Joe Donnelly
Joe Donnelly is a sports editor from Glasgow and former features editor at 12DOVE. A mental health advocate, Joe has written about video games and mental health for The Guardian, New Statesman, VICE, PC Gamer and many more, and believes the interactive nature of video games makes them uniquely placed to educate and inform. His book Checkpoint considers the complex intersections of video games and mental health, and was shortlisted for Scotland's National Book of the Year for non-fiction in 2021. As familiar with the streets of Los Santos as he is the west of Scotland, Joe can often be found living his best and worst lives in GTA Online and its PC role-playing scene.
Latest articles by Joe Donnelly
My first experience of an open world space game was on the Atari ST 31 years ago – Starfield is the game I've dreamt of ever since
By Joe Donnelly published
Opinion Opinion | I've waited 31 years and 12 computers for a space game like Starfield
I went hands-on with my most-anticipated upcoming open world game, and it didn't disappoint
By Joe Donnelly published
Preview Impressions | Islands of Insight is a game-changer for puzzle game fans – check out its open playtest now
Starfield isn't "Skyrim in space", and I'm torn on whether that's a good thing or a bad thing
By Joe Donnelly published
Opinion Opinion | Starfield's slow burn sets apart from what's come before, for better and worse
Starfield thrives in its quietest moments because few studios do implicit dread like Bethesda
By Joe Donnelly published
Opinion Opinion | Raiding seemingly abandoned outposts is one of the most entertaining side ventures in Starfield
Blasphemous 2 has the best interconnected map I've seen since Dark Souls
By Joe Donnelly published
Feature Opinion | From the Crown of Towers to Profundo Lamento and the City of the Blessed Name, Blasphemous 2's world is a joy to explore
Worldless is a gorgeous action platformer that blends peaceful Metroidvania adventure with hectic rhythm combat
By Joe Donnelly published
Preview Preview | Worldless will keep you on your toes in its loudest and quietest moments
Helskate oozes creepy and cool with a new trailer for its skateboarding roguelite
By Joe Donnelly published
News Helskate gives us another reason to roll with it
Crimson Desert is what action-RPGs could look like post-Elden Ring and Tears of the Kingdom
By Joe Donnelly published
Gamescom 2023 Gamescom 2023 | If Crimson Desert is half as exciting as its gameplay trailer then we're in for something special
Dustborn is a super-stylish blend of Borderlands, Telltale's The Walking Dead, and Kentucky Route Zero
By Joe Donnelly published
Feature Gamescom 2023 | The latest from Dreamfall Chapters developer Red Thread Games wants you to choose your words wisely
What Barbenheimer could teach us about Starfield, Spider-Man 2, Super Mario Bros Wonder, and Baldur's Gate 3
By Joe Donnelly published
Opinion Opinion | Barbenheimer was a celebration not a competition – I want the same from video games in the coming weeks
Blasphemous 2 review: "A Soulslike sequel that's as unsettling as it is unpredictable"
By Joe Donnelly published
Review
Red Dead Redemption on Switch transported me back in time to one of my favorite GTA moments
By Joe Donnelly published
Feature Opinion | Playing Red Dead Redemption on Switch conjured a beautiful PSP memory in me from 18 years ago
Rockstar's acquisition of FiveM mod team could be absolutely massive for GTA 6
By Joe Donnelly published
Opinion Opinion | FiveM is best known for its GTA roleplay servers, which makes the move an interesting one ahead of the next Grand Theft Auto
Meet the Dark Souls 2 magician whose masterful boss-killing spell combo will blow your mind
By Joe Donnelly published
FEATURE Interview | From Elden Ring to Demon's Souls – this "so satisfying" Dark Souls 2 Hex magic combination is one of the best I've ever seen
From GTA 6 news to Baldur's Gate 3, Starfield and Spider-Man 2, 2023 might be one of the biggest years for games this century
By Joe Donnelly published
Opinion Opinion | With time, I reckon this year could sit among history's very best
The Red Dead Redemption remake could pave the way for a return to Grand Theft Auto's best-ever story
By Joe Donnelly published
Opinion Opinion | Love or loathe the Red Dead Redemption port news, it could open the door for more (re)adventures
Why has Rockstar brought Red Dead Redemption to the Switch and PS4 in 2023?
By Joe Donnelly published
Opinion Opinion | Speculation is par for the course when it comes to Rockstar's games, so let's indulge in the latest news
I turned GTA 5 into a twisted vision of The Sims by taking my screaming adopted baby to work at my job in an abattoir
By Joe Donnelly published
Feature The choice was simple: "Babys" or "Give Back Baby"
I've returned to Sekiro with one question: Does it need DLC?
By Joe Donnelly published
Opinion Opinion | Elden Ring has since stolen the show, but where does that leave the pseudo Sengoku era ARPG?
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