Echo Apsey
@echoapsey.bsky.social
Freelance games journalist, writer, editor. Words at IGN, NME, Rolling Stone, PC Gamer, Polygon, PCGamesN, Push Square, Pure Xbox, Nintendo Life, Gamer Guides, and more. Previously Guides Editor @TheLoadout.
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Echo Apsey
@echoapsey.bsky.social
· Feb 6
Editors, I'm heading to Gamescom this year for the first time since 2022, and I'd love to interview devs and preview games for you! Email is in bio and DMs are open. If any writers want to meet up too shoot me a DM!
Reposted by Echo Apsey
I *really* did not like Code Vein 2, a game that repeats the mistakes of its predecessor, but worse, and makes a bunch of new ones
www.polygon.com/code-vein-2-...
www.polygon.com/code-vein-2-...
Code Vein 2 is a misfire in every way
Bandai Namco's sequel is everything a sequel shouldn't be
www.polygon.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:03 PM
I *really* did not like Code Vein 2, a game that repeats the mistakes of its predecessor, but worse, and makes a bunch of new ones
www.polygon.com/code-vein-2-...
www.polygon.com/code-vein-2-...
Code Vein II is a perfectly fine soulslike. It improves slightly in most areas from the original but it still feels quite hollow and lacking in anything you can really sink your teeth into. My review:
www.gamerguides.com/code-vein-ii...
www.gamerguides.com/code-vein-ii...
January 26, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Code Vein II is a perfectly fine soulslike. It improves slightly in most areas from the original but it still feels quite hollow and lacking in anything you can really sink your teeth into. My review:
www.gamerguides.com/code-vein-ii...
www.gamerguides.com/code-vein-ii...
How incredibly sad
DrDisrespect Created A Fake Highguard Badge And Lied About Being Invited To The Preview
DrDisrespect Lies About Being Invited To Highguard Preview Event - Kotaku
The controversial streamer shared a post online claiming he was invited to a creator event for the new FPS
kotaku.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:09 PM
How incredibly sad
So far my biggest problem with Highguard is the armor system is as annoying to deal with as in Apex Legends. At some point everyone feels like a bullet sponge.
January 26, 2026 at 8:10 PM
So far my biggest problem with Highguard is the armor system is as annoying to deal with as in Apex Legends. At some point everyone feels like a bullet sponge.
Highguard time. Excited to give it a shot based on what I have heard.
January 26, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Highguard time. Excited to give it a shot based on what I have heard.
Resident Evil Requiem feels like the culmination of the journey the franchise has been on since RE7. It's a melting pot of the series' best ideas with a lot of impressive upgrades. It has the potential to be the best game in the series.
My preview:
www.gamerguides.com/resident-evi...
My preview:
www.gamerguides.com/resident-evi...
January 26, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Resident Evil Requiem feels like the culmination of the journey the franchise has been on since RE7. It's a melting pot of the series' best ideas with a lot of impressive upgrades. It has the potential to be the best game in the series.
My preview:
www.gamerguides.com/resident-evi...
My preview:
www.gamerguides.com/resident-evi...
Writing a review for the most milquetoast game in the world is incredibly challenging.
January 26, 2026 at 2:26 AM
Writing a review for the most milquetoast game in the world is incredibly challenging.
And with that, Starmer's time as Labour lead has begun to end. Only a matter of time now, just well frustrated Streeting is the prick who will probably take over.
Andy Burnham blocked from byelection race by Labour ruling committee
Andy Burnham blocked from byelection race by Labour ruling committee
Decision likely to set off ferocious row between Keir Starmer loyalists and allies of Greater Manchester mayor
Labour’s national executive committee has blocked Andy Burnham’s request to seek selection for the Gorton and Denton byelection, according to Labour sources.
The decision is likely to set off a ferocious row with allies of the Greater Manchester mayor. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:05 PM
And with that, Starmer's time as Labour lead has begun to end. Only a matter of time now, just well frustrated Streeting is the prick who will probably take over.
Saw that clip of the guy getting shot in the US by ICE and every new thing from over there just sends me down a spiral of thinking everything is just going to unravel over the next 12 months.
January 24, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Saw that clip of the guy getting shot in the US by ICE and every new thing from over there just sends me down a spiral of thinking everything is just going to unravel over the next 12 months.
Undoubtedly the best season of The Traitors so far. Incredible TV, saw gameplans we have never seen before and an incredible ending.
January 23, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Undoubtedly the best season of The Traitors so far. Incredible TV, saw gameplans we have never seen before and an incredible ending.
That new Harry Styles song is a grower. Rather groovy once you have spent some time with it. Everyone's descriptions of it though we're very wrong lmao.
January 23, 2026 at 7:46 PM
That new Harry Styles song is a grower. Rather groovy once you have spent some time with it. Everyone's descriptions of it though we're very wrong lmao.
Caught up with the Xbox Developer Direct and lordy if Fable manages to live up to what they showed off here, it could easily be the game of the year (minus GTA6). Forza Horizon 6 also looks incredible, as someone who spent hundreds of hours in 5.
January 23, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Caught up with the Xbox Developer Direct and lordy if Fable manages to live up to what they showed off here, it could easily be the game of the year (minus GTA6). Forza Horizon 6 also looks incredible, as someone who spent hundreds of hours in 5.
Real sad No Other Choice got completely overlooked at the Oscars, but overall a good nomination list. Some big surprises in there and what feels like a very young set of nominees.
January 22, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Real sad No Other Choice got completely overlooked at the Oscars, but overall a good nomination list. Some big surprises in there and what feels like a very young set of nominees.
