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
"Players can explore like they used to in Fallout and Skyrim": How Shattered Space brings the "bespoke goodness" of past Bethesda RPGs to Starfield
By Heather Wald published
Interview Interview | "We knew very early on that we needed to add an explorable landmass with lots of hand-crafted content"
This Metroidvania where you play as a janitor cat in the afterlife is the purrfect adventure for genre newbies like me
By Heather Wald published
Features Indie Spotlight | Crypt Custodian is a Metroidvania full of ghost stories and challenges
Former Tekken and Splatoon 3 devs are behind Hirogami, an action-platformer that's already won me over with its Kirby-like abilities
By Heather Wald published
Preview Preview | Hirogami is a beautiful, creative 3D platformer that aims to capture the nostalgic simplicity of games past
The one feature that put me off playing Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom actually makes me feel like a creative genius
By Heather Wald published
Opinion Opinion | Tears of the Kingdom makes me feel creative and smart without even trying too hard
After playing Fire Emblem Engage and revisiting Three Houses, I'm yearning for older Fire Emblem RPGs to come to Switch
By Heather Wald published
Opinion Opinion | Whenever the next Nintendo Direct is, I will once again be getting my summoning circle ready for Fire Emblem Fates, Awakening, and more to come to Switch
Dragon Age timeline and story explained - breaking down the lore in the lead up to Dragon Age: The Veilguard
By Heather Wald published
Features Here's an overview of the Dragon Age timeline, lore, and story to prepare you for Dragon Age The Veilguard
The Sims 5 Project Rene: Everything we know about the future of The Sims
By Sam Loveridge last updated
Guide Project Rene won't be a traditional Sims 5 game, and it isn't replacing The Sims 4 either
Skate 4 trailer, playtests, and everything else we know
By Josh West last updated
Features Upcoming free-to-play game Skate 4 has been retitled Skate and is coming out in 2025
10 games like Assassin's Creed to take a leap of faith on
By Jordan Oloman last updated
Features Can't wait for Assassin's Creed Mirage? Here are 10 of the best games like Assassin's Creed to play right now
The ultimate Star Wars Jedi Survivor guide
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide Master the ways of the Jedi with our Star Wars Jedi Survivor guide covering tips, walkthroughs, and secrets
10 games like Pokemon for the discerning trainer
By Heather Wald last updated
Features If you've caught them all, why not catch these games like Pokemon to scratch your trainer itch
Best racing games to put you in pole position
By Justin Towell last updated
Best List From kart racers to ultra-realistic sims, these are the best racing games around
How Assassin's Creed Shadows is using changing seasons and dynamic weather to be the series' "most advanced" game yet
By Heather Wald published
Preview Preview | Ubisoft is using new-gen tech to try and make the world of Assassin's Creed Shadows feel more alive than ever
The best battle royale games to prove you're number one
By Joseph Yaden last updated
Best list Hold your ground in the best battle royale games, from Warzone to Apex Legends
In Date Everything I gave my financial records to a dishwasher, flirted with a ship in a bottle, and had the time of my life
By Heather Wald published
Preview Preview | It didn't take me long to fall in love with Date Everything
10 games like Resident Evil to scare you silly
By Joseph Yaden last updated
Features Step aside, Leon Kennedy – these games like Resident Evil offer brand new nightmares
The making of the accessible Xbox Adaptive Joystick and thumbstick toppers: "Any decision we have to make, we make the decision that creates more flexibility"
By Heather Wald published
Preview Preview | "Flexibility is really one of the hallmarks"
10 games like Stardew Valley that’ll keep you working on the farm until the cows come home
By Sam Loveridge last updated
Features There are plenty of games like Stardew Valley if you're craving an immersive farming sim-meets-RPG experience
I played Lost Records: Bloom & Rage for 90 minutes and I'm already attached to its relatable cast, in love with its '90s vibes, and obsessed with the camcorder
By Heather Wald published
Preview Preview | Lost Records: Bloom & Rage has a gorgeous level of detail
From playing dress-up to whipping everything in sight, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is driven by one question: "What would Indiana Jones do?"
By Heather Wald published
Interview Interview | MachineGames wants players to feel like everyone's favorite archaeologist, but the studio hasn't forgotten its shooter roots
My Gamescom highlight was DeathSprint 66, a fast, fluid on-foot racing game that's like "The Running Man meets Mario Kart"
By Heather Wald published
Preview Preview | DeathSprint 66 is a downright fun on-foot racing game that promises to become my next Mario Kart
Spine looks like a slick as hell action game that channels John Woo movies and the freeflow combat of the Batman Arkham series
By Heather Wald published
Preview Preview | Spine has fast-paced action and cyberpunk vibes
Greedfall 2 boss says Baldur's Gate 3's breakout success "allowed us" to do early access
By Dustin Bailey published
News "It's so interesting to be able to exchange with the players to improve the game"
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