Hayden DingmanGames Reporter, PCWorld
Hayden writes about games for PCWorld and doubles as the resident Zork enthusiast.
Red Dead Redemption II PC impressions: Drop-dead gorgeous, if you can run it
Witness, Red Dead Redemption II is a game that can bring a GeForce RTX 2080 Ti to its knees...at 1080p. Seriously.
Planet Zoo review: Zoo Tycoon, but for people who want to build bear-themed bathrooms
Planet Zoo's management layer is thin and its construction kit occasionally frustrating, but a cast of lifelike animals and an if-you-dream-it-you-can-build-it spirit make this one of the most charming builders ever.
This week in games: Look at this Terminator-themed Xbox One X and its ominous red eye
Plus Death Stranding's coming to PC next summer, Netflix puts out the first trailer for The Witcher, and Red Barrels teases Outlast 3 (or maybe not). This is gaming news for October 28 to November 1.
BlizzCon 2019: Blizzard announces Diablo IV, Overwatch 2, World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Blizzard had quite a few announcements in store for BlizzCon 2019. Still no Warcraft IV, but what can you do?
Alienware m15 R2 review: Power in a stylish and portable package
Alienware's redesigned m15 R2 is a gorgeous laptop that puts out impressive performance—though you should probably opt for the OLED upgrade.
EA's games are coming back to Steam
The eight-year Origin experiment effectively draws to a close, as Jedi: Fallen Order, Apex Legends, Battlefield V, The Sims 4, and more head back to Valve's storefront.
Cooler Master MK850 review: Don't throw away your controller just yet
Cooler Master's MK850 keyboard integrates analog controls to replicate using a controller, but the experience is far from seamless, like a neat tech demo that's not yet a fully realized product.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare campaign review: War never changes, and neither does Call of Duty
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare tries to be a serious (and controversial) commentary on present-day armed conflicts, but it's mostly just another Call of Duty game.
This week in games: First look at Command & Conquer remaster, Payday 2 back from the dead
Plus: Battlefield V heads to the Pacific, a handful of Ubisoft delays, and everyone celebrates Halloween—even Agent 47. This is gaming news for October 21 to 25.
The Outer Worlds review: A stellar argument for deeper games, not wider ones
While it bears surface-level similarities to Fallout: New Vegas, Obsidian's created a deeper and more meaningful role-playing experience in The Outer Worlds, though it can still be frustratingly old-fashioned in regards to combat and exploration.
Fallout 76 adds $100 yearly subscription for private servers and crucial game improvements
Fallout 76's "Fallout 1st" $100 private server rental isn't actually all that expensive. On the other hand, tying the same subscription to a bunch of quality-of-life upgrades and dangling mod support for paying subscribers feels sort of dirty.
Surviving the Aftermath hands-on: It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine(ish)
If you're more a glass half-empty person, Paradox has a post-apocalyptic alternative to the eternally optimistic Surviving Mars. Can it break out from its predecessor's shadow though? We trudged through nuclear winter to find out.
PDXCON 2019: Paradox reveals Crusader Kings III, Surviving the Aftermath, and more
After eight years and over a dozen expansions, Crusader Kings II is getting a sequel—or an heir, if you prefer. That, plus expansions for Hearts of Iron IV, BattleTech, Age of Wonders: Planetfall, Stellaris, and more inside.
Plus: Free copies of Alan Wake's American Nightmare and Observer, the surprise release of Postal 4, and Riot announces both a shooter and a card game. This is gaming news for October 14 to 18.
Astro A50 (2019) review: Convenience costs money
Expensive as ever, Astro's redesigned A50 nevertheless makes a case for its sticker price with a sleeker charging cradle, a return to the more reliable 2.4GHz band, and a refined audio profile.