Vlad Mazanko
Senior Author
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472articles
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2Features
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434Lists
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36Guides
About Vlad Mazanko
Vlad Mazanko is Ukraine-based gaming enthusiast, writing about the industry since 2013 and covering everything from games and studios to movies and TV shows. He joined the Valnet family back in 2021, with past works featured at TheGamer and DualShockers. Over the years, he has worked on news, guides, lists, and reviews, always aiming to ensure a combination of factual accuracy and an engaging overall read.
Industry Focus
With years of experience in gaming news and a wide range of factual knowledge about the industry, his newest passion is doing lists. These allow to deliver brief squeezes of his favorite games, genres, and their creators. Mostly covering open-world action and RPG titles, soulslikes, and racing games, he also strives to complete every game before covering it to share a full picture with the readers.
Favorite Games
Some of his favorites of past years include Elden Ring, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Alan Wake 2, Resident Evil 4, Marvel Snap, Balatro, Cyberpunk 2077, The Last of Us Part 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War, Black Myth: Wukong, Grim Dawn, and The Witcher 3. He's also able to find joy even in not-as-universally-beloved games like Anthem, Mafia 3, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Marvel's Avengers, The Callisto Protocol, Outriders, or Suicide Squad.
Favorite TV Shows
With a recent renaissance in video game adaptations, he greatly enjoyed Arcane, The Last of Us, and the Fallout series. Other notable TV shows and miniseries he'd recommend to anyone are Legion, Watchmen, Euphoria, Undone, True Detective, Sugar, and Fargo. He enjoys distinct visual storytelling coupled with a strong emotional core, as well as entangled stories with plenty of mind-blowing twists.
Latest
5 Masterpiece Open-World RPGs Explicitly Built To Be Played Twice
It's fine to finish these games once and move on, but you will appreciate them a thousand times more if you stick with them for a second playthrough.
The Witcher Remake Needs Resident Evil's Restraint, Not Wild Hunt's Scale
The Witcher Remake going full open world risks losing the very things that made the original special.
5 Near-Perfect Open-World Crime Games Overshadowed By Grand Theft Auto
GTA 6 is poised to stand in a league of its own, but there was a time when the iconic open-world crime series had some really decent competitors.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Has One Big Trap for First-Time Players
If you're a newcomer, playing Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced to get one thing out of it is a massive trap you should avoid.
10 "Bad" Games That Have Aged Absurdly Well
First impressions aren't everything, and these games have proven that by aging remarkably well despite a bad first impression.
5 Near-Perfect Open-World RPGs That Are Certified Flops
These great open-world games definitely deserved better, often rediscovered and appreciated only years after launch.
10 Video Game Masterpieces That Are Perfect From Start To Finish
These games are real crown jewels, absolutely perfect in their pacing, variety, and enjoyment from the very first minute down to the last.
Biggest Open-World Games With Major Sequels Announced
Sequels are the safest bet for modern AAA development, so here are all the upcoming open-world follow-ups currently announced.
The 7 Must-Play Games Of 2026 So Far, Ranked
These games all but define 2026 in gaming so far, and are absolutely not worth missing out on.
8 Open-World Adventure Games That Let You Play At Your Own Pace
For fans of unrestricted adventures, these open-world games offer the most leisurely style of gameplay and never rush you towards the next story beat.
Biggest 2026 Games Delayed To 2027 (So Far)
Stay patient, as these anticipated games won't be available this year as initially expected, but they're set to release in 2027.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced's Confirmed Gameplay Changes
If you want to know how exactly the AC Black Flag remake changes the gameplay of the original, here's everything officially confirmed so far.
6 Under-The-Radar Games That Play Exactly Like God Of War
God of War Laufey might still be far off, but these games can already scratch that same itch, perfectly blending narrative, combat, and traversal.
7 Open-World RPGs That Are 10/10, No Notes
As the years go by, these open-world RPGs remain the unmatched pinnacle of the genre — and are absolutely worth playing today.
Top Upcoming Open-World Games Releasing In July 2026
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced aside, there's more for fans of open-world games this summer, starting in July.
5 Open-World Games Of This Generation That Are Legit Flawless
These open-world games are true gems of the current generation, capturing the best that the modern genre formula is capable of.
Clair Obscur Expedition 33: Best Sciel Weapons, Ranked
Sciel is one of the strongest characters for dealing damage, and these weapons are the best to unleash her full combat potential.
Clair Obscur Expedition 33: Best Verso Weapons, Ranked
From knives, daggers, and swords to wrenches and even hammers — these are the best and most powerful weapons available for Verso in Expedition 33.
6 Biggest Open-World Games With Upcoming Expansions
It’s not over yet for these beloved open-world games, as they are all getting major expansions that will release in the coming months.
Forza Horizon 6: Best Cars for Each Class
If you want to dominate every race type and every class, then you’re going to want to know the Forza Horizon 6 meta car list.