Robin Valentine
Formerly the editor of PC Gamer magazine (and the dearly departed GamesMaster), Robin combines years of experience in games journalism with a lifelong love of PC gaming. First hypnotised by the light of the monitor as he muddled through Simon the Sorcerer on his uncle’s machine, he’s been a devotee ever since, devouring any RPG or strategy game to stumble into his path. Now he's channelling that devotion into filling this lovely website with features, news, reviews, and all of his hottest takes.
Latest articles by Robin Valentine
![The heroes of Divinity: Original Sin 2.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SYjKtM2xuc9yJdaBAecTfP-320-80.png)
The Divinity: Original Sin board game took 6 years to make because Larian was determined to do right by the series: 'We're not going to do a piss poor job with a game that's part of an IP that we care about'
By Robin Valentine published
ABOVE BOARD Publishing coordinator Kieron Kelly on Larian's enduring love for Divinity and tabletop gaming.
![The box of the Divinity: Original Sin board game on a table.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bw3ZHFPPwtbAGHDHrFMkr8-320-80.jpg)
The Divinity: Original Sin board game is like a huge new Larian RPG in a box, and it's one of the coolest games I've ever played
By Robin Valentine published
DIE-VINITY Cards and dice and all things nice.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FXhsk9wTxWvr2E9v7CUUED-320-80.jpg)
Games Workshop has announced a board game based on Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, but, uh, maybe don't get too excited
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS Fatshark finally get a tabletop tie-in, but it doesn't look set to do the videogame justice.
![Superhero Facet protected by his crystal armour in Capes.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KF9SNPV97wLkMmpDzcwfCa-320-80.jpg)
Superheroes and XCOM collide in this brilliantly tense and tactical turn-based strategy game
By Robin Valentine published
SPANDEXCOM Capes' unique characters, tricky teamwork, and punchy mission design make it a really exciting addition to the genre.
![Lae'zel, face covered in blood, stands in the Astral Plane](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/irRoeQH8qnDqjJSNJsEgc9-320-80.jpg)
Hasbro wants to make another Baldur's Gate sequel but it's early days yet: 'We certainly hope that it's not another 25 years'
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS "We're now talking to lots of partners and being approached by a lot of partners who are embracing the challenge of, what does the future of the Baldur's Gate franchise look like?"
![A samurai looking up at the vast shadow of the Shogun in Shogun Showdown.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pgt74SQzb7YLs5SbcciQKU-320-80.png)
My new roguelike obsession is a turn-based strategy game that makes you feel like a samurai John Wick
By Robin Valentine published
SLICE OF LIFE Shogun Showdown is one part Slay the Spire, one part Into the Breach, and one part Kurosawa movie.
![A close up of a woman's face in Dragon's Dogma 2.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3STyS2wmLdtWjSU8YtmEtb-320-80.jpg)
4 things I hope RPGs and open world games learn from Dragon's Dogma 2
By Robin Valentine published
QUEST PRACTICE The quirky sequel isn't perfect, but it deserves to be influential.
![A knight riding a dinosaur in Dinolords.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cttYZsWBv6DYKstRegkBFE-320-80.png)
Dinolords is basically Age of Empires with dinosaurs, and honestly what more could you want from an RTS than that?
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS The vikings are invading, and they've got a T-Rex.
![The triangle hero fighting a large enemy with two swords in Void Sols.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dE5hf5UKohcCC7FVgjqr9e-320-80.jpg)
This slick and experimental soulslike takes about 15 seconds to get you feeling empathy for a triangle
By Robin Valentine published
FIGHTING SHAPE Void Sols mixes up the formula with an abstract art-style, easy respecs, and an almost immersive sim approach to level design.
![A close up of a man's scared face in Dragon's Dogma 2.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y7CunNZUcPB7FYJY9rDheJ-320-80.jpg)
Even with the Dragonsplague, Dragon's Dogma 2 isn't as mean as its predecessor—but I love how faithful it is to the series' strange and unique identity
By Robin Valentine published
Dogmatic 12 years on, Capcom has stuck to its guns.
![A warrior Arisen walking through a dark cave in Dragon's Dogma 2.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pAT6d2a2fiSmW5Uqm4RTZi-320-80.jpg)
How to start a new game in Dragon's Dogma 2
By Robin Valentine published
START OVER There's no in-game option for it, so if you want a fresh start you'll need to find and delete your save.
![Dragon's Dogma 2 tips](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cdLBKvACtDYjufuU4uyuzX-320-80.jpg)
Our top 10 Dragon's Dogma 2 tips for getting started
By Fraser Brown published
Arise Even the Arisen needs a helping hand.
