EspressOpinion is our format for opinion pieces. Like their namesakes, they are strong and concentrated, and like good coffee, they are sourced carefully. We don't just give you our opinions, we provide you with the tools to understand why we hold them – so that you can meaningfully engage with them. Like a good espresso, their volume isn't their selling point, but a good one can still make you sit with it for a while. Best enjoyed when you really want to think about an issue.
EspressOpinion
Final Fantasy XIV is a long-running MMORPG that made big waves during the pandemic with its Endwalker expansion. It brought a 10 year saga to a close, and in its successor, Dawntrail, the next chapter begins. Despite its position as a fresh start, Dawntrail suffers from a familiar problem.
EspressOpinion
As an always-online game, The Crew requires a server to function, even for parts that are technically single-player. Ubisoft revoking the license means that you don't own the game anymore. The issue is that, legally, you never owned the game in the first place.
EspressOpinion
Enshrouded had me immensely curious about its voxel-based building system. It promised a very engaging and versatile system, and I was keen to see what I could do with it. However, without any fault of the building system, I lost interest in the game within an hour. Why? There were no stakes.
EspressOpinion
A retrospective on why The Crew was my favourite racing game of the last decade, and why always-online, all-digital product models are problematic.