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
  • GamesCom 2013 BioWare Entrust Us With A New Glimpse of Dragon Age: Inquisition

    How inquisitive

    There's a while to wait yet before you can get your bloodied, armoured mitts on Dragon Age: Inquisition, which is now set to release in Autumn 2014, a developer diary confirmed during EA's Gamescom presser. The diary itself offers a few glimpses of new, in-engine footage, as well as insight from numerous members of the development...

  • Review Saints Row IV (PlayStation 3)

    The boys are back in town

    At one point in Saints Row IV, your character, the Boss, tells series veteran Shaundi that it’s been “one helluva ride”, perhaps inadvertently summarising developer Volition’s latest title. What started out as little more than a franchise looking to piggyback on the success of Grand Theft Auto has travelled an awful...

  • DLC Review Stirring the Pot in Dishonored: The Brigmore Witches

    Twist of fate

    Dishonored’s latest DLC completes raspy-voiced assassin Daud’s story, continuing from previous add-on The Knife of Dunwall, as he pursues the mysterious Brigmore Witches and their leader, Delilah. Of course, if you’ve played through the original game, you’ll have some idea as to how Daud’s tale comes to an end. As such, the...

  • Review Spartacus Legends (PlayStation 3)

    Are you not entertained?

    Ubisoft’s first foray into the free-to-play market on consoles arrives in the form of Spartacus Legends, a one-on-one fighter that pits upgradable gladiators against each other both online and offline. It’s an historical premise that slots wonderfully into the genre, but does its freemium nature take away from the...

  • News Prep Your President with Saints Row IV's Inauguration Station

    Your short shorts are ready, Mr. President

    Much like with Saints Row: The Third's Initiation Station demo, you'll be able to create, customise, and upload your own Saints boss for Saints Row IV using the cleverly titled Inauguration Station, which is set to release tomorrow on the European PlayStation Store, and next Tuesday in North America. From...

  • News By the Nine! The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Voted Game of the Generation on Amazon

    Dragonborn to win

    Running from 1st June to 4th August, mammoth online retailer Amazon.co.uk hosted a poll which pitted some of the biggest games of this console generation against each other in a tournament-style showdown. And Bethesda's open world epic, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, came out on top. The 2011 release fought off Super Mario Galaxy,...

  • Review Narco Terror (PlayStation 3)

    Don't do drugs

    Narco Terror is a cheesy 1980s action movie squeezed into a pseudo-isometric twin stick shooter, full to the brim with stupid one-liners, massive explosions, and drug peddlers with machetes. It’s a game that’s based on simply having dumb fun – but how long does it take for the novelty to wear off? As you may probably guess, the...

  • News Rainbow Skies Will Brighten Up PS3 and Vita in 2014

    Skiesrim

    If you thought that last year's loot-filled, massive RPG Rainbow Moon took up far too much of your free time, then you may want to sit down before reading all about the game's indirect sequel, Rainbow Skies. Developer SideQuest Studios is looking to bring the franchise's second instalment to the PlayStation 3 and Vita at some point in 2014,...

  • News You'll Never Walk Alone in FIFA 14, as Liverpool Teams Up with EA

    Red army

    Liverpool FC fans will be happy to know that their beloved team will be getting special treatment in FIFA 14. The Merseyside squad have had their likenesses scanned into EA's upcoming release, so you won't have to worry about one of those weird custom-made faces popping up on the team sheet. The reason for the reported three-year...

  • Review Cloudberry Kingdom (PlayStation 3)

    Hop, skip, and jetpack

    Cloudberry Kingdom sounds a bit like one of those free-to-play cutesy-looking titles that you’d usually find on Facebook – probably having something to do with trading fruit to friends while maintaining a happy little kingdom full of poorly illustrated, smiling animals. Thankfully, hidden under the game’s somewhat...

  • DLC Review Feeling the Heat of El Diablo's Domain in Guacamelee!

    Deliciously painful

    So, you've conquered the great evil. You've bested the best of the best demonic fighters, and defeated all of the gruelling physical trials that the big, bad boss managed to throw at you. Well, it's time to put down that afternoon tequila, slip into your wrestling pants, dust off your magical mask, and jump into the ultimate test...

  • News Be a Ghost, a Panther, or a Maniac in Splinter Cell: Blacklist

    However you like it

    Sam Fisher's doing a decent job of remaining undetected leading up to the launch of Splinter Cell: Blacklist, as this newest trailer almost slipped us by. Detailing the three different play styles that are open to you during missions, the video is keen to show off just how varied each approach can be. Taking the Ghost route,...

