Melissa Sarnowski

Contributor

Followed

Contributor Since October, 2024

Qualifications Contributor at DualShockers, covering games since 2022, OpenCritic-listed reviewer, B.S. in English from UW–Madison

Expertise

RPG, Horror, Simulation

109

articles
15

News
24

Features
35

Lists
26

Guides
9

Reviews

About Melissa Sarnowski

Melissa Sarnowski is a Gaming Writer at DualShockers who has been covering games professionally since 2022. She specializes in lists, reviews, and features, with additional experience writing guides for Hardcore Gamer.

Before joining DualShockers, Melissa contributed to Screen Rant, and she currently writes for CBR and Hardcore Gamer in addition to DualShockers. Her work focuses heavily on RPGs, horror games, MMOs, indie games, and simulation games, with recurring coverage of franchises such as Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, The Legend of Zelda, and The Sims. She holds a Bachelor of Science in English from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Industry Focus

Melissa primarily covers RPGs, horror games, MMOs, live-service games, indies, and simulation games, with most of her coverage centered on PC gaming. At DualShockers, she primarily writes lists and reviews, while also bringing guide-writing experience from her work at Hardcore Gamer.

Her writing often focuses on lore, theories, replay value, and the smaller details that help make a game world memorable. Her coverage includes survival horror, simulation games, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, and character-focused features, and she has interviewed Poor Locke as part of her games coverage.

Favorite Games and Genres

Melissa’s favorite games include The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Resident Evil 3, Mass Effect 2, The Sims: Makin’ Magic, Final Fantasy 14, Diablo 2, Bloodborne, Stardew Valley, 7 Days to Die, Halo, Super Mario Sunshine, Outlast, Elden Ring, and Sonic Adventure 2.

Her favorite genres include RPGs, horror games, MMOs, simulation games, survival horror, and indies. She especially enjoys games with strong lore, memorable worlds, and details that invite players to keep theorizing after they stop playing.

First Game Console and Preferred Platforms

Melissa’s strongest platform focus is PC, where much of her current coverage is centered. Her long-running interest in franchises like The Legend of Zelda, Resident Evil, Final Fantasy, and The Sims began when she was a child, giving her firsthand familiarity with several of the series she most often covers.