Robin Valentine
Formerly the editor of PC Gamer magazine (and the dearly departed GamesMaster), Robin combines years of experience in games journalism with a lifelong love of PC gaming. First hypnotised by the light of the monitor as he muddled through Simon the Sorcerer on his uncle’s machine, he’s been a devotee ever since, devouring any RPG or strategy game to stumble into his path. Now he's channelling that devotion into filling this lovely website with features, news, reviews, and all of his hottest takes.
Latest articles by Robin Valentine
![A close up on Davrin, a Grey Warden, in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vToGkjexfVHdoNHDLwByXW-320-80.png)
Is it just me, or do the newly revealed companions of Dragon Age: The Veilguard look like they're in a hero shooter?
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS Your party this time will include a detective, a necromancer, and Scout Harding, but I'm not sure their debut has set quite the right tone.
![An orc reading a book in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mqzZFxMfbaG8fCcg8zptUL-320-80.jpg)
From abandonware to zoning: 91 terms every PC gamer should know
By Robin Valentine published
MY WORD! The essential vocabulary of the distinguished personal computer enjoyer.
![Mutated rats in Skald: Against the Black Priory.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dyPFHE33e5btHNR9ckuBW9-320-80.jpg)
The best thing about this retro fantasy RPG is that I keep forgetting it's actually Lovecraftian horror
By Robin Valentine published
SKALD BLOODED Skald: Against the Black Priory is a brilliantly unsettling blend of genres.
![Alan Wake with a glowing bullet hole in his forehead in Alan Wake 2.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZmYEhFa8zmhtDTfADVHy9X-320-80.png)
The best horror games on PC
By Jody Macgregor last updated
UPDATED These are the best horror games you can play on PC.
![Superhero Facet protected by his crystal armour in Capes.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KF9SNPV97wLkMmpDzcwfCa-320-80.jpg)
Capes review: This excellent turn-based strategy game turns superhero combat into a brain-twisting tactical puzzle
By Robin Valentine published
SUPED UP Every hero has their unique super-strengths in this wonderfully intense turn-based strategy game.
![A close up of Senua's face in Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kjv4nzno7qgvUfywfZyvyN-320-80.jpg)
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 review: A muddled tale that Senua herself feels out of place in
By Robin Valentine published
PLOD OF WAR Visually spectacular but narratively limp, this cinematic sequel fails to find a new path for Senua.
![A warrior on horseback looking out at the Erdtree in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZQoWX6EsgxuLgFtUow2LAR-320-80.jpg)
The best open world games
By Robin Valentine last updated
vast travel Looking to escape into a new open world? Check out our expert recommendations.
![One of the Chosen in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CKPynSQvq4gyrfXYNpWERf-320-80.jpg)
I love that Jake Solomon is following his life sim passions, but just give me a minute to mourn XCOM
By Robin Valentine published
EX-COM The turn-based strategy genre is more alive than ever, but I've lost hope we'll ever get another great sequel to the series that shaped it.
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DnMLhKZ8pzoJcn4LwtmZam-320-80.jpg)
This year's Warhammer Skulls event, presented by actor Rahul Kohli, will have new reveals for Space Marine 2, Boltgun, and more—plus an up to 90% off sale on Warhammer games
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS In the grim darkness of the near future, there is only games news.
![A close up of the helmet of a 501st clone trooper, modded into Helldivers 2.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Uq7UZt5xWhi2Ngokh8iTrS-320-80.jpg)
Helldivers 2 and Star Wars collide in this amazing mod, due for release "later this week"
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS Automatons become Separatist battle droids as Captain Rex and Hunter airdrop into the war.
![A close-up of a Pip Boy from the Fallout tabletop RPG.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zewoffGqTEN7y4fz9JuUbd-320-80.png)
The coolest tabletop RPGs based on videogames, from Fallout to Dragon Age
By Robin Valentine published
PIXEL TO PAPER You'd be surprised how many of your favourite games have pen-and-paper adaptations.
![The heroes of Divinity: Original Sin 2.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SYjKtM2xuc9yJdaBAecTfP-320-80.png)
The Divinity: Original Sin board game took 6 years to make because Larian was determined to do right by the series: 'We're not going to do a piss poor job with a game that's part of an IP that we care about'
By Robin Valentine published
ABOVE BOARD Publishing coordinator Kieron Kelly on Larian's enduring love for Divinity and tabletop gaming.
