Book Review: CTRL: Essays On Video Games - An Affecting Anthology For Anyone Who Grew Up On Games
CTRL: Essays On Video Games is an anthology exploring the cultural impact and personal significance of video games through a collection of deeply personal essays. Edited by Dean Fee and published by Lilliput Press, the book brings together contributions from 14 writers across diverse backgrounds, including novelists, poets, and game designers.
The anthology takes a reflective approach to gaming, featuring both focused pieces centered on individual titles and broader essays that touch upon multiple games and gaming moments. This varied structure allows the collection to examine gaming’s effects on culture and individuals from multiple perspectives.
Contributors include notable figures such as John Patrick McHugh, Róisín Kiberd, Brenda Romero, Anna Loughran, and Rob Doyle, among others. The inclusion of game designers alongside writers and poets creates a multidisciplinary examination of video games’ place in contemporary culture.
According to the Nintendo Life review, the book delivers “entertaining, brutally honest writing” that appeals to anyone who has grown up playing games. The reviewer described the collection as “brilliantly varied” and filled with “memories and illuminating accounts that run the emotional gamut.” The positive reception suggests the anthology successfully captures how video games have shaped and affected those who have experienced them.