Heather Wald
I started out writing for the games section of a student-run website as an undergrad, and continued to write about games in my free time during retail and temp jobs for a number of years. Eventually, I earned an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University, and soon after got my first official role in the industry as a content editor for Stuff magazine. After writing about all things tech and games-related, I then did a brief stint as a freelancer before I landed my role as a staff writer here at 12DOVE. Now I get to write features, previews, and reviews, and when I'm not doing that, you can usually find me lost in any one of the Dragon Age or Mass Effect games, tucking into another delightful indie, or drinking far too much tea for my own good.
Latest articles by Heather Wald
![Star Wars Outlaws](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SKtoPjzqPbGhsyULZkLexN-320-80.jpg)
Star Wars Outlaws being sandwiched between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi is a stronger pull than the Force
By Heather Wald published
Opinion Opinion | This is the Star Wars setting I'm looking for
![Upcoming Nintendo Switch games listing images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NBUieY3gsujaM9jDWnr5Hg-320-80.jpg)
Upcoming Switch games for 2024 (and beyond)
By Sam Loveridge last updated
From Nintendo exclusives to ports, there are still plenty of upcoming Switch games on the horizon
![Fallout 4](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ch99eH3EBogFypt3mKGwsk-320-80.jpg)
After watching the Fallout TV show, I've never been so ready to return to the wasteland in Fallout 4
By Heather Wald published
Opinion Opinion | The Fallout 4 update and Fallout TV show are giving me the perfect excuse to return to Bethesda's RPG
![Fallout 4 power armor in repair rig](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4ad9ecba57c6850f7f141ec44f283ac7-320-80.jpg)
The best Fallout games, ranked
By Heather Wald last updated
Feature We rank the best Fallout games to decide which one rules the Wasteland
![A screenshot of a farmer admiring their crops in Stardew Valley.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KBroTWEQhGVFV7sWbtFJVa-320-80.jpg)
My obsession with the Stardew Valley 1.6 update changelog is making me nostalgic for physical game manuals
By Heather Wald published
Opinion Opinion | Waiting for the latest Stardew Valley 1.6 update to hit consoles has me reminiscing about game manuals
![Fallout 5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8vCdfnjKzGNjCtsGaphGh-320-80.jpg)
Fallout 5: Everything we know so far, and what we hope to see
By Heather Wald last updated
Features Bethesda remains rather quiet about Fallout 5
![Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7qrZLtT4EaEY6DUeCS5Cya-320-80.jpg)
The best single-player games to play right now
By Alex Avard last updated
Feature From blockbuster hits to indie gems, these are the best single player games we'd recommend right now
![Star Wars Outlaws main characters ND-5, Kay Vess, and Nix standing next to each other](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6zn3sZNUYRVrjdRrGNsq4i-320-80.jpeg)
Upcoming Star Wars games: Every new Star Wars game announced so far
By Heather Wald last updated
Feature These upcoming Star Wars games from various acclaimed developers are coming soon to a galaxy near you
![Star Wars: Eclipse screenshots](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oFCeMXbXL26igyZfG7jpES-320-80.jpg)
Star Wars Eclipse: Everything we know so far about the new Quantic Dream game
By Josh West last updated
Feature The studio behind some huge narrative games is bringing us Star Wars: Eclipse
![Yakuza 0](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C2AesGeHtMACXUNz9BKdDB-320-80.jpg)
The best Yakuza games, ranked
By Dom Peppiatt last updated
Feature From Kiryu to Kasuga, the best Yakuza games pit you against Japanese crime lords in action packed beat-em-up dramas
![The best strategy games - Gears Tactics](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/48Xrb6cqDzJQ9zE74QLdnn-320-80.jpg)
The best strategy games you can play right now
By Heather Wald last updated
Feature The very best strategy games will have you scratching your skull in no time
![The best farming games - Voltaire the Vegan Vampire](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JpSkxA7cWGZFW8gXVCY4se-320-80.jpg)
The best farming games to help you reap what you sow
By Louise Blain last updated
Feature Don't have a cow! The best farming sims are here for all your cozy methodical needs
![Best battle royale games - Warzone 2](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/biPMkmHiPiVhYNUwWpmA2k-320-80.jpg)
The best battle royale games to prove you're number one
By Joseph Yaden last updated
Best list Only the best battle royale games to leave you the last man standing
![The best 4X games to play in 2024](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/45eMitdHZ2BgW5WFLxn2cg-320-80.jpg)
The best 4X games to play on PC and console
By Malindy Hetfeld last updated
Best List When it comes to the best 4X games, only the grandest of strategies will do
![Haunted Chocolatier](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ixLcpH3X9mvrwtBRK7LXfh-320-80.jpg)
Haunted Chocolatier: Everything we know about the Stardew Valley creator's next game
By Heather Wald last updated
Feature Our Haunted Chocolatier hopes have been stoked following the developer's latest Stardew Valley update
![Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NRq3ATZAghAEpwad5JLJWQ-320-80.jpg)
Best PS4 exclusives that you need to play
By Sam Loveridge last updated
Feature From God of War to The Last of Us, these are the best PS4 exclusives you need in your library
![Wylde Flowers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C36NDDij6oCxqEQomazGGk-320-80.jpg)
How Studio Drydock created one of the most memorable and welcoming farming sims I've ever played: "Good representation was integral"
By Heather Wald published
Interview Interview | Studio Drydock spill (and sow) the beans on its delightful farming adventure Wylde Flowers
![Baldur's Gate 3](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AsJE6v59eQospVAktj5nU6-320-80.jpg)
Baldur's Gate 3 made me break my lifelong RPG code to recruit a character – and I'm not sure I can ever forgive myself
By Heather Wald published
Opinion Opinion | I've finally given in to a path I've been avoiding for months in Baldur's Gate 3
![Elder Scrolls 6](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cDWLNQfZ79PLmzkRetYSKe-320-80.jpg)
The Elder Scrolls 6: Everything we know so far
By Sam Loveridge last updated
Feature The Elder Scrolls 6 is still happening
![Pepper Grinder](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tn7dMTttKEgP9yZBUogSPW-320-80.jpg)
This pixel pirate platformer has some of the coolest movement I've seen this year, and a dash of Dig Dug
By Heather Wald published
Feature Indie Spotlight | Pepper Grinder is a colorful, fluid platformer packed with treasure
![Giant Skull](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GBR3j22H7hU826ZeAqXSy-320-80.jpg)
After 25 years, God of War and Star Wars Jedi veteran says his new studio is a chance to make "something original to us"
By Heather Wald published
Interview Interview | In conversation with Star Wars Jedi Survivor director Stig Asmussen on forming the new Giant Skull studio
![Best RPGs – Elden Ring](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/w844TWsyvV7jNksWB6ma9J-320-80.jpg)
The 25 best RPGs you can (and should) play right now
By Alyssa Mercante last updated
Best List Ranking the best RPGs, from classics like Assassin's Creed to the punishing Lands Between of Elden Ring
![Screenshots from Horizon Forbidden West running on PS5](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/84CvByk739yh2zzP6bZZm8-320-80.jpg)
Best PS5 games to play right now
By Sam Loveridge last updated
Best list Take full advantage of your new console with these best PS5 games
![Divinity Original Sin 2](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/t44rpXMZ5PxnGDUDm5auhU-320-80.jpg)
After playing Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity Original Sin 2, I'm more convinced than ever that I've found the best power in any RPG
By Heather Wald published
Opinion Opinion | Playing Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity Original Sin 2 has me on the hunt for more RPGs with the power to talk to animals