Chris Tapsell
@christapsell.bsky.social
Deputy Editorial Director at Eurogamer. I look after reviews, opinions, and freelance, and secretly add in all the Oxford commas. Limit Break mentor. He/him.
Pinned
Right, hello, job stuff! I’m now Deputy Editorial Director at Eurogamer. I’m going to be looking after opinion, reviews, criticism, curation and all that lovely stuff. Plus all freelance commissions (hello again!) and a bit of EG “vision” stuff, which everybody understandably loves to talk about.
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
sort of incredible to read a review that doesn't just made a vague nod at AI being bad, but actively reckons with the ways in which falling obsessively to AI usage actively obliterates the artistic intent and integrity of the work you've made.
November 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
sort of incredible to read a review that doesn't just made a vague nod at AI being bad, but actively reckons with the ways in which falling obsessively to AI usage actively obliterates the artistic intent and integrity of the work you've made.
Ahhh, yes, another review written. Now to edit all of my personal opinions, principles, and ideas out of it, and it'll be ready for public consumption.
November 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Ahhh, yes, another review written. Now to edit all of my personal opinions, principles, and ideas out of it, and it'll be ready for public consumption.
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
For Arc Raiders to ride the wave of human sociability all the way to the bank, while also being so contemptuous of the thing that makes us social animals in its own workflow demonstrates a lack of artistic integrity that I find impossible to ignore.
Our review: https://bit.ly/49bVn01
Our review: https://bit.ly/49bVn01
November 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
For Arc Raiders to ride the wave of human sociability all the way to the bank, while also being so contemptuous of the thing that makes us social animals in its own workflow demonstrates a lack of artistic integrity that I find impossible to ignore.
Our review: https://bit.ly/49bVn01
Our review: https://bit.ly/49bVn01
I have huge respect for Rick for having a clear stance on this, that's laid out simply and effectively in terms of the game's own themes - robots replacing humanity! - and the way it undermines its otherwise standout emergent systems.
Rich PvE combat and an unusually friendly community make Arc Raiders a more approachable extraction shooter than most, but Embark Studios' continued use of AI voice generation is a black mark against its reputation.
Our review:
www.eurogamer.net/arc-raiders-...
Our review:
www.eurogamer.net/arc-raiders-...
November 10, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I have huge respect for Rick for having a clear stance on this, that's laid out simply and effectively in terms of the game's own themes - robots replacing humanity! - and the way it undermines its otherwise standout emergent systems.
Saw some interesting chat yesterday about GTA 6's potential outdatedness come launch, which I thought was kind of fascinating, and got me thinking about open world lineage.
For GTA 6 to be outdated, the rest of the open world genre needs to have moved forward signifcantly. I don't think it has.
For GTA 6 to be outdated, the rest of the open world genre needs to have moved forward signifcantly. I don't think it has.
GTA 6 runs the risk of being totally outdated by the time it finally arrives - or does it?
GTA 6's major second delay raises questions about whether it'll still be relevant by the time it finally arrives. Gaming's lack of progress suggests otherwise.
www.eurogamer.net
November 7, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Saw some interesting chat yesterday about GTA 6's potential outdatedness come launch, which I thought was kind of fascinating, and got me thinking about open world lineage.
For GTA 6 to be outdated, the rest of the open world genre needs to have moved forward signifcantly. I don't think it has.
For GTA 6 to be outdated, the rest of the open world genre needs to have moved forward signifcantly. I don't think it has.
Quick-ish piece from me on 'carrot and stick' design and BF 6's Redsec, which is a perfectly cromulent battle royale but also one that makes me pine for my trusty PUBG - or really, any game that has the confidence to cut the filler, be quiet, stop giving me objectives, and get out of their own way.
Battlefield's Redsec battle royale mode is perfectly fine, but also leaves me pining for the golden days of PUBG
Battlefield 6's new battle royale mode is predictably competent, but falls into the same traps as so many others in the genre: there's too much going on.
www.eurogamer.net
October 31, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Quick-ish piece from me on 'carrot and stick' design and BF 6's Redsec, which is a perfectly cromulent battle royale but also one that makes me pine for my trusty PUBG - or really, any game that has the confidence to cut the filler, be quiet, stop giving me objectives, and get out of their own way.
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
Here's a big old chat I had with Hamaguchi-san, which in many ways was a bit of a casual hangout before we did the MCM panel. We talk about all sorts - part 3, dataminers finding non-final versions of Rebirth's pivotal scenes, and how Square lost all of the design data for the original FF7.
