Author Archives: Mark Filipowich

About Mark Filipowich

Mark Filipowich is a mute orphan from an idyllic village in the hills. After it was burned to the ground by an evil empire, he began his quest for video game criticism. His journey has brought him to PopMatters, The Border House, Nightmare Mode, Joystick Division and Medium Difficulty. Quest updates can be found at big-tall-words.com and on Twitter @MarkFilipowich.

Tighten up the Narrative in Level 3: The grammar of videogames

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Mark Filipowich

In the great sandwich of videogames, game mechanics are the baguette and game stories are the stuffing. Whether a game is simply a thin spread of butter on an oven fresh bun or a triple-decker steak’n’cheese with pan fried vegetables … Continue reading →

Posted in Critical Conversation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

I Am Many: Multiple Identities in Persona 3

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Mark Filipowich

Ever notice how most fiction treats a breakdown of identity as just about the worst thing that can happen? Oedipus’s tragedy stems from not knowing who he “really” is, Mad Men is all about characters creating and escaping their “real” … Continue reading →

Posted in Critical Conversation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Kotaku , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

“You Presume Too Much”: Love and Sex in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Mark Filipowich

She said “my love.” I know she did! I didn’t dream it—at least I think I didn’t. It’s quite natural really: her Kingdom’s conquered, she has nothing, no one to protect her. She needs me! I can see it in … Continue reading →

Posted in Close Playing , Critical Conversation | Tagged Farah , , Kill all PUAs , Love , , , Pushselect , Sands of Time , Sex , The Prince | 4 Comments

Challenge is Conflict: How Difficulty Makes Game Narratives Work

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Mark Filipowich

Back when Twilight Princess was first released, my girlfriend—who has liberated Hyrule almost as many times as it’s needed it—had only one complaint: it was too easy. The puzzles were well enough designed but a misstep hardly left a scratch … Continue reading →

Posted in Critical Conversation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments