Staff Writer
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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
8 Best RPGs For Story-Driven Gameplay With Minimal Combat
Some gamers enjoy RPGs for their combat encounters, but other RPG fans want to play games like Planescape and The Council where combat can be avoided.
7 Best Dark Fantasy Video Game Franchises, Ranked
Dark fantasy series like Diablo and Thief have delivered evolving worlds with rich lore and immersive nightmares across multiple installments.
Disco Elysium: Best Tips For A Physical Archetype Build
Disco Elysium is known for its cerebral narrative, but the physical archetype is a viable playstyle. These tips will help bruisers get the best start.
10 Biggest Traditions In The Elder Scrolls Series
From loot hoarding to meme-worthy guards, these traditions have shaped the Elder Scrolls experience across all games from Arena to Skyrim.
7 Most Idealistic Final Fantasy Characters, Ranked
Much of Final Fantasy's appeal lies in its idealistic characters, each striving for a better world through bold visions and unwavering optimism.
7 Most Iconic Cities In Open-World Games, Ranked
Thanks to their iconic designs, the cities of Grand Theft Auto, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Witcher are de facto capitals for gamers everywhere.
7 Most Iconic Dungeons In Elder Scrolls, Ranked
Oblivion, Morrowind, and Skyrim have some great dungeon experiences, but these underground gauntlets are The Elder Scrolls' most memorable and iconic.
Metal Gear Solid: The 8 Most Shocking Betrayals In The Series, Ranked
The Metal Gear Solid series is infamous for its shocking betrayals, unforgettable twists, and devastating revelations, but these are the most brutal.
7 Best Silent Protagonists Who Gained A Voice In Later Games
Silent characters can be powerful stand-ins for players, but in some games, like Dead Space and Jak & Daxter, the story demands they find their voice.
Final Fantasy: The 7 Strongest Dragoons In The Series, Ranked
Legendary lance-wielding fighters known for their jumps and unmatched aerial combat prowess, dragoons are one of Final Fantasy's most iconic jobs.
7 Best Indie Games That Look, Feel, And Play Like AAA Titles
With stunning visuals and immersive gameplay, indie games like Hollow Knight and Subnautica prove you don’t need a fortune to make a masterpiece.
6 Best Games About Surviving Life Underground
Open-world survival games are one thing, but games like Metro and Hollow Knight demonstrate how survival in the underworld can be just as fun.
7 Most Iconic Starter Towns In Video Games
The most important part of any game is its opening, and games like Skyrim and Fable usher in their players with delightful starter towns.
6 Open-World Games With The Most Cities And Towns, Ranked
Open-world games like Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Daggerfall bring worlds to life with sprawling cities, bustling towns, and endless roads between.
8 Best Exploits In The Elder Scrolls Series
Bethesda's Elder Scrolls series has always been buggy, but some glitches can be helpful to players of Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim.
7 Best Games Where You Can Get Turned Into A Vampire
Starting up a game about vampires is one thing, but transforming into one halfway through, like in Baldur's Gate 3 and Diablo 4, is something else.
7 Best Standalone Video Games That Began As Expansions Or DLC
Offshoot games, such as GTA: Vice City and Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, prove how expansions can evolve into groundbreaking, standalone hits.
8 Best cRPGs You Can Finish Without Recruiting Party Members
Adventures with friends are fun, but cRPGs like Fallout and Pillars of Eternity acknowledge that going solo is fun, too, letting players do just that.
8 JRPGs That Reinvented Turn-Based Combat
Turn-based combat is a cornerstone of JRPGs, but many games, such as Grandia and Super Mario RPG, have found a way to completely transform the format.
Guild Wars 2: Best Collection Achievements To Complete
There are many achievements to go for in Guild Wars 2, but these collection achievements stand out as the most rewarding.