Jon Bailes, Author at Film Stories

From Cocoon to Elden Ring, gaming’s finest quality is its ability to surprise

by Jon Bailes | Oct 10, 2023 | Feature, Gaming

The element of surprise is a rare yet vital component in video games, Jon Bailes writes, and encourages us to look at real and imagined worlds in a new light.

Mineko’s Night Market review | There’s loneliness beneath the cosiness

by Jon Bailes | Oct 03, 2023 | Gaming, Reviews

Whimsical, cat-based life sim Mineko’s Night Market looks lovely - but sadly, it offers a thankless grind dressed in a cosy costume.

Intro sequences: a relic of the past, or a lost art to be redeemed?

by Jon Bailes | Sep 21, 2023 | Feature, Gaming, Opinions

Games like Tekken and Silent Hill began with intro sequences that pulled you into their worlds. Jon Bailes mourns the loss of an 80s and 90s artform.

Starfield may be amazing, but I’d rather play Sea of Stars

by Jon Bailes | Sep 06, 2023 | Feature, Gaming, Opinions

As Starfield hogs the limelight, Sea of Stars serves as a reminder of the Japanese RPG's uniquely imaginative appeal, Jon Bailes writes.

Third-person action adventure games: has the genre run out of ideas?

by Jon Bailes | Aug 07, 2023 | Feature, Gaming, Opinions

Third-person action adventure games have been dominant for too long. But what, Jon Bailes wonders, can replace them?

Viewfinder review | Picture-perfect concept, mixed puzzles

by Jon Bailes | Jul 17, 2023 | Gaming, Reviews

Viewfinder features a mind-boggling photographic concept that its puzzle design can’t quite match. Here’s our review:

What’s the point of game reviews? Perhaps it’s time to reconsider

by Jon Bailes | Jul 11, 2023 | Feature, Gaming, Opinions

Are reviews a buyer’s guide, just one person’s opinion - or perhaps even obsolete? Jon Bailes argues there’s still value to thoughtful game criticism.

Beyond Zelda, gaming in May was about hope for a better future

by Jon Bailes | Jun 12, 2023 | Feature, Gaming, Opinions

Darkest Dungeon II, Humanity and After Us all dared to emerge in Tears of the Kingdom's shadow last month. All offer a sense of hope in an uncertain world.

After Us: Creating hope amongst the ruins

by Jon Bailes | May 23, 2023 | Feature, Gaming, Interviews

After Us is a surreal adventure about humanity’s potentially dark future. As the game launches, its makers talk about their ambitious follow-up to the indie gem, Arise.

Humanity review | People are lemmings

by Jon Bailes | May 15, 2023 | Gaming, Reviews

Humanity is a 3D puzzler with enthralling existential themes. Here's our review of one of the year's best games so far (yes, including Zelda...)

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie preview | more intimate drama from the Life is Strange studio

by Jon Bailes | May 04, 2023 | Feature, Gaming, Previews

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie might be Don't Nod's most intimate adventure yet. We go hands-on with the Life is Strange makers' latest.

10 things from Zelda games past that Tears of the Kingdom could revive

by Jon Bailes | Apr 27, 2023 | Feature, Gaming

Loftwings? Time travel? Maybe even a bit of Tingle? Here are a few things we'd like to see Nintendo revive in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom...

Strayed Lights review | An action adventure that doesn’t quite dazzle

by Jon Bailes | Apr 25, 2023 | Gaming, Reviews

Strayed Lights mixes the emotion of Journey with the precise combat of Furi or Sekiro, but the fusion isn’t always a dazzling one. Our review:

Dead Island 2 review | a bludgeoning zombie sequel

by Jon Bailes | Apr 21, 2023 | Gaming, Reviews

Dead Island 2 delivers all the dismemberment and blunt force trauma you’d expect from an open-world zombie sequel, but is that enough? Here’s our rev...

Final Fantasy XVI | Logical evolution, or follower of action RPG trends?

by Jon Bailes | Apr 17, 2023 | Feature, Gaming, Opinions

Final Fantasy XVI is another forward-thinking evolution for the series, but Jon Bailes wonders whether it’s in danger of becoming a follower rather than an innovator.

Resident Evil 4 Remake | Ashley Graham’s depiction has evolved, but not by much

by Jon Bailes | Apr 06, 2023 | Feature, Gaming, Opinions

Ashley Graham is more realistically drawn in the remake than in the original Resident Evil 4. But what if she were closer to a real-world president’s daughter - like Ivanka Trump…?

Road 96: Mile 0 review | Teen spirit

by Jon Bailes | Apr 04, 2023 | Gaming, Reviews

Actions speak louder than words in Digixart’s adventure prequel, Road 96: Mile 0. Here’s our review of a fitting travelling companion.

Dredge review | Catch of the day

by Jon Bailes | Mar 30, 2023 | Gaming, Reviews

Come for the fishing and management, stay for the tantalising horror mystery. Here’s our review of Dredge....

Alien: why the xenomorph is perfect for games, and so hard to get right

by Jon Bailes | Mar 22, 2023 | Feature, Gaming

The designers behind Alien: Isolation, Aliens: Dark Descent and Aliens Infestation describe the challenges and possibilities of bringing Giger’s xenomorph to video games.