Fil Zahnko

Lifelong gamer and U.S. Navy veteran, Fil brings passion and perspective to PlayRatedGames. With a love for everything from platformers to survival-horror, he blends thoughtful critique with heart and humor, drawing inspiration from gaming’s golden eras and the legends who shaped its media.

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Once Fil picked up a controller, the rest was history. A lifelong gamer and proud New Jersey native, his journey began at his cousin’s house, where he was handed a PlayStation controller and introduced to Crash Bandicoot. The vibrant colors, kooky characters, and catchy music hit instantly — and it was love at first sight.
From there, gaming wasn’t just a hobby. It was a passion.

Fil’s tastes span a wide range: platformers, survival-horror, side-scrollers, FPS titles, and classic fighting games. He's drawn to the entire spectrum — from the nostalgic pixel days to modern cinematic masterpieces. What truly fascinates him is how games have evolved from humble cartridges to billion-dollar blockbusters rivaling Hollywood.
A U.S. Navy veteran, Fil spent a full year at sea with no liberty ports — just him and his Nintendo Switch. In a time of isolation, gaming remained his anchor. That kind of dedication shows in his writing.

Inspired by early video game media like G4, and internet legends like the Angry Video Game Nerd and Nostalgia Critic, Fil fell in love with critical analysis blended with humor and heart. Now, as a contributor to PlayRatedGames, he's bringing that same energy to the community.

Whether it’s highlighting hidden gems or diving deep into the classics, Fil aims to spark meaningful conversations. With a thoughtful, forward approach and a deep respect for the medium, he’s here to recommend, review, and celebrate all things gaming — while keeping the conversation smart, passionate, and always open.

Articles By Author

Don’t Shit Your Pants

"Sometimes, you just gotta let that shit go"

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007

Lots of damage n' body slammage!

Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune

From humble beginnings to greatness

Alien: Isolation

No one care hear you scream... except the Xenomorph... It hears everything

Five Nights at Freddy’s

Survive the night - if you can!

Silent Hill 4: The Room

Bless this mess

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Inmates LITERALLY running the asylum!

Crash Team Racing (CTR)

Rev up, roll out, and Crash the competition!

Crash Bandicoot: Warped (Aka: Crash 3)

Spinning Through Time and Smashing Crates!

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

More spins, more jumps, more insane fun!

Crash Bandicoot

Naughty Dog's First Real Adventure

Golden Axe (1989)

Revisit the 1989 Hack-and-Slash classic!