Hayes Madsen

Hayes Madsen is the Video Game Trends Writer for Inverse’s gaming section where he covers the most buzzworthy events and controversies in the industry — along with some of the most compelling community stories.

Hayes has more than 10 years of experience in journalism with a special focus on entertainment and the video game industry.

Gaming

Why It Took 20 Years For Lord of the Rings To Finally Make A Cozy Game

In a hole in the ground...

By Hayes Madsen
Gaming News

Control Resonant Fuses Devil May Cry With Remedy’s Brand of Weirdness, and It Already Looks Incredible

Madness in Manhattan.

By Hayes Madsen
Gaming News

Exodus Might Be the Mass Effect Successor We've Been Waiting For

Into the beyond.

By Hayes Madsen
The Inverse Interview

The Creators of 2025's Most Ambitious Game Don't Regret Almost Bankrupting the Studio to Make It

Buckle up.

By Hayes Madsen
Opinion

The Forsaken Hollows Brings Some Much-Needed Variety to 'Elden Ring: Nightreign'

Prepare for pain.

By Hayes Madsen
Retrospective

20 Years Ago, Sega Created One of the Greatest Video Game Protagonists of All Time

Like a dragon.

By Hayes Madsen
The Inverse Interview

One Year Later, 'Marvel Rivals’ Success Continues Because the Devs ‘Balance For Fun,’ Says Director

Multiversal madness.

By Hayes Madsen
The Inverse Interview

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Devs Considered Having a Human Side to the Game

Back to Pandora.

By Hayes Madsen
Preview

The Avatar Game Is Finally Living Up to the Movies' Massive Potential

Burn it all down.

By Hayes Madsen
Game Guides

Here Are The Six Best Party Members To Recruit In 'Octopath Traveler 0'

Get the party started.

By Hayes Madsen
Review

Octopath Traveler 0 Is an Ambitious, Messy, & Utterly Engrossing RPG

Inverse Score: 8/10

By Hayes Madsen
The Inverse Awards

The 25 Best Games Of 2025, Ranked

An unforgettable year.

By Shannon Liao, Robin Bea, Hayes Madsen and Trone Dowd
Gaming

Total War Remains The King Of Strategy Games – Here’s How It’s Endured For 25 Years

Making history fun.

By Hayes Madsen
Inverse Recommends

The Best Assassin’s Creed Game in Years Just Came to Nintendo Switch 2

Nothing is true, everything is permitted.

By Hayes Madsen
Inverse Recommends

The Best Strategy Game of the Year Just Got Even Better

The circle of life.

By Hayes Madsen
Opinion

2025 Set the Stage For an Action Game Renaissance

We’re so back.

By Hayes Madsen
Inverse Recommends

The Most Surprising Murder-Mystery Game of the Year Just Came to Steam and Switch

A real throwback.

By Hayes Madsen
Gaming

'Wild Blue Skies' Was Inspired By Studio Ghibli’s 'Porco Rosso'

More than a homage.

By Hayes Madsen
The Inverse Interview

Three Years Later, Triangle Strategy Devs Say It ‘Changed’ Their Approach to Storytelling

A strategic move.

By Hayes Madsen
Gaming News

The Creator Of 'Persona 3' Wants To Revolutionize JRPGs Again

Reimagining the future.

By Hayes Madsen