Gaming NPR explores the latest in games and gaming culture — from the latest digital titles to what's on our tabletops.

Gaming

Wednesday July 20, 2022

The best games of 2022, picked by the NPR staff

poncle; Crows Crows Crows; SNK Corporation; Normal; Thomas van den Berge; Warner Bros. Games; Finji; Square Enix; Konami Digital Entertainment; Square Enix; Spike Chunsoft; Annapurna Interactive; Sony Interactive Entertainment; Bandai Namco; Fellow Travel

Culture

The best games of 2022, picked by the NPR staff

July 20, 2022 • From critical hits like Elden Ring to indie darlings like Tunic, it's been a busy year for video games. NPR staffers and contributors round up their favorites so far.

Thursday June 30, 2022

Hand-animated 'Cuphead' game delights in 'The Delicious Last Course'

The villainous Mortimer Freeze, having a whale of a time. Studio MDHR hide caption

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Studio MDHR

Culture

Hand-animated 'Cuphead' game delights in 'The Delicious Last Course'

June 30, 2022 • After comics, novels, and a spinoff Netflix show, Cuphead returns to its roots with new game content. It's brutally difficult, brilliantly surreal, and entirely worth playing.

Wednesday June 8, 2022

Fight to save camp counselors from a deadly monster in this summer's best horror game

Unhappy campers in Supermassive Games' The Quarry. Supermassive Games hide caption

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Supermassive Games

Culture

Fight to save camp counselors from a deadly monster in this summer's best horror game

June 8, 2022 • An extra night after summer camp results in the most terrifying experience a group of counselors will ever face. They'll live or die based on your actions — and it's a thrilling ride.

Friday May 27, 2022

Xbox promotes Asian characters and creators amid calls for greater diversity in games

One of Xbox's headlining Asian characters, Morgan Yu from Prey, playable as either a man or a woman. Arkane Studios hide caption

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Arkane Studios

Culture

Xbox promotes Asian characters and creators amid calls for greater diversity in games

May 27, 2022 • Microsoft has touted Asian representation on their services throughout AAPI month as they aggressively acquire more games and studios for Xbox.

Wednesday May 18, 2022

Supernatural sleuthing, bloody frustrations in 'Vampire: The Masquerade — Swansong'

Leysha, a vampire with psychic powers, is on the case. Big Bad Wolf hide caption

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Big Bad Wolf

Culture

Supernatural sleuthing, bloody frustrations in 'Vampire: The Masquerade — Swansong'

May 18, 2022 • A new video game features three vampire investigators sniffing out a conspiracy in modern Boston. But it's not the gothic epic that franchise fans keep waiting for.

Friday May 13, 2022

How a father's gift brought sense to an uncertain life, from 'Zelda' to 'Elden Ring'

Alexander Tuerk

Culture

How a father's gift brought sense to an uncertain life, from 'Zelda' to 'Elden Ring'

May 13, 2022 • Contributor Alexander Tuerk revisits departed family and the virtual worlds that sustained him in uncertain times.

Monday April 18, 2022

Review: Playdate console offers pocket-sized gaming, a hand crank and nostalgia

Bright and cheerful, the Playdate fits in the palm of your hand. Keller Gordon hide caption

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Keller Gordon

Culture

Review: Playdate console offers pocket-sized gaming, a hand crank and nostalgia

April 18, 2022 • A new handheld console doesn't have the appeal of the Nintendo Switch or the power of the Steam Deck, but it's got nostalgia and novelty galore.

Friday April 15, 2022

Researchers explore an unlikely treatment for cognitive disorders: video games

A screenshot of Neurogrow, which tests a patient's memory and reaction time as an experimental treatment for cognitive decline. Therapeutic Games and Apps Lab, University of Utah hide caption

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Therapeutic Games and Apps Lab, University of Utah