Maximilian Padilla-Rodriguez
33 articles published since June 13, 2023
About Maximilian Padilla-Rodriguez
Born and raised in Florida, Maximilian Padilla-Rodriguez previously interned for Study Breaks Magazine before joining CBR as a freelance writer. Aside from writing and researching for his next article, he usually spends his time reading, playing video games (usually Nioh 2), or learning to code.
Soulstice Is a Worthy Spiritual Successor To DmC: Devil May Cry
DmC: Devil May Cry was a flawed game with a lot of potential, but Soulstice improves on its best ideas while rectifying many of its mistakes.
Fallout 3's Creepiest DLC Is Also Its Best
Point Lookout features everything that players loved about Fallout 3, but its atmospheric horror makes it unlike anything else in the series.
Konami's Forgotten Smash Bros. Clone Deserves a Sequel
The Japan-exclusive DreamMix TV World Fighters is one of the most bizarre Smash Bros. clones to ever exist, but its unique ideas warrant a sequel.
Why Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is Still Worth Playing
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night practically invented the modern Metroidvania formula, and it's still a fantastic game after all these years.
Why Rondo of Blood Is a Must-Play for Castlevania Fans
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood was recently adapted into Netflix's Castlevania: Nocturne, but fans of the series should still play the original game.
Assassin's Creed Mirage Is a Return to the Franchise's Most Overlooked Era
Fans are comparing Assassin’s Creed Mirage to the series' earliest entries, but it has more in common with the most divisive games in the franchise.
How Sonic Adventure 2 Set the Standard for 3D Sonic Games
Sonic Adventure 2 is far from a perfect game, but there's a reason why it has remained the most beloved 3D entry in the series for over 20 years.
Why the Best Berserk Game Needs a Remake
Berserk's Japan-exclusive PS2 game is a flawed gem with lots of untapped potential, but a remake can transform it into a must-play for series fans.
Why Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne's Brutal Difficulty is Brilliantly Designed
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne is best known for being an incredibly difficult JRPG, but the game's challenge highlights its masterful design.
What Modern Racing Games Can Learn from Burnout 3
Burnout 3: Takedown is one of the best games in the racing genre, but its simplicity highlights a major flaw that plagues many modern racing games.
Is Atlus Leaning on Persona 5 Too Much?
Persona 5 is undoubtedly Atlas' most successful title in recent years, but the company's reliance on the hit JRPG is starting to backfire.
Danganronpa V3's Ending is a Misunderstood Masterpiece
Danganronpa V3 features one of the boldest and most controversial endings in gaming history, but its infamous finale delivers an important lesson.
How Stranger of Paradise Avoids Final Fantasy XVI's Biggest Mistake
Final Fantasy XVI's combat is divisive among the franchise's fans, but Stranger of Paradise showed how the series could improve its action gameplay.
The Original Modern Warfare 3's Most Underrated Mode Deserves a Return
Survival mode is one of the Call of Duty franchise's forgotten game modes, but it has the potential to become the series' best feature.
Before Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar Turned a Canceled Capcom Game into a Cult Classic
Red Dead Revolver has been overshadowed by its sequels, but its unusual development history helped it become Rockstar’s most bizarre game.
How Devil May Cry's Biggest Blunder Actually Improved the Series
Devil May Cry 2 is often considered the black sheep of the franchise, but it played a crucial role in the development of its vastly superior sequels.
Red Dead Redemption Shows How Rockstar Perfected Open Worlds
Rockstar is known for making some of the best open worlds in gaming, but Red Dead Redemption highlights exactly what makes their settings so great.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 4 is Torn Between Two Fanbases
Fighting game and Dragon Ball fans alike are at odds over how the upcoming Budokai Tenkaichi 4 should balance its roster and gameplay.
How Twilight Princess Highlights the Problem with Fan Demand
Game developers don't always listen to fan suggestions, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess shows why that's the case.
Why The Original Devil May Cry Doesn't Need a Remake
Despite releasing over two decades ago, the original Devil May Cry hasn't received a remake. However, there's a good reason for this.