CBR

Maximilian Padilla-Rodriguez-

Maximilian Padilla-Rodriguez

About Maximilian Padilla-Rodriguez

Born and raised in Florida, Maximilian Padilla-Rodriguez previously interned for Study Breaks Magazine before joining CBR as a freelance writer. Aside from writing and researching for his next article, he usually spends his time reading, playing video games (usually Nioh 2), or learning to code. 

Void, Guts and Casca from Berserk 1
Why the Best Berserk Game Needs a Remake

Berserk's Japan-exclusive PS2 game is a flawed gem with lots of untapped potential, but a remake can transform it into a must-play for series fans.

Demi-fiend in front of Thor and Hellbiker from Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne 1
Why Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne's Brutal Difficulty is Brilliantly Designed

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne is best known for being an incredibly difficult JRPG, but the game's challenge highlights its masterful design.

Box art for Burnout 3: Takedown - cars driving with an explosion behind them 1
What Modern Racing Games Can Learn from Burnout 3

Burnout 3: Takedown is one of the best games in the racing genre, but its simplicity highlights a major flaw that plagues many modern racing games.

Joker in front of promo art for Persona 5 Tactica and Persona 5: The Phantom X 1
Is Atlus Leaning on Persona 5 Too Much?

Persona 5 is undoubtedly Atlas' most successful title in recent years, but the company's reliance on the hit JRPG is starting to backfire.

Monokuma and Character Silhouettes from Danganronpa V3 1
Danganronpa V3's Ending is a Misunderstood Masterpiece

Danganronpa V3 features one of the boldest and most controversial endings in gaming history, but its infamous finale delivers an important lesson.

Images of Jack from SOP: Final Fantasy Origin and Clive from Final Fantasy XVI 1
How Stranger of Paradise Avoids Final Fantasy XVI's Biggest Mistake

Final Fantasy XVI's combat is divisive among the franchise's fans, but Stranger of Paradise showed how the series could improve its action gameplay.

A collage of the box arts for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) and Modern Warfare 3 (2011) 1
The Original Modern Warfare 3's Most Underrated Mode Deserves a Return

Survival mode is one of the Call of Duty franchise's forgotten game modes, but it has the potential to become the series' best feature.

Red Harlow and John Marston from the Red Dead series. 1
Before Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar Turned a Canceled Capcom Game into a Cult Classic

Red Dead Revolver has been overshadowed by its sequels, but its unusual development history helped it become Rockstar’s most bizarre game.

Images of Dante and Lucia from Devil May Cry 2, and Dante fighting Vergil from Devil May Cry 3 1
How Devil May Cry's Biggest Blunder Actually Improved the Series

Devil May Cry 2 is often considered the black sheep of the franchise, but it played a crucial role in the development of its vastly superior sequels.

John Marston from Red Dead Redemption in front of a town and a silhouette 1
Red Dead Redemption Shows How Rockstar Perfected Open Worlds

Rockstar is known for making some of the best open worlds in gaming, but Red Dead Redemption highlights exactly what makes their settings so great.

Super Saiyan Blue Goku in front of screenshots from Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 1
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 4 is Torn Between Two Fanbases

Fighting game and Dragon Ball fans alike are at odds over how the upcoming Budokai Tenkaichi 4 should balance its roster and gameplay.

Promotional art featuring characters from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess 1
How Twilight Princess Highlights the Problem with Fan Demand

Game developers don't always listen to fan suggestions, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess shows why that's the case.

A picture of Dante in front of Mundus and gameplay from Devil May Cry 1
Why The Original Devil May Cry Doesn't Need a Remake

Despite releasing over two decades ago, the original Devil May Cry hasn't received a remake. However, there's a good reason for this.

The three seventh-gen consoles: Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3 1
Why the Seventh Console Generation Is Gaming's Most Divisive Era

The seventh console generation is responsible for gaming's greatest triumphs and most egregious mistakes, but did it do more harm than good?

A collage of gameplay stills and character close-ups from the video games Project Spark and Dreamss 1
How Dreams Learned From the Missteps of Microsoft's Project Spark

Not many people remember Microsoft’s Project Spark, but its tumultuous history and downfall played an unexpected role in Dreams' success.

Three mobile suits from Gundam Breaker 3 1
Why Gundam Breaker 3 Is the Best Gundam Video Game

The Gundam franchise has received plenty of video game adaptations, but few can match the creative freedom and depth of Gundam Breaker 3.

Multiple games included with Xbox Game Pass Core 1
Xbox Game Pass Core Represents an Important Change for Microsoft

Xbox Game Pass Core won't change much for Xbox Live Gold subscribers, but its introduction is necessary for the future of Microsoft's consoles.

Captain Falcon in front of screenshots from F-Zero GX 1
Why F-Zero GX Is Still Nintendo's Best Racing Game 20 Years Later

Even after 20 years, F-Zero GX is still an arcade racing masterpiece and a perfect showcase of why F-Zero deserves a modern revival.

Shantae and the monkey and harpy forms from Shantae: Half-Genie Hero 1
The Best Shantae Game Highlights the Series' Biggest Problem

By ditching the series' defining gimmick, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse inadvertently reveals why the half-genie hero's powers are far from perfect.

Retro consoles and game cartridges for the SNES, Atari and PlayStation 2 1
Video Games Deserve Better Preservation Efforts

Retro games are endangered, yet corporations continue to interfere in video game preservation efforts. Here’s why that needs to change.

1 2
Page 1 / 2