Inside an industrial Stoke Newington basement, independent artist L.V.K. turned the release of her new EP into something much bigger than a listening party.
The cosy game genre is more crowded than ever, making it increasingly difficult for new farming sims to stand out. While many lean heavily on familiar mechanics borrowed from classics like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, Everdream Village takes a few welcome risks of its own.
Takashi Murakami's vibrant worlds have captivated audiences for decades, but beneath the rainbow flowers lies a more complicated reality. Following a visit to Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow at the Cleveland Museum of Art, G.URL explores the tension between Murakami's hopeful artistic vision and his continued support of NFTs. Can one of contemporary art's most celebrated creators reconcile his legacy with the environmental cost of digital ambition?
Horror is having its biggest mainstream moment in decades, with independent filmmakers finally being given the recognition they deserve. But while films like Obsession and Backrooms prove the genre has never been more exciting, they also raise bigger questions about representation, perspective, and who still gets to tell horror's stories.
Ten years into her work in Black character design, Danielle ‘Ebonix’ Udogaranya reflects on influence, visibility, and the future of games.
Has the recipe detailing the makings of a true pop icon been set in stone once and for all? Watching Addison Rae’s meteoric rise — from TikTok fame to the release of her debut album and her first London show — it’s tempting to think it might have.
Step into a world where nostalgia, childhood wonder, and digital imagination collide. Come Into My World transforms art exhibitions into immersive journeys, letting you explore seven unique artist-created realms through VR, AR, or your laptop. It’s playful, uncanny, and deeply personal.
MARINA’s Princess of Pop sparkles with nostalgic synths and playful hyperfemininity. It’s a vibrant, sometimes cheesy, love letter to Tumblr-era melodrama, blending honeyed vocals with neon-bright metaphors. Not perfect, but utterly her — a bold, unapologetic celebration of pop’s glittery, chaotic heart.
PinkPantheress makes heartbreak sound effortless on a mixtape that barely lets you in, but still lingers like a message you were never meant to read.
In a gaming landscape overrun by pastel to-do lists, Mudborne croaks back with surreal swamp logic, frog genetics, and cosmic pond gods. It’s cosy with edge, structured without stress — a tender, muddy rebirth for players burnt out by the genre’s grind. Finally, a cosy that doesn’t condescend.
Inside The Face at the National Portrait Gallery
While everyone’s busy chasing nostalgia, The Face exhibition reminds us that the real magic was in its chaotic, collaborative spirit — part fashion shoot, part cultural time bomb.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure: Sanrio’s Cutest Time Sink
This isn’t just a Hello Kitty cash grab — it’s a dangerously cosy life sim with surprising depth. Between decorating, crafting, and befriending Sanrio icons, Hello Kitty Island Adventure turns downtime into a full-time commitment. Cute? Absolutely. Addictive? More than you’d think. Here’s why you won’t be able to put it down.
Inside the Animal Crossing x SeaLife Exhibition
If you're a fan of Animal Crossing, the Aquarium Tour at SeaLife is a must-see, combining the charm of the game with real-life sea creatures. From meet-and-greets with Tom Nook and Isabelle to hidden villager stamps, it’s an experience that celebrates both the game and its passionate community. But is it worth the ticket price?
Sim-fully Overlooked: The Chaotic Brilliance of The Sims Bustin’ Out and The Urbz on GBA
The Sims on Game Boy Advance wasn’t about designing the perfect home or finding true love—it was about surviving in weird, chaotic cities with nothing but odd jobs and big dreams. Bustin' Out and The Urbz ditched the cosy life sim formula and gave us something messier, funnier, and way more relatable. It's about time we gave these underrated handheld gems the love they deserve.
Infinity Nikki is Inspiring Gamers to Bond Over High Heels and Earrings
Seeing a feminine dress-up game acknowledged as a “real” game is groundbreaking. Twelve years ago, Papergames was told that the Nikki franchise was too niche to succeed in the competitive gaming market. The monumental success of Infinity Nikki proves otherwise, showing there’s a community of gamers eager to save the world in an iridescent ballgown and heels.
Short Trip: The Hand-Drawn Cat Carrying Experience
As the chaos of finals, demanding work weeks, and holiday preparations looms, the need for a moment of respite becomes undeniable. Thankfully, we’ve found the perfect game to help you pause, breathe, and recharge amid the holiday frenzy.
Anora: Exoticism as Empty Currency
Sean Baker’s Anora opens with the glimmer of a deeply human story, weaving survival, sexuality, and power into its frame — yet its gaze risks lingering too long on the surface.
Chants of Sennaar Speaks in a Language of Its Own
There’s a rush in turning mystery into meaning — when strange symbols suddenly speak. Chants of Sennaar bottles that thrill, letting players untangle languages one clue at a time.
Uzumaki’s Spiral into Chaos
Uzumaki fans spiral into disappointment as animation quality takes a nosedive
Exploring the Poetic Journey of Gris
A Palette of Emotions Painted in Silence. Written by Calypso Morgan Imagine a young girl perched on the hand of a statue, trying to sing but unable to. Suddenly, everything around her crumbles, and she plummets from the sky, landing in a barren white landscape. With nothing but the sound of wind on the horizon,…