Nick Rodriguez-Contributor

Staff Writer

Contributor

August, 2023
Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing, University of Illinois
Action RPG, From Software, Mass Effect
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About Nick Rodriguez

Nick is a freelance writer from Chicago, IL, with a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His lifelong belief in the artistic power of video games led him to contribute to The Best War Games and Screen Rant, platforms where he has managed to share helpful news content, thoughtful opinion pieces, and more than a few hot takes.

While he believes all gaming genres and categories have worth, Nick's interests lie primarily in the realm of single-player experiences, with hand-crafted stories, tight and challenging gameplay, and emotive, unique visual and audio design. On the industry side of things, he is committed to supporting creators, identifying and criticizing exploitation, and combating negativity and toxicity.

Aside from gaming, he enjoys long-distance running, reading, contributing to his blog, working on his Honda CX650C, writing fiction, and having a beer or two.

Favorite Games

- Bloodborne
- Disco Elysium
- Death Stranding
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Mass Effect 2
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Dead Space
- Signalis
- Hades
- BioShock
- Super Mario Galaxy
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Industry Focus

A bit of everything, but with a particular affinity for indie games, industry news, gaming events, and new technology.

Favorite Console

Easy win for the PS2.

Latest

Grand Theft Auto 6 Paul Bautista Loading Screen Art
Every Character Revealed for GTA 6 So Far (and What We Know About Them)

Although GTA 6 still feels far away, Rockstar Games has drawn back the curtain on some of its eccentric, unconventional cast members.

Mary Read and Anne Bonne Being Escorted in Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced: What Happens in Mary Read's Cut Content

Real-world female pirate Mary Read plays a significant role in Assassin's Creed: Black Flag, but this be even bigger in the rumored remake.

Crossing a bridge in Quake 1996
30 Years Later, You Can STILL Hop Into The Most Iconic FPS Multiplayer Of All Time And Slaughter Your Friends With A Nailgun

It might be old, but one seminal 1996 first-person shooter is still well worth your time all of these years later, especially with new upgrades.

new-game-like-stray-but-with-cats-game-rant
New Open-World Adventure Game on Steam is Basically Stray But With 9 Cats This Time Around

Stray might be the definitive "cat-like" game for many, but an upcoming project called Peace Island could offer a strong alternative.

Pixel Art of Original Duke Nukem
30 Years Later, One Of Gaming's Edgiest Anti-Heroes Still Hasn't Managed To Make Himself Cool Again

Though he was once a leading gaming mascot, one ridiculously macho protagonist has struggled to maintain relevance in the modern age.

6
Arthur Hosea and Charles Looking Upward in Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2: Why You Should Start Over in 2026

It was immediately praised as a masterpiece when it launched in 2018, but Red Dead Redemption 2 is just as good today as it was back then.

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witcher-3-vs-cyberpunk-2077-game-rant
The Witcher 3’s Rumored Surprise DLC Might Eventually Bring Everything Full Circle for Cyberpunk 2077 and CDPR

The Witcher 3 could very well be getting another DLC this year, improbable as it may seem, and this could set a good precedent for Cyberpunk 2077.

Skyrim PS3 PS4 PS5
15 Years Later, the Most Popular Open-World RPG Ever Made Has Been Released At Least Five Times

Despite first launching over a decade and a half ago, one of the biggest RPGs ever has seen rerelease after rerelease for better or worse.

Marvel's Spider Man Infamous City Backdrop
The 85 Metacritic PlayStation Exclusive that Does Superheroes Better than Marvel’s Spider-Man

PlayStation is running a tight ship with its superhero games, but one long-forgotten IP is arguably better than anything Sony's done in recent years.

Naoe from Assassin's Creed Shadows in front of The Jackdaw from Assassin's Creed Black Flag
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is Built with the Remains of Skull and Bones, the Wins of AC Shadows

Assassin's Creed Black Flag may be getting a remake soon, which will reportedly incorporate elements from both AC Shadows and Skull and Bones.

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Big Indie Games Releasing in 2026 Cairn, Don't Stop Girlypop, Mouse PI for Hire, MIO Memories in Orbit
The Most Exciting Games Right Now Aren’t Coming From the Studios You Think

Some of the best games of the last few years have come from unexpected sources, and it's looking like 2026 might be no different.

The Forsaken Hollows Elden Ring Nightreign Sorcerers
What to Expect from Elden Ring Developer FromSoftware in 2026

FromSoftware, the studio behind Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and more, has a busy year ahead of it, releasing at least one major project, and likely more.

Mewgenics Cat with a Siamese Twin
New Roguelite Cat Game on Steam Promises to Keep You Busy for 200 Hours

A delightfully disgusting tactical RPG is releasing on Steam this year, and it's making some lofty promises about its playability.

prototype remaster
Forget Prototype, It's Time Activision Revives a Game That Defined the Mid-2000s Era

Prototype could be making a comeback soon, according to various reports, but Activision shouldn't sleep on reviving another classic IP as well.

Slay the Spire and Persona Key Art Combined
Surprisingly Deep Free-to-Play RPG on Steam Plays Like Slay the Spire Wrapped in Persona’s Presentation

A modern tactical gacha game may have flown under the radar for some, but it really shouldn't, as it's a powerful blend of strategic gameplay and art.

Protagonist of Never Grave in Key Art
What Is Never Grave, the Hollow Knight-Like Game Coming From Palworld's Publisher in 2026?

Palworld publisher Pocketpair is releasing a new game this year: one that vibes alongside Hollow Knight: Silksong and other metroidvanias.

A Wide Shot of Maklu IV in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
The 86 Metacritic Spacefaring Action Adventure Game That Nails Star Wars-Style Set Pieces Better Than Most Licensed Games

Star Wars games can be hit and miss, as evidenced by one 2021adventure game that does Star Wars justice, while having nothing to do with the IP.

The Witcher 3 Blood and Wine Key Art
The Witcher 3's 2026 Expansion is All-But-Confirmed, But You Should Go In Expecting Some Big Changes

It really looks like The Witcher 3 is getting another DLC, more than ten years after its initial launch, but you should be prepared for a fresh take.

hades-vampire-survivors-blasphemous-game-rant
New Dark Fantasy Rogue‑Survival RPG on Steam is a Hodgepodge of Hades, Vampire Survivors, & Blasphemous

An upcoming action-RPG seeks to blend the intensity of Hades with the dark fantasy of Blasphemous and the unbridled chaos of Vampire Survivors.

skull-and-bones-windrose-game-rant
New Pirate Survival Game on Steam Might Be the Game Skull and Bones Wanted to Be (With Souls-lite Combat and Valheim's Crafting Depth)

Skull and Bones didn't exactly land with a splash when it launched in 2024, but a new pirate game could come along to pick up the gauntlet soon.

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