Anthony Shelton
@iamashelton.bsky.social
Game reviewer and commentator.
My monthly newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/replayvalue?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2nakr
My monthly newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/replayvalue?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2nakr
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Replay Value | Anthony Shelton | Substack
Incisive reviews and opinions on the best and most underrated entertainment medium--video games. Newsletter monthly. Notes frequent. Click to read Replay Value, by Anthony Shelton, a Substack publicat...
replayvalue.substack.com
Sometimes you gotta do your own thing. Check out my monthly newsletter--a collection of reviews I've written at @gamingtrend.com, and opinions on a wide-variety of games industry topics. If you like discovering new games and making sense of this industry, subscribe. ✌🏾
replayvalue.substack.com
replayvalue.substack.com
"The game has resonated with a passionate core audience, but overall momentum hasn’t reached the level needed to support a team of this size long term."
Sounds like: "It didn't stick with the casual audience..."
Sounds like: "It didn't stick with the casual audience..."
Wow. Riot Games cutting developers from its 2XKO team, just 20 days after the fighting game had its full release
"overall momentum hasn’t reached the level needed to support a team of this size long term"
When even Riot can't ensure a hit...
www.riotgames.com/en/news/an-u...
"overall momentum hasn’t reached the level needed to support a team of this size long term"
When even Riot can't ensure a hit...
www.riotgames.com/en/news/an-u...
An Update on 2XKO
What’s Changing and Why
www.riotgames.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:03 PM
"The game has resonated with a passionate core audience, but overall momentum hasn’t reached the level needed to support a team of this size long term."
Sounds like: "It didn't stick with the casual audience..."
Sounds like: "It didn't stick with the casual audience..."
Are there any Discord alternatives? Asking for a friend—and myself.
February 9, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Are there any Discord alternatives? Asking for a friend—and myself.
I saw a preview for Australia Did It, a very unique take on turn-based strategy by @ramiismail.com.
I love that this game is taking risks by combining genres in way that hasn't been done before. Keep an eye on this one.
gamingtrend.com/previews/aus...
I love that this game is taking risks by combining genres in way that hasn't been done before. Keep an eye on this one.
gamingtrend.com/previews/aus...
Australia Did It hands-off preview
Buggered up.
gamingtrend.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:22 PM
I saw a preview for Australia Did It, a very unique take on turn-based strategy by @ramiismail.com.
I love that this game is taking risks by combining genres in way that hasn't been done before. Keep an eye on this one.
gamingtrend.com/previews/aus...
I love that this game is taking risks by combining genres in way that hasn't been done before. Keep an eye on this one.
gamingtrend.com/previews/aus...
I reviewed Relooted, a heist game about repatriating artifacts. I'm glad this game exists. Love the premise and what I learned through it.
Most of the gameplay is very strong, but other parts were distractingly lower quality.
gamingtrend.com/reviews/relo...
Most of the gameplay is very strong, but other parts were distractingly lower quality.
gamingtrend.com/reviews/relo...
Relooted review
So, we have to do this the hard way.
gamingtrend.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:13 PM
I reviewed Relooted, a heist game about repatriating artifacts. I'm glad this game exists. Love the premise and what I learned through it.
Most of the gameplay is very strong, but other parts were distractingly lower quality.
gamingtrend.com/reviews/relo...
Most of the gameplay is very strong, but other parts were distractingly lower quality.
gamingtrend.com/reviews/relo...
Cleaning out my father-in-law's garage and we found a very old Polaroid camera.
Wild to see how cameras evolved (picture taken with smartphone).
Wild to see how cameras evolved (picture taken with smartphone).
February 7, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Cleaning out my father-in-law's garage and we found a very old Polaroid camera.
Wild to see how cameras evolved (picture taken with smartphone).
Wild to see how cameras evolved (picture taken with smartphone).
Since the Overwatch announcement, I've been thinking about what to write. They're exciting, but I can add to the conversation. The changes are simple: The soul of Overwatch is back. 1/5
February 7, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Since the Overwatch announcement, I've been thinking about what to write. They're exciting, but I can add to the conversation. The changes are simple: The soul of Overwatch is back. 1/5
Anran is so much fun. She's already become my favorite DPS. She has a great kit: solid movement, interesting damage mechanics, and a unique ultimate. Loving what Overwatch is doing.
