Save State: Escaping the 9 to 5 by Working Other 9 to 5s

Neal Sayatovich temporarily takes over Save State this week to explore the oddly comforting world of simulations. From building cheap gaming PCs to renovating and running a medieval fantasy tavern, this week’s column looks at why cozy sims are the perfect escape from demanding lives.
Save State Levels Up With Vincent’s All-Time Favorite RPG Developers

Save State’s Vincent Mahoney takes a break from year-end lists to journey back through decades of RPG greatness. In this first half of his two-part feature, he highlights three powerhouse studios that shaped his love of role-playing games.
Save State Tracks Bigger Beasts in Monster Hunter Wilds

The Final Fantasy collaboration brings new beasts to Monster Hunter Wilds. Save State’s Vincent Mahoney breaks down the new Omega fights, the Savage version and why tanking it yourself might just save the day.
Save State Celebrates the Spooky Season With Two Unique Horror Adventures

Save State’s Vincent Mahoney writes about two quirky and unsettling horror adventures just in time for Halloween. From avoiding accidents in Don’t Pee to surviving suspicious guests in No, I’m not a Human, this Save State entry serves up thrills, chills and a healthy dose of paranoia.
Save State Deals a Winning Hand With the Voice of Cards Trilogy

From the mind of Yoko Taro and the art of Kimihiko Fujisaka comes an RPG series that feels like a tabletop session brought to life. Save State’s Vincent Mahoney writes about Voice of Cards this week, and how the trilogy’s world is depicted through the medium of cards.
Slaying Dragons and Clearing Backlogs in Seventh Dragon III

In this Save State column, Vincent Mahoney dusts off a sealed copy of Seventh Dragon III: Code VFD for the 3DS and discovers a hidden gem of a JRPG.
Save State Keeps on the Borderlands

As Borderlands 4 hits the shelves, Save State’s Vincent Mahoney takes us on a nostalgic detour through the greatest guns, gags and growing pains that the amazing looter shooter series has offered us over the years.
Save State’s Life Lessons: 5 Things Video Games Can Teach Us

From hoarding virtual items to asking for instructions twice, video games are more than just entertainment. They are surprisingly practical life teachers. In this whimsical Save State column, Vincent Mahoney takes us through five lessons learned from games, county fairs and the occasional horse bite.
Chaos Emeralds for Everyone: Save State Revisits Sonic Adventure 2

What do busted freezers, Sonic the Hedgehog trading cards and retro Dreamcast adventures have in common? They all collide in this week’s Save State as Vincent Mahoney dives back into Sonic Adventure 2, a title that still delivers speed, style and chaos in 2025.
Save State Investigates a Bright Yellow Challenger to the Switch Pro Controller

This week Save State’s Vincent Mahoney tests out the 8bitdo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth, a Nintendo Switch friendly gamepad with a slick dock, solid performance and just enough differences to stand out from its counterparts.
