Matt Karoglou
Feature Writer
Contributing since March, 2023
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299articles
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299Features
About Matt Karoglou
Matt Karoglou is a freelance writer and musician who has been playing video games for 36 years and writing about them for almost as long. When he's not editorializing about the intricacies and brilliance of the Shmup genre or playing Resident Evil for the thousandth time, he can be found most days listening to metal and hardcore records while enjoying indie titles on his Steam Deck.
Industry Focus
Primarily writes about RPGs, indie titles, Metroidvanias, Soulslikes, and the Resident Evil series. Interested in all things Square Enix and Capcom, and occasionally dabble in the industry-focused hardware piece here and there.
Favorite Games
As a massive Resident Evil fan, the original, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 4 all rank among some of my all-time favorite games (both their initial releases and remakes). I'm also a huge fan of Metroidvanias and try to play as many as I can get my hands on. While my all-time favorites will always be the portmanteau's origins (Super Metroid and Castlvania: Symphony of the Night), Hollow Knight, both Ori games, and both Blasphemous games also rank high as some of my favorites in the genre. Special shout out to Chrono Trigger and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past as quite possibly my first and second favorite games of all-time, as well as Final Fantasy IV ranking somewhere in the top 5.
Favorite Console
I cut my teeth on the NES just in time for the SNES to arrive right as I was 6 years old, and the Super Nintendo will always have a special place as one of my all-time favorite consoles. Right behind it, though, is the PlayStation. Some of my favorite franchises have either their series highlights (Castlevania, Final Fantasy) or origins (Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil) on the PS1, cementing it as an all-timer for me. Picking between the SNES and PS1 would be nearly impossible, as both have some of the most impressive libraries in the history of gaming.
Latest Articles
The Thaumaturge's Manipulation Powers Add Tons of Replayability
Game Rant's discussion with The Thaumaturge developer Fool's Theory provides insight into the game's Manipulation mechanics.
The Thaumaturge's Concept Art Shows How Its Overarching Design Has Evolved
Concept artwork for upcoming CRPG The Thaumaturge gives players a window into what they might expect from its world and characters.
The 10 Best RPGs of 2023
Perhaps no other gaming genre shone more brightly in 2023 than RPGs, with the year's Game of the Year winner in tow to prove it.
The 15 Best Indie Games of 2023
Not to be outdone by their AAA counterparts, indie games of 2023 quickly proved their releases to be wholly unique and memorable.
After Tears of the Kingdom, The Next Zelda Game Should Return to One BotW Strategy
The future of the Zelda franchise is wide-open, but there's still plenty of valuable lessons to be learned from the launch of Breath of the Wild.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Might Have Unexpected Competition in Tales of Kenzera: Zau
Tales of Kenzera: Zau joins the next game in the Prince of Persia series as one of 2024's early titles and as a Metroidvania from a AAA publisher.
Metaphor ReFantazio's Release Window is Perfect for Keeping Up Hype Before Persona 6
Atlus' Metaphor: ReFantazio is quickly becoming one of 2024's most anticipated releases, and its projected launch date is well-timed for Persona fans.
Metal Gear Solid Delta is Walking a Tightrope with One Feature
The upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater has some very big shoes to fill when it comes to one iconic aspect of its gameplay.
No Rest for the Wicked's Combat Will Be Its Proving Ground After Ori
Moon Studios' new game was revealed at The Game Awards and it's already looking to be a massive departure from the team's Ori games.
Visions of Mana Underscores 2024 as a Big Year for JRPGs
The surprise announcement of a brand-new game in the long-running Mana series adds yet another anticipated JRPG to a stacked year for the genre.
5 Games From 2023 to Play While Waiting for Hollow Knight: Silksong
The Metroidvania genre truly stepped-up in 2023 to provide some experiences that made the continued wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong less noticeable.
How to Get Into the Yakuza Series Ahead of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
The Like a Dragon series can be somewhat intimidating to new players, but it's one of the most rewarding open-world franchises out there.
One Year Later, Midnight Suns' Unique Premise Deserves a Full Sequel
On the anniversary of Midnight Suns' release, looking back at its one-of-a-kind approach to tactics gameplay raises hopes for a follow-up.
10 Video Games You May Have Missed in 2023
With 2023 being one of the most packed release years in gaming history, there's a chance many players may have missed some gems.
After 5 Years, Darksiders 3 Still Shows the Merit in a Streamlined Soulslike
Darksiders 3 switches things up for both its franchise and Soulslikes by being more straightforward than most games in the genre.
Silent Hill 2 Remake Will Be a 'Faithful' Remake, But Should It Be?
The best remakes tend to walk a fine line between nostalgia and innovation, and Silent Hill 2's remake has some very big shoes to fill.
The Unwritten Rules of Soulslikes Explained
The Soulslike genre can be an intimidating one to break into, but there are some key mechanics and great tutorial games for acclimating newcomers.
Why Hollow Knight and Anime Fans Should Keep an Eye on Tevi
Tevi is yet another excellent-looking Metroidvania filling the vaccuum in the absence of any updates on Hollow Knight: Silksong.
The Unwritten Rules of Final Fantasy 16 Explained
Final Fantasy 16 is not a typical game in Square Enix's flagship franchise, requiring players to adapt to a whole new set of rules.
Final Fantasy 16: Every Franchise Tradition the Latest JRPG Broke
Final Fantasy 16 represents an intentional departure for the long-running JRPG series, and it ended up definitively carving out its own path.