Games for Change: Can Video Games Promote Mental Health (Literacy)?
How many problems can games solve? With serious games and gamification, the discussion of games has at times turned from ”games are ruining the youth” into ”games might heal the…
Reviews and essays about media related to games
Montage by author
Mario Kart’s Competitive Scene: Real Esport or Utopian Dream?
What happens when Mario Kart players take racing seriously? See how the #community created its own #competitive world. From #fan leagues to the new Mario Kart World updates, no help from #Nintendo required. #Esports #Switch2
Highguard’s Lows
The game reached High-guard, but fell low due to unfair expectations and review bombing. Or is that what really happened? In this critical essay, I take a look at what happened to Geoff Keighley’s darling, Highguard.
From Tiny Indie Game to Horror Film Hit
What is Iron Lung, and why’s everyone talking about it? #movies #indie
Vampire Survivors – A humble game that took the video game industry by storm
Since its release, Vampire Survivors has become a phenomenon. But what is exactly Vampire Survivors is and what is the reason behind its appeal? #BulletHeaven #VampireSurvivors #IndieGame
The Indie is king cultural phenomena
The popularity of indie games cannot be overstated, but have they become so popular that they can be considered leaders of the gaming industry? In fact, they have become so popular that many video game fans prefer indie over AAA games.
The Lore of Taverna: An Interview with One of the Founders of Finland’s First Board Game Café
When I enter Taverna, it is already lively for a Wednesday evening. It is a quiz night, and the person I’m here to interview – Jani Mikkonen – is hosting…
The Devil’s Game
All roads lead to Rome, so what other choice does a gambling man have than to head back into the den? We discuss Roulette (a.k.a. The Devil’s Game), the love of my life. How does it work? What kind of experience should you expect when playing it? And, why does it have such an odd epithet?
Three Finnish games to look forward to in 2026
Really interesting Finnish games will be released this year. When talking about upcoming game releases in 2026, most people probably have in mind GTA VI, which has been described as…
Montage by author
Guess, Betray, Repeat: How “word impostor” became last month’s most addictive Guessing Game
One secret word. One unknowing faker. Endless accusations. How this paper-slip party game #WordImpostor infiltrated #TikTok feeds. Learn its simple rules, about the new apps to play, and discover why nothing beats the old-school bowl full of papers. #PartyGames #SocialDeduction
Getting Strategic with Sonic Super Teams
If you’re looking for a competitive boardgame for ages seven and up, Sonic Super Teams is worth considering even if you don’t know the franchise. #SonicTheHedgehog #Boardgame #FamilyGame
How Gambling Took Over Gaming
Everyone dreams of winning the lottery. Few manage to, and even more spend their entire lives trying. Now, gambling disguised as mechanics is getting increasingly normalized, and soon, gaming will be synonymous with taking a risk. This article is a critique of the current state of the industry.
Actually Good Card Games (Not Boring!) (Real)
Trapped inside this winter? Maybe it’s time to play some good ol’ card games. I have some recommendations
Expedition 33’s potentially problematic player power progression
I am going to complain about difficulty balancing and being overpowered for roughly 1000 words. No story spoilers included.
How to Fund Your Game? A Report on “Get Funded! – How to Start Your Game Start-Up”
The game industry today is larger than it has ever been before. This also means that there is considerable money to be made in the video game industry. However, money begets money, and game development requires a lot of it. This is where “Get Funded!” comes in. #indie #funding #gamedevelopment
Guy With 100+ Hours In Balatro Tries Poker (not clickbait)
And maybe you should too! #cardgames #poker
The Finnish Museum of Games is a window into Finnish gaming history
The Finnish Museum of Games is a place that everyone who lives in or visits Finland and loves video games should see.The versatile museum center Vapriikki in Tampere offers its…
Xbox at a crossroads
It's been a long time since the early days of Xbox. This thought forcibly takes over my mind when I look at the current Xbox consoles. It feels like everything…
How Valve is trying to re-shape the Counter-Strike skin ecosystem
Counter-Strike 2 newest update has shaken the skin market to its core, with virtual items prices both skyrocketing and plummeting in value. But could this be a strategy by Valve…
When Death Stranding Got Too Serious
When a novel’s prologue describes someone being eaten by a monstrous woman and defecated on to a beach, you know you’re in for something special. But what should an #adaptation of #DeathStranding keep in mind to truly succeed? #Novelization