Mark Smith-Contributor

Staff Writer

Contributor

May, 2023
Creative Writing (BA)
RPG, The Elder Scrolls, Final Fantasy
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Page 10

About Mark Smith

Mark has been thinking and writing about games since a Gameboy Pocket and a copy of Link's Awakening was first placed into his tender, seven-year-old hands.

Since then, he snagged a creative writing (BA) degree, roleplayed as a banker, an English teacher, and finally, a games writer – all while pursuing his true passion: inhabiting and creating virtual worlds.

As well as writing about, reading about, thinking about, talking about, dreaming about, and generally fantasizing about video games, Mark also dabbles with game development.

Proudest Gaming Achievement

I make my own video games (achievement unlocked!), which you can check out (and play for free) here:

https://markgsmith.itch.io/

Favorite Games

Mark's favorite game worlds are found in titles such as the Elder Scrolls, Metal Gear Solid, Jak and Daxter, and Guild Wars.

Favorite Console

The PS2 had all the bangers, but who can deny the divine right of PC gaming?

Latest

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Assassin's Creed: 6 Best Assassin Hideouts In The Series, Ranked

Every assassin needs a secret base for when the streets get too hot, but which game, from Assassin's Creed 2 to Syndicate, has the best hideout?

best elderly characters in video games
6 Best Elderly Protagonists In Video Games

Mastering a skill can take a lifetime, and elderly characters, like Assassin's Creed's Ezio, represent the zenith of wisdom, experience, and ability.

final fantasy 10 fates of characters
Final Fantasy 10: The Fates Of Every Playable Character

After achieving wide acclaim, Final Fantasy 10 expanded its story with a sequel, novel, and audio drama that took the story into new bold new places.

why Elder Scrolls fans should be excited about The Wayward Realms gameplay trailer
6 Details About The Wayward Realms Gameplay Trailer That Should Excite Elder Scrolls Fans

The Wayward Realms is an ambitious project, and with the gameplay trailer's release, Elder Scrolls fans may have another grand RPG to look forward to.

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5 mechanics open world minecraft far cry 3-2
5 Open-World Games That Introduced Mechanics That Became Standard For The Genre

Open-world games like Far Cry 3 and Minecraft left more than just a cultural impact; they seeded many future games with their trend-setting mechanics.

2
games with adaptive difficulty metal gear solid 5 chicken hat god hand mario cart 8
5 Best Games With Adaptive Difficulty

Most games' difficulties are set at the start screen, but a few titles such as Mario Kart 8 and The Phantom Pain match theirs to the player's skill.

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The Legend of Zelda: The Most Useless Items & Equipment In The Series

The Legend of Zelda series has produced some iconic weapons and items throughout its history, but also a few that missed the mark.

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arcanum fallout the outer worlds best games by tim cain feature
7 Best Games Worked On By Fallout Creator, Tim Cain

Game developer Tim Cain has some amazing games under his belt, including Fallout, but some are more well-known than others.

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5 RPGs Where You Become A Ruler

RPG protagonists are often leaders, but some RPGs, like Fable 3 and Ni No Kuni 2, see players take the crown as rulers of their own kingdoms.

Pokemon Games Pokemon Sword and Shield, Pokemon FireRed, Pokemon Go
Best Pokemon Game To Start With, Explained

Pokemon is a welcoming series, but some games are more accessible than others, depending on the player. Here are some tips to find a starting point.

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final fantasy for newcomers feature
Best Final Fantasy Games To Start Off With, Explained

With such a long and prestigious history, it can be difficult for newcomers of the Final Fantasy series to decide where to start. Here's how.

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medieval dynasty best items to sell
Medieval Dynasty: Best Items To Sell

In Medieval Dynasty, selling the right items could net players a lot of profit over the long run. These are some great examples.

fallout best game to start with for newcomers
Best Fallout Game To Start With, Explained

Thanks to the success of the Amazon Prime Fallout TV show, new fans are wondering which Fallout game they should start with. Here's how to find out.

final fantasy games with the most jobs-1
6 Final Fantasy Games With The Most Jobs, Ranked

After such a long and illustrious history, Final Fantasy has produced a wide variety of jobs, but which game serves up the most choice in one sitting?

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earliest games that used procedural generation daggerfall the sentinel minesweeper
6 Earliest Games That Used Procedural Generation

Procedural generation has been in vogue recently, thanks to titles like Minecraft and Starfield, but few know it was also used in the earliest games.

RPGs For Roleplaying Low Intelligence Characters
5 Best RPGs For Roleplaying Low Intelligence Characters

Some RPG fans enjoy playing exceptionally sharp characters in their adventures, but others just want to have a little mindless fun.

the elder scrolls series oldest characters
The Elder Scrolls: 7 Oldest Characters In The Series

The Elder Scrolls and their prophetic powers may defy time, and so do many characters from the series, with some reaching thousands of years of age.

badass women of the elder scrolls
The Elder Scrolls: 6 Most Badass Women in the Series

In the world of The Elder Scrolls, be it through might, magic, or mettle, women have been proving their badassery ever since the Dawn Era.

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Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of the Patriots Helena Dolph Jackson / Fortune, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater The Boss, Metal Gear Solid Sniper Wolf
7 Most Badass Women in the Metal Gear Solid Series

From putting down rogue forces to shaping world events from the shadows, many of the most important characters in Metal Gear Solid have been women.

Fallout Sentinel Sarah Lyons, Rose of Sharon Cassidy, Piper Wright
6 Most Badass Women in the Fallout Series

When it comes to taming the post-nuclear Wastelands, the women of Fallout not only survive with their hides intact but look good doing so.