Kirk Hamilton

The Ten Stages Of Coping With Final Fantasy XV’s Chapter 13

So you just started playing chapter 13 of Final Fantasy XV. It sucks. You feel trapped in a nightmare that will never end. Take some small comfort in knowing that you are not the only one to suffer through it. By working through these ten stages, you will eventually come to terms with this very…

Dishonored 2’s New Custom Difficulties Give You A Lot Of Options

Today, the PC version of Dishonored 2 got a beta update that adds new custom difficulty settings as well as options for mission restart and mission select. Those custom options are a welcome addition—if you’re still playing Dishonored 2, chances are you’d like to be able to fine-tune how much noise your footsteps make. The…

I Just Returned To The Witness And Boy Am I Lost

A year ago, I played around six hours of the brilliant puzzle game The Witness. Then I stopped. Last weekend, I decided to go back and play some more. It’s been a rude awakening. My memory of those first six hours is pretty hazy. (My memory of everything from January 2016 is pretty hazy.) What…

Everything We Know About Nintendo Switch

Nintendo just announced a bunch of new info about their new console, the Nintendo Switch. Here’s what we learned during the big show. THE DATE AND PRICE The Nintendo Switch will launch worldwide on March 3, 2017 and will cost $300 in the United States. Here’s what that $300 will get you: THE CONSOLE The…

OK, Bear With Me: What If Mario And Wario Are The Same Guy?

In Nintendo’s recently released mobile game Super Mario Run, the famous plumber leaps his way through a couple dozen levels on his way to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. Been there, done that. Yet perhaps there is a second, darker reading of this game? Maybe there’s an interpretation that shakes the accepted Mario lore to…

The First Five Games I Use To Test A Surround Sound Headset

I’ve reviewed a lot of surround-sound headphones in my years writing for Kotaku. When I’m testing out a new one, I have a stable of good-sounding games I go through to see how everything sounds. The majority of modern video games are mixed for 5.1 or 7.1 surround in addition to stereo, but the actual…

A HUD Mod That Let Me Rediscover The Witcher 3

I’ve played a lot of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Like, a LOT. My Steam counter just cracked 200 hours, and that’s not counting the first time I played the game on PS4. I figured I’d seen everything there was to see, but a mod I recently installed has proved me wrong. That mod is…

Astro A50 (2016) Review: A Good Gaming Headset Gets Better, Mostly 

Astro recently released a new version of their flagship A50 wireless gaming headset. This model works with both PC and consoles, and even comes with a magnetic charging dock. It’s a solid headset overall, and offers some significant improvements on its already good predecessor. It’s also got a few niggling flaws. Astro is a pretty…

The 12 Best Video Games Of 2016

First, we spent a year playing video games. Then we spent a couple weeks debating which ones were best. Here, in alphabetical order, are Kotaku’s top 12 games of 2016. BoxBoxBoy Civilization VI Darkest Dungeon Dishonored 2 Doom Dragon Quest Builders Hitman Inside Overwatch Pokémon Sun and Moon Stardew Valley The Witness

The Best Video Game Music Of 2016

2016 was a great year for video games, and an even better year for video game music. It was also a diverse year, with a mix of Norse folk music, spy movie histrionics, ambient soundscapes and extremely heavy metal. This piece originally appeared December 21, 2016. As with past years (see: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)…

The Biggest Video Game Disappointments Of 2016

If 2016 taught us anything at all, it was that sometimes, things don’t go your way. For every lovely surprise, there is a major disappointment around the corner. This piece originally appeared December 16, 2016. We’ve already recounted the best surprises of the year, so it’s time to let our bitterness reign. As in past…

The Best Video Game Surprises of 2016

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the world of video games will surprise you in the best possible way. This year had even more great surprises than usual. This piece originally appeared December 12, 2016. As has become an annual tradition here at Kotaku, we’ve made a list of the best surprises of…

Kirk Hamilton’s Top 10 Games Of 2016

Stop me if you’ve heard this one: A farmer, a hitman, and a little boy all walk into a bar. Everything’s moving in slow motion, so the bartender’s like, “Dishonored? I hardly even know ‘er!” No but seriously, folks, 2016 was a pretty great year for games. I had a hard time narrowing down my…

A Year’s Worth Of Dating Advice For The Modern Geek

Another year is on the record books, and with it another couple dozen Ask Dr. Nerdlove columns. Such love, loss, and heartbreak! So much bad sex, so many toxic partners and jealous exes! It was a lot to unravel. I’ve really enjoyed editing Harris O’Malley over the last few years, mostly because I get to…

The very good rhythm game Thumper is now playable in VR on PC. It works with Vive and Rift through SteamVR and is also now on the Oculus store. Give it a go if you have the means—this game is extremely cool in VR.

Dishonored 2’s New Game Plus Is Really Good

I finished Dishonored 2 last weekend and immediately jumped into a New Game Plus. Turns out it’s a fantastic, downright essential addition to the game. New Game Plus (NG+) was added to the PC version in a beta patch late last week, and the update just went live for everyone today. Provided you’ve finished at…

The State Of Virtual Reality In 2016

In truth, 2016 was not “The Year of VR.” It was the year of the start of VR. Multiple major tech companies released impressive VR systems that were clearly the first of their kind; flawed and fascinating, destined to be improved upon and replaced. The age of immersive technology is upon us, but its future…

The State Of The PlayStation 4 In 2016

The PlayStation 4 evolved this year. Sony’s flagship console got a little bigger and a little more powerful, though its potential is as yet undertapped. It also got its very own VR headset, though that headset noticeably fails to match its PC counterparts. It’s not clear whether Sony has moved their gaming system in all…

Have You Got What It Takes To Solve Dishonored 2’s Wicked Logic Puzzle?

Dishonored 2 is a game about sneaking, stabbing, and teleporting around behind enemy lines. It’s also occasionally a game about solving thorny LSAT-style logic puzzles. Last night I dove back into Dishonored 2 for the first time in a few weeks. I loaded my most recent save and found myself in the Dust District, standing…

Okay, Final Fantasy XV, Your Jump Button Is A Problem

Hi, Final Fantasy XV. You’re weird and I like you. But we need to talk about your jump button real quick. Specifically, the fact that your jump button is the same as your “interact” button. Do I need to jump? Press X. Need to open a door? Press X. Need to talk to an NPC…