The big Final Fantasy 7 interview: How the Remake Trilogy director plans to iterate ahead of Part Three, despite having "almost no documentation" from the original game to reference
www.eurogamer.net/the-big-fina...
www.eurogamer.net/the-big-fina...
October 30, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Here's a big old chat I had with Hamaguchi-san, which in many ways was a bit of a casual hangout before we did the MCM panel. We talk about all sorts - part 3, dataminers finding non-final versions of Rebirth's pivotal scenes, and how Square lost all of the design data for the original FF7.
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
Delighted to announce Heartbeats, Dreams and Laser Eyes: 15 Years of Simogo, and equally thrilled to be working with @hollynielsen.bsky.social, @nadiaoxford.bsky.social, @illogicaljoker.bsky.social and Christian Donlan, who will be contributing essays to the book. Preorder at the link below!
Heartbeats, Dreams and Laser Eyes: 15 Years of @Simogo.com 💗
Look sharp!🤵We've partnered with Simogo on a book that reveals the heartbeats of the Malmö based studio fuelled by curiosity – and nuclear-strength coffee! ☕
Pre-Order by Jan 2nd: lostincult.co.uk/simogo
Look sharp!🤵We've partnered with Simogo on a book that reveals the heartbeats of the Malmö based studio fuelled by curiosity – and nuclear-strength coffee! ☕
Pre-Order by Jan 2nd: lostincult.co.uk/simogo
October 28, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Delighted to announce Heartbeats, Dreams and Laser Eyes: 15 Years of Simogo, and equally thrilled to be working with @hollynielsen.bsky.social, @nadiaoxford.bsky.social, @illogicaljoker.bsky.social and Christian Donlan, who will be contributing essays to the book. Preorder at the link below!
Giving our excellent Halloween playlist from Matt a shout out as it's increasingly rare (and difficult) to have lists that express a site's personality and taste, and aren't just pure SEO-based collections of the standard genre canon. Brilliant stuff here:
www.eurogamer.net/getting-into...
www.eurogamer.net/getting-into...
Getting into the Halloween spirit? Here are the 21 best spooky, scary games to play right now
As Halloween approaches, here are the 21 best spooky, scary horror games to play right now.
www.eurogamer.net
October 28, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Giving our excellent Halloween playlist from Matt a shout out as it's increasingly rare (and difficult) to have lists that express a site's personality and taste, and aren't just pure SEO-based collections of the standard genre canon. Brilliant stuff here:
www.eurogamer.net/getting-into...
www.eurogamer.net/getting-into...
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
Psychonauts studio Double Fine returns with a surprising, shapeshifting adventure of captivating wonder and beauty.
Our Keeper review:
www.eurogamer.net/keeper-review
Our Keeper review:
www.eurogamer.net/keeper-review
October 17, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Psychonauts studio Double Fine returns with a surprising, shapeshifting adventure of captivating wonder and beauty.
Our Keeper review:
www.eurogamer.net/keeper-review
Our Keeper review:
www.eurogamer.net/keeper-review
ALSO: contributed the bottom half of the tips here for getting started in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Some handy battle stuff I picked up over time, but the big one for me: spend those mega evolution shards early and often - there's a very low cap to your storage.
www.eurogamer.net/nine-things-...
Some handy battle stuff I picked up over time, but the big one for me: spend those mega evolution shards early and often - there's a very low cap to your storage.
www.eurogamer.net/nine-things-...
Nine things to know before playing Pokémon Legends Z-A
Eurogamer's top nine tips to know before you start playing Pokémon Legends: Z-A!
www.eurogamer.net
October 16, 2025 at 3:18 PM
ALSO: contributed the bottom half of the tips here for getting started in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Some handy battle stuff I picked up over time, but the big one for me: spend those mega evolution shards early and often - there's a very low cap to your storage.
www.eurogamer.net/nine-things-...
Some handy battle stuff I picked up over time, but the big one for me: spend those mega evolution shards early and often - there's a very low cap to your storage.
www.eurogamer.net/nine-things-...
Here's a very long, good old fashioned preview from me on FM26. I think FM fans are in for a shock with some of the new UI. And I've some reservations about how some of that new UI actually works, too, beyond the newness.
BUT: that new tactics system. COR!
www.eurogamer.net/brace-yourse...
BUT: that new tactics system. COR!
www.eurogamer.net/brace-yourse...
