George Yang

George is a freelance writer specializing in video games and other entertainment.

Selected Works

Game Developer •

Why Microsoft thinks 2024 will be the year of Xbox

The 2023 Xbox Games Showcase had a strong showing as Xbox Game Studios revealed its lineup of new titles coming later this year and beyond. During a roundtable after the showcase, titled “What’s Next for Xbox,” four Microsoft executives discussed the future of the Xbox platform: Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, corporate vice president Sarah Bond, head of Xbox Studios Matt Booty, and Bethesda executive producer Todd Howard.
Variety •

‘The Boys’ Star Karen Fukuhara Makes Her Video-Game Debut With ‘The Callisto Protocol’

Developed by Striking Distance Studios, “The Callisto Protocol” is a survival horror game set in the Black Iron Prison on one of Jupiter’s moons, Callisto. Players assume the role of an inmate named Jacob Lee, played by “Transformers” and “Shotgun Wedding” star Josh Duhamel. He meets Dani Nakamura, the leader of a resistance group called Outer Way, and together they must uncover the Black Iron Prison’s dark secrets and escape with their lives. Dani is portrayed by “The Boys” star Karen Fukuhara.
Digital Trends •

The Mega Man Battle Network esports scene is thriving in 2023

Imagine that your Nintendo Switch didn’t have the ability to connect online and that the competitive game you’re currently playing only supported local multiplayer. It’s a little hard to picture in 2023, right? That’s what Mega Man Battle Network fans had to deal with during the early 2000s. If you wanted to have a battle with your friend during Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance days, they’d have to be within your immediate vicinity and have a Link Cable available to connect two GBAs.
Complex •

The Live-Action ‘Halo’ Series Delivers High Impact Sci-Fi Storytelling

Taking video game plotlines and adapting them for television has had a shaky past. What kind of story should the series portray? Should it be an exact retelling of the source material? If so, why not just play the game itself? For gamers and television fanatics, it’s important that a new experience is created that’s appropriate for the medium. This challenge is what Paramount+ has taken on with the critically acclaimed Halo series (streaming now on the platform). Taking the iconic Xbox franchise
NPR •

'Shadow Warrior' tries to mend its flawed history with race by recasting its hero

Shadow Warrior 3 is the latest in a series of blood-soaked action games following assassin Lo Wang. It's got plenty of gunplay, sword fights, and fantastical monsters, but for the first time in its 25-year history, it now features an Asian actor to voice its Asian protagonist. For years, Lo Wang was played by Jason Liebrecht, a white man, but for this title, publisher Devolver Digital and developer Flying Wild Hog tapped Hollywood actor Mike Moh for a more authentic cultural portrayal.
IGN •

Why Japanese Games Are Increasingly Releasing at the Same Time Across The Globe

Since time immemorial, Japanese video games have followed a typical release schedule. Launch in Japan first, followed by a localized release for other countries a few months, or even years, later. But this trend shifted dramatically in 2021. Many high-profile Japanese games such as Tales of Arise, Shin Megami Tensei V, and both Monster Hunter Rise and Monster Hunter Stories 2 have been launched day-and-date worldwide.

So, what has changed? A simultaneous global ship date allows Japanese games t
The Verge •

‘The little handheld that could’: examining the Vita’s impact a decade later

Christian Phillips still remembers the most jaw-dropping moment he experienced on the PlayStation Vita — and it was something that was never actually released.

Phillips, a former senior director at Sony, describes a tech demo that ultimately led to the PS4 game Days Gone. Sometime after shipping Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Bend Studio showed leadership the Vita tech demo that was similar to the famous Jerusalem scene in the movie World War Z.

The demo had a scene with a horde of zombies scramblin
Wired •

Orientalism, 'Cyberpunk 2077,' and Yellow Peril in Science Fiction

2020 has been one of the most tumultuous years in recent memory, but at least, in a few days, the most anticipated game of the year will come out. That game, Cyberpunk 2077, has already drawn both praise and criticism, but one of those criticisms is of how it handles different cultures—especially Asian culture, which is inextricably tied to the cyberpunk genre.

The Origins of the Cyberpunk Genre

The origins of the cyberpunk genre involve Western anxieties about the East. Techno-orientalism is
Washington Post •

How some savvy fans are preserving the PS3’s multiplayer games

It wasn’t hard to understand why players reached this conclusion. Although “Mercenary’s” servers eventually came back online (the reason for the shutdown is still unknown) Sony has earned a reputation over the past several years for unceremoniously shutting down multiplayer service for its first party franchises. In October, Sony announced that it was updating the PlayStation Network webstore to only feature PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 titles for purchase, effectively locking away PS3, PS Vi
Polygon •

The personal experiences that Lev and Yara’s actors brought to The Last of Us Part 2

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Both Ian Alexander and Victoria Grace had never worked on a video game before, and neither had any prior experience with performance capture. However, in a recent interview with Polygon, both agreed that playing the Seraphite siblings in The Last of Us Part II was one of the most transformative experiences they ever had.

