite Games

Baldur's Gate 3
• Pentiment
• Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
• Red Dead Redemption 2
• Super Mario Galaxy

Industry Focus

Is your girlfriend/wife playing it? Carla is likely writing about it. 

Favorite Movies

Cabaret (1972)
Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Nosferatu (2024)
In the Mood for Love (2000)

Latest

New Steam Game is Baldur's Gate 3 Meets The Sims, and It's Perfect for Me
New Steam Game is Baldur's Gate 3 Meets The Sims, and It's Perfect for Me

I didn't think a game could mix Baldur’s Gate 3’s dark romance with The Sims’ decor freedom, but this upcoming Steam title proved me wrong.

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Curse of Strahd Made Me Emotional Over Ascended Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3
Curse of Strahd Made Me Emotional Over Ascended Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3

While reading Curse of Strahd for D&D 5e, I kept thinking about ascending Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3. That was the most frightening thought of all.

After 392 Hours in Baldur's Gate 3, Here's How I Always Treat Shadowheart
After 392 Hours in Baldur's Gate 3, Here's How I Always Treat Shadowheart

Shadowheart might seem mysterious and unapproachable in the early hours of Baldur's Gate 3, but here are my tips for winning her approval.

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The Sims 4's Imaginary Friends Missed a Golden Opportunity
The Sims 4's Imaginary Friends Missed a Golden Opportunity

The Imaginary Friends in The Sims 4 could have been a must-have experience for Simmers, but they miss their golden opportunity once the magic fades.

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sims-4-careers-game-rant-feature
After 2,061 Hours in The Sims 4, I Always Come Back to These 4 Careers

No matter how often I play The Sims 4, these 4 career paths have me in a chokehold for their distinctive gameplay, income potential, and fun factor.

New Sims Game Isn’t For Everyone, But It’s Perfect for Me
New Sims Game Isn’t For Everyone, But It’s Perfect for Me 

This upcoming Sims game might not be for everyone, but I can't wait to experience its new life on Apple Arcade. Here's why you should be excited, too.

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Baldurs Gate 3 Hours Book
After 392 Hours in Baldur's Gate 3, This Upcoming Dungeons & Dragons Book Feels Like The DLC We'll Never Get

I spent countless hours playing Baldur's Gate 3 and mourn that there won't be any DLC. Still, this upcoming D&D book feels like the next big thing.

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nintendo-switch-2-animal-crossing-ghost-town-game-rant
Nintendo Switch 2 Is a Ghost Town For Animal Crossing Fans, So This Cheap Steam Game is a Must

With no Animal Crossing news for Switch 2, this cozy life-sim's customization and familiar rhythms make it a must-play Animal Crossing-like on Steam.

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Forget Spirit’s Eve, I’m Spending Spooky Season in This Stardew Valley-Like MMO
Forget Spirit’s Eve, I’m Spending Spooky Season in This Stardew Valley-Like MMO

This spooky season, I hope cozy gamers will follow me as I leave Stardew Valley's Spirit's Eve in favor of a fresher event in a Stardew-like cozy MMO.

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this year one strategy in stardew valley is virtually unbeatable
This Year 1 Strategy in Stardew Valley is Virtually Unbeatable

This Year 1 strategy in Stardew Valley will have you managing your farm like a pro, whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned cozy gamer.

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After 392 Hours in Baldur’s Gate 3, This is the Best Way to Handle Auntie Ethel
After 392 Hours in Baldur’s Gate 3, This is the Best Way to Handle Auntie Ethel

After playing Baldur's Gate 3 for so long, I know the best way to tackle Auntie Ethel if you want to act like a true D&D lore pro.

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Cozy Gamers on PS5 May Be Striking Gold Yet Again With This Animal Crossing-Like Animula Nook
Cozy Gamers on PS5 May Be Striking Gold Yet Again With This Animal Crossing-Like
PS5

Although PlayStation 5 is a console with hard-hitting and gritty exclusives, it's also becoming an underrated cozy gaming hub with this upcoming game.

What to Expect From Starsand Island's Stardew Valley-Like Gameplay
What to Expect From Starsand Island's Stardew Valley-Like Gameplay

Starsand Island is making its waves in the cozy sim genre by being a true Stardew-like, but it promises fresh twists to help it stand out.

Baldur's Gate 3 Fans Shouldn't Sleep on Dungeons and Dragons' Upcoming Book
Baldur's Gate 3 Fans Shouldn't Sleep on Dungeons and Dragons' Upcoming Book

This upcoming Dungeons & Dragons book bridges the gap between Baldur's Gate 3 and the tabletop by featuring familiar characters, subclasses, and more.

After 2,058 Hours in The Sims 4, These 3 Expansion Packs Are Non-Negotiable (1)-1
After 2,058 Hours in The Sims 4, These 3 Expansion Packs Are Non-Negotiable

I've been playing The Sims 4 for over ten years, and I believe every Simmer should have these three Expansion Packs—regardless of their playstyle.

After 75 Hours in Hades 2’s Early Access, I’m Prioritizing This Route in 1.0
After 75 Hours in Hades 2’s Early Access, I’m Prioritizing This Route in 1.0

With Hades 2's release just around the corner, I think this route is the best for both newcomers and Early Access veterans.

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cozy-grove-animal-crossing-sad-game-rant
With the Wait For a New Animal Crossing Unlikely to End Soon, This Cozy Game Could Be a Needed Alternative

Animal Crossing fans looking for a cozy gaming fix should try this title: an indie game that mimics the same deserted island rhythms as New Horizons.

Strategy for Meeting Every Villager in One Day in Stardew Valley
After 113 Hours in Stardew Valley, This is My Strategy for Meeting Every Villager in One Day

I've figured out how to meet every Stardew Valley villager on the first day, and this straightforward strategy is simple to follow even for beginners.

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5 Xbox Game Pass Games to Play This Week (September 21 - September 27)

Indie games, including one that has a sequel on the way, take center stage in our Xbox Game Pass games to play this week recommendations.

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Xbox Games to Play This Weekend September 19 September 21
4 Xbox Series X/S Games to Play This Weekend (September 19 - September 21)

From a chaotic co-op shooter to the emotional journey of a cat, this weekend's Xbox picks offer a mix of tones and styles for every type of gamer.

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