Author Profile

Robert (or Rob if you're lazy) is an assistant editor of Push Square, and has been a fan of PlayStation since the 90s, when Tekken 2 introduced him to the incredible world of video games. He still takes his fighting games seriously, but RPGs are his true passion. The Witcher, Persona, Dragon Quest, Mass Effect, Final Fantasy, Trails, Tales — he's played 'em all. A little too much, some might say.

I grew up reading gaming magazines, and always wanted to write my own reviews about the games I loved. I got a chance to do just that while I was a college student, writing for several small gaming blogs in my spare time. I was also an avid reader of Push Square back when it was just Sammy. When the site came looking for new writers, I jumped at the chance. The rest is (ancient) history.

Experience

Robert began his games journalism career in 2012 as a freelance reviewer. In 2013 he joined Push Square as a Staff Writer, before moving into his current role as Deputy Editor in 2016.

In this role, Robert continues to write across the website covering news, reviews, guides and features.

More than anything, I just enjoy writing about games that resonate with me. There’s great satisfaction to be found in sharing your passion with a willing audience.

Timeline

  • 2012: Begins his career as a freelance reviewer
  • 2013: Joins Push Square as a Staff Writer
  • 2016: Becomes Deputy Editor of Push Square

Expertise

The first console Robert ever owned was the PlayStation 1, followed by a suitably long list of PlayStations! He’s also owned all of the main Nintendo handheld and home consoles from the mid 1990s onwards.

He chose the PlayStation 4 as his favourite console of all time, simply because so many of its games went on to become some of his absolute favourites.

RPGs are my favourite genre, because they tend to focus on characters and world building, which immerse me more than anything.

Robert’s Favourite Games

From the Archive

We asked Robert to pick out his three favourite pieces of work from across his personal archive, and tell us why he picked them!

The Witcher 3: Best Character Builds

My most-read article ever is a character builds guide for The Witcher 3, which I slaved over back when the game was brand new. I thoroughly enjoyed putting it together, and it was amazing to see it perform so well over the years.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition Review

Mass Effect is my favourite trilogy in gaming, and I like to think I did the games justice by writing an in-depth review of the Legendary Edition, which basically encapsulated a decade's worth of my thoughts and feelings.

Interview: Falcom Boss Talks Everything Trails, Reverie, Importance of Western Fans, and More

As a big fan of the Trails series, interviewing Falcom's president was a big deal for me. This interview from 2023 is my favourite to date, thanks to some fantastic answers.

Username
ShogunRok
Articles
11,156 (454 reviews)
First Article
Wed 21st, November 2012
Avg. Review Score
7.2
Find Them On
Muck Rack
  • Weirdness The Last of Us Almost Ended on a Musical High

    Song for slaughter

    First shown at PAX, Sony has released a video detailing a rather ridiculous motion capture take of The Last of Us' ending. The finale, which was originally entirely cinematic, takes a strange but wonderful turn as Maureen's actress Merle Dandridge is secretly told to sing her lines by director Neil Druckman. Incredibly, Troy...

  • Review Carnivores: Dinosaur Hunter HD (PlayStation 3)

    Not-so-clever girl

    Carnivores: Dinosaur Hunter HD harkens back to a time when games were simple and focused. Back in the day, the gameplay spoke for itself so there was little need for a narrative, and your overall goal was clear and simple: rescue the princess, shoot the demons, or in this case, hunt the dinosaurs. You play as a nameless hunter,...

  • Review Grand Theft Auto V (PlayStation 3)

    Three is a magic number

    Michael, Franklin, and Trevor. These three personalities are at the very core of Grand Theft Auto V – one of the most anticipated games of this console generation. Everything that happens within the title revolves around the trio, from the gripping get-rich-quick heists that punctuate the story to the side activities that...

  • Review Dragon Fantasy: Book II (PlayStation 3)

    Less is more

    A direct sequel to Dragon Fantasy: Book I, Dragon Fantasy: Book II continues the story of Ogden and his party. It's still full of cheeky humour, silly dialogue, and old school JRPG gameplay – but does it improve enough upon its predecessor? Developer Muteki Corporation could have easily stuck to what it had already created with the...

  • News Grand Theft Auto V Gets Issued A PSN Download Delay [Updated]

    Pre-release now available from 16th

    : Developer Rockstar has clarified just when you'll be able to download your pre-order, depending on your territory. In Europe, you'll be able to download the pre-release on Sunday the 15th of September at 3pm BST, while in the US, you'll have to wait until Monday the 16th of September, at the rather late time of...

  • News EDGE Reckons That PS4 Has A Power Advantage Over Xbox One

    Uh oh

    Here we go again, er, again. Citing numerous sources and contacts, EDGE has published some rather saucy information regarding the difference in power between the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. The article states that Sony's next generation machine is around 50 per cent faster than its competitor, while multiple development sources describe...

  • News See What Makes Assassin's Creed IV On PS4 Next Gen

    Shinier than a chest of gold

    Are you ready to point your spyglass at yet another Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag trailer? Of course you are! This time Ubisoft explains exactly what sets the PlayStation 4 version apart from its current generation brethren. The video provides an interesting glimpse into the title's visual design, showing off and...

  • Rumour Grand Theft Auto V Caught On PS4

    Amazon.de lists next generation release

    Once again, Amazon's German arm has outed a potential release, and this time, it's a big one. The website lists Grand Theft Auto V - which releases in just under a week on current gen consoles - as a PlayStation 4 title. There's no hint of a possible release date, but the simple fact that it's there adds...