Alexander plays Lev, a former member of the in-game extremi

Latest Work

Asian Junkie •

IVE bust out the sub-units and adapt well to Texas on their ‘Show What I Have World Tour’

IVE bust out the sub-units and adapt well to Texas on their ‘Show What I Have World Tour’

IVE’s Wonyoung excitedly gushed about how much she loved Texas barbeque. The crowd erupted in applause as state pride flooded the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. This was IVE’s first time in Texas, so the group was able to experience one of the best cultural aspects the state had to offer.
Digital Trends •

Unicorn Overlord review: deep strategy makes for a grand victory

When I embarked on the world of Fevrith in Unicorn Overlord, I felt a wave of nostalgia like I was playing an RPG from the 90s. That was partially thanks to its tactical gameplay that looks and feels like a throwback to some of the genre’s best, but it’s the art that really took me back. As I traveled the overworld map as Alain, the story’s hero, I marveled at his tiny sprite. It was as charming as his full character model in Unicorn Overlord’s gorgeous art style and cutscenes.
Inverse •

'Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth' Cactuar Caper Locations: Where to Find the 4 Cactaurs and Unlock Swimsuits for Aerith and Tifa

During Chapter 6 in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, you play as Aerith and Tifa in Costa del Sol. To earn Companion Passes and unlock swimsuits, you’ll have to participate in various mini-games and tasks. There are four in total: Run Wild, Royal Coast Concert, Wheelie Rendezvous, and Cactuar Caper. Completing them grants you one Companion Pass to turn in and receive a swimsuit.
Inverse •

'Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth' Seventh Infantry Locations: How to Unlock "7th, Assemble!" Trophy

In Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Cloud is tasked with gathering the Seventh Infantry to practice marching drills. It’s a fun little detour in Chapter 4 with 10 troops scattered aboard the Aerodrome in Junon.

You only have to gather five of the 10 to progress to the next part of the story, but if you find all 10 and talk to them, you also unlock the “7th, Assemble!” trophy, which is excellent if you’re a bit of a completionist. Finding all 10 also gives you more soldiers to make the upcoming mini-ga
Digital Trends •

After Skull and Bones, try this excellent pirate game

Skull and Bones was envisioned as an expansion of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag’s naval combat mechanics, but its scope became increasingly bigger during development. Even Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said that it was a “AAAA” game to justify charging $70 for it. But what if you could experience a pirate adventure that only costs about half as much money and that also has charming characters? You can if you try Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew.
Crunchyroll •

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Is a Huge Game That Gets It (Mostly) Right

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has been a long time coming, with it being the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. It’s truly amazing how big the scope is. Rebirth takes everything that Remake introduced and made it even bigger, now adding a fully explorable open world. While the real-time combat doesn’t get much of an overhaul, what makes Rebirth stand out from its predecessor is the sheer amount of content. With an excellent story, tons of side quests, and a whole world to explore, Rebirth is one of the best games of 2024 so far.
PCMag •

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Hands On With the Year's Most Anticipated RPG

The long-awaited sequel to Final Fantasy VII Remake is less than a month away, and with it comes new gameplay mechanics that build upon its predecessor. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth goes open world, which might make some series fans leery due to the video game industry's overreliance on the design structure in recent years. However, Rebirth’s charming characters, exciting action, entertaining side quests, and strong world building feel like a natural extension of Remake.
Eurogamer •

Persona 3 Reload test answers, including how to ace all exams and class quiz questions

Persona 3 Reload, like past entries in the series, will have you answer test questions in the classroom on certain days, while also preparing you for exams that take place over multiple days.

Persona 3 Reload is a complete remake of the original Persona 3 game, and thus has almost completely different quiz questions and answers. Surprisingly, there's an overlap here and there, with a few questions in Reload being similar if not completely the same as in the original.
IGN •

Granblue Fantasy: Relink Review

Granblue Fantasy Versus may have introduced an entirely new fanbase to Gran's grand adventure in 2020, but as a fan of the mobile RPGs before it, I came into Granblue Fantasy: Relink with very different expectations. Finally making the jump from phones to PC and PlayStation, the series has embraced exhilarating real-time action that feels right at home alongside other ambitious story-driven games like Final Fantasy XVI or Star Ocean: The Divine Force.
Digital Trends •

Persona 3 Reload review: an almost perfect RPG remake

With Persona 3 Reload, developer Atlus had a difficult task on its hands. The remake would need to introduce a foundational RPG to new audiences, ones who are familiar with two refined sequels that successfully build on everything it established. But that’s only half the battle; it would also need to stay faithful enough to the original that it wouldn’t rile up longtime fans. It’s a difficult balancing act, but Atlus walks that tightrope to create a win-win situation.
Digital Trends •

Another Code: Recollection review: leaving a lasting memory

“This isn’t what I remember playing on the Nintendo DS as a kid.”

That’s what I found myself saying as I played through the early hours of Another Code: Recollection, a Nintendo Switch remake of two cult classic games. That wasn’t a bad thing. I felt at ease with Recollection and its overhauled visual presentation, whereas the original’s point-and-click format and top-down isometric perspective were unfamiliar and daunting to me as a teenager growing up.
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