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.
"A Kid-Friendly Candy-Colored Doom: Eternal With A Roguelite Twist" - Battle Shapers Preview
Metric Empire's Battle Shapers is shaping up to be a fun update of Mega Man's aesthetic into a remarkably agile and approachable roguelite FPS.
"A Good Jumping Off Point For A Visual Novel": Nonorelia PC Preview
Middle Edge Software's upcoming visual novel game Nonorelia combines nonograms with a fully voice-acted sci-fi story.
"Still A Refreshing, One-Of-A-Kind Puzzler Hybrid": Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes - DE Review
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition is a new glow-up for the cult classic puzzler, but it lacks new features and mod cons.
"A Weird Western Platformer With A Great Hook": Gunbrella Preview
Gunbrella's creepy western vibe and platforming combat is an unusual blend, but tight controls and a beautifully dirty aesthetic help seal the deal.
Ed-0: Zombie Uprising Review: An Action-Roguelite Diamond in the Rough
Ed-0: Zombie Uprising is an unforgiving, rough-around-the-edges, one-of-a-kind action-roguelite, but it requires a certain appetite for janky physics.
BIG Festival Preview - Haunted House: A Spooky Stealth-Based Roguelite
Atari's Haunted House gets a modern-day facelift, an all-ages spooky stealth roguelite courtesy of Brazil's Orbit Studios.
BIG Festival Preview - Bloodless: The Swordless Samurai
Point'N'Sheep's retro-themed adventure game Bloodless features a highly unusual battle system, and took home top prize at this year's BIG Festival.
BIG Festival Preview: UDO: An Infectious Arcade Roguelite Descent
Blue Firefly Studios' UDO began as a humble game jam entry, but the arcade roguelite is seeing a full release on Steam and Nintendo Switch this fall.
Takashi Tokita Interview: Brazil's BIG Festival
Screen Rant chats with Square Enix's Takashi Tokita about Final Fantasy IV and his gaming legacy, conceived as a perfect bowl of ramen.
Gustavo Steinberg Interview: Brazil's BIG Festival
BIG Festival's founder and executive director Gustavo Steinberg joins Screen Rant to chat about one of the biggest gaming cons in South America.
A Mix of One Piece & Hearthstone: Cross Blitz Preview
Tako Boy Studio's Cross Blitz mixes One Piece's pirate shenanigans with Hearthstone's deckbuilding, all with a vibrant pixel art style.
Immortals of Aveum Gameplay Preview: Boomer Caster
Screen Rant gets hands-on time with Ascendant Studios' Immortals of Aveum, an FPS with magic particle effects instead of bullet casings.
The Tartarus Key Review: Lo-Fi Locked-House Throwback Horror
Vertical Reach's The Tartarus Key features simple, fun escape room puzzles with lo-fi horror vibes, all tied together with a hammy script.
Minabo: a walk through life Review: A Colorful But Cynical Life Sim
Indie life sim Minabo: a walk through life is an abstract look at emotional fulfillment, but lacks any satisfying depth or gameplay hooks.
Wildfrost Review: Deckbuilding in a Winter Wonderland
Don't let new indie deckbuilder Wildfrost's cute demeanor distract from its rock-solid fundamentals, meticulous design, and fierce challenge.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun Preview: Die by the Chainsword
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is shaping up to be a fun and frantic throwback shooter with some modern tricks and a great chainsword.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Review: A Chinese Historical Grind
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty brings much of Nioh's mechanics to a fantastical Chinese historic setting, but this current-gen Soulslike can be a slog.
Wild Hearts Review: An Elegant and Engrossing New Way to Monster-Hunt
Comparisons be damned, Wild Hearts is a beautiful and distinct monster-hunting adventure, packed with content and satisfying to master.
Dust & Neon Review: A Flat, Functional Action Western Roguelite
New action-roguelite Dust & Neon features a unique active reload mechanic...and not much else.
Trinity Fusion Steam Next Fest Preview: Still Space For More
Trinity Fusion's demo on Steam Next Fest adds some flavor and vision to this upcoming action-roguelite, but there's still space for much more.