
Leo Faierman
Critic
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419articles
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167News
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45Features
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1Guides
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204Reviews
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2Other
Author Details
Leonardo Faierman is a games & film critic, comic creator, podcaster, and persistent freelancer in parts both known and unknown. He's one of the cofounders of Albany Poets, Inc., cocreator of the comic book Snow Daze with Marcus Kwame Anderson, and 1/4 of the long-running podcast #BlackComicsChat.
A recent comic, "Sámaras," was published in Power & Magic Press' Latin American Sci-Fi Anthology Mañana, with gorgeous art by Richard Zela, which has also been translated into Spanish.
Oh, and it's pronounced "Fireman."
Industry Focus
Leo has a longstanding penchant for independent video games, where the hardscrabble magic of interactive imagination thrives. There are two phases of contemporary independent gaming: before Super Meat Boy and after Super Meat Boy. Hotline Miami was the equivalent of the Sex Pistols' Lesser Free Trade Hall show.
As a cinephile and film critic, memorable moments include: getting drunk with two Star Wars prequel actors, crying alone at a screening of Notes From The Field, and discerning Lost Highway during a sleepless night. Ask me about it.
Favorite Media
Leo's list of his favorite games of all time must include: Shadow of the Colossus, Guardian Heroes, Towerclimb, The Beginner's Guide, Final Fantasy IV, River City Ransom, Star Control 2, Overwatch, The Binding of Isaac, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, Towerfall, Bloodborne, Fight'n'Rage, Nuclear Throne, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
His favorite film of all time remains Mad Max: Fury Road.
Latest

Monster Train 2 Review – All Aboard For This Masterful Sequel
There wasn't much to fix in the original, and Monster Train 2 is now the slickest and most robust incarnation of this modern classic deckbuilder.

RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Hands-On Preview - Still A Fresh Approach to SMT
MegaTen fans will want to see RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army in action, which is still fresh after all these years.

The Horror at Highrook Review: A Cozy Cosmic Horror RPG Lock-In
Nullpointer's The Horror at Highrook is a Lovecraftian RPG with cards and strong writing, but a lack of challenge and gameplay depth saps its horror.

The First Berserker: Khazan Review - Simply One of the Best Souls-Likes In Years
Neople's The First Berserker: Khazan is a best-in-class new Souls-like featuring excellent combat, creative level design, and brilliant bossfights.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Review: A Gorgeous Japan That Plays It Too Safe
Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows is easy on the eyes, but a generally basic simulation, scant upgrades, and bland side activities weaken the effect.


“I Love Being A Bad Actor”: Jack Quaid Explains Novocaine’s Brutal & Hilarious Torture Scene
Novocaine star Jack Quaid breaks down the soon-to-be infamous torture scene in his new action thriller and how it gave him the freedom to break rules.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Review - A Stunning Simulation & Two-Fisted History Lesson
Warhorse Studios' Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a sizable sequel packed with compelling adventure, even if its simulation stumbles when pressed.

Ballionaire Review: A Plucky Pachinko Roguelite
Ballionaire is an addictive, sneakily strategic roguelite about watching a ball fall down a board, with all the chaos that ensues.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate Review - A Really Hip Roguelite That Does The Boys Proud
Super Evil Megacorp's 4-player action roguelite TMNT: Splintered Fate is a top-tier Turtles brawler, but more content would seal the deal.

Unknown 9: Awakening Review - A Hasty Patchwork Of Ideas
Reflector's Unknown 9: Awakening release launches a new franchise, but a cliche-ridden plot and some underwhelming action weigh it down to the ground.

Neva Review: A Dazzlingly Dreamy Adventure & One Of 2024's Best Indie Games
Nomada Studio's long-awaited follow-up to Gris, Neva is a visually arresting platformer eco-fable, and one of the year's best indies to date.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Director On Building "A Very, Very Handcrafted Experience"
BioWare's Director on Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a superfan of her own game, and is happy to share a few hints on the immersive gameplay to come.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Preview - A New Combat-Ready Design For A Classic Fantasy Franchise
Screen Rant gets an early hands-on of BioWare's Dragon Age: The Veilguard, allowing us to explore its new and vibrant action-adventure approach.

The Plucky Squire Review: A Loving Zelda Tribute From 2D to 3D
All Possible Futures' debut The Plucky Squire is an ambitious all-ages experimental adventure, a Zelda tribute that hops between 2D and 3D.

Towerborne Preview: A Co-Op Action RPG With Strong Beat 'Em Up Roots
Stoic's beat 'em up action RPG Towerborne releases into Early Access, and the current build plays as beautifully as it looks.

Funko Fusion Is Violent Cartoon Action-Adventure Fan Service, Wrapped in Pretty Plastic
Funko Fusion's promise of simple toy violence and beloved franchises is a safe bet, but it's confusing tone and basic gameplay may be a bit shallow.

Deathbound Review: A Frustratingly Held Back, Ambitious Character-Swapping Soulslike
Deathbound is an ambitious indie soulslike with occasional great-feeling combat, but some systemic and mechanical problems hold it back.

Eden Genesis Review: Unnecessarily Cumbersome But With A Smart Challenge
Eden Genesis can be a cumbersome cyberpunk platformer, but smart leaderboard-chasing design may entice those looking for a challenge.

Dungeons of Hinterburg Review: An Utterly Charming Blend of Zelda and Persona
Dungeons of Hinterberg is a beautiful and cozy adventure with excellent level design, but hardcore challenge-seekers need not apply.