Nick Rodriguez
Features Writer
Contributing since August, 2023
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231articles
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32News
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199Features
About Nick Rodriguez
Nick is a freelance writer specializing in video gaming and technology, with a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His steadfast and lifelong belief in the artistic power of video games led him to contributing to Game Rant 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 Articles
Why Valheim Fans Should Keep an Eye on Aloft
Upcoming indie game Aloft promises to offer a lighthearted, whimsical take on the survival genre, and it may be perfect for Valheim fans.
Former Rockstar Dev Reveals Why Claude Was a Silent Protagonist in GTA 3
Ex-Rockstar developer Obbe Vermeij pulls back the curtain on Grand Theft Auto 3's development, explaining why Claude never speaks in the game.
Dying Light 2 Launches Winter Tales Event
Techland announces the Winter Tales update for Dying Light 2, which brings new gear, enemies, side activities, and seasonal changes to the map.
3 Lessons Hades 2 Should Learn from God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla
God of War's Valhalla DLC does a lot of interesting things with the roguelike genre, and the upcoming Hades 2 should take some notes.
Max Payne Voice Actor James McCaffrey Has Died
James McCaffrey, the iconic voice behind video game characters like Max Payne, has sadly passed away at 65, following a battle with multiple myeloma.
A Charming Relationship in God of War Ragnarok's Valhalla DLC Makes Mimir Even Better
God of War Ragnarok's Valhalla DLC shows players a different side of Mimir, further fleshing out his already endearing personality.
Single-Player Games Naughty Dog Could Now Make Before The Last of Us 3
Naughty Dog has an established pedigree of high-quality single-player franchises, and it might be time to bring some of them back.
Comparing The Day Before's Base Building to Other Games
Like many other modern games, The Day Before features a settlement-building system, allowing players to craft custom home bases.
Why Marvel's Spider-Man 2's New Game Plus Mode Will Be Worth The Wait
Insomniac has delayed the New Game Plus mode for Marvel's Spider-Man 2, but it looks like it's coming alongside other highly requested updates.
Ghost of Tsushima Being Grounded is a Blessing and a Curse for the Sequel
Ghost of Tsushima is decidedly grounded in reality, and this presents both a unique opportunity and key restrictions for its successor.
Hogwarts Legacy's Sequel Needs to Achieve a Better Blend of Student and Explorer
Hogwarts Legacy, despite having many strengths, also has many flaws, and its balance of student life and open-world adventure is one of them.
Fntastic's Shutdown Only Makes The Day Before's Scam Accusations Worse
Amidst accusations of defrauding its customers, The Day Before developer Fntastic shuts down, which is hardly helping its case.
The Unwritten Rules of God of War Ragnarok's Valhalla DLC Explained
God of War's free Valhalla DLC has arrived, offering a fresh, roguelike twist on the franchise's familiar hack-and-slash combat.
Every Feature Confirmed About Arkane's Blade Game So Far
Marvel's Blade, officially revealed at The Game Awards this year, has the potential to be a promising superhero game from Arkane Studios.
A Free-to-Play Model Could Have Been The Day Before's Saving Grace
With The Day Before's launch proving to be as problematic as many were expecting, there was only one path forward for developer Fntastic.
The Day Before Continues a Frustrating RPG Class Trope
The Day Before has a lot of problems, but one of its most significant is its approach to class-building, which is unfortunately all too common.
Cyberpunk 2077's Game Awards 2023 Win Makes Little Sense
Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way since 2020, but its Best Ongoing Game victory at The Game Awards is strange and sets a bad precedent.
Dying Light 2's 2024 Roadmap Explained
Techland's Dying Light 2 is ramping up for another year of free updates, which will include new combat options, gear, and crossovers.
Why Mass Effect Fans Should Keep an Eye on Exodus
Exodus, an upcoming science-fiction RPG featured at The Game Awards, looks like it will be a perfect fit for fans of BioWare's Mass Effect franchise.
Hideo Kojima's New Horror Game Has Been a Long Time Coming
Hideo Kojima surprised gaming audiences with the announcement of OD at The Game Awards, as it follows the developer's complex history with the genre.