Vlad Mazanko-Senior Author

Vlad Mazanko

Senior Author

April, 2024
Master's Degree in Computer Networks and Telecommunications, National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute"
Open-World, Action RPG, Racing
  • 459
    articles
  • 422
    Lists
  • 36
    Guides

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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

Greatest Supernatural Open-World Games Ever Made, Ranked
8 Greatest Supernatural Open-World Games Of All Time, Ranked

What makes a game supernatural? (Hint: it's not just horror) Even better, what are the best examples of this in the open-world genre? Let’s find out.

007 First Light - Officially Confirmed Facts You Need To Know
007 First Light: 5 Things You Need To Know

As the new James Bond game launches in just a few weeks, here are the most important facts you should know before diving into 007 First Light.

Best Open-World Games To Be A One-Man Army
The Best Open-World Games To Be A One-Man Army

If you want to feel like a chosen one who can stop literal armies single-handedly, these open-world games grant the freedom to live that dream.

1
Most Promising Open World Games Coming In Summer 2026
5 Open-World Games Coming In Summer 2026 That Already Deserve Your Attention

This summer is unexpectedly generous for some really promising open-world games, so which of these will you play?

Open-World FPS Games That Actually Capture STALKER 2 Zone Vibe Cost Of Hope DLC
Waiting for STALKER 2 Expansion? 5 Open-World FPS Games That Actually Capture the ‘Zone’ Vibe

These open-world shooters aim to capture a similar feel to STALKER 2’s Zone, making them perfect picks for any fan waiting for Cost of Hope.

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These Star Wars Games Handle Post-Original Trilogy Timeline Better Than Sequels
Hate The Sequels? These Star Wars Games Do It Better

For fans who don't take Disney's sequels as canon, these Star Wars games offer the most connections in themes and events to the original trilogy.

silent hill-alan wake-metal gear-nioh3
7 PS5 Masterpieces You Need To Buy Before May 6
PS5

Hurry up and don't waste your chance to snag some of the best PS5 titles of the past few years for massively reduced prices.

1
Details About Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced You Probably Missed
Things About Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced You Probably Missed

We already know that Resynced will have all-new visuals, reworked combat, parkour, and stealth, but what else can we expect?

Most Promising Upcoming Space Opera Games
These Upcoming Space Opera Games Will Make Starfield Feel Small

For players who were left wanting more from Starfield, these upcoming titles might deliver space exploration coupled with strong storytelling.

Best Open-World Racing Games Ever Made, Ranked
10 Greatest Open-World Driving Games Of All Time, Ranked

Get behind the wheel of your dream car and just drive, drive, drive everywhere in these greatest open-world car-focused titles.

4
Mass Effect Geth Armada Sci-Fi Best Worldbuilding Setting
Which BioWare Game Has The Best Worldbuilding?

No BioWare game has weak worldbuilding; however, one game outshines them all, introducing its convincing universe exceptionally well.

New Open World Games With Incredible Visuals
6 New Open-World Games With Insane Graphics

Here are the newest additions to the open-world genre from the past few months, each boasting truly spectacular visuals.

10 Most Authentic Historical Games Of The Last 20 Years
10 Greatest Historical Games Of The Last 20 Years, Ranked (RDR 2 Isn't #1)

These are the most authentic games to dive into our own past, heavily inspired by real history, cultures, and events.

Who Is The Best Elden Ring Boss
The Best Elden Ring Boss (Isn't Malenia Or Radahn)

Hardest doesn't necessarily mean best, and this boss just might be the most fun fight in Elden Ring, even if they don't always get credit for it.

Open-World Games With Too Much Freedom
8 Open-World Games With Too Much Freedom

Go anywhere, do anything — these open-world titles don't really care about how players approach them. They offer enough freedom to cater to anyone.

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Greatest Open-World Adventure Ever, Ranked
The 12 Greatest Open-World Adventure Games Of All Time, Ranked

There are so many ways to approach adventure in the open-world genre, and these titles do it differently, but equally great.

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20 Most Beatuiful Open-World Games Ever, Ranked
The 20 Most Gorgeous Open-World Games Of All Time, Ranked

With great graphics and beautiful visual design, these open-world games are so gorgeous that they will leave you speechless.

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How to Farm Basic Packs for Kuku Packs Crafting in Crimson Desert
How to Farm Kuku Packs for Crafting in Crimson Desert

Here's a fast and reliable method of getting basic packs for Kuku Shop crafting, such as Peddler's Pack or Hunter's Pack.

Where to Find Sigrid Outlaw in Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert: How to Complete Sigrid Outlaw Bounty

Sigrid the outlaw is hiding in an underground cave. Here's where you can find the entrance and capture her for epic coin rewards.

Where to Find Aera Bounty in Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert: How to Complete Aera Outlaw Bounty

Aera outlaw in Pailune can be hard to locate, but this guide can help you capture and claim her bounty, even if you think it's bugged.