Brace yourselves, Football Manager fans, I've played a day of FM26 and it's going to take a lot of getting used to
After a day of playing, it's clear Football Manager 26 will take some serious getting used to for regular players. That might be a good thing.
www.eurogamer.net
October 16, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Here's a very long, good old fashioned preview from me on FM26. I think FM fans are in for a shock with some of the new UI. And I've some reservations about how some of that new UI actually works, too, beyond the newness.
BUT: that new tactics system. COR!
www.eurogamer.net/brace-yourse...
BUT: that new tactics system. COR!
www.eurogamer.net/brace-yourse...
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
When the damage is happening in Ball x Pit, and the effects are going off and the screen is flashing and flickering, it's like watching the crowd at a stadium concert.
Our review: https://bit.ly/4nMqT9i
Our review: https://bit.ly/4nMqT9i
October 16, 2025 at 8:29 AM
When the damage is happening in Ball x Pit, and the effects are going off and the screen is flashing and flickering, it's like watching the crowd at a stadium concert.
Our review: https://bit.ly/4nMqT9i
Our review: https://bit.ly/4nMqT9i
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
You gently run your hand through the rack. You can feel it—pure cotton, rich wool, Irish linen. The plump buttonholes are handsewn; the buttons attached with a firm shank. You flip the price tag over. It's affordable
You buy the jacket and go home, which is only 15 mins away. Your apt is $600/month
You buy the jacket and go home, which is only 15 mins away. Your apt is $600/month
October 15, 2025 at 7:00 AM
You gently run your hand through the rack. You can feel it—pure cotton, rich wool, Irish linen. The plump buttonholes are handsewn; the buttons attached with a firm shank. You flip the price tag over. It's affordable
You buy the jacket and go home, which is only 15 mins away. Your apt is $600/month
You buy the jacket and go home, which is only 15 mins away. Your apt is $600/month
This looks great. We can't squeeze in much Next Fest coverage this time which I'm v sad about but if we were, I'd be playing this and probably writing 500 words about how it's neat that games continue to tap into increasingly niche parts of the human experience & history. So just imagine those pls.
Good News folks, you CAN now in fact, play this
The free demo for Legend of Khiimori is now available on Steam for everyone. Check it out, give it a try, tell a friend. Show everyone how much you want horse games 💪❤
The free demo for Legend of Khiimori is now available on Steam for everyone. Check it out, give it a try, tell a friend. Show everyone how much you want horse games 💪❤
October 15, 2025 at 10:26 AM
This looks great. We can't squeeze in much Next Fest coverage this time which I'm v sad about but if we were, I'd be playing this and probably writing 500 words about how it's neat that games continue to tap into increasingly niche parts of the human experience & history. So just imagine those pls.
Had a lovely time with lots of Pokémon Legends: Z-A and expect most people to love their first 15-20 hours with it. Goofy, heartfelt, some great ideas. Towards the end the structure/city can get quite repetitive, and it still suffers from ‘modern Pokémon’ drawbacks. www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-lege...
Pokémon Legends: Z-A review - a joyful proof of concept, but don't call it a comeback yet
The city could do with work, but Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a much more tightly focused, delightfully goofy, return to better form. At least by modern standards.
www.eurogamer.net
October 14, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Had a lovely time with lots of Pokémon Legends: Z-A and expect most people to love their first 15-20 hours with it. Goofy, heartfelt, some great ideas. Towards the end the structure/city can get quite repetitive, and it still suffers from ‘modern Pokémon’ drawbacks. www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-lege...
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
Battlefield 6 clearly understands what makes the series special, even if it occasionally seems reluctant to accept it.
Our review: https://bit.ly/43dGKFB
Our review: https://bit.ly/43dGKFB
October 9, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Battlefield 6 clearly understands what makes the series special, even if it occasionally seems reluctant to accept it.
Our review: https://bit.ly/43dGKFB
Our review: https://bit.ly/43dGKFB
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
'Night and the City' by Chris Donlan remains one of the finest online articles on game urbanism ever. Somehow simultaneously personal, historical, and objective it is an excellent read, and a reminder that L.A. Noir remains truly unique.
Find it here: www.eurogamer.net/night-and-th...
Find it here: www.eurogamer.net/night-and-th...
October 9, 2025 at 6:22 AM
'Night and the City' by Chris Donlan remains one of the finest online articles on game urbanism ever. Somehow simultaneously personal, historical, and objective it is an excellent read, and a reminder that L.A. Noir remains truly unique.
Find it here: www.eurogamer.net/night-and-th...
Find it here: www.eurogamer.net/night-and-th...
