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Sam Stewart
Contributor
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19Reviews
About Sam Stewart
Writing on video games since 2017, Sam joined the GR ranks in summer 2022. Primarily penning reviews/previews, it's been his pleasure to work with the site. A partiular highlight was when he got to represent Game ZXC at a press preview event for The Lord of the Rings: Gollum (despite the lump of a game that it was, the event was fun!).
Since Sonic got his little white gloves on him, Sam has had an unquenchable passion for gaming. Not long after first exposure, that passion was stoked by Final Fantasy. Still charmed by JRPGs to this day, his horizons have also broadened to include a fascination with Souls-likes, Metroidvanias, and Indie titles of all sorts.
Sam loves tabletop RPGs too, and when he doesn't have a controller in his hand, he likely has his nose in a book. Either that or he's perusing some of the great Final Fantasy 14 guides here on GR. Shoutout to the Corgi minion guide.
Sam's particularly interested in TTRPGs and their influence on - or adaptations in - videogames. The earliest computer RPGs were heavily influenced by their tabletop forefathers, and many games bear the mark of that heritage, be they RPG or not. As two of his greatest interests continue to collide, with notable examples like Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous or Baldur's Gate, Sam can't wait to see what collaborations will come next.
Favorite Games
- Monster Rancher series, specifically MR 2 (childhood guilty pleasure)
- Final Fantasy 9
- Hades
- Hollow Knight
Honorable mentions:
- Baldur's gate 3 (still playing)
- Final Fantasy 14 (sprout here)
- Nancy Drew series (adulthood guilty pleasure)
Industry Focus
- RPGs of all kinds
- Indie scene
Proudest Gaming Achievement
After multiple attempts to get into the series, Dark Souls 1 finally clicked this year (2023). Finally completing it was an incredible feeling. Though the genre was an interest before, this achievement nurtured a deep fascination and love.
Latest
![Go Mecha Ball key art](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/go-mecha-ball-key-art-edited-1.jpg)
Go Mecha Ball Review
A wild fusion of genres, Go Mecha Ball mashes twin-stick shooter with pinball to create an incredibly fun, one-of-a-kind rogue-like.
![House Flipper 2 messy beach house](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/hous-flipper-2-messy-beach-house.png)
House Flipper 2 Review
No need to waste time on real chores when House Flipper 2 offers the same experience with more efficiency, fun, satisfaction, and a little jank.
![The Last Faith key art](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/the-last-faith-key-art.jpg)
The Last Faith Review
Though it may be easy to look at The Last Faith and think only of its inspirations, it's a solid Metroidvainia in its own right and worth playing.
![Hellboy Web of Wyrd shotgun](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/hellboy-web-of-wyrd-shotgun.jpg)
Hellboy Web of Wyrd Review
Hellboy Web of Wyrd is a roguelite brawler with fun, weighty action, but its lifeless storytelling and bland level design aren't much fun at all.
![MythForce characters](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/mythforce-characters.jpg)
MythForce Review
A serviceable roguelike, MythForce fails to follow through on its promise of nostalgic cartoon action.
![Wayfinder Senja fighting Snow Beast](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/wayfinder-senja-fighting-snow-beast.jpg)
Wayfinder Early Access First Impressions
Despite a rocky launch, new online action RPG Wayfinder is an ambitious, promising free-to-play title with some exciting ideas.
![OXENFREE 2 review](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/oxenfree-2-lamp.jpg)
Oxenfree 2 Review
Though it doesn't reach the heights of its predecessor, Oxenfree 2 tells an earnest, compelling story that remains a worthwhile experience.
![Aliens Dark Descent key art](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/aliens-dark-descent-key-art.jpg)
Aliens: Dark Descent Review
While Aliens: Dark Descent struggles against some of its own choices and troublesome bugs, a compelling, strategic experience awaits beyond.
![Planet of Lana chased by robots in desert](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/plantet-of-lana-chased-by-robots-in-desert.jpg)
Planet of Lana Review
Gorgeous indie platformer Planet of Lana is a great example of the genre, presenting a beautiful world, charming story, and some decent puzzles.
![Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Yoshitaka Amano art](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/final-fantasy-pixel-remaster-review-1.jpg)
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Switch Review
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is an excellent way to experience RPG history with new additions that more than make up for some oddities.
![Douglas Curse of the Sea Rats](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/douglas-curse-of-the-sea-rats.jpg)
Curse of the Sea Rats Review
Co-op 'ratroidvania' Curse of the Sea Rats is a breezy and charming adventure with a few leaks that could use some shoring up.
![LOTR Gollum orcs and villain trailer still](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/lotr-gollum-orcs-and-villain-trailer-still.jpg)
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum Preview
After seeing multiple delays, Daedalic Entertainment shows off its long-in-development stealth adventure, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.
![Elderand fighting Hideous Disciplinarian enemy](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/elderand-fighting-hideous-disciplinarian-enemy-2.jpg)
Elderand Review
Elderand is a competent Metroidvania offering but suffers from inconsistent bosses and a reluctance to dive deep enough into its inspirations.
![Afterimage metroidvania key art](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/afterimage-key-visual_1920x1080.jpg)
Afterimage Preview: A Gorgeous Blend of RPG and Metroidvania
Developer Aurogon Shanghai brings beautiful art to the beloved Metroidvania genre and combines it with some solid customization options.
![Stephen Kings IT movie](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/fan-video-shows-stephen-kings-it-in-unreal-engine-5.jpg)
Unreal Engine 5 Concept Video Imagines What a Stephen King's It Horror Game Would Be Like
Stephen King's horror classic comes to life with unsettling realism as a fan Unreal Engine trailer imagines what an IT game could look like.
![Cloud Strife from original Final Fantasy 7](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/final-fantasy-7-fan-hand-crafts-miniature-versions-of-all-clouds-weapons.jpg)
Final Fantasy 7 Fan Handcrafts Miniature Versions of All Cloud's Weapons
An artist and fan of Final Fantasy 7 creates hand-crafted miniatures of all 16 of Cloud's weapons in the style of the original game.
![Nintendo Switch controller and dock pink background](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/nintendo-planning-production-boost-of-aging-switch.jpg)
Nintendo Planning Production Boost of Aging Switch
Six years into its life-cycle, and despite analyst expectations, Nintendo is reportedly planning to increase production of Switch consoles.
![social media twitter logo office supplies auction](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/twitter-auctioning-assets-like-coffee-machines-office-chairs-gamezxc.jpg)
Twitter is Auctioning Off Assets Like Coffee Machines and Chairs
Twitter purges itself of a wide array of assets in an online auction, selling off various office implements, kitchen appliances, and more.
![relationship couple Skyrim](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/skyrim-romance-mod.jpg)
Skyrim Fan Gets Real-Life Amulet of Mara from Their Boyfriend
A Skyrim player's boyfriend gives them a real-life replica of what could be the game's most romantic accessory: the Amulet of Mara.
![Harry Potter playstation 1 graphics Hagrid](https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/playstation-1-hagrid.jpg)
Video Compares Old Harry Potter Game Graphics to Hogwarts Legacy
A clip of an old Harry Potter game next to the upcoming Hogwarts Legacy puts the difference in graphical fidelity in stark relief.