Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
@mikemurf2.bsky.social
Freelance gaming journalist/critic and self-proclaimed gaming extraordinaire. Bylines at Game Informer, TechRadar, ComicBook, Hardcore Gamer, and Destructoid. Nice to meet you!
Please DM or email @ [email protected] to reach out!
Please DM or email @ [email protected] to reach out!
Pinned
Hello everybody! With the new year approaching, I am looking for new opportunities in the video game journalism space! If you have any full-time, part-time, contract, or freelance positions, please reach out via DMs or email listed in my bio. I am available for reviews, previews, guides, and news.
Waiting to hear back from job applications is EXCRUCIATING. You’d think being a freelance journalist means waiting shouldn’t be a problem, but it got me stressing out😩.
I’ll be okay. Just need those emails to come flowing in haha.
I’ll be okay. Just need those emails to come flowing in haha.
a man wearing a suit and tie is standing in a field of yellow flowers
Alt: Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) waiting in a meadow field checking his watch.
media.tenor.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Waiting to hear back from job applications is EXCRUCIATING. You’d think being a freelance journalist means waiting shouldn’t be a problem, but it got me stressing out😩.
I’ll be okay. Just need those emails to come flowing in haha.
I’ll be okay. Just need those emails to come flowing in haha.
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
I keep getting hiring notifications for freelance job listings and…if the position is freelance…are you really hiring
February 3, 2026 at 5:26 PM
I keep getting hiring notifications for freelance job listings and…if the position is freelance…are you really hiring
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
PCMag is now hiring for TWO roles. The first is for a Writer to cover mobile, and the second is for a Senior Writer to cover mobile.
This is the Writer job:
www.ziffdavis.com/careers/jobs...
This is the Senior Writer job:
www.ziffdavis.com/careers/jobs...
This is the Writer job:
www.ziffdavis.com/careers/jobs...
This is the Senior Writer job:
www.ziffdavis.com/careers/jobs...
Search Jobs - Ziff Davis
We hire only the best and brightest because we know it takes great people to make a great company. We embrace the power of collaboration, have an entrepreneurial spirit and promote a work environment ...
www.ziffdavis.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:40 PM
PCMag is now hiring for TWO roles. The first is for a Writer to cover mobile, and the second is for a Senior Writer to cover mobile.
This is the Writer job:
www.ziffdavis.com/careers/jobs...
This is the Senior Writer job:
www.ziffdavis.com/careers/jobs...
This is the Writer job:
www.ziffdavis.com/careers/jobs...
This is the Senior Writer job:
www.ziffdavis.com/careers/jobs...
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
YOOO FIRST KOTAKU BYLINE 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Look at homegirl @nadiaoxford.bsky.social on Kotaku kotaku.com/dragon-quest...
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Review: Smooth Remake, OK Game
Reimagined is a pleasantly streamlined remake of the series' black-sheep entry, but its so-so cast and linear structure keep it from being among the best Dragon Quest games
kotaku.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:05 PM
YOOO FIRST KOTAKU BYLINE 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
The Joel Rogan Experience incoming
AI-Generated Podcasts Starring Characters Like God Of War's Kratos Might Be Sony's Worst Patent Ever https://kotaku.com/sony-playstation-ps5-ai-genai-podcast-patent-kratos-aloy-2000665334
Sony Patents AI-Generated Podcasts By Characters Like Kratos
The podcast would give you updates on games you’re playing in the simulated voices of your favorite characters
kotaku.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:25 PM
The Joel Rogan Experience incoming
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
Are you in dev, media, or content creation and have a story to tell about why Pokemon is special to you, has influenced your work, or overall just made an impact on your life? Would you want to tell me about it for a 30th anniversary Kotaku story? Get in touch: [email protected]. RTs appreciated!
a boy in a red hat is kneeling next to a pikachu in a forest .
ALT: a boy in a red hat is kneeling next to a pikachu in a forest .
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Are you in dev, media, or content creation and have a story to tell about why Pokemon is special to you, has influenced your work, or overall just made an impact on your life? Would you want to tell me about it for a 30th anniversary Kotaku story? Get in touch: [email protected]. RTs appreciated!
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
It's been two months since I was laid off at Rolling Stone, and I'm still searching for full-time work.
If you know of any senior-level or leadership roles in production, digital media, or journalism, let's talk! DMs are open; email is ([email protected]).
If you know of any senior-level or leadership roles in production, digital media, or journalism, let's talk! DMs are open; email is ([email protected]).
February 2, 2026 at 5:44 PM
It's been two months since I was laid off at Rolling Stone, and I'm still searching for full-time work.
If you know of any senior-level or leadership roles in production, digital media, or journalism, let's talk! DMs are open; email is ([email protected]).
If you know of any senior-level or leadership roles in production, digital media, or journalism, let's talk! DMs are open; email is ([email protected]).
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
My first video game review over on IGN!
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined may not shine in the same way Dragon Quest’s other recent remakes have, but this smoothed down version still retains its signature charm.
Our review: https://bit.ly/3LUmP9r
Our review: https://bit.ly/3LUmP9r
February 2, 2026 at 3:05 PM
My first video game review over on IGN!