![The box of the Divinity: Original Sin board game on a table.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bw3ZHFPPwtbAGHDHrFMkr8-320-80.jpg)
The Divinity: Original Sin board game is like a huge new Larian RPG in a box, and it's one of the coolest games I've ever played
By Robin Valentine published
DIE-VINITY Cards and dice and all things nice.
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FXhsk9wTxWvr2E9v7CUUED-320-80.jpg)
Games Workshop has announced a board game based on Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, but, uh, maybe don't get too excited
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS Fatshark finally get a tabletop tie-in, but it doesn't look set to do the videogame justice.
![Superhero Facet protected by his crystal armour in Capes.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KF9SNPV97wLkMmpDzcwfCa-320-80.jpg)
Superheroes and XCOM collide in this brilliantly tense and tactical turn-based strategy game
By Robin Valentine published
SPANDEXCOM Capes' unique characters, tricky teamwork, and punchy mission design make it a really exciting addition to the genre.
![Lae'zel, face covered in blood, stands in the Astral Plane](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/irRoeQH8qnDqjJSNJsEgc9-320-80.jpg)
Hasbro wants to make another Baldur's Gate sequel but it's early days yet: 'We certainly hope that it's not another 25 years'
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS "We're now talking to lots of partners and being approached by a lot of partners who are embracing the challenge of, what does the future of the Baldur's Gate franchise look like?"
![A samurai looking up at the vast shadow of the Shogun in Shogun Showdown.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pgt74SQzb7YLs5SbcciQKU-320-80.png)
My new roguelike obsession is a turn-based strategy game that makes you feel like a samurai John Wick
By Robin Valentine published
SLICE OF LIFE Shogun Showdown is one part Slay the Spire, one part Into the Breach, and one part Kurosawa movie.
![A close up of a woman's face in Dragon's Dogma 2.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3STyS2wmLdtWjSU8YtmEtb-320-80.jpg)
4 things I hope RPGs and open world games learn from Dragon's Dogma 2
By Robin Valentine published
QUEST PRACTICE The quirky sequel isn't perfect, but it deserves to be influential.
![A knight riding a dinosaur in Dinolords.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cttYZsWBv6DYKstRegkBFE-320-80.png)
Dinolords is basically Age of Empires with dinosaurs, and honestly what more could you want from an RTS than that?
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS The vikings are invading, and they've got a T-Rex.
![The triangle hero fighting a large enemy with two swords in Void Sols.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dE5hf5UKohcCC7FVgjqr9e-320-80.jpg)
This slick and experimental soulslike takes about 15 seconds to get you feeling empathy for a triangle
By Robin Valentine published
FIGHTING SHAPE Void Sols mixes up the formula with an abstract art-style, easy respecs, and an almost immersive sim approach to level design.
![A close up of a man's scared face in Dragon's Dogma 2.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y7CunNZUcPB7FYJY9rDheJ-320-80.jpg)
Even with the Dragonsplague, Dragon's Dogma 2 isn't as mean as its predecessor—but I love how faithful it is to the series' strange and unique identity
By Robin Valentine published
Dogmatic 12 years on, Capcom has stuck to its guns.
![A warrior Arisen walking through a dark cave in Dragon's Dogma 2.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pAT6d2a2fiSmW5Uqm4RTZi-320-80.jpg)
How to start a new game in Dragon's Dogma 2
By Robin Valentine published
START OVER There's no in-game option for it, so if you want a fresh start you'll need to find and delete your save.
![Dragon's Dogma 2 tips](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cdLBKvACtDYjufuU4uyuzX-320-80.jpg)
Our top 10 Dragon's Dogma 2 tips for getting started
By Fraser Brown published
Arise Even the Arisen needs a helping hand.
![A group of Raider miniatures in Fallout: Factions.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eCLSixKU4pe6yoycAV5qXi-320-80.png)
With streamlined rules and an all-in-one box set, Fallout: Factions could be a perfect first step into wargaming
By Robin Valentine published
FACTION MAN The game, based on Fallout 4's Nuka World DLC, pits Raider gangs against each other in the ruins of a pre-war theme park.
![A wizard and her soldiers standing in front of a castle in Cataclismo.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YQiyGcqcgWBHLHExYhymxB-320-80.jpg)
This clever survival RTS has such a fun and in-depth building system that it's got me making little roofs to keep my soldiers dry when it rains
By Robin Valentine published
WALL FOR ONE Cataclismo lets you build your defences literally brick by brick, and it's a blast even if you're as bad an architect as me.