Allyson Cochran
@allysoncochran.bsky.social
writing about games | editor @ TheGamer | professionally silly ✨ | she/her 🌷 | Chicago-based
📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]
Reposted by Allyson Cochran
Hi there! We're Booster Pack, a new site dedicated exclusively to trading card games that is officially launching today!
boosterpack.site/booster-pack...
boosterpack.site/booster-pack...
Welcome To Booster Pack - [BOOSTER PACK]
Hi there! Today, I’m launching Booster Pack. It feels a bit weird to say that after … Welcome To Booster PackRead more
boosterpack.site
February 16, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Hi there! We're Booster Pack, a new site dedicated exclusively to trading card games that is officially launching today!
boosterpack.site/booster-pack...
boosterpack.site/booster-pack...
Now that embargos have lifted, I can talk about how busy January was for me. I basically soft-launched a California residency, survived on hotel coffee, and got to chat with some rad humans about cool things.
February 13, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Now that embargos have lifted, I can talk about how busy January was for me. I basically soft-launched a California residency, survived on hotel coffee, and got to chat with some rad humans about cool things.
I reviewed High on Life 2!
It’s surprisingly sharp on Big Pharma, still deeply unhinged, and occasionally more interested in yelling a joke than landing it, but I mostly had a good time.
My full review ₊✩‧₊˚
www.thegamer.com/high-on-life...
It’s surprisingly sharp on Big Pharma, still deeply unhinged, and occasionally more interested in yelling a joke than landing it, but I mostly had a good time.
My full review ₊✩‧₊˚
www.thegamer.com/high-on-life...
High On Life 2 Review: Satire That Hits More Often Than Its Guns
High On Life 2 builds a more ambitious and visually rich sequel, even as its satire outpaces its mechanics.
www.thegamer.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:21 PM
I reviewed High on Life 2!
It’s surprisingly sharp on Big Pharma, still deeply unhinged, and occasionally more interested in yelling a joke than landing it, but I mostly had a good time.
My full review ₊✩‧₊˚
www.thegamer.com/high-on-life...
It’s surprisingly sharp on Big Pharma, still deeply unhinged, and occasionally more interested in yelling a joke than landing it, but I mostly had a good time.
My full review ₊✩‧₊˚
www.thegamer.com/high-on-life...
Reposted by Allyson Cochran
For the first time since 2022, I’m over at @gamespot.com, discussing the 10th anniversary of Firewatch and hypothesizing about why games like this just don’t seem to break through anymore in the 2020s.
www.gamespot.com/articles/fir...
www.gamespot.com/articles/fir...
Firewatch Helped Pioneer A Genre That Burned Brightly But Briefly
The "walking simulator" genre was focused on quiet reflection and narrative focus, but it's getting more and more rare.
www.gamespot.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM
For the first time since 2022, I’m over at @gamespot.com, discussing the 10th anniversary of Firewatch and hypothesizing about why games like this just don’t seem to break through anymore in the 2020s.
www.gamespot.com/articles/fir...
www.gamespot.com/articles/fir...
my cat as jetpack cat (thanks to @hallafyre.bsky.social)
February 10, 2026 at 7:58 PM
my cat as jetpack cat (thanks to @hallafyre.bsky.social)
Reposted by Allyson Cochran
Romeo is a Dead Man reviews are all over the place, and that absolutely tracks.
It's filled to the brim with odd moments and decisions. It's fun enough, but its frenetic and bewildering narrative choices made it hard to parse and difficult to score.
More from me: www.thegamer.com/romeo-is-a-d...
It's filled to the brim with odd moments and decisions. It's fun enough, but its frenetic and bewildering narrative choices made it hard to parse and difficult to score.
More from me: www.thegamer.com/romeo-is-a-d...
Romeo Is A Dead Man Review: A Gore-Soaked, Chaotic Romp Through Time
Messy, bloody, and wonderfully bizarre.
www.thegamer.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Romeo is a Dead Man reviews are all over the place, and that absolutely tracks.