February 6, 2026 at 5:07 AM
Anran is so much fun. She's already become my favorite DPS. She has a great kit: solid movement, interesting damage mechanics, and a unique ultimate. Loving what Overwatch is doing.
Imagine if additional well-known publishers, indie or AAA, refused to publish games using GenAI. That would eliminate a lot of slop.
And it’s interesting that a lot of good games that used GenAI didn't even need it. Might as well not use it.
www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-it...
And it’s interesting that a lot of good games that used GenAI didn't even need it. Might as well not use it.
www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-it...
Indie publisher Hooded Horse won't work with studios using genAI
The indie publisher has a new policy for dealing with the technology: 'no fucking AI assets.'
www.gamedeveloper.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Imagine if additional well-known publishers, indie or AAA, refused to publish games using GenAI. That would eliminate a lot of slop.
And it’s interesting that a lot of good games that used GenAI didn't even need it. Might as well not use it.
www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-it...
And it’s interesting that a lot of good games that used GenAI didn't even need it. Might as well not use it.
www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-it...
It's possible Arc Raiders was not prepared for the number of players, so the anti-cheat measures were insufficient. Whatever the reason for the amount of cheaters, I hope Embark Studios can fix it quickly.
www.ign.com/articles/arc...
www.ign.com/articles/arc...
Arc Raiders Dev Promises 'Significant Changes' After Players Report Widespread Issues With Cheaters - IGN
Embark Studios has outlined its plan to deal with Arc Raiders cheaters after they became a hot topic in the community earlier this week.
www.ign.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:12 PM
It's possible Arc Raiders was not prepared for the number of players, so the anti-cheat measures were insufficient. Whatever the reason for the amount of cheaters, I hope Embark Studios can fix it quickly.
www.ign.com/articles/arc...
www.ign.com/articles/arc...
If The Division 3 will be as big an impact as TD1, then I'm guessing there's something on par with the dark zone; basically the introduction of the extraction shooter.
It's a bold claim, so I'm hoping this is Ubisoft being confident, not just marketing.
www.ign.com/articles/the...
It's a bold claim, so I'm hoping this is Ubisoft being confident, not just marketing.
www.ign.com/articles/the...
The Division 3 Will Have 'As Big an Impact' as The Division 1, Ubisoft Dev Says - IGN
Over two years after it was announced, Ubisoft is still working on The Division 3. And while it has yet to show off the game, its chief developer has said he thinks it will have as big an impact as Th...
www.ign.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:45 PM
If The Division 3 will be as big an impact as TD1, then I'm guessing there's something on par with the dark zone; basically the introduction of the extraction shooter.
It's a bold claim, so I'm hoping this is Ubisoft being confident, not just marketing.
www.ign.com/articles/the...
It's a bold claim, so I'm hoping this is Ubisoft being confident, not just marketing.
www.ign.com/articles/the...
No need to regret not making the final boss harder in Expedition 33. Most don't complete games.
Over-leveling is a decades-old JRPG tactic. If enemy levels scaled, more people would have dropped.
But next time, Sandfall Interactive won't forget completionists.
www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/cl...
Over-leveling is a decades-old JRPG tactic. If enemy levels scaled, more people would have dropped.
But next time, Sandfall Interactive won't forget completionists.
www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/cl...
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 lead "underestimated" how many players would do all the side content, regrets disappointing "people that wanted a challenging end boss"
He wishes he made it clearer that "if you want the intended difficulty for the boss, you have to go beat it now"
www.gamesradar.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:17 PM
No need to regret not making the final boss harder in Expedition 33. Most don't complete games.
Over-leveling is a decades-old JRPG tactic. If enemy levels scaled, more people would have dropped.
But next time, Sandfall Interactive won't forget completionists.
www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/cl...
Over-leveling is a decades-old JRPG tactic. If enemy levels scaled, more people would have dropped.
But next time, Sandfall Interactive won't forget completionists.
www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/cl...