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
ten years ago today no one clapped
February 2, 2026 at 12:57 PM
ten years ago today no one clapped
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
We love SMT, Persona 5, Bioshock, and Disco Elysium, but HATE woke, yes we’re idiots, what of it
Look I know there's a lot going on right now.....but what in the fresh hell is this
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
We love SMT, Persona 5, Bioshock, and Disco Elysium, but HATE woke, yes we’re idiots, what of it
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
Reminder that if you love games and writing about the people who make/play them, debating friendslop one moment and chasing industry changing scoops the next, Kotaku might have a job for you! kotaku.com/kotaku-is-hi...
February 1, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Reminder that if you love games and writing about the people who make/play them, debating friendslop one moment and chasing industry changing scoops the next, Kotaku might have a job for you! kotaku.com/kotaku-is-hi...
Snowing here in NC❄️! Missed my CT/East Coast weather, so seeing it here is great (though I could do away with the wind chill haha).
February 1, 2026 at 5:06 AM
Snowing here in NC❄️! Missed my CT/East Coast weather, so seeing it here is great (though I could do away with the wind chill haha).
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
Fun one for the weekend: I did my first review of 2026! I reviewed Dynasty Warriors: Origins - Visions of Four Heroes for SmashPad! It’s more of the original, which is not a bad things whatsoever. Hacking and slashing enemies never felt so good and the DLC is more of that. Hope you enjoy reading it!
DLC REVIEW – “Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Visions of Four Heroes” doesn’t change much, but that’s great
While not too much content, Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Visions of Four Heroes is still just as good as the original, keeping the fun of the Musou gameplay and story.
smashpad.com
January 31, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Fun one for the weekend: I did my first review of 2026! I reviewed Dynasty Warriors: Origins - Visions of Four Heroes for SmashPad! It’s more of the original, which is not a bad things whatsoever. Hacking and slashing enemies never felt so good and the DLC is more of that. Hope you enjoy reading it!
Fun one for the weekend: I did my first review of 2026! I reviewed Dynasty Warriors: Origins - Visions of Four Heroes for SmashPad! It’s more of the original, which is not a bad things whatsoever. Hacking and slashing enemies never felt so good and the DLC is more of that. Hope you enjoy reading it!
DLC REVIEW – “Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Visions of Four Heroes” doesn’t change much, but that’s great
While not too much content, Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Visions of Four Heroes is still just as good as the original, keeping the fun of the Musou gameplay and story.
smashpad.com
January 31, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Fun one for the weekend: I did my first review of 2026! I reviewed Dynasty Warriors: Origins - Visions of Four Heroes for SmashPad! It’s more of the original, which is not a bad things whatsoever. Hacking and slashing enemies never felt so good and the DLC is more of that. Hope you enjoy reading it!
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
Hey 2026, could you stop hurting my soul for a bit? Thanks🙏
Such an amazing actress right in the midst of a career resurgence thanks to Schitt’s Creek. So upsetting.
Such an amazing actress right in the midst of a career resurgence thanks to Schitt’s Creek. So upsetting.
The legendary Catherine O’Hara has died.
She was 71.
Per TMZ.
She was 71.
Per TMZ.
January 30, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Hey 2026, could you stop hurting my soul for a bit? Thanks🙏
Such an amazing actress right in the midst of a career resurgence thanks to Schitt’s Creek. So upsetting.
Such an amazing actress right in the midst of a career resurgence thanks to Schitt’s Creek. So upsetting.
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
Me every morning in this fucking country
January 30, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Me every morning in this fucking country
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
My latest 007 First Light feature is live!
How 007 First Light learns from and moves beyond Hitman gameinformer.com/2026/01/29/h...
January 29, 2026 at 11:34 PM
My latest 007 First Light feature is live!
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
To Kratos: "My name is Odin the All-Father. You killed my grandsons. Prepare to die."
January 29, 2026 at 8:22 PM
To Kratos: "My name is Odin the All-Father. You killed my grandsons. Prepare to die."
As a fan of Broadway (and The Princess Bride), this is literal god-tier casting. Hype just shot up for the God of War series. Hope they keep up the good castings.
deadline.com/2026/01/mand...
deadline.com/2026/01/mand...
Mandy Patinkin Cast As Odin In Prime Video’s ‘God Of War’
Mandy Patinkin has been cast as Odin in Prime Video's 'God of War,' the TV adaptation of the popular Playstation video game.
deadline.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:19 PM
As a fan of Broadway (and The Princess Bride), this is literal god-tier casting. Hype just shot up for the God of War series. Hope they keep up the good castings.
deadline.com/2026/01/mand...
deadline.com/2026/01/mand...
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
I can finally share that I wrote a retrospective on the Tales of series for Game Informer! I chatted with some of the leads of the series at Bandai Namco about the many games, like Symphonia and Arise. I’ve been working on this piece for a few months and it’s one I’m so proud of finally sharing.
30 Years Of Tales
Bandai Namco’s anthology RPG has been growing in quality and popularity for the last three decades.
gameinformer.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:31 PM
I can finally share that I wrote a retrospective on the Tales of series for Game Informer! I chatted with some of the leads of the series at Bandai Namco about the many games, like Symphonia and Arise. I’ve been working on this piece for a few months and it’s one I’m so proud of finally sharing.
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Freelance Video Game Critic and Journalist
there should be some kind of freelancer slack where people just spitball forever and editors can just drop in and be like “yes, good idea, commissioned”
January 29, 2026 at 5:50 PM
there should be some kind of freelancer slack where people just spitball forever and editors can just drop in and be like “yes, good idea, commissioned”