It's filled to the brim with odd moments and decisions. It's fun enough, but its frenetic and bewildering narrative choices made it hard to parse and difficult to score.
More from me: www.thegamer.com/romeo-is-a-d...
It's filled to the brim with odd moments and decisions. It's fun enough, but its frenetic and bewildering narrative choices made it hard to parse and difficult to score.
More from me: www.thegamer.com/romeo-is-a-d...
I had the chance to sit down with Blizzard’s Hearthstone team to see how they reimagined Warcraft’s end-of-the-world storyline for the card game. The devs apparently love making us feel the end of the world.
My interview ✧˚ · .
www.thegamer.com/hearthstone-...
My interview ✧˚ · .
www.thegamer.com/hearthstone-...
"We Wanted To Go Big": The Hearthstone Team On How Cataclysm Reimagines Warcraft Lore In A Dark New Timeline
I sat down with Blizzard’s Hearthstone team to explore Cataclysm, from art and mechanics to reimagining Warcraft’s most consequential moment.
www.thegamer.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:16 PM
I had the chance to sit down with Blizzard’s Hearthstone team to see how they reimagined Warcraft’s end-of-the-world storyline for the card game. The devs apparently love making us feel the end of the world.
My interview ✧˚ · .
www.thegamer.com/hearthstone-...
My interview ✧˚ · .
www.thegamer.com/hearthstone-...
I went hands-on with Overwatch Season One at Blizzard HQ and played all five new heroes. Yes, Jetpack Cat is real. Yes, she rules.
Here are my thoughts! ˚⟡˖ ࣪
www.thegamer.com/overwatch-se...
Here are my thoughts! ˚⟡˖ ࣪
www.thegamer.com/overwatch-se...
I've Played Overwatch's Five New Heroes, And They're A Bold Leap Forward For The Hero Shooter
I went hands-on with Overwatch’s new heroes, and here’s why Season One might be the game’s boldest update yet.
www.thegamer.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:06 PM
I went hands-on with Overwatch Season One at Blizzard HQ and played all five new heroes. Yes, Jetpack Cat is real. Yes, she rules.
Here are my thoughts! ˚⟡˖ ࣪
www.thegamer.com/overwatch-se...
Here are my thoughts! ˚⟡˖ ࣪
www.thegamer.com/overwatch-se...
Reposted by Allyson Cochran
We're officially fundraising for laid-off Vox workers. Please share and donate if you can!
www.gofundme.com/f/support-la...
www.gofundme.com/f/support-la...
Donate to Support Laid-off Vox Media Workers, organized by Victoria Song
On Friday, January 16, 2026, the Vox Media Union received news from management about … Victoria Song needs your support for Support Laid-off Vox Media Workers
www.gofundme.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:04 PM
We're officially fundraising for laid-off Vox workers. Please share and donate if you can!
www.gofundme.com/f/support-la...
www.gofundme.com/f/support-la...
This is my formal request for this to be a Fortnite skin.
February 2, 2026 at 4:52 PM
This is my formal request for this to be a Fortnite skin.
I’ll say one thing, then I’m holstering the Highguard discourse: I love that it dares to do something distinctive in a genre that can be shoulder-to-shoulder with sameness. I’m having fun with it.
What I don’t love is the internet’s reflexive pessimism, or its eagerness to point and laugh.
What I don’t love is the internet’s reflexive pessimism, or its eagerness to point and laugh.
January 27, 2026 at 2:32 PM
I’ll say one thing, then I’m holstering the Highguard discourse: I love that it dares to do something distinctive in a genre that can be shoulder-to-shoulder with sameness. I’m having fun with it.
What I don’t love is the internet’s reflexive pessimism, or its eagerness to point and laugh.
What I don’t love is the internet’s reflexive pessimism, or its eagerness to point and laugh.
