Game ZXC

Jake Buchalter-Staff Writer

Jake Buchalter

Staff Writer

Qualifications 5+ Years in the Gaming Journalism Industry, 10+ Years Experience in the Design & Illustration industries, & 25+ Years of Experience gaming in general
Expertise
Indie Games, Roguelike, Fighting
  • 783
    articles
  • 1
    News
  • 497
    Lists
  • 284
    Guides
  • 1
    Other

About Jake Buchalter

Jacob Buchalter (he/him) is a full-time Staff Writer based in the US and is an all-around creative media-obsessed individual who truly cares a bit too much about pop culture media, art, and all things gaming. He also streams games to show his obsessions over at FoolJuice on Twitch.

Jake is a perfectionist honestly to his own detriment, as he'll almost always at least triple-check any information he puts into any article to make sure it's correct (feel free to let him know if there's anything he missed).

Additionally, Jacob Buchalter is an absolute lore fiend when it comes to any IP, and will almost always have all the lore in his brain ready to gush about if anyone ever gives him an excuse to do so. 

Jake also has a relatively diverse background in the creative industry, as he has worked in many different fields and has experience with a lot of different mediums & formats. Lastly, Jake has a deep love and respect for any artist in the gaming industry, especially in regard to character design or UI/UX design, since he has illustration, design, and motion graphic experience himself. 

Proudest Gaming Achievement

Getting every Steam Achievement in a game called Enter the Gungeon. That game has a truly overwhelming amount of content in it and it only gets more difficult the further you go, so fully clearing it out was not only a ton of fun but also incredibly rewarding.

Favorite Games

My favorite games list is always growing every year, but off the top of my head, I would say Enter the Gungeon, Hades, Hades 2, Metal Gear Solid IV: The Phantom Pain, Skul: The Hero Slayer, Risk of Rain 2, Deep Rock Galactic, any Monster Hunter game, Remnant 2, Bloodborne, Tiny Rogues, and Atomicrops.

Industry Focus

My focus in a broader sense is on the gaming industry as a whole, with a secondary focus on the different artistic fields related to gaming such as UI Design, UX Design, Character Design, Environmental Art, Effects Design (AKA VFX), and so on.

In a more specific sense, my focus is typically on the roguelike, soulslike, and all-around indie areas of the gaming industry as a whole. I've put so much time into so many different roguelikes as well as soulslikes, and I have so much respect for indie developers for the massive workload they take on to create a game.

Latest

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree - Divine Bird Warrior Armor Set Guide Header Image-1
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - How To Get Divine Bird Armor Set

The Divine Bird Warrior Armor Set is absolutely one of the most unique new sets in Shadow of the Erdtree. Here's how to get it in Elden Ring.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree - Claws of Night Header Image Guide
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - How To Get Claws of Night

The Claws of Night are one of the most 'involved' new weapons to obtain in Shadow of the Erdtree. Here's how to obtain them, exactly.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree - Bonny Butchering Knife Header Image
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - How To Get Bonny Butchering Knife

While Bonny Village may sound like a quaint or even cute place from the name, it's anything but. And, you can find the Bonny Butchering Knife there.

Elden Ring - Ascetic Set Guide Header Image
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - How To Get Ascetic's Set

The Ascetic's Set in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree is just one of many brand-new Armor Sets. Still, it's a unique one, so here's how to get it.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree - Knight's Lightning Spear Guide Header Image-1
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - How To Get Knight's Lightning Spear Incantation

The Knight's Lightning Spear Incantation is just a stronger Lightning Spear, so let's go over exactly where you can find it in Elden Ring's DLC.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree - Aspect of the Crucible Bloom Location Header Image-1
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - How To Get Aspects of the Crucible: Bloom (& What It Does)

The Aspects of the Crucible Incantations in Elden Ring are all incredibly unique, but Bloom is by far the most unique. Here's where to find it.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree - Leda's Sword Guide Header Image-1
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - How To Get Leda's Sword

Leda's Sword is one of the best new weapons added in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring. But, obtaining this weapon takes a bit of work.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree - Dane's Footwork Location Guide Header Image
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - How To Get Dane's Footwork

Dane's Footwork is the other Hand-to-Hand Martial Art to find in Shadow of the Erdtree alongside Dryleaf Arts. Here's where to get it exactly.

Elden Ring - Innard Meat Header Image
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - How to Get & Use Innard Meat

Innard Meat is one of the many new consumables added to the new Elden Ring DLC, and it actually has a use. Here's exactly what this item is and does.

Elden Ring - Rauh Ancient Ruins Map Fragment Guide Header Image
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - Rauh Ruins Map Fragment Location

A lot of the Map Fragments in Shadow of the Erdtree are more difficult to find than they might seem. Here's where to find the Rauh Ruins Map exactly.

Elden Ring - Pest Threads Incantation Header Image
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - How To Get Pest-Thread Spears Incantation

The Pest-Thread Spears are another new Incantation that can be found in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC & here's where to find it.

Elden Ring - Divine Bird Feathers Incantation Guide Header Image
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - How to Get Divine Bird Feathers Incantation

There are so many new items to find across Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Here's where to find one particular Incantation.

Manhwa With MCs Who Suffer Header Image
8 Best Manhwa Where The Protagonist Is Always Struggling

There are many different manhwa to read out there, but not a ton with a protagonist who is so constantly in danger, here are the best ones to read.

Elden Ring - Deathroot Locations Guide Header Image
Elden Ring: Deathroot Locations

Deathroot is a Key Item collectible needed for multiple NPC questlines in Elden Ring, but it can be rather difficult to find them all.

Elden Ring Best Gear & Equipment For A Stance-Breaking Build featured image
Elden Ring: Best Gear & Equipment For A Stance-Breaking Build

Elden Ring's Stance Break mechanic is an underexplained system that's difficult to build around, but these items should at least help.

Video Game Punches Wallpaper
Best Games That Let You Simply Punch Stuff

Punching feels good in just about any game. But here are some games where they really let you go wild punching anyone in sight.

Multiversus - Tom n Jerry Best Perks Header Image
Multiversus: Tom & Jerry Perk Build Guide

Tom and Jerry are one of Multiverus' most unique inclusions, but they're hard to learn. To help with this, let's look at their best Perks overall.

What Changes Would You Like To See in MultiVersus to Improve the Game?

MultiVersus has quite a few features that set it apart from the standard platform fighter model we're familiar with, but there are some additional updates that would really take it to a new level. Having more options in local couch co-op play would be terrific for those wanting to compete alongside their friends, not just against them.

Multiversus - Wonder Woman Best Perks Header Image
Multiversus: Wonder Woman Perk Build Guide

With the right Perks, MultiVersus' Wonder Woman can become absurdly strong. With that in mind, let's look at her best choices.

Harley Quinn Perks Header Multiversus
Multiversus: Harley Quinn Perk Build Guide

For the Assassins in MultiVersus, Perks actually matter quite a bit --and this includes Harley Quinn. So, let's look at her best options.

1 2 3 4 5