Critic at Large
Long-form design critic with a background in print and essay writing. Evaluates games as systems and cultural artifacts.
Game design systems, cultural criticism, long-form evaluation, and the intersection of games with broader media and art.
Julian worked for eleven years as a print essayist and cultural critic before shifting his focus entirely to games. He has written for literary magazines, design journals, and independent games publications. His approach treats games as systems worthy of the same analytical rigor applied to film or architecture — and he has little patience for criticism that mistakes enthusiasm for analysis.
Published Articles
16
As 'Kerbal Space Program' continues to evolve its unique approach to space exploration, 'Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2' redefines action-oriented gameplay. This piece examines how these titles illustrate a shift in genre expectations and player engagement.
As player counts fluctuate and server issues persist, understanding the deeper implications of server stability on player retention reveals a critical oversight in recent discussions about engagement in 'Tom Clancy's The Division® 2'.
As both titles navigate declining player counts, they reveal a deeper shift in what multiplayer shooters demand from their communities.
While much of the discourse surrounding 'Tom Clancy's The Division® 2' has centered on its combat mechanics and server issues, a deeper examination reveals a crucial design element that has gone overlooked: player engagement in the game's social systems and economies.
As 'Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®' experiences fluctuations in player engagement metrics, understanding its position within the broader gaming landscape is crucial. This analysis situates the title against its contemporaries, notably 'Tom Clancy's The Division® 2', revealing deeper implications for the shooter genre.
As player engagement fluctuates, we examine the demands placed on players by 'Modern Warfare', seeking to understand the implications of its design choices.
As 'Ready or Not' grapples with player feedback and server issues, it stands as a testament to the complexities of contemporary gaming culture, where immersive design intersects with community expectations.
In the wake of their launches, both 'Slay the Spire 2' and 'ARC Raiders' reveal deeper questions about player engagement, game economies, and what these titles demand from their players, a discourse often overshadowed by immediate gameplay critiques.
In an industry rife with comparison and commercial metrics, we must ask: how can journalism evolve to evaluate games on their own merits?
In a recent revelation, Joe Hendry, the WWE NXT Champion, expresses his admiration for the indie game They Are Billions, highlighting his passion for city-building games like Kingdoms and Castles.
The anticipated release of a new title for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 has been unexpectedly postponed, leaving fans and analysts questioning the implications for the platform's future.
Exploring the thematic and aesthetic implications of Resident Evil Requiem's design in the context of player engagement and cultural narratives.
Highguard, launched just 45 days ago, faces shutdown due to catastrophic player retention failures. This analysis dissects the design decisions, monetization strategies, and live-service missteps that led to its untimely demise.
A critical examination of the systems that define player agency and narrative complexity in Larian Studios' latest RPG masterpiece.
As Marathon emerges as a top contender in the gaming landscape, its implications for competitive play and player engagement warrant deeper exploration.
As two titles rise in the Steam rankings, a closer look at their design philosophies reveals contrasting player experiences and engagement mechanics.