

Matt Karoglou
Contributor
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597articles
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7News
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579Features
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11Reviews
About Matt Karoglou
Matt Karoglou is a freelance writer and musician who has been playing video games for 36 years and writing about them for almost as long. When he's not editorializing about the intricacies and brilliance of the Shmup genre or playing Resident Evil for the thousandth time, he can be found most days listening to metal and hardcore records while enjoying indie titles on his Steam Deck.
Industry Focus
Primarily writes about RPGs, indie titles, Metroidvanias, Soulslikes, and the Resident Evil series. Interested in all things Square Enix and Capcom, and occasionally dabble in the industry-focused hardware piece here and there.
Favorite Games
As a massive Resident Evil fan, the original, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 4 all rank among some of my all-time favorite games (both their initial releases and remakes). I'm also a huge fan of Metroidvanias and try to play as many as I can get my hands on. While my all-time favorites will always be the portmanteau's origins (Super Metroid and Castlvania: Symphony of the Night), Hollow Knight, both Ori games, and both Blasphemous games also rank high as some of my favorites in the genre. Special shout out to Chrono Trigger and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past as quite possibly my first and second favorite games of all-time, as well as Final Fantasy IV ranking somewhere in the top 5.
Favorite Console
I cut my teeth on the NES just in time for the SNES to arrive right as I was 6 years old, and the Super Nintendo will always have a special place as one of my all-time favorite consoles. Right behind it, though, is the PlayStation. Some of my favorite franchises have either their series highlights (Castlevania, Final Fantasy) or origins (Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil) on the PS1, cementing it as an all-timer for me. Picking between the SNES and PS1 would be nearly impossible, as both have some of the most impressive libraries in the history of gaming.
Latest

Atomfall's Leads System Explained
Rebellion's Atomfall takes an atypical approach to gameplay and progression thanks to its Leads system emphasizing investigation.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Review
Assassin's Creed Shadows is a spectacular return to form for the franchise, delivering one of the series' more tightly focused historical adventures.

Every New and Returning Monster in Monster Hunter Wilds Explained
Monster Hunter Wilds' roster of huntable beasts is a collection of foes both old and new, including several returning favorites and series debuts.

Monster Hunter Wilds Has Started With a Bang, But Its PC Version is Still Sitting on a Powder Keg
The ongoing woes over Monster Hunter Wilds' PC port are the sole sore spot on an otherwise positive and record-breaking launch window.

Why Monster Hunter Wilds is a ‘Full Circle’ Moment for the Franchise
The record-breaking success of Monster Hunter Wilds is more than 20 years in the making following the first Monster Hunter's reception in the West.

Monster Hunter Wilds’ Focus Attacks Represent a Major Turning Point for the Series
The additions of the Wound system and Focus Attacks to Monster Hunter Wilds are positive changes that shouldn't be walked back.

Monster Hunter Wilds Has a Scaling Issue
Monster Hunter Wilds does little to walk back sentiment surrounding its difficulty thanks to how the game handles multiplayer scaling.

Interview: Absolum Devs Discuss Making a Brand New Beat 'em Up IP
Following their pairing on Streets of Rage 4, Dotemu and Guard Crush Games have partnered up again for their RPG and Beat 'em Up hybrid Absolum.

How Absolum Blends Classic Beat 'em Up Combat With RPG and Roguelike Mechanics
Dotemu and Guard Crush Games' upcoming Absolum blends beat 'em up combat, RPG classes and aesthetics, and roguelike mechanics into something unique.

How Absolum's Visuals and Presentation Pay Homage to Comic Books
Animation studio Supamonks has called upon several iconic comic book artists for inspiration on Absolum's art direction and visual style.

Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Review
Konami Digital Entertainment's Suikoden I&II HD Remaster is light on updates, but it still delivers two of the greatest RPG experiences of all time.

Absolum Hands-On Preview
Dotemu and Guard Crush Games are teaming up once again on an RPG and beat 'em up hybrid called Absolum, which Game Rant recently went hands-on with.

How Monster Hunter Wilds Updates the Series’ Online Co-Op is a Double-Edged Sword
The Monster Hunter series is synonymous with its co-op functionality, and Monster Hunter Wilds makes some interesting changes to its implementation.

Monster Hunter Wilds’ Character Creator and Customization Options Raise the Bar for the Series
Monster Hunter Wilds' character creator and accessibility options set a new standard for both the series and action RPGs as a whole.

How Monster Hunter Wilds’ Opening Hunts Compare to World and Rise
Monster Hunter Wilds wastes no time in getting players straight into large monster hunts in comparison to both Monster Hunter World and Rise.

Monster Hunter Wilds’ Doshaguma is a Fitting Introduction to the Forbidden Lands
The climactic fight against the Alpha Doshaguma at the end of Monster Hunter Wilds' first chapter is a true turning point for the game.

One of Monster Hunter Rise’s Best Mechanics is Sorely Missing From Monster Hunter Wilds
Given how satisfying it is to mount large monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds, not including one of Rise's best features feels like a missed opportunity.

Fans of Doom (2016) Will Love Metal Eden [Hands-On Preview]
Game Rant recently had the chance to go hands-on with Reikon Games' upcoming sci-fi FPS Metal Eden, diving into the first two exciting levels.

Fans of Ace Attorney Shouldn't Miss Out on a New 'Very Positive' Steam Indie
There's a new puzzle adventure game that fans of Ace Attorney and Case of the Golden Idol would be wise to take note of.

Warriors: Abyss Makes a Strong Case for Spin-Offs That Play to Their Series' Strengths
Koei Tecmo's Warriors: Abyss is a welcome surprise that shows how a series spin-off can honor the spirit of the mainline games.