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
![Ermac rising into the air in Mortal Kombat 1.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/T62xcohjteyFrLpTEGAXDd-320-80.png)
Mortal Kombat player wins $565, celebrates by breaking a light fixture worth $3,000
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS Dyloch's bone-headed "pop-off" may have cost him dearly.
![The home village in Into the Emberlands.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EN9H8qGxLze7LiGu4SMUsQ-320-80.jpg)
I keep getting lost on my way home from trading wood to trolls and giving crystals to chickens in this strange but cosy survival game
By Robin Valentine published
CRYSTAL MAZE Into the Emberlands has me sounding like I'm not fit to operate heavy machinery.
![Counter-Strike 2 header image](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xz2HxeuCGUzmZKoWCdp8JV-320-80.jpg)
The best free PC games
By Shaun Prescott last updated
Freebies Forever Our frequently updated selection of the best free games right now.
![An old man with a fearful look in ProgCore Fantasy: Dark Age of Theer.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JGuCe4NtRd8dEUQakJVn4g-320-80.jpg)
This bizarre, vague Kickstarter promises a "multimedia fantasy RPG experience" including a D&D-compatible sourcebook, an actual play series, an animated short film, a vinyl soundtrack, a scented candle, and (somehow) more
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS ProgCore Fantasy: Dark Age of Theer offers everything except any solid idea of what it's actually about.
![Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher 3.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H9KNfpwbcwTaGWLsXrchwL-320-80.jpg)
The 10 defining events of PC gaming's golden decade
By Robin Valentine published
PAST TALK In 2024, PC is king—but how did we get here?
![A Tarnished grovelling for mercy in Elden Ring.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rNyyDhcPqXbXxPFSdAKsDj-320-80.jpg)
Spare a thought for the 60% of us who can't join you all in Shadow of the Erdtree because we never beat Mohg
By Robin Valentine published
Mohgless Stop telling me it's like Elden Ring 2, I can't handle the FOMO.
![A squad of soldiers walking through the control room in XCOM: Enemy Unknown.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KoigWSRVjm68fYXC3yWDU4-320-80.jpg)
Bit Reactor has a Star Wars tactical strategy game in the works, 15 XCOM veterans on its team, and an ambitious vision for the future of the genre
By Robin Valentine published
A new hope
![A group of adventurers being attacked by skeletons in the 2024 Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CAdsgyP9DkGSvXtoDDHcxJ-320-80.png)
The new D&D core books feature nearly 400 spells and over 500 monsters, but disappointingly few new ideas
By Robin Valentine published
Scrolls of power An advance look at the 2024 Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual leaves me concerned that the game's future is still stuck in the past.
![Oghren from Dragon Age: Origins](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pZwF86hgY3MGMxNFe7JcEc-320-80.jpg)
Great moments in PC gaming: Choosing your origin in Dragon Age Origins
By Robin Valentine published
Slay Warden Which one did you pick?
![Tyler spreading his arms and closing his eyes in Tell Me Why.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ccrTpxko9GRXWJcu6LBjtf-320-80.jpg)
Tell Me Why, a narrative adventure from the creators of Life Is Strange, is free to keep on Steam right now to celebrate Pride month, and… hold on, haven't we done this before?
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS Make sure to add it to your account before July 1.
![A group of duck soldiers posing in DUCKSIDE.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K7g6xMEzokMNQnFV69a426-320-80.jpg)
Steam Next Fest's 10 most played demos of June 2024 include an adorable building game, a surprising turn-based strategy spin-off, and a survival shooter where everyone's a duck
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS How many have you tried?
![null](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/z4m4dgvrrZnpgEXjb2sJiV-320-80.jpg)
Let's pour one out for these no-shows we were desperate to see during Summer Game Fest
By Kara Phillips published
Maybe next time Maybe in the next life.
![Civilian fighters taking cover from aliens in Every Day We Fight.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A6UKVNjEPRikG7gTP5V89f-320-80.png)
With a roguelike time loop twist, Every Day We Fight takes a whole new approach to the turn-based strategy genre
By Robin Valentine published
PCGS XCOM meets Groundhog Day.
![A huge squid creature looms over the battlefield in Battle Aces.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MACTuZxfSjhG94MUznA7AB-320-80.png)
Battle Aces lets you play a full competitive RTS match in just 10 minutes
By Robin Valentine published
PCGS For the strategy fan in a hurry.
![Assassin's Creed Shadows promo image](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HNz3oeWgGmo4Rz2UgrNikH-320-80.jpg)
Assassin's Creed Shadows' dual protagonists look ready to turn the series' recent identity crisis into a strength
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS With the pairing of Naoe the ninja and Yasuke the samurai, the stealth and swordfighting seem more in balance than ever.
![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.