Sometimes you gotta do your own thing. Check out my monthly newsletter--a collection of reviews I've written at @gamingtrend.com, and opinions on a wide-variety of games industry topics. If you like discovering new games and making sense of this industry, subscribe. ✌🏾
replayvalue.substack.com
replayvalue.substack.com
Replay Value | Anthony Shelton | Substack
Incisive reviews and opinions on the best and most underrated entertainment medium--video games. Newsletter monthly. Notes frequent. Click to read Replay Value, by Anthony Shelton, a Substack publicat...
replayvalue.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Sometimes you gotta do your own thing. Check out my monthly newsletter--a collection of reviews I've written at @gamingtrend.com, and opinions on a wide-variety of games industry topics. If you like discovering new games and making sense of this industry, subscribe. ✌🏾
replayvalue.substack.com
replayvalue.substack.com
I've been playing the Black Ops 7 beta, and it's been a fun time, admittedly. But the more I played it, the more I saw the ways Battlefield 6 can beat Call of Duty this year.
I wrote about it. Check it out! What are your thoughts?
gamingtrend.com/editorials/b...
I wrote about it. Check it out! What are your thoughts?
gamingtrend.com/editorials/b...
Battlefield 6 can dethrone Call of Duty in two ways
After Activision and Treyarch announced that the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 beta would be extended by one day—one day closer to the launch of Battlefield 6—it became clear that Activision wants to engr...
gamingtrend.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:36 PM
I've been playing the Black Ops 7 beta, and it's been a fun time, admittedly. But the more I played it, the more I saw the ways Battlefield 6 can beat Call of Duty this year.
I wrote about it. Check it out! What are your thoughts?
gamingtrend.com/editorials/b...
I wrote about it. Check it out! What are your thoughts?
gamingtrend.com/editorials/b...
I reviewed King of Meat.
60/100
It's fun with friends, and there is a lot to like about it, but for every feature I enjoy, something else undermines those qualities. It has potential.
gamingtrend.com/reviews/king...
60/100
It's fun with friends, and there is a lot to like about it, but for every feature I enjoy, something else undermines those qualities. It has potential.
gamingtrend.com/reviews/king...
King of Meat review—Well seasoned, but undercooked
Rare.
gamingtrend.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I reviewed King of Meat.
60/100
It's fun with friends, and there is a lot to like about it, but for every feature I enjoy, something else undermines those qualities. It has potential.
gamingtrend.com/reviews/king...
60/100
It's fun with friends, and there is a lot to like about it, but for every feature I enjoy, something else undermines those qualities. It has potential.
gamingtrend.com/reviews/king...
Microsoft is about to make Game Pass a Costco subscription. You only use it if you game in bulk.
It seems like the new plan is to gain more money per subscriber instead of relying on growth, because this change does not work with the goal of gaining subscribers.
www.theverge.com/news/789424/...
It seems like the new plan is to gain more money per subscriber instead of relying on growth, because this change does not work with the goal of gaining subscribers.
www.theverge.com/news/789424/...
Microsoft revamps Xbox Game Pass plans and hikes Ultimate to $29.99 a month
All Xbox Game Pass tiers are getting big changes
www.theverge.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Microsoft is about to make Game Pass a Costco subscription. You only use it if you game in bulk.
It seems like the new plan is to gain more money per subscriber instead of relying on growth, because this change does not work with the goal of gaining subscribers.
www.theverge.com/news/789424/...
It seems like the new plan is to gain more money per subscriber instead of relying on growth, because this change does not work with the goal of gaining subscribers.
www.theverge.com/news/789424/...
I wonder how Mario Galaxy became people's #1 Mario game when it's such an easy game. Wonderfully creative level design, yes, but a platforming game that isn't challenging cannot be the best.
Maybe it's more about how charming and joyful it is.
Maybe it's more about how charming and joyful it is.
September 30, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I wonder how Mario Galaxy became people's #1 Mario game when it's such an easy game. Wonderfully creative level design, yes, but a platforming game that isn't challenging cannot be the best.
Maybe it's more about how charming and joyful it is.
Maybe it's more about how charming and joyful it is.
The next time Gearbox releases stats about Borderlands 4, I want to see a stat that shows how long people have spent compiling shaders.