  • News Call of Duty: Ghosts Takes Shooting Into Outer Space

    Explosive single player trailer has it all

    Fresh from Activision and Infinity Ward comes this latest trailer for Call of Duty: Ghosts, which is all about the single player campaign. Opening with a gunfight set in space, the video is just as bombastic as you'd expect. We even catch a glimpse of Riley, the game's canine mascot, wrestling with someone...

  • News Continue Your PS3 Final Fantasy XIV Adventure On PS4 At No Additional Cost

    Gen jumping

    If you're currently busy questing to your heart's content in the luscious world of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn on PlayStation 3, you may be happy to know that you'll be able to carry your progress over onto Sony's next generation console. And the best part? You won't have to pay a penny. If you've purchased Square Enix's initially...

  • News Strategy RPG Natural Doctrine Plans A Release On PS3, PS4, And Vita

    Cross-cross-play

    Kadokawa Games' first solo-developed title was announced earlier today at Sony's morning press conference. The game in question is a strategy RPG that'll be released on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Vita - what more could you want? The trailer that accompanies the announcement is moody, monochrome, and intriguing. The strangely...

  • News Guilty Gear Xrd Sign Will Be Brawling On PS4, Too

    Get in gear

    During Sony's Japanese press conference earlier this morning, it was confirmed that Arc System Works' gorgeous new brawler will be taking the fight to PlayStation 4, as well as PlayStation 3. Due out in 2014, Guilty Gear Xrd Sign will mark the series' first departure from the use of sprites, and instead will utilise the Unreal engine...

  • Review Puppeteer (PlayStation 3)

    Ahead of the game

    Within minutes of starting Puppeteer, it's clear that it's an absolutely stunning game. The art style, the animation and the sheer amount of detail packed into each and every visual asset make the title a joy to behold. Trailers and screenshots simply don't do the product justice – this is something that you need to see in motion...

  • Game of the Month August 2013 - Rayman Legends

    Legendary status

    August was a busy month for the team here at Push Square, in which we reviewed 21 new releases in total. Of course, only one game can be awarded the prestigious Game of the Month accolade, and so we looked to the highest rated titles, which included wildly anticipated adventures such as the ridiculous Saints Row IV and the magical...

  • News Preside Over Watch Dogs with 14 Minutes of Dynamic Open World Gameplay

    Hacky ever after

    For every Watch_Dogs trailer that Ubisoft releases, we're forced to type another obnoxious underscore – and unfortunately for us, there has been plenty of footage. Thankfully, this latest video, which boasts a whole 14 minutes of open world gameplay, is well worth the annoyance. Everything from gunplay and driving, to casually...

  • News Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Helps Series Conjure 1.4 Million Sales Worldwide

    Magic numbers

    Together with its Japan-only DS counterpart, the delightfully designed and visually stunning PlayStation 3 JRPG Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch has helped Level 5's series accumulate approximately 1.4 million sales worldwide. “The franchise has been very well received in EMEA, and as a result of its quality, has reached an...

  • Review Spelunky (PlayStation Vita)

    Fortune and glory, kid

    How far are you willing to go for the sake of a solid gold bar? Are you prepared to take a leap of faith over what could be a bottomless pit? Would you test your mettle against a horde of vicious snakes? Is the promise of that shiny metal enough to make you risk all of your progress so far? These are just some of the questions...

  • Review One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 (PlayStation 3)

    Pieces of eight

    Last month saw the release of Dynasty Warriors 8, the latest instalment in the seemingly never-ending hack and slash series. This month, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 arrives on Western shores, bringing with it more vast, hectic battles to sink your bloodied weapon of choice into. You’d be forgiven for being worn out on Warriors...

  • Review Lost Planet 3 (PlayStation 3)

    You know the drill

    Lost Planet 3 is a far cry from its predecessor’s grind-heavy, co-op based campaign. It’s a linear adventure that’s driven by narrative, and the gameplay borrows elements from several different genres and other titles. It’s a game that plays it safe, and for that reason it feels inherently familiar. But that’s not...

  • GamesCom 2013 Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Goes Overboard With CG Hair

    How much does this cost

    Square Enix has always been known for its love of CG cutscenes, but we think that the opening part of this new trailer for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII might be taking things a touch too far. It's almost like moody heroine Lightning and gritty-rebooted Snow exist purely to show off their designer hairstyles, despite...

  • GamesCom 2013 Batman: Arkham Origins' Firefly Trailer Sets Gotham Ablaze

    Cooking with bat

    How much action can you possibly cram into one trailer? That's a question Batman: Arkham Origins asks with its newest video, which shows our shadowy hero fending off the multiple assassins that will be hunting his head throughout the game. The new footage also introduces us to Firefly, a villain who's handy with a flamethrower...

  • GamesCom 2013 Even Killzone: Shadow Fall's Multiplayer is Swamped in Colour

    No more browns and greys

    Guerrilla Games is certainly trying to introduce colour to first-person shooters. Just like the single player offering, Killzone: Shadow Fall's multiplayer looks like it'll be full to the brim with bright, attractive maps ready and waiting to have the blood of your enemies splattered all over them. The trailer shows off a...

  • GamesCom 2013 Crash Around with Knack in this Cinematic Trailer

    A knack for storytelling

    PlayStation 4 launch title Knack's newest trailer focuses on the story and Pixar-like cinematics of the game, as we get our most in-depth look yet at the characters and events involved. Knack's deep voice is certainly something that we'll have to get used to, but it does look like the release will attempt to tell a charming...

  • GamesCom 2013 Delsin has the Power in this New inFAMOUS: Second Son Trailer

    Rather stunning

    Fresh from Sony's GamesCom conference comes this new inFAMOUS: Second Son trailer, that's full of cinematics and moody lighting. And the best part? You won't have to put up with the increasingly frustrating camera angles from the presser itself. The more we see of Delsin, the more that we think he's the kind of protagonist the...