Back in March, we reported that ON: Volume Two was available for pre-order. Since then, the kind folk at Hybrid Publications, the gaming journal’s publishers, have sent a copy of the first volume for us to have a read. The premise of ON is a simple one: to be “the ultimate celebration of gaming’s past, present and future”. This ethos is certainly sustained throughout the 200+ pages that create a fantastic mix of straight-up historical retrospective with impassioned memories from some of the gaming world’s best and brightest writers, artists, and developers.
ON: Volume One is broken down into seven unique articles, with each one having a theme. They range from a deep dive into a specific area of games, even a specific game, to a general, wide look across a broader spectrum of eras or whole companies. It doesn’t tie itself to any one era of gaming either, from the earliest times of the roots of gaming, right up to the most modern of titles, is covered. There is a sense that the brakes are off, and the writers just flow with their own perspectives, memories, and thoughts on the world of gaming.
The wonderful thing about this gaming journal is how refreshingly different each approach to the chosen topic is. One moment you’re reading about technical details and histories of an arcade board and its games, the next you’re invited into an intimate memoir of a love affair with Nintendo, before shooting off on a journey skipping through puzzle game launch titles. And at times, the articles themselves switch up with personal experiences and straight-up facts; it’s a rollercoaster of a read at times. The flow is brilliantly halted, in the best of ways, between the technical descriptions, memories, and love letters that somehow blend into a beautiful experience.
It’s always hard when giving an opinion about a book or a magazine not to reveal too much about what is inside. Nobody enjoys spoilers, but there is some magical mix of content here that will please those looking for in-depth knowledge-based articles and those who enjoy reading personal stories. Between the words, the articles are broken up with a swathe of visually stunning pop art and blocky, color-filled pieces of art that are all bespoke to the journal. Of course, many of the articles also include screenshots of the games, but the purposefully minimalistic feel of the design really helps the words jump out and take centre stage.
Some of the sections are further broken down to catalogue specific games which tell the story of their development and, most importantly, the impact they had on the industry. Much of this is backed up with researched quotes from industry veterans or those who have a high degree of knowledge in that specific field. This helps bolster the brilliant writing with an authority that brings the experience up a notch. This isn’t just a span of individuals’ thoughts; those thoughts are brought to life through discussion and other voices.
Overall, this is a fantastic experience that is written by a group of people who not only share their passion for gaming but also elevate the culture of our games through exploration and personal experience. Due to the variety of topics and how far-reaching the articles span the gaming world, this may not be a journal for everyone, especially those who prefer a dedicated book centred around a certain era or company. But anyone who enjoys a more eclectic take on game history and loves reading others’ journeys will get an awful lot of joy from this series of well-crafted, informative, and beautifully designed tomes.