Reading this and quickly realising its a MOBA.
The PS5 trophy list for Highguard is out: www.exophase.com/game/highgua...
The game is out on January 26.
The game is out on January 26.
January 22, 2026 at 5:25 AM
Reading this and quickly realising its a MOBA.
With this being cancelled it sure destroys the credibility of a lot of people who have been making stuff up for years or just breaking ethics, ndas, and embargos.
BREAKING: Ubisoft is canceling the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake and 5 other games (4 unannounced, 1 mobile). The company says it is also delaying 7 games (including an unannounced project believed to be a Black Flag remake) as part of a larger restructuring.
January 21, 2026 at 4:51 PM
With this being cancelled it sure destroys the credibility of a lot of people who have been making stuff up for years or just breaking ethics, ndas, and embargos.
Everyone be like "where is Highguard?", when the internet has been shitting on it for 5 weeks straight. If I spent years developing or making something and everyone reacted the way they have for this game without experiencing it for themselves, I too would not be talking about it
January 19, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Everyone be like "where is Highguard?", when the internet has been shitting on it for 5 weeks straight. If I spent years developing or making something and everyone reacted the way they have for this game without experiencing it for themselves, I too would not be talking about it
Reposted by Echo Apsey
Alright, here's the official I'm looking for work thread. After four years at Inverse, taking the lead on gaming coverage, I'm now completely open to work. I've been a reporter, editor, podcast host, and much more. If you want to see what I can bring to the table, here's some of my best from Inverse
January 19, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Alright, here's the official I'm looking for work thread. After four years at Inverse, taking the lead on gaming coverage, I'm now completely open to work. I've been a reporter, editor, podcast host, and much more. If you want to see what I can bring to the table, here's some of my best from Inverse
One unintended effect of taking hrt for coming up on three years, is I now look more feminine than masculine and men will just push in front of me in a queue without thinking twice
January 19, 2026 at 4:23 PM
One unintended effect of taking hrt for coming up on three years, is I now look more feminine than masculine and men will just push in front of me in a queue without thinking twice
Give me a new NieR. Feels like it is time.
There’s a video game announcement coming some time this year that I have not seen anyone even remotely touch on/guess/theorize about, and I think people are going to absolutely lose their minds. I have nothing to do with it, but am genuinely excited for it to be announced just to see the reactions.
January 19, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Give me a new NieR. Feels like it is time.
Reposted by Echo Apsey
Breaks my heart to share this, but today is my last day at The Verge and I am looking for work! I'd really like to stay in video games, preferably in some kind of journalistic capacity but I can do PR/Marketing and maybe even a lil Narrative Design. Please get in touch!
www.ashparrish.com
www.ashparrish.com
Ash Parrish
www.ashparrish.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Breaks my heart to share this, but today is my last day at The Verge and I am looking for work! I'd really like to stay in video games, preferably in some kind of journalistic capacity but I can do PR/Marketing and maybe even a lil Narrative Design. Please get in touch!
www.ashparrish.com
www.ashparrish.com
Another outlet gone and less freelance budget than ever at the places still left for those newly laid off writers. Sure feels like you are slowly watching the tide come in and swallow up everything.
January 16, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Another outlet gone and less freelance budget than ever at the places still left for those newly laid off writers. Sure feels like you are slowly watching the tide come in and swallow up everything.
Shannon is one of the nicest and most helpful editors I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Definitely snap her up while you can.
after flying back from Vegas last week, I was just laid off from Inverse today. I'm open to connecting over email at [email protected] and I'm definitely still in the writing and editing space. Expect a more in-depth explanation coming soon in my Updater newsletter. shannonliao.substack.com
Updater, Shannon Liao's gaming newsletter | Substack
Exclusive gaming and tech news, from a classically-trained journalist, delivered to your inbox. Click to read Updater, Shannon Liao's gaming newsletter, a Substack publication with thousands of subscr...
shannonliao.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Shannon is one of the nicest and most helpful editors I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Definitely snap her up while you can.
Reposted by Echo Apsey
Inverse has decided to "divest from gaming content" so I'm out of a job again!
This is almost certainly the end of my career in games media, and probably the end of my writing career. I'd love for that not to be the case, so I'd appreciate any leads but I'm honestly not hopeful for obvious reasons♥️
This is almost certainly the end of my career in games media, and probably the end of my writing career. I'd love for that not to be the case, so I'd appreciate any leads but I'm honestly not hopeful for obvious reasons♥️
January 16, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Inverse has decided to "divest from gaming content" so I'm out of a job again!
This is almost certainly the end of my career in games media, and probably the end of my writing career. I'd love for that not to be the case, so I'd appreciate any leads but I'm honestly not hopeful for obvious reasons♥️
This is almost certainly the end of my career in games media, and probably the end of my writing career. I'd love for that not to be the case, so I'd appreciate any leads but I'm honestly not hopeful for obvious reasons♥️
Reposted by Echo Apsey
Inverse's Gaming section is being shut down as the company "divests" from gaming content. I'm out of a job along with my wonderful co-writers. I've put my heart and soul into this job for four years. Gonna need to take time to process, but I'm now completely open for work - and boy do I need it.
January 16, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Inverse's Gaming section is being shut down as the company "divests" from gaming content. I'm out of a job along with my wonderful co-writers. I've put my heart and soul into this job for four years. Gonna need to take time to process, but I'm now completely open for work - and boy do I need it.
Paid my tax bill, so excuse me while I go cry into my wallet.
January 16, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Paid my tax bill, so excuse me while I go cry into my wallet.