![A group of Raider miniatures in Fallout: Factions.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eCLSixKU4pe6yoycAV5qXi-320-80.png)
With streamlined rules and an all-in-one box set, Fallout: Factions could be a perfect first step into wargaming
By Robin Valentine published
FACTION MAN The game, based on Fallout 4's Nuka World DLC, pits Raider gangs against each other in the ruins of a pre-war theme park.
![A wizard and her soldiers standing in front of a castle in Cataclismo.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YQiyGcqcgWBHLHExYhymxB-320-80.jpg)
This clever survival RTS has such a fun and in-depth building system that it's got me making little roofs to keep my soldiers dry when it rains
By Robin Valentine published
WALL FOR ONE Cataclismo lets you build your defences literally brick by brick, and it's a blast even if you're as bad an architect as me.
![The view over a settlement at night in No Rest for the Wicked.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gnSW2HrspSJ22reXmVz5tJ-320-80.jpg)
The next adventure from the developer of Ori and the Blind Forest is a gripping soulslike action-RPG with a survival game twist
By Robin Valentine published
REST ASSURED After 90 minutes with No Rest for the Wicked, I'm already in love with its enthralling visuals and deeply satisfying combat.
![Cards swirl in an interdimensional vortex in Balatro's trippy intro sequence.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bNSaVUMce96WEjwcdHH7NQ-320-80.jpg)
19 essential Balatro tips to make you a master of the blinds
By Robin Valentine published
HANDY Get to Ante 8 and beyond with these key strategies.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AYwu8v6rCzhSLdiN6LSAHY-320-80.jpg)
5 things you always think are going to be amazing in games but never are
By Robin Valentine published
DISAPPOINTED! From evil choices to infinite galaxies, there are some ideas that seem doomed to disappoint, no matter how cool they sound.
![The two brothers of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4smNg8fdV7AiuCovHdB5P6-320-80.png)
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake isn't just needless, it's as creatively bankrupt as a remake can get
By Robin Valentine published
OH BROTHER Misguided changes to the visuals, cutscenes, and story make this a deeply disappointing release that's simply worse than its predecessor.
![Lara Croft wielding her classic two pistols on the cover of Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xDBkNKnoUXsSubGCAtbMdm-320-80.jpg)
A Tomb Raider tabletop RPG wasn't an announcement I expected, but the more I think about it, the more I think it's a perfect combo
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth is being developed by the publisher of Blades in the Dark and Monster of the Week.
![Aiming down sights at a minefield in Helldivers 2.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h7UnqDYN9K87EuUKoEdQSW-320-80.jpg)
Taking on Helldivers 2's missions solo is like playing the world's scariest tower defence game
By Robin Valentine published
HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE Diving alone may not be psychologically healthy.
![A duckling using psychic powers to levitate a screw in Blister Critters.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DaXoeLCqG2xv2B4vqNmN7d-320-80.png)
Want more skateboarding and laser pistols in your D&D campaign? This year's ZineQuest is offering up a feast of weird and wonderful new adventures for tabletop RPG fans
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS There's even a new game for people sick of waiting for Hollow Knight: Silksong to come out.
![Two pirates at the wheel of a ship in Tortuga - A Pirate's Tale.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tXffBj3TN5SpzDKeQKXCfF-320-80.png)
Forget Skull and Bones, there's another pirate game out on Steam this week that's plundered my heart with turn-based naval combat and pirate presidential campaigns
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS Tortuga - A Pirate's Tale is a more in-depth take on leading your own marauding fleet.
![A Digger fighting off a horde of bugs in Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Lxho59KPPVHkBJ6w3qUmx5-320-80.jpg)
Deep Rock Galactic's first spin-off is out now in Early Access, and it's the best auto-shooter since Vampire Survivors
By Robin Valentine published
NEWS Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is already a complete and satisfying roguelike, and this is only the beginning.
![A close up of Harley Quinn's face looking concerned in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8ekfuoLzqorTVanMstFxdU-320-80.jpg)
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's forgettable enemies, empty missions, and incongruous gun obsession prove why superheroes and live service do not mix
By Robin Valentine published
DEAD ON ARRIVAL Rocksteady's latest represents nearly a decade of work wasted on a combo that simply doesn't work.
![A crow wizard in Legend in the Mist.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d4TpJ2ynBLvGNrA35crxpF-320-80.jpg)
This 'rustic fantasy' tabletop RPG couldn't feel more different to D&D: 'That sense of the hidden and the spiritual has just been dumped, and we want to bring that back to life'
By Robin Valentine published
MIST CONNECTION Legend in the Mist is a fantasy follow-up to the smash hit TTRPG City of Mist, and it's on Kickstarter now.
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