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
EA's takeover, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, and "vanity mega projects": Human Rights Watch assesses the impact of gaming's latest controversy
www.eurogamer.net/eas-takeover...
www.eurogamer.net/eas-takeover...
October 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
EA's takeover, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, and "vanity mega projects": Human Rights Watch assesses the impact of gaming's latest controversy
www.eurogamer.net/eas-takeover...
www.eurogamer.net/eas-takeover...
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
Oh, hey! I'm *writing* again!
Let's talk about a man named named Ramza Beoulve. Let's talk about the "ease at which men are branded heretics..."
Let's talk about revolution.
www.eurogamer.net/the-revoluti...
Let's talk about a man named named Ramza Beoulve. Let's talk about the "ease at which men are branded heretics..."
Let's talk about revolution.
www.eurogamer.net/the-revoluti...
The revolutionary politics of Final Fantasy Tactics, and why Ramza Beoulve is a hero for our times
Final Fantasy Tactics' original writer-director Yasumi Matsuno signalled the timeliness of this remake for a reason: its hero offers a model of resistance.
www.eurogamer.net
October 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Oh, hey! I'm *writing* again!
Let's talk about a man named named Ramza Beoulve. Let's talk about the "ease at which men are branded heretics..."
Let's talk about revolution.
www.eurogamer.net/the-revoluti...
Let's talk about a man named named Ramza Beoulve. Let's talk about the "ease at which men are branded heretics..."
Let's talk about revolution.
www.eurogamer.net/the-revoluti...
Delighted to feature @dreamcastaway.bsky.social on Eurogamer for the first time today, with this on the incredible timeliness of Final Fantasy Tactics:
The revolutionary politics of Final Fantasy Tactics, and why Ramza Beoulve is a hero for our times
Final Fantasy Tactics' original writer-director Yasumi Matsuno signalled the timeliness of this remake for a reason: its hero offers a model of resistance.
www.eurogamer.net
October 3, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Delighted to feature @dreamcastaway.bsky.social on Eurogamer for the first time today, with this on the incredible timeliness of Final Fantasy Tactics:
Excellent, excellent - now do one about games that have you press L3 + R3 at the same time to go Rage Mode
I enjoyed Ghost of Yotei a lot — as I have many recent PS5 exclusives — but I’m starting to get a little bored with the same themes repeating themselves.
Here’s a piece on grief, revenge, and PlayStation's struggle for new stories.
www.ign.com/articles/im-...
Here’s a piece on grief, revenge, and PlayStation's struggle for new stories.
www.ign.com/articles/im-...
I’m Getting Bored of Every PlayStation Game Telling the Same Story - IGN
After Ghost of Yotei's tale of revenge and grief, is it about time PS5 exclusives got some new ideas?
www.ign.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Excellent, excellent - now do one about games that have you press L3 + R3 at the same time to go Rage Mode
Let the record show we set up this review long before The Discourse, I promise (it’s just a busy period.)
The pacing of Consume Me, a semi-autobiographical work from co-designer Jenny Jiao Hsia, didn't always work for me, but it remains a fascinating, thoughtful, and impressively assured creation all the same. https://bit.ly/4mMBYWH
October 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Let the record show we set up this review long before The Discourse, I promise (it’s just a busy period.)
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
Jenny Jiao Hsia's dazzling, semi-autobiographical tale of teenage life finds wit and warmth in its WarioWare weirdness, even as it deals with difficult themes.
Our review of the Seumas McNally Grand Prize-winning Consume Me:
www.eurogamer.net/consume-me-r...
Our review of the Seumas McNally Grand Prize-winning Consume Me:
www.eurogamer.net/consume-me-r...
October 2, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Jenny Jiao Hsia's dazzling, semi-autobiographical tale of teenage life finds wit and warmth in its WarioWare weirdness, even as it deals with difficult themes.
Our review of the Seumas McNally Grand Prize-winning Consume Me:
www.eurogamer.net/consume-me-r...
Our review of the Seumas McNally Grand Prize-winning Consume Me:
www.eurogamer.net/consume-me-r...
Reposted by Chris Tapsell
“It’s shocking, it’s disheartening, it’s insulting."
A Welsh Band Spent a Decade Building a Fanbase -- An AI Imitator Outpaced Them in Two Months
AI band Bleeding Verse cite Holding Absence as an influence — and they have more monthly listeners on Spotify than the human band.
www.rollingstone.com
October 1, 2025 at 5:37 PM
“It’s shocking, it’s disheartening, it’s insulting."