Reposted by Allyson Cochran
this isn't a defense of highguard but i'm not sure why people STILL post screenshots of a new steam game being Overwhelmingly Negative as if it's a self-explanatory red flag anymore when steam users will mass-reviewbomb games if a woman is wearing pants in them
January 26, 2026 at 8:40 PM
this isn't a defense of highguard but i'm not sure why people STILL post screenshots of a new steam game being Overwhelmingly Negative as if it's a self-explanatory red flag anymore when steam users will mass-reviewbomb games if a woman is wearing pants in them
I traveled to LA last week for a hands-on preview of Highguard.
What I expected: another free-to-play shooter in a crowded genre.
What I played: a uniquely fun PvP raid shooter, and one I couldn’t stop thinking about after.
My full impressions ↓ ⋆·˚ ༘ *
www.thegamer.com/highguard-sh...
What I expected: another free-to-play shooter in a crowded genre.
What I played: a uniquely fun PvP raid shooter, and one I couldn’t stop thinking about after.
My full impressions ↓ ⋆·˚ ༘ *
www.thegamer.com/highguard-sh...
Remember Highguard, That New Shooter Announced At The Game Awards? It Actually Rules
Highguard might’ve drawn backlash at The Game Awards, but my hands-on preview shows it’s a unique, fun PvP Raid Shooter you won’t want to miss.
www.thegamer.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:10 PM
I traveled to LA last week for a hands-on preview of Highguard.
What I expected: another free-to-play shooter in a crowded genre.
What I played: a uniquely fun PvP raid shooter, and one I couldn’t stop thinking about after.
My full impressions ↓ ⋆·˚ ༘ *
www.thegamer.com/highguard-sh...
What I expected: another free-to-play shooter in a crowded genre.
What I played: a uniquely fun PvP raid shooter, and one I couldn’t stop thinking about after.
My full impressions ↓ ⋆·˚ ༘ *
www.thegamer.com/highguard-sh...
Reposted by Allyson Cochran
I played four hours of Resident Evil Requiem and oh boy is it shaping up to be a banger.
A real best of both worlds situation that combines the anxiety inducing horror of 7 with the balls-to-the-wall action of recent remakes. It strikes an ideal balance.
www.thegamer.com/resident-evi...
A real best of both worlds situation that combines the anxiety inducing horror of 7 with the balls-to-the-wall action of recent remakes. It strikes an ideal balance.
www.thegamer.com/resident-evi...
Resident Evil Requiem Is A Full Circle Moment For The Survival Horror Icon
Leon Kennedy and Grace Ashcroft are a match made in survlval horror heaven.
www.thegamer.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:05 PM
I played four hours of Resident Evil Requiem and oh boy is it shaping up to be a banger.
A real best of both worlds situation that combines the anxiety inducing horror of 7 with the balls-to-the-wall action of recent remakes. It strikes an ideal balance.
www.thegamer.com/resident-evi...
A real best of both worlds situation that combines the anxiety inducing horror of 7 with the balls-to-the-wall action of recent remakes. It strikes an ideal balance.
www.thegamer.com/resident-evi...
Under all the mechanical violence, MIO: Memories In Orbit is a gentle game about caring for a broken world. It just makes you earn every feeling.
My full review! ↓ ⋆｡°✩
www.thegamer.com/mio-memories...
My full review! ↓ ⋆｡°✩
www.thegamer.com/mio-memories...
MIO: Memories In Orbit Review - Brutal In Beautiful Watercolor
MIO: Memories in Orbit will punish every mistake, then reward you with some of the prettiest Metroidvania gameplay in years.
www.thegamer.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Under all the mechanical violence, MIO: Memories In Orbit is a gentle game about caring for a broken world. It just makes you earn every feeling.
My full review! ↓ ⋆｡°✩
www.thegamer.com/mio-memories...
My full review! ↓ ⋆｡°✩
www.thegamer.com/mio-memories...
