Mark Smith-Contributor

Staff Writer

Contributor

May, 2023
Creative Writing (BA)
RPG, The Elder Scrolls, Final Fantasy
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Page 6

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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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.

Best Dark Fantasy Video Game Franchises, Ranked soul reaver diablo 4
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.

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disco elysium tips for a physical build
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.

Biggest Traditions In The Elder Scrolls Series
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.

Most Idealistic Final Fantasy Characters, Ranked Rinoa Tidus
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.

Most Iconic Cities In Open-World Games batman arkham asylum oblivion imperial city
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.

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Most Iconic Dungeons In Elder Scrolls, Ranked
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.

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Metal Gear Solid The 8 Most Shocking Betrayals In The Series, Ranked
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.

Best Silent Protagonists Who Gained A Voice In Later Games dead space jak and daxter
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.

The 7 Strongest Dragoons In The Series, Ranked kain freya
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.

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Best Indie Games That Look, Feel, And Play Like AAA Titles  hades subnautica
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.

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Best Games About Surviving Life Underground return to moria arx fatalis
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.

Most Iconic Starter Towns In Video Games
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.

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Open-World Games With The Most Cities And Towns, Ranked horizon forbidden west mount and blade daggerfall
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.

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Best Exploits In The Elder Scrolls Series
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.

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Best Games Where You Can Get Turned Into A Vampire-1
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.

Best Standalone Video Games That Began As Expansions Or DLC
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.

Best cRPGs You Can Finish Without Recruiting Party Members
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.

JRPGs That Reinvented Turn-Based Combat
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.

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Guild Wars 2 Best Collection Achievements To Complete-1
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.