Shayna Josi-Contributor

Staff Writer

Contributor

March, 2023
BA. Film, BA English Honours
Dragon Age, Baldur's Gate 3, The Elder Scrolls
  • 370
    articles
  • 559
    Features

About Shayna Josi

Shayna Josi is a Features Writer from South Africa. Shayna has always been passionate about stories, and has dedicated her life to learning how to tell them. Aside from writing about her favorite video games on the digital publication The Best War Games, Shayna has taught English in Japan, is a ghostwriter, copywriter, and editor in the publishing industry. Shayna enjoys traveling, and spends most of her time between South Africa, the EU, and Japan. She believes the best of people come out in the stories they tell, and with stories comes the power to connect people across any divide - be it language, geography, culture, or time. To this end, Shayna’s research at university dealt with narrative worlds within video games, and how they use their environments to tell stories. Her hope is that the incredible stories told through video games will be recognized as literary, just as much as traditional storytelling mediums. 

Industry Focus

Shayna’s industry focus is primarily on RPGs and life sims, but she does venture into cozy games if they're set to the backdrop of LotR. RPGs encompass everything from Dragon Age to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, with focus on commentary about character, storytelling, and game design. Life sims are also great vehicles for storytelling, with customizable environments allowing for imaginative sandbox gameplay. 

Favorite Games

Shayna’s favorite games are: The Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Hades, Baldur’s Gate 3, Dragon Age: Inquisition (with Trespasser), Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Journey. Hades and Hades 2 triggered a deep appreciation for the Classics, while KotOR and Oblivion formed the backdrop of her childhood.

Favorite Console

Shayna grew up playing games on her family’s desktop and fighting with her brother for her turn. Having her own PC to access whenever she wanted somewhere in her teens turned gaming from a habit into a full-blown obsession. She never got the chance to play console games and missed the Nintendo boat, but does admire it from afar and dreams of owning a Switch one day. She did once own a PlayStation 4 while living in Japan and enjoyed it immensely.

Latest

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Dungeons and Dragons is Flourishing After Baldur's Gate 3, and It Can Return the Favor

Many players went to Dungeons and Dragons after playing Baldur's Gate 3 but, even years later, DnD still doesn't have an obvious campaign.

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With Fairies Out of the Way, The Sims 4 Has Nowhere to Go But Up

The introduction of fairies to The Sims 4 marks the end of an era, but gives The Sims 4 an opportunity that it needs to grab with both hands.

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Fallout 76 May Have to Bite a Bullet it Has Long Dodged

Fallout 76 could become more accessible to more players very quickly if Bethesda embraced one strategy that has been holding it back for years.

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Why Cyberpunk 2077 is a Perfect Role Model for Baldur's Gate 4

Cyberpunk 2077 could be the biggest source of inspiration for Baldur's Gate 4 in some unexpected ways, helping set it apart from Baldur's Gate 3.

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With Grounded 2 Seemingly Keeping Obsidian's Hot Streak Going, All Eyes Are on One Game to Stick the Landing

Grounded 2's successful release is another check next to Obsidian's name in a successful 2025, with the cherry on top still on its way.

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You Only Need 5 Minutes With This Game to Know It’s Something Special

Games need to grab the attention of players within two hours, but this one takes just five minutes to invest players in a 40-hour story.

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This Gorgeous New Game Lets You Surf Through a Dead World

Players on the hunt for a relaxing game should mark August 19 on their calendars, as this game may be just what they are looking for.

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Why The Witcher 4 "Not Trying to Beat" Witcher 3 is the Best News Yet

Recent comments from The Witcher 4 developers make a compelling case for Ciri to forge her own path that's distinct from The Witcher 3.

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The Sims 4’s Expansion Packs are Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place

The Sims 4's many expansion packs add much-needed gameplay and items, but there are warning signs that a big problem is on the horizon.

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Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Has a Thousand Possible Spin-Offs Waiting in the Wings

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 offers players something fresh in a genre that's dominated by fantasy and sci-fi, offering unlimited opportunities.

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Fallout Has an Ace Up Its Sleeve That It May Never Get a Chance to Play

Fallout 5 has a rare opportunity that very few games get, but if Bethesda's track record is anything to go by, it probably won't take it.

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Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's Future DLC Shouldn't Be Afraid of a Change in Scenery

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One Oblivion Remastered Quest is Peak Elder Scrolls

Wisdom of the Ages in Oblivion Remastered appears simple but has more to it under the surface that makes it a defining The Elder Scrolls quest.

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Fields of Mistria's July Update Makes It a Must Play Cozy Game

Fields of Mistria's third official update added tons of new gameplay and interactions that cement it as a titan in the cozy game genre.

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The Witcher 4's Fast Travel System Already Seems Set in Stone

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Cyberpunk 2077 players are experimenting with patch 2.3's new content, but one build in particular makes the most out of the new content.

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A Fallout New Vegas Remastered Runs The Risk Of Being Another 'Oblivion Remastered'

Fallout: New Vegas is an obvious candidate for a successful remake, but it needs to avoid falling into the same trap as Oblivion Remastered.

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Cyberpunk 2077 2.3 May Be Hiding a New Update Teaser in Plain Sight

Some players are speculating about a possible future update for Cyberpunk 2077 thanks to some Night City additions that accompanied update 2.3.

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InZOI gets its first DLC in August, bringing new features, gameplay, and an entirely new way of living for Zois, no matter the city they live in.

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One Oblivion Remastered Quest Combines Two of The Game's Worst Glitches

Two of Oblivion Remastered's worst glitches come together in one quest that turn it into a minefield every time players take an action.

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