CBR

Lev Barrett

About Lev Barrett

Lev Barrett is a recent gradaute student and a lover of video games and creative writing alike. They skew toward story-rich, turn-based games but have a love for discovering new interests. They enjoy making weird little games in Twine, much to the chagrin of the friends who are forced to play them.

The observatory from Dragon Quest IX. The male and female protagonists are superimposed over the image. 1
This DS Dragon Quest Game Is Long Past Due for a Remake

With its compelling quests and customizable heroes, Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies deserves another chance.

Abigail from Stardew Valley on a slightly blurred farm background 1
Why Players Keep Coming Back to Stardew Valley

With its addictive gameplay loop and loveable characters, Stardew Valley is the game that keeps farming sim fans coming back for more.

Classic Link and Tears of the Kingdom Zelda hold versions of the Master Sword 1
The Tears of the Kingdom Master Sword Quest Is A Symptom of the Game's Nostalgia

From Link's costumes to the incredible Master Sword quest, Tears of the Kingdom is a love letter to The Legend of Zelda franchise.

Persona Protagonists 1
Every Mainline Starting Persona, Ranked

Not all Personas are created equal. From Persona 1's Seiman Kongou to Persona 5's Arsène, some protagonists' starter Personas are better than others.

Screenshots of the goddess pond from the original and remake of A Wonderful Life. Official art of Cecilia from both versions is overlayed on top. 1
Story Of Seasons: A Wonderful Life Improves On The Original Harvest Moon Game

The Story of Seasons remake of A Wonderful Life proves that even the most iconic games of the Harvest Moon series can change for the better.

The main promotional image of a skell on a hilltop from Xenoblade Chronicles X with Elma superimposed over it 1
The Xenoblade Franchise's Most Underrated Entry Still Needs its Switch Remake

With the success of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Monolith Soft has more reason than ever to port the black sheep of the series to Switch.

A collage of key art from Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (left) and Oracle of Seasons (right) 1
Why The Legend of Zelda Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons Deserve a Remake

With the recent success of the Zelda franchise thanks to Tears of the Kingdom, Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons deserve a chance to shine again.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Original 1
Are Ports or Remakes More Important for the Future of Games Preservation?

When it comes to the future of games preservation, is it better to port a game as it originally was or to remake it entirely?

The Octopath II cast of characters milling around a fire in the forest. 1
Are HD-2D Graphics Improving Pixel Art or Holding It Back?

Octopath Traveler has inspired the artistic direction of upcoming remakes, but is HD-2D actually popularizing pixel art – or homogenizing it?