It's a lovely feeling when something you've been looking forward to finally arrives in the post. I experienced that last week when a well padded envelope arrived containing the second issue of From Gamers Magazine. The was timely as they currently have a Kickstarter running to fund a third issue, which is something I have already supported (backer number 2), and I was looking forward to seeing if they could repeat the quality of the first issue in the second. I need not have worried.
As always, the cover is the first thing you see, and this issues sees an excellent portrayal of Raz from Psychonauts, a smaller copy of which is also supplied. There was also a hand-written thank you note included which was another nice touch. We have 54 pages (including covers) and a mix of features, interviews, reviews and a few adverts, not overly many, and the one for Platform Players certainly caught my attention.
Features wise, there is a lovely four page piece on the evolution of the point and click adventure that covers ten seminal titles in the genre. This is a great introduction to the subject and (old game mechanics aside), you'd be well served by playing all of the games included. By the way, if that genre is to your taste, check out my review of Bitmap Books "The Art of Point and Click Adventures" here. Next up comes an interview with Nathan Hamley of Headware Games, who talks about his next release, Chasing Static. This looks like an intriguing Wales-set PS1 style horror title and one that I'll be looking out for. From the interview alone, I've already purchased his first title, Guard Duty, so am looking forward to playing that. There's an interview with Josh Hallaran, who talks about 8-Bit Adventures 2, then Super Mario 64 gets a once over, focusing on the environments that helped make that title one of the best games of all time.
A well-opined piece on Rockstar's effect on game design from the starting point of GTA III follows, then there's a good article on Elden Ring. The cover feature, detailing the history of Psychonauts and the travails of it's creation gets eight pages and what a cracking piece this is. The artwork matches the subject brilliantly and this is definitely a well-deserved cover story. Baldurs Gate gets a three page preview, followed by a nice personal piece on Final Fantasy XIV.
There are double page reviews of Scarlet Nexus, The legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, Cris Tales, Psychonauts 2 and No More Heroes 3. As per the first issue, plenty of screenshots and, having played Scarlet Nexus and Psychonauts 2, I will say that I found the reviews fair in their treatment.
The last article in the magazine is a guide to books every gamer should have on their shelves. Of the eight titles highlighted, I have three and, from this piece, will be getting at least another two, so for me, this was a great guide to find.
From Gamers Magazine Issue 2 has continued the fine sense of quality from Issue 1. From the artwork to the writing, I can find neither anything to complain about nor improvements to suggest. Hats off to the team behind the mag, each and everyone of you should be very proud to have created such a brilliant magazine. It is, in truth, a rarity. A multi-format magazine that is open to covering any topic in gaming. I also like how they are extremely open to new writers, as well as established ones - very much keeping to the ethos of its title. I know I am looking forward to issue 3 and beyond.
Speaking of issue 3, that is still in the Kickstarter funding stage. At the time this post goes up, they're on 82% with ten days to go. You can find out more information here, and I also urge you to check out their website here, where you can buy physical copies of issue 2 and pdf copies of issue 1 and 2. Give it a gander and, if you like what you see, support the team for the next issue.
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