Mark Smith
Contributor
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About Mark Smith
Mark has been thinking and writing about games since a Gameboy Pocket and a copy of Link's Awakening was first placed into his tender, seven-year-old hands.
Since then, he snagged a creative writing (BA) degree, roleplayed as a banker, an English teacher, and finally, a games writer – all while pursuing his true passion: inhabiting and creating virtual worlds.
As well as writing about, reading about, thinking about, talking about, dreaming about, and generally fantasizing about video games, Mark also dabbles with game development.
Proudest Gaming Achievement
I make my own video games (achievement unlocked!), which you can check out (and play for free) here:
https://markgsmith.itch.io/
Favorite Games
Mark's favorite game worlds are found in titles such as the Elder Scrolls, Metal Gear Solid, Jak and Daxter, and Guild Wars.
Favorite Console
The PS2 had all the bangers, but who can deny the divine right of PC gaming?
Latest
13 Best Political Sim Games, Ranked
Gamers who are interested in politics should check out these politically-fueled simulation games.
6 Details About The Wayward Realms Gameplay Trailer That Should Excite Elder Scrolls Fans
The Wayward Realms is an ambitious project, and with the gameplay trailer's release, Elder Scrolls fans may have another grand RPG to look forward to.
8 Best Open-World Video Game Franchises
It takes hundreds of devs and millions of dollars to make the open-worlds of Fallout 4 and The Witcher 3, but which series are surviving and thriving?
5 Open-World Games That Introduced Mechanics That Became Standard For The Genre
Open-world games like Far Cry 3 and Minecraft left more than just a cultural impact; they seeded many future games with their trend-setting mechanics.
5 Best Games With Adaptive Difficulty
Most games' difficulties are set at the start screen, but a few titles such as Mario Kart 8 and The Phantom Pain match theirs to the player's skill.
The Legend of Zelda: The Most Useless Items & Equipment In The Series
The Legend of Zelda series has produced some iconic weapons and items throughout its history, but also a few that missed the mark.
The Legend of Zelda: 6 Most Useless Upgrades Link Has Ever Gained
Regular progression is essential to good game pacing, but as some upgrades in The Legend of Zelda demonstrate, upgrades can be tricky to get right.
7 Best Games Worked On By Fallout Creator, Tim Cain
Game developer Tim Cain has some amazing games under his belt, including Fallout, but some are more well-known than others.
5 RPGs Where You Become A Ruler
RPG protagonists are often leaders, but some RPGs, like Fable 3 and Ni No Kuni 2, see players take the crown as rulers of their own kingdoms.
Best Pokemon Game To Start With, Explained
Pokemon is a welcoming series, but some games are more accessible than others, depending on the player. Here are some tips to find a starting point.
6 Video Games With The Best Hint Systems
There's a fine line between fun and frustration when it comes to adventure games, but these great titles found a way to walk the tightrope with style.
Best Final Fantasy Games To Start Off With, Explained
With such a long and prestigious history, it can be difficult for newcomers of the Final Fantasy series to decide where to start. Here's how.
Final Fantasy: Most Experimental Games In Square Enix's Franchise
The Final Fantasy series remains a cultural cornerstone, perhaps because of its ability to evolve and experiment, even after finding success.
Medieval Dynasty: Best Items To Sell
In Medieval Dynasty, selling the right items could net players a lot of profit over the long run. These are some great examples.
Best Fallout Game To Start With, Explained
Thanks to the success of the Amazon Prime Fallout TV show, new fans are wondering which Fallout game they should start with. Here's how to find out.
6 Final Fantasy Games With The Most Jobs, Ranked
After such a long and illustrious history, Final Fantasy has produced a wide variety of jobs, but which game serves up the most choice in one sitting?
6 Earliest Games That Used Procedural Generation
Procedural generation has been in vogue recently, thanks to titles like Minecraft and Starfield, but few know it was also used in the earliest games.
6 Most Influential Turn-Based JRPGs, Ranked
Japanese developers have produced some great roleplaying games, such as Persona and Final Fantasy, but which have been the most influential?
5 Best RPGs For Roleplaying Low Intelligence Characters
Some RPG fans enjoy playing exceptionally sharp characters in their adventures, but others just want to have a little mindless fun.
Grand Theft Auto: 5 Darkest Side Missions In The Series, Ranked
Grand Theft Auto has never been afraid to get a little dark, but these side missions prove that players will go out of their way to play sinister.