Are you an overworked games journalist running up against unrealistic deadlines and multiple releases? Do you find yourself not even able to find time to boot up one game before the next one is already on your desk? We get that you’re busy and just want to get back to Slay the Spire instead of dealing with this bullshit, which is why we’ve created this helpful guide so you can sound like a subject matter expert on any game, no matter how short the time you’ve been given is!
Write An In-Depth Intro To The Game
The intro is your first impression, so don’t mess it up! Let’s be honest: few people will be reading your guide all the way through. If you nail the intro and get the rest to look okay at a glance, you’re golden.
Right off the bat, you can take a look at the photos on the product page—do they remind you of anything? If so, call the game a “love letter” to that thing! This is always a really solid start and evokes warm feelings in the reader. We know that we want a love letter, that’s for sure!
Another safe bet is to insist that the game is best enjoyed in 4K or in “nightmare mode.” The game you’re writing a guide for surely has that difficulty setting, and mentioning how fun it is doesn’t only make you sound like you’ve played the game, but also like you’ve mastered it.
The longer the intro is, the better! Really drag this out. After your guide hits a certain length, people will have no doubt you’ve played the game. And who the fuck would spend so much time writing a guide for a game they haven’t played, right?
Write About The Controls And Mechanics
After you smash the intro (great job, by the way), you now get to give an overview of the controls. Honestly? This part is a cakewalk. Pop on the game (If you have it! If you don’t, just guess), and check out the controls in the settings. Think back to other games you’ve played and try to remember their controls—anything look familiar?
For example, does holding down on the D-Pad bring up the phone UI? Could we maybe then say the controls are reminiscent of Cyberpunk 2077? Does the Left Mouse Button shoot your weapon? That sounds a lot like a bunch of games we could name! The possibilities here are endless. Remember, the more you can evoke the image of other games, the less of the heavy lifting you need to do. Let the audience do the work!
Write The Walkthrough—Or Do You?
Alright, this is where shit gets kinda real. The walkthrough is the part you’re probably panicking about the most, but don’t fret! With one easy trick, you can transform what you feel is your biggest hurdle into your biggest asset in this process: Make your guide spoiler-free.
Plenty of folks are looking for spoiler-free gaming content, so if you loudly boast that you’re offering it up, the people will eat it up. And honestly? You could also tack on the fact that you’re not doing a character or item guide to avoid spoilers too! In one move, you’ve sidestepped the part of this process you were dreading the most—congrats!
Imagine all the grueling research and gameplay you’d have to do to write an entire walkthrough! Okay, now stop imagining because those imaginations have spoilers. See how easy it is?
Tips and Tricks
Do you wanna flesh out your guide some more? Add a section containing tips and tricks! You’ve played video games before, so you’ve basically got this part on lock.
Does the game have an inventory system? We bet you can write a paragraph about the crucial nature of inventory management. Wanna build some excitement and intrigue? Mention that with some searching, you can find some amazing secret items—remember, though, no spoilers 😉
To be honest, you can seriously just drop tips from another game here, too. Here’s what we mean:
- Wear headphones
- Don’t hoard resources
- Target weak points for more damage
- Manage your inventory carefully
- Don’t forget to upgrade your weapons
What game we’re talking about here? These are tips we found online for Red Dead Redemption 2. Could you tell?
Ha! Think again. Those tips were actually for Alan Wake 2! We think you get the picture.
Don’t Forget The Basics!
You need to pad this thing out—that’s the only way you’re getting paid for sure, so give the people what you know they want! For example, you need to mention that the game REALLY opens up and comes into its own several hours in.
Any boss fights? They’re “epic”. A weather system? It’s “dynamic”. Does it have cut scenes? Sounds “cinematic” to us. Is it physically possible to play the game more than once? Sounds “replayable”! Throughout this process, don’t forget the basics and always circle back to the tried and true hallmarks of game guides.
Remember, confidence is key. If you speak with authority, nobody will doubt that you haven’t played the game. Like, seriously, who would do something like this?? It would be an insane thing for someone to assume, so don’t worry too much. Just remember to have fun and be vague.
