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

Open-World Games That Prove You Need an RTX 5070 Ti in 2026
7 Open-World Games That Prove You Need an RTX 5070 Ti in 2026

Put your RTX 5070 Ti to the test with these open-world titles that deliver outstanding visuals without parallel.

Most Graphically Demanding Games In 2026 That Will Melt Your RTX 5080
8 Most Graphically Demanding Games Ever Made (Including Ones That Kill an RTX 5080)

Modern hardware benchmarks, these games deliver stunning visuals that only high-end PCs will be able to handle.

Open-World Games That Proved Bigger Maps Aren’t Better
8 Open-World Games That Proved Bigger Maps Aren't Better

Sometimes a massive scope and miles of terrain aren't the keys to success. These open-world games prove that bigger maps aren't necessarily better.

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Open-World Games That Actually Feel Worth Your Time
7 Open-World Games That Actually Feel Worth Your Time

These open-world games offer little to no filler, respecting players’ time like nothing else in the genre.

Most Anticipated RPGs Officially Coming In 2026, Ranked
The 6 Most Anticipated RPGs Officially Coming In 2026, Ranked
RPG

Worlds with strong lore, characters that feel alive, and an emphasis on player choice — these upcoming RPGs are the most promising of 2026.

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Soulslikes Fans Always Suggest to New Players
7 Soulslike RPGs Fans Always Suggest to New Players

If you’re still new to the soulslikes or haven’t even tried this popular action-RPG subgenre, these titles are recommended to newcomers the most.

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best-short-games-perfect-masterpieces
7 Shockingly Short Games That Are Still 10/10 Masterpieces, Ranked

These games can be completed in just under 6 hours, which doesn’t diminish how exceptional and memorable each of them is.

grace and ashley
5 Best Mods For Resident Evil Requiem

PC players can tweak or improve their experience in subsequent runs of RE Requiem with some of the best mods for the game yet.

Every Star Wars RPG, Ranked By Greatness
Every Star Wars RPG, Ranked By Greatness

True Star Wars RPGs are historically very rare, leaving fans hungry for more. Here’s how every Star Wars RPG ever released ranks by greatness.

5 Open-World Games Where Building a Base Is Part of the Story
Open-World Games Where Building a Base Is Part of the Story

Building and expanding a personal base is not just an optional feat in these games, but mandatory for the story, and can be immensely important.

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5 Times Assassin’s Creed Broke Its Own Rules
5 Times Assassin's Creed Broke Its Own Rules

Certain staples of the Assassin's Creed series are set in stone, but these entries dared to challenge even franchise constants to offer something new.

The Fastest Cars In The Crew Motorfest, Ranked
The 10 Fastest Cars In The Crew Motorfest, Ranked

Want to know which of the game’s 730 cars is the fastest? Here’s the definitive rankings of The Crew Motorfest’s best speed demons.

The Most Important 3D Open-World Games Of All Time, Ranked
The Most Important 3D Open-World Games Of All Time, Ranked

These games represent true milestones for the 3D open-world genre, dating back to 2000 and ranked by their historical influence.

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Need For Speed Unbound Best Cars For The Grand
Need For Speed Unbound: Best Cars For The Grand

The Grand serves as Unbound's ultimate challenge, requiring players to come fully prepared with four cars across different tiers to secure a big win.

Best PS5 Games That Can Keep You Busy For Months, Ranked
Best PS5 Games That Can Keep You Busy For Months, Ranked
PS5

Starting each of these PS5 must-play games, prepare for weeks, if not months, of exciting gameplay and memorable stories.

Gorgeous New Games That Feel The Most Next-Gen, Ranked
7 Gorgeous New Games That Feel The Most Next-Gen, Ranked

These gorgeous titles are as fun as they are stunning, with graphics definitely being one of their major hooks.

Open-World Games On Steam That Are Much Better Than Their “Mostly Positive” Score Suggest
6 Open-World Games On Steam That Are Much Better Than Their “Mostly Positive” Score Suggests

These open-world titles might not be universally praised masterpieces, but they can still be a real treat for fans of the genre.

most-powerful-characters-in-biowares-games-ranked
The Strongest Characters In BioWare's Games, Ranked By Feats

Ancient gods, eternal cosmic beings, and humans who've reached unfathomable levels of power — these are BioWare’s strongest characters.

The Greatest Fantasy Worlds In RPGs, Ranked
The Greatest Fantasy Worlds In RPGs, Ranked

Intricate lore, distinct races, centuries of history, and unmistakable atmosphere make these fantasy worlds truly stand out in the RPG genre.

Open-World Games Where Money Actually Matters
7 Open-World Games Where Money Actually Matters

Unlike many other games where soon you're quickly drowning in cash, every coin matters in these open worlds and can be put to good use immediately.