September 30, 2025 at 1:55 AM
The next time Gearbox releases stats about Borderlands 4, I want to see a stat that shows how long people have spent compiling shaders.
I can't see a scenario where EA survives this. $20bn in debt, likely leading to layoffs due to PE "efficiency measures;" games created with a fraction of the workforce to generate even more profit, with the PE firm's intent to exit in the short term with as much profit as possible.
This is bad.
This is bad.
It’s official: EA is going private.
The leveraged buyout will be financed by a staggering $20 billion of debt, which likely means some *aggressive* cost cutting is ahead for EA in the coming months and years.
www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...
The leveraged buyout will be financed by a staggering $20 billion of debt, which likely means some *aggressive* cost cutting is ahead for EA in the coming months and years.
www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...
www.businesswire.com
September 29, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I can't see a scenario where EA survives this. $20bn in debt, likely leading to layoffs due to PE "efficiency measures;" games created with a fraction of the workforce to generate even more profit, with the PE firm's intent to exit in the short term with as much profit as possible.
This is bad.
This is bad.
Comfortably made it to Ultimate Vault Hunter 2 in Borderlands 4. It's nice having a good build. I'm hoping it keeps working in UVHM2. The Borderlands creators have great builds, but I built this without using their ideas, so I'm proud of myself for creating something that's worked so far.
September 29, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Comfortably made it to Ultimate Vault Hunter 2 in Borderlands 4. It's nice having a good build. I'm hoping it keeps working in UVHM2. The Borderlands creators have great builds, but I built this without using their ideas, so I'm proud of myself for creating something that's worked so far.
Forza Horizon has been so consistently good, I'd have no problems buying Forza Horizon 6 day one.
September 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Forza Horizon has been so consistently good, I'd have no problems buying Forza Horizon 6 day one.
I get sticking up for your team and their work. I get seeing the telemetry and knowing some might be speaking when their PC specs are legitimately bad. But telling people they're wrong isn't going to do anything.
www.ign.com/articles/cod...
www.ign.com/articles/cod...
'Code Your Own Engine and Show Us How It's Done' — Randy Pitchford Goes on the Offensive as Borderlands 4 PC Performance Row Intensifies - IGN
Randy Pitchford is on the offensive when it comes to Borderlands 4 PC performance, responding directly to complaints on social media to Claptrap back at disgruntled fans.
www.ign.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I get sticking up for your team and their work. I get seeing the telemetry and knowing some might be speaking when their PC specs are legitimately bad. But telling people they're wrong isn't going to do anything.
www.ign.com/articles/cod...
www.ign.com/articles/cod...
Here goes Randy again.
A tenet of good leadership is good communication. Fairness has nothing to do with a PvE game, so why bring it up? Why create confusion? Just say "I know it upsets you, but there are reasons console lacks an FOV slider. I'll share when I am able."
#Borderlands4
A tenet of good leadership is good communication. Fairness has nothing to do with a PvE game, so why bring it up? Why create confusion? Just say "I know it upsets you, but there are reasons console lacks an FOV slider. I'll share when I am able."
#Borderlands4
September 14, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Here goes Randy again.
A tenet of good leadership is good communication. Fairness has nothing to do with a PvE game, so why bring it up? Why create confusion? Just say "I know it upsets you, but there are reasons console lacks an FOV slider. I'll share when I am able."
#Borderlands4
A tenet of good leadership is good communication. Fairness has nothing to do with a PvE game, so why bring it up? Why create confusion? Just say "I know it upsets you, but there are reasons console lacks an FOV slider. I'll share when I am able."
#Borderlands4
It seems in Borderlands 4 that you can use Maurice's Black Market machine twice if you load into the default world and then into UVHM. I was able to get both Legendary weapons available.
September 12, 2025 at 6:35 PM
It seems in Borderlands 4 that you can use Maurice's Black Market machine twice if you load into the default world and then into UVHM. I was able to get both Legendary weapons available.
Battlefield 6 Open Beta Impressions --- Adrenaline Overload
This is still Battlefield...
gamingtrend.com
August 21, 2025 at 7:47 PM