Maximilian Padilla-Rodriguez
26 articles published since June 13, 2023
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.