Mark Smith-Contributor

Editorial Team

Contributor

May, 2023
Creative Writing (BA)
RPG, The Elder Scrolls, Final Fantasy
  • 311
    articles
  • 310
    Lists

Page 2

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

Open-World Franchises That Could Use A Break
6 Open-World Franchises That Could Use A Break

Open-world games like Fallout and Far Cry once redefined exploration and freedom. Now, they might need a breather before they wear out their welcome.

2
Best Open-World Game Series With Only Two Titles, Ranked
Best Open-World Game Series With Only Two Titles, Ranked

These open-world game series only had two entries, but from Metal Gear Solid to Middle-earth, they left a lasting mark with just a pair of titles.

Simulation Games That Let You Shape The World With Creativity, Ranked
6 Best Simulation Games That Let You Shape The World With Creativity, Ranked

In simulation games like Eco and The Sims, sculpting land, managing systems, and shaping society allow for surprising artistic expression.

Best Games That Embraced Inclusivity and Diversity
6 Best Games That Embraced Inclusivity and Diversity

From zombie apocalypses to pixel mountains, games like Celeste and The Walking Dead prove diversity can be heartfelt, weird, and fun.

Best Open-World Games With Camping Mechanics
6 Best Open-World Games With Camping Mechanics

Open-world games with immersive camping mechanics like Skyrim's survival mode or Red Dead Redemption 2's dynamic campsites help bring the outdoors in.

Open-World Games With Non-Combat Magic
Best 7 Open-World Games With Non-Combat Magic

From Skyrim to Tears of the Kingdom and Hogwarts Legacy, these open-world games let players use non-combat magic for creativity, stealth, and fun.

1
Open-World Games With The Most Realistic AI Companions
6 Best Open-World Games With The Most Realistic AI Companions

From Dragon’s Dogma 2 to Red Dead Redemption 2, these open-world games feature AI companions that think, react, and sometimes steal the show.

Open-World Space Games That You Can Explore In First Person
Open-World Space Games That You Can Explore In First Person

These are the best open-world space games with first-person exploration for immersive sci-fi adventures, ship piloting, and planetary discovery.

3
Best Final Boss Battles In Open-World Games, Ranked
Best Final Boss Battles In Open-World Games, Ranked

From a global calamity to void dragons, here are the most iconic final boss battles in open-world games, ranked by story, scale, and impact.

1
Best Survival Games That Let You Shape The World With Creativity, Ranked
6 Best Survival Games That Let You Shape The World With Creativity, Ranked

From Enshrouded to Conan Exiles, these games let you shape the world with creativity while fighting to survive, ranked by build freedom potential.

3
MixCollage-13-May-2025-01-56-PM-6940
Best Open-World Games That Promote Mindfulness, Ranked

These open-world games invite players to slow down, reflect, and play with intention, promoting mindfulness through exploration, stillness, and space.

Most Beloved Fallout Characters, Ranked
8 Most Beloved Fallout Characters, Ranked

From zombified gunslingers to mechanized fisticuff enthusiasts, here are the fan favorite characters everyone loves from the Fallout series.

Best Open-World Games You Can Finish Almost Instantly (If You Know How)
6 Best Open-World Games You Can Finish Almost Instantly (If You Know How)

From exploits to end boss rushing, open-world games like Far Cry and The Sabateur can be beaten in minutes via secret endings, mechanics, or choices.

2
Best Open-World Games That Are The Most Fun To Break
7 Best Open-World Games That Are The Most Fun To Break, Ranked

In these open-world games, glitches and exploits enhance the fun, from creative mechanics in TotK to developer-sanctioned chaos in Fallout 4.

1
Best Open-World RPGs That Let You Solve Quests Without Combat
7 Best Open-World RPGs That Let You Solve Quests Without Combat

These open-world RPGs let you talk, sneak, or think your way through quests, with no killing required, unless you want to.

Best Open World Games With Unique Map UI
7 Best Open World Games With Unique Map UI

From Skyrim’s tabletop vistas to Elden Ring’s golden parchment, these open-world games turn map reading into immersive art.

2
grand theft auto 6 Animals That Need To Be In The Game
GTA 6: 7 Animals That Need To Be In The Game

From fishable waters to killer snakes, these are the animals GTA fans want to see in Leonida in Grand Theft Auto 6.

Most Beloved Elder Scrolls Characters, Ranked
8 Most Beloved Elder Scrolls Characters, Ranked

From the daedric to the dramatic, these are the Elder Scrolls characters that fans have an undying love for and can’t stop talking about.

2
Why There Are Almost No Games Like Skyrim Or Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls: 9 Reasons There Are Almost No Games Like Skyrim Or Oblivion

From revolutionary mod support to Bethesda's worldbuilding design, there are many reasons why Skyrim and Oblivion are unmatched among open-world RPGs.

1
Best PS1 Remasters, Ranked
Best PS1 Remasters, Ranked

These PlayStation remasters, faithful restorations that preserve the past and future-proof beloved titles, bring classic PS1 games back to life.