GAME NARRATIVE REVIEWS (for GDC)
Welcome to my collection of essays exploring the stories behind some incredible games! These pieces were written for the GDC Game Narrative Review Competition, where I had the chance to dig deep into what makes each game’s story so memorable. Two of my essays, Katana ZERO and Little Nightmares 2, earned top honors, and I also submitted a review for Cult of the Lamb. Check them out below, along with the posters I made for my award-winning essays.
You can also view all winners on the GDC Game Narrative Review Competition Winners page!
cult of the lamb
Cult of the Lamb invites players into a whimsical yet unsettling world of divine betrayal and cultish devotion. My review examines how the game’s charming art style and mechanics subtly mask its deeper exploration of power dynamics, moral ambiguity, and the psychological complexity of leadership.
PARTICIPANT 2025
katana zero
Katana ZERO tells a gripping story of an assassin trapped in a cycle of violence and self-discovery. My review explores how the game uses time manipulation, fragmented storytelling, and psychological themes to draw players into Zero’s world.
PLATINUM WINNER 2024
little nightmares II
In Little Nightmares II, fear takes center stage as players navigate a world filled with childhood terrors. My essay uncovers the game’s rich environmental storytelling, exploring its chilling visuals and how it captures the feeling of being small in a big, scary world.
GOLD WINNER 2023
