Leo Faierman-Critic

Leo Faierman

Critic

Contributor Since May, 2018
Expertise
PC, PlayStation 5, Devolver Digital
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ScreenRant logo Profile

About Leo Faierman

Leonardo Faierman is a games & film critic, comic creator, podcaster, and persistent freelancer in parts both known and unknown. He's one of the cofounders of Albany Poets, Inc., cocreator of the comic book Snow Daze with Marcus Kwame Anderson, and 1/4 of the long-running podcast #BlackComicsChat.

A recent comic, "Sámaras," was published in Power & Magic Press' Latin American Sci-Fi Anthology Mañana, with gorgeous art by Richard Zela, which has also been translated into Spanish.

Oh, and it's pronounced "Fireman."

Industry Focus

Leo has a longstanding penchant for independent video games, where the hardscrabble magic of interactive imagination thrives. There are two phases of contemporary independent gaming: before Super Meat Boy and after Super Meat Boy. Hotline Miami was the equivalent of the Sex Pistols' Lesser Free Trade Hall show.

As a cinephile and film critic, memorable moments include: getting drunk with two Star Wars prequel actors, crying alone at a screening of Notes From The Field, and discerning Lost Highway during a sleepless night. Ask me about it.

Favorite Media

Leo's list of his favorite games of all time must include: Shadow of the Colossus, Guardian Heroes, Towerclimb, The Beginner's Guide, Final Fantasy IV, River City Ransom, Star Control 2, Overwatch, The Binding of Isaac, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, Towerfall, Bloodborne, Fight'n'Rage, Nuclear Throne, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

His favorite film of all time remains Mad Max: Fury Road.

Latest

The Harbinger holds his Iconoclast sword and approaches a beacon in a corrupted lake in Mortal Shell II
Mortal Shell 2 Review: The Joy of Feeling OP In This Satisfying Soulslike Sequel
Mortal Shell II

Cold Symmetry's expansive Mortal Shell 2 is a true soulslike gem, offering terrific build variety and a beautiful world that rewards exploration.

The Soldier is tossed into the pit at the start of Shards of Order
Shards of Order Review: A Brutal But Balanced RPG Deckbuilder
Shards of Order

Fardust's Shards of Order is an easy recommendation, with an accessible dark fantasy campaign packed with zesty card-based combat.

dark-scrolls-tag-page-cover-art.jpg
Dark Scrolls Review: A Sluggish Arcade Stumble into Entropy
Devolver Digital

Doinksoft's newest retro-styled co-op platformer struggles to find its purpose, lacking context, reward, or even a proper game over screen.

Mina the Hollower
Mina the Hollower Review: Retro Action-Adventure Perfection
Mina the Hollower

No mere Link's Awakening homage, Mina the Hollower is an inspired, meticulously designed retro adventure, with a bounty of post-game delights.

A player wielding a Resonator readies a blast on an Enamel Husk in Subnautica 2
Subnautica 2: How To Find Creature Enamel
Subnautica 2

Grab your Repair Tool and head out to where the Needler Mangos dwell in Subnautica 2—we're going Enamel-hunting.

A player in a Tadpole gets a closer view of a Conduit Crystal positioned next to a rock pillar in Subnautica 2
Subnautica 2: How To Find Conduit Crystal
Subnautica 2

Perhaps the most elusive resource in the game, we help you track down some Conduit Crystal, a vital ingredient in some crucial Subnautica 2 upgrades.

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A player holds a repair tool while a NoA station eye tracks them in their base in Subnautica 2
Subnautica 2: How To Build Your Own NoA
Subnautica 2

Having your boss calling you at home is usually the last thing you want, but having your own NoA in Subnautica 2 is convenient nonetheless.

A player shines a light on a salt deposit in the dark in Subnautica 2
Subnautica 2: How To Find Salt
Subnautica 2

So you need salt for this one particular recipe, but Subnautica 2's own databank misled you. We show you where the Protean sea hides its salt.

A player scans a pink fish in the shallows during daytime in Subnautica 2
Subnautica 2 Early Access Preview: Familiar And Fantastic On Day One
Subnautica 2

Unknown Worlds Entertainment's Subnautica 2 makes a massive splash in Early Access, offering a survival experience that's worth the wait.

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Arjun gazes at a red holo recording in Saros
Saros Review: Spellbinding Sci-Fi in an Action Roguelite for All-Comers
Saros

Housemarque's newest roguelite is ultimately a safer counterpart to Returnal, but the studio's talent for sci-fi storytelling remains second to none.

Sae stands in black and white covered in blood with the kusabi behind her in Fatal Frame II Crimson Butterfly Remake
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake Review - A Survival Horror Treasure
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake

With an elegant new English translation and proper visual overhaul, this is now the best way to play Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly.

An image of Scott Pilgrim standing next to Ramona on a blue star background near the Scott Pilgrim EX logo
Scott Pilgrim EX Review - A Decent Beat 'Em Up, But With So Much Going For It
Scott Pilgrim EX

With its great hero roster and creative team, Scott Pilgrim EX should be a knockout, but this beat 'em up sequel is less than the sum of its parts.

Kazumu Kiryu catches a massive rainbow butterfly outside Morning Glory in Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Review: A Visual Upgrade On a PS3 Classic With Some Nice Bonus Content
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a great intro to the series with fun bonus content besides, and most of its changes are for the better.

The glass skater coasts into a portal through red columns under a massive moon in Skate Story
Skate Story Review: Zen and the Art of Psychedelic Skate Sims
Gaming

Skate Story's psychedelic visuals separate it from its brethren, but its beautifully reactive gameplay makes for a terrific skate sim all the same.

The first reveal of Fort Oasis in Total Chaos
Total Chaos Review: First-Person Survival Horror Loaded With Frantic Action
Total Chaos

Originally an ambitious Doom II mod, Total Chaos is an action-heavy survival horror gem, both oppressive and accessible, with top-notch sound design.

A painted scene of Yu gazing at the Moongate off into the distance on a blustery day in Forestrike
Forestrike Review - A Crunchy Martial Arts Roguelite
Forestrike

Forestrike is a martial arts mix of crunchy roguelite systems and an ingenious core mechanic, priced to move and beautifully written to boot.

A cutscene in Possessors featuring Luca falling to the left and Rhem smoking a cigarette on the right
Possessor(s) Review - Comic Style Chaos
Possessor(s)

Heart Machine's Possessor(s) is an attractive 2D metroidvania, but odd design choices and clunky combat seal its fate in a great year for the genre.

The four heroes of Absolum stand on a purple outcropping and look toward the camera in an Absolum cutscene
Absolum Review: This Visually Stunning Roguelite Beat 'Em Up is One of The Year's Best
Absolum

Absolum is a gorgeous build-crafting roguelite beat 'em up with personality and style to spare, and a must-buy for fans of both genres.

A player wields a massive claymore as a bolt of energy shoots upward to the sky in a dark red arena in Daimon Blades
Daimon Blades Early Access: A Promising Roguelite with Room to Grow
Daimon Blades

Daimon Blades is as ambitious and unapologetically weird as Streum On's previous games, but this EA co-op roguelite needs more content and variety.

Aiden looks at the camera in blood-covered camping clothes in Dying Light The Beast
Dying Light: The Beast Review - Sharp And Shamelessly Violent
Dying Light: The Beast

A proper follow-up for Kyle Crane, Dying Light: The Beast retains and slightly refines the gory violence and sharp gameplay the series is known for.

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