My feed being full of Animal Crossing screenshots in the year 2026 feels both wrong and right
January 15, 2026 at 6:09 PM
My feed being full of Animal Crossing screenshots in the year 2026 feels both wrong and right
Reposted by Allyson Cochran
I'm starting the year with a new byline, and of course, a Warframe article, because I know my shit! For @escapistmag.bsky.social, I wrote a guide about how to get and best build Uriel, the latest Warframe added in The Old Peace update. Give it a read! www.escapistmagazine.com/warframe-uri...
Best Warframe Uriel build: How to get The Old Peace Frame and best ways to use it
Warframe’s latest addition, Uriel, is a powerful new tool. Here’s the best Uriel build to make the most out of him.
www.escapistmagazine.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:19 PM
I'm starting the year with a new byline, and of course, a Warframe article, because I know my shit! For @escapistmag.bsky.social, I wrote a guide about how to get and best build Uriel, the latest Warframe added in The Old Peace update. Give it a read! www.escapistmagazine.com/warframe-uri...
Reposted by Allyson Cochran
Go Bears.
Fuck the Packers.
Abolish ICE.
Fuck the Packers.
Abolish ICE.
January 10, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Go Bears.
Fuck the Packers.
Abolish ICE.
Fuck the Packers.
Abolish ICE.
what’s a girl to do on Pluribus friday with no Pluribus 😔
January 9, 2026 at 4:07 PM
what’s a girl to do on Pluribus friday with no Pluribus 😔
so many of my lovely games journalist friends are in here! such a fun read 🤍
December 31, 2025 at 11:58 PM
so many of my lovely games journalist friends are in here! such a fun read 🤍
i don’t want to think of the person i’ll become when there isn’t a new pluribus episode to look forward to
December 17, 2025 at 7:48 PM
i don’t want to think of the person i’ll become when there isn’t a new pluribus episode to look forward to
In Let It Die: Inferno, death isn’t the end: it’s a new body and new skills. I interviewed director Hideyuki Shin on how reincarnation drives gameplay.
www.thegamer.com/let-it-die-i...
www.thegamer.com/let-it-die-i...
Let It Die: Inferno Interview - Why Losing Your Body Might Be The Best Part Of The Game
Let It Die Inferno’s director explains how body switching shapes combat and strategy in a game where death is expected.
www.thegamer.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
In Let It Die: Inferno, death isn’t the end: it’s a new body and new skills. I interviewed director Hideyuki Shin on how reincarnation drives gameplay.
www.thegamer.com/let-it-die-i...
www.thegamer.com/let-it-die-i...
Reposted by Allyson Cochran
Following yesterday's drama surrounding Larian's use of Gen AI, here's a follow-up interview piece with Swen about how the studio is using the techology alongside machine learning.
www.thegamer.com/swen-vincke-...
www.thegamer.com/swen-vincke-...
December 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Following yesterday's drama surrounding Larian's use of Gen AI, here's a follow-up interview piece with Swen about how the studio is using the techology alongside machine learning.
www.thegamer.com/swen-vincke-...
www.thegamer.com/swen-vincke-...
Reposted by Allyson Cochran
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is almost two decades in the making and it's arguably worth the wait? #MetroidPrime4
A faithful evolution of the series with a great world and strong characters that carried me all the way through to the end.
Here's my full review:
www.thegamer.com/metroid-prim...
A faithful evolution of the series with a great world and strong characters that carried me all the way through to the end.
Here's my full review:
www.thegamer.com/metroid-prim...
December 2, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is almost two decades in the making and it's arguably worth the wait? #MetroidPrime4
A faithful evolution of the series with a great world and strong characters that carried me all the way through to the end.
Here's my full review:
www.thegamer.com/metroid-prim...
A faithful evolution of the series with a great world and strong characters that carried me all the way through to the end.
Here's my full review:
www.thegamer.com/metroid-prim...