Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
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Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
@mikemurf2.bsky.social
Freelance gaming writer/critic and self-proclaimed gaming extraordinaire. Working at Insider Gaming. Bylines at Game Informer, ComicBook, Hardcore Gamer, and Destructoid. Nice to meet you!
Please DM or email @ mmurphyfreelance@gmail.com to reach out!
Pinned
I am proud to say that I got to review Dying Light: The Beast for @gameinformer.com! I am still pinching myself about it. It’s been a dream to write for them and I couldn’t be happier with how it came out. Thank you to @brianpshea.bsky.social and the team for making this happen. Enjoy!
Dying Light: The Beast can feel a touch safe at times with a serviceable story, but the high-flying parkour and gorgeous graphics are top-notch.

Our review: gameinformer.com/review/dying...
Hello everyone! Forgot to post it this weekend, but I reviewed Tales of Xillia Remastered for TechRadar! Having been my first go with the game, I had a blast and I am way too excited to see how Tales of Xillia 2 goes. Hope you enjoy it!

www.techradar.com/gaming/tales...
After 30 hours of Tales of Xillia Remastered, I can safely say that this is the best possible way to experience the classic RPG
Being on the run never felt so good
www.techradar.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Direct Announced for November 12th

insider-gaming.com/super-mario-...
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Direct Announced for November 12th
A Nintendo Direct dedicated to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has been announced for November 12th, 2025, and will show off the first trailer.
insider-gaming.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
Words hurt. Don't be a bully.
November 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
I read a thread about games with terrible UI earlier and this video has been destroying me all day.
November 10, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
November 9, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
Did my man see this post and think “I can do better?”
November 9, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
I'm having a hard time placing my WICKED: FOR GOOD review, so to the masses I go: I have forgotten more about the play and novel than most people will ever know to begin with, and I would be a huge asset to your outlet.

I'll happily pub on my own, of course, but being paid is also nice!
November 7, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
Earlier this year on a call with @apogeeent.com, I proposed the idea of enlisting Akira Yamaoka to compose an original track for Total Chaos. Apogee producer Jeron Moore liked the idea and asked. The legend agreed.

Here’s a preview of Akira Yamaoka’s Catharsis. It’s a banger, guys.
October 31, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Covered a GTA delay. Never thought I’d say that but here we are haha

insider-gaming.com/grand-theft-...
Grand Theft Auto 6 Delayed to November 2026
Grand Theft Auto 6 is now scheduled to release on November 19th, 2026 after being set for May 2026, according to Rockstar.
insider-gaming.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
I’ve been able to confirm that these cuts impact people of a wide range of experience and seniority levels. Spoke with one person who has been there for well over a decade who was cut today. This is awful.
Square Enix announces more layoffs as part of US and Europe restructuring - “Nearly all areas” of Square Enix’s Western business affected by latest cuts, it tells staff www.videogameschronicle.com/news/square-...
November 6, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
In September, Adhoc's Pierre Shorette told me that they wouldn't rule it out.

"That’s not going to say that we’re not going to eventually come out on those platforms, but there’s certainly a ubiquity to a good single player storytelling experience that I think I associate with PlayStation."
Dispatch developer's stated they are looking into additional platforms for release, via official Discord server

“Will the game come to other platforms? Our initial focus will be on supporting the game on Steam & Playstation. We're looking into additional platforms as well.”
November 6, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
Tonight, @ 9 PM EST / 8 PM Central, the fundraising continues for Brenden and Jen to help with medical expenses and raise awareness of Myasthenia Gravis.

Join me at Twitch.tv/Johncarsongames as I go Straight to Ganon in Breath of the Wild!

Donate here: gofund.me/3982c0318
Twitch
Twitch is an interactive livestreaming service for content spanning gaming, entertainment, sports, music, and more.
Twitch.tv
November 5, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
Overcooked Getting a Netflix Reality Cooking Show

insider-gaming.com/overcooked-s...
Overcooked Getting a Netflix Reality Cooking Show
Netflix and A24 are planning to bring the chaotic concept of Overcooked to life in a new reality cooking competition series.
insider-gaming.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
The Legend of Zelda Movie Has Seemingly Started Filming

insider-gaming.com/the-legend-o...
The Legend of Zelda Movie Has Seemingly Started Filming
A new listing hints that Nintendo's live-action film adaptation of The Legend of Zelda has started filming and now in full production.
insider-gaming.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
Feeling some true bonafide hope after seeing the results across the nation tonight, and it feels really good.
November 5, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
Looking for a reviewer for the upcoming PC/Mobile #MMO Sword of Justice from NetEase. We can get you set up with a preview account as well as with currency to check out the in-game store if you're game. Email in bio / shoot me a DM here if interested.
November 4, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
The Discourse is starting back up, I see.
September 25, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
I wrote about @adhocstudio.com’s Dispatch for @outputlag.com! As a fan of Telltale, this is right up my alley and one ride you gotta get on before the final episodes. We’ll have a full review a bit after all the episodes are available, as we got a retail copy. Hope you enjoy reading it!
Dispatch Could Be 2025’s Dark Horse for Game of the Year | Output Lag
Dispatch feels like a playable streaming show with equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and heroicness. And it might just be the sleeper hit of 2025.
outputlag.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Excited to pick this one up when I get the chance! Big Hyrule Warriors fan, so this seems to be right up my alley!
As someone who’s played a dumb amount of #HyruleWarriors, #AgeOfImprisonment is the game I wanted this series to be, adding more #Zelda mechanics to the gameplay, with more fluid and diverse combat, and it doesn’t run like shit.

Full review @rollingstone.com
'Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment' Is an Action Epic that Gives Zelda Her Due
Nintendo and Koei Tecmo nail the 'Hyrule Warriors' concept with an engaging story and 'Zelda' mechanics
www.rollingstone.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
As someone who’s played a dumb amount of #HyruleWarriors, #AgeOfImprisonment is the game I wanted this series to be, adding more #Zelda mechanics to the gameplay, with more fluid and diverse combat, and it doesn’t run like shit.

Full review @rollingstone.com
'Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment' Is an Action Epic that Gives Zelda Her Due
Nintendo and Koei Tecmo nail the 'Hyrule Warriors' concept with an engaging story and 'Zelda' mechanics
www.rollingstone.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
Nintendo Switch 2 Has Surpassed 10 Million Units Sold

insider-gaming.com/nintendo-swi...
Nintendo Switch 2 Has Surpassed 10 Million Units Sold
Nintendo has updated the sales figures for the Switch 2, revealing that 10 million have been sold since it hit the market in June.
insider-gaming.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:58 AM
I wrote about @adhocstudio.com’s Dispatch for @outputlag.com! As a fan of Telltale, this is right up my alley and one ride you gotta get on before the final episodes. We’ll have a full review a bit after all the episodes are available, as we got a retail copy. Hope you enjoy reading it!
Dispatch Could Be 2025’s Dark Horse for Game of the Year | Output Lag
Dispatch feels like a playable streaming show with equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and heroicness. And it might just be the sleeper hit of 2025.
outputlag.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
Dispatch Sells Over a Million Copies in 10 Days

insider-gaming.com/dispatch-mil...
Dispatch Sells Over a Million Copies in 10 Days
Only releasing ten days ago and four episodes in, AdHoc Studios' Dispatch has reached over one million copies sold.
insider-gaming.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by Michael Murphy | Insider Gaming / Freelance Video Game Critic
Game Awards desperately needs a puzzle game category
November 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM