Melbourne Game Blog · Est. 2019
Games Are Relics Worth Studying
Long-form reviews, mechanical deep dives and developer interviews — no hype, no scores inflated by publishers. We take games apart to understand why they work.
Who We Are
A Citadel Built From Play
Ember Relic Citadel started in a Fitzroy sharehouse in 2019 as a newsletter for three friends who couldn't stop arguing about level design. Today it's a four-person independent blog read by roughly 60,000 players each month.
We buy every game we cover, refuse embargo-driven scores, and publish full disclosure on any review copy. Our beat spans CRPGs, immersive sims, cozy games and the Australian indie scene.
How A Piece Is Made
The Editorial Line
Full Playthrough
We finish the game — main story plus meaningful side content — before a word is written. Minimum 20 hours logged, tracked publicly.
Systems Teardown
Combat, economy and progression get mapped on a whiteboard. If a mechanic can't be explained on one page, it gets a second look.
Second Reader
Every draft is challenged by a second editor who disagrees on purpose. Claims that survive the argument make it to print.
Publish & Revisit
Pieces ship Thursdays 9am AEST. Major patches trigger a revisit note so verdicts stay honest months later.
From The Archive
What We Cover
From The Readers
What They Say
Questions
Before You Ask
Reading & Membership
Pitches & Ethics
Get In Touch
Pitch, Tip Or Say Hello
Freelance pitches, review copies, corrections and reader mail all land in the same inbox. Expect a reply within two business days.