Joe Chivers

Joe Chivers

Freelance writer

Freelance writer Joe Chivers has been playing games since the mid-90s, starting out on his brother’s old Amiga. Since then, he has played too many video games and thought too much about them, and has been published in The Guardian, PC Gamer, and Metro. Corner him in a pub and he’ll talk your ear off about why games are a legitimate form of artistic expression.

Articles by: Joe Chivers

A screenshot from Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor showing Talion marking an Uruk with TechRadar Gaming's 'From the Backlog' badge in the top right hand corner

Skulking in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is superb, and the Nemesis System is yet to be bested by 12 years of action games

By Joe Chivers published

The best Lord of the Rings game is essentially fanfiction, but the Nemesis system is still the best in class.

Woman shocked by online scam, holding her credit card outside

Black Friday shoppers advised to be cautious as fake Amazon, eBay websites soar

By Joe Chivers published

Ready for Black Friday? Scammers certainly are, as fake shops keep soaring. NordVPN shares some tips on how to stay safe,

Shape of Russia filled with Russian flag-colored internet codes on a black hacking background

Russian restrictions have been blocking access to Telegram and WhatsApp for months – here's what we know

By Joe Chivers last updated

VPN services have been a key tool for Russians trying to avoid state surveillance in the latest clampdown

Europa Universalis 5

Europa Universalis 5 is an instant grand strategy classic and developer Paradox at its best

By Joe Chivers published

Both more complex and more personal than its predecessors, Europa Universalis 5 feels like a greatest hits album from Paradox.

Proton VPN new mobile app interface – promo image

Proton expands network coverage on its free VPN to 8 worldwide locations

By Joe Chivers published

Proton VPN Free's coverage gets bigger, with Norwegian and Canadian servers the latest addition. Users still cannot choose the server, but the service automatically connects to the fastest available.

Two characters roam the overworld amongst autumn leaves

The unfairly overlooked games of 2023

By Joe Chivers published

2023 has offered us a myriad of games, which has resulted in a few unsung heroes slipping through the cracks.

A ship in drydock in Hardspace: Shipbreaker

The dull delight of humdrum work simulators

By Joe Chivers published

Thanks to meditative and cathartic labor simulators, work can, in fact, become play.

A wooden ship sails through the gulf of Cadiz

10 years on, Europa Universalis 4's achievement design keeps it fresh

By Joe Chivers published

Europa Universalis 4's achievements amount to challenging missions that keep the game interesting.

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