Staff Writer
Contributor
-
370articles
-
559Features
Page 6
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
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor's Most Controversial Character Needs to Make a Return in Zero Company
Zero Company's premise and setting means it could bring back Star Wars Jedi's most divisive character and show him in a different light.
After Hades 2 Lands on Switch 2, The First Game Should Be Close Behind
Hades 2's release on the Nintendo Switch 2 mirrors its predecessor and gives Supergiant Games a unique opportunity for the first Hades.
Dungeons and Dragons: The Pros and Cons of Multiclassing Explained
Multiclassing can give some of the most powerful Dungeons and Dragons builds, but it also comes with its drawbacks that need to be considered.
Which Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 8 Subclass Makes the Most Sense for Shadowheart?
Baldur's Gate 3 has a dozen new subclasses, and one in particular supplants Shadowheart's default in combat and is more fitting for her story.
Tales of the Shire Needs to Live Up to its Name and Namesake
Tales of the Shire is the latest addition to a story world that's greatly appreciated by millions, and needs to live up to its legacy.
Why InZOI's Declining Player Count Doesn't Necessarily Spell Trouble
InZOI's player count has dropped to record lows just three weeks after its release, but there's no reason for its players to panic just yet.
The Case for Fewer Companions in Mass Effect 4
Mass Effect 4 has the benefit of taking lessons from previous Mass Effect games, where sometimes a smaller squad may be better than more.
Dungeons and Dragons 5e: Why You Should Play a Gestalt Campaign
Dungeons and Dragons has many different options for gameplay, and a Gestalt campaign offers DMs and players a fresh approach from the past.
Why Baldur's Gate 3's New Sorcerer Subclass Fits Like a Glove
Baldur's Gate 3's Patch 8 introduces new subclasses, and the Shadow Magic Sorcerer feels like a standout, particularly during Act 2.
Star Wars: Zero Company Could Be the Yin to Jedi’s Yang
Star Wars: Zero Company is unlike Respawn's Star Wars Jedi series, giving Star Wars players more games to choose from different genres.
The Argument For and Against Ascending Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3
Astarion faces a crossroads in Act 3 of Baldur's Gate 3, and the path he takes has become one of the most controversial decisions in the game.
How Oblivion Remastered Could Fix Leveling
Oblivion Remastered may be dropping soon, and it could make some key improvements to one of the weirdest leveling systems in gaming.
Dungeons and Dragons: Curse of Strahd Makes a Case For Another Type of Horror Module
Curse of Strahd centers on the ever-popular vampire, but a small twist on Ravenloft's setting could give another popular D&D monster their due.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order - Why You Should Start Over in 2025
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is six years old but holds up well and is worth revisiting in 2025 for its gameplay and a refresh on Cal's story.
The Witcher 4’s Geralt Will Likely Be Similar to the Original in One Way
Geralt will be in The Witcher 4 and any possible changes to his character are currently unknown, but one thing is certain to be unchanged.
Baldur's Gate 3 and the Nintendo Switch 2 Would Be a Match Made in Heaven
The Nintendo Switch 2 and Baldur's Gate 3 both include features that would make them a surprisingly good combination for modern gamers.
Why April 11 is a Meaningful Day For Mass Effect Fans
April 11 is a day when Mass Effect fans commemorate Commander Shepard's lasting legacy on the franchise and the lives of millions of players.
Aside from The Sims, InZOI May Serve as a Strong Competitor for Another Underserved Genre
InZOI's features and customization even in Early Access may be enough to disrupt more than the life sim genre, giving another category a needed boost.
The Sims 4 Players Shouldn't Sleep on One Common Household Item
The Sims 4 players can't miss out on this essential Buy item that combines home clutter and functionality to change the entire household.
Months Ahead of Its Release, It’s Clear What Tales of the Shire’s Biggest Advantage Over Its Cozy Counterparts Is
Tales of the Shire releases July 29 and boasts one feature that many other cozy sims lack that is sure to become a staple moving forward.