  • News Unleash Your Inner Masochist with This Cloudberry Kingdom Trailer

    Time Bob

    Releasing on 30th July in North America (and a day later in Europe), Cloudberry Kingdom is an insanely fast-paced platformer that's sure to reduce even the most experienced of players to tears with its relentless brutality. Take a gander at the newest trailer below and you'll see that we're not joking. But it's not all doom and gloom –...

  • News Explore the Caribbean with 13 Minutes of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

    Ocean's thirteen

    Not content with the numerous Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag trailers that we've already been inundated with thus far, Ubisoft has released thirteen whole minutes of open world gameplay, which details everything from assassinations to whale scouting on the open seas. Surprisingly, it looks like deadly tropical storms will be one...

  • News Dragon's Crown Is Questing to Europe Later This Year

    Worldwide looting

    A European release for Atlus' highly anticipated action RPG Dragon's Crown was beginning to look quite sketchy, but today the title was confirmed to be making the journey by publisher NIS America. Although no solid release date was given, Europe is to expect the game sometime in the Autumn. Sporting a fantastic art style, chaotic...

  • News Johnny Gat Is Back with a Vengeance in Saints Row IV

    Here's Johnny

    Much to the disappointment and rage of many, Volition decided to kill off fan favourite character Johnny Gat during the opening hour of Saints Row: The Third. Despite reappearing as a zombie later in the game, and as a giant mutant in the 'The Trouble with Clones' DLC, these cameos weren't really enough to appease the disgruntled...

  • Review Dynasty Warriors 8 (PlayStation 3)

    Xiahou done

    There comes a time when you begin to ask yourself why you’re still playing a series of games that has somehow spawned eight main iterations and countless spin-offs while retelling the same old story over and over again. What could possibly be keeping your interest in a franchise that has done almost nothing but stick to its guns for...

  • News Get Tactical with Eight Minutes of Killzone: Shadow Fall

    OWL power

    Killzone: Shadow Fall just keeps looking better and better every time that we see it – and this newly published gameplay trailer is no exception. Originally shown at E3, this Helghast-infested video has blasted its way online, eager to show off the OWL drone which will accompany you throughout the game. And it's certainly a helpful...

  • News Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Plunders a Giant Map in New Trailer

    Holiday by the sea

    Hot off the heels of yesterday's lengthy Grand Theft Auto V gameplay trailer, Ubisoft have gone one step further, bringing us an even longer video that details the swashbuckling, adventurous life that comes with being a pirate. At over seven minutes long, there's plenty to point your spyglass at over the duration. From treasure...

  • Review Kung Fu Rabbit (PlayStation Vita)

    Carrot-y chop

    Adding to the slew of mobile-developed indie games that are finding their way onto Sony’s portable console, Kung Fu Rabbit brings basic yet addictive platforming to the table. It’s a title that won’t win any awards for originality, but its neat presentation and simple charm ensure that it’s a difficult game to put down. As you...

  • News Get your Daily Dose of Nonsense with Another Lightning Returns Trailer

    Here we go again

    Just when you thought that Lightning couldn't get any more melodramatic this week, Square Enix has released yet another trailer – this time in an attempt to detail some of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII's spiralling story arc. Keep your eyes peeled and you'll see cameos from some of your favourite – or not so favourite...

  • News One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 Weighs Anchor with New Story Trailer

    Gum-Gum get hype

    Namco Bandai released a rather rousing trailer for its upcoming seafaring brawler earlier today, complete with cheesy rock music and a surprising amount of explosions. We also get a quick glimpse of newly introduced playable characters and the game's original plot. If nothing else, the title looks to be a nice chunk of mayhem for...

  • News Saints Row IV Declares Its Independence with Ridiculous New Trailer

    "Welcome to Earth!"

    As if we needed any further convincing that the Saints Row franchise has gone completely insane, this new Independence Day trailer for Saints Row IV is probably the most ridiculous promotion that we've seen for the upcoming release thus far. Characteristically full of swearing, stupid dialogue, and explosions, our latest glimpse...

  • News This Cloud Strife Costume Makes Lightning Even Moodier

    Power of the cloud

    Final Fantasy VII is finally entering the HD era – well, sort of. By pre-ordering Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, you'll snag a SOLDIER uniform that's more than a little reminiscent of Cloud Strife's original attire, along with his iconic Buster Sword. The final chapter in Lightning's tale was recently delayed until next...