Paulo Kawanishi-Author

Paulo Kawanishi

Contributor Since May, 2025
Qualifications Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics
Expertise
Final Fantasy 9, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, Path of Exile II
  • 360
    articles
  • 20
    News
  • 40
    Features
  • 10
    Lists
  • 281
    Guides
  • 7
    Reviews
  • 2
    Other
Polygon.com logo Profile
https://bsky.app/profile/alucarti.bsky.social

About Paulo Kawanishi

Paulo Kawanishi is a Brazilian freelance writer and contributor on Polygon. He's been writings guides, features, and reviews since 2022. He has worked with Eurogamer, Game Informer, Nintendo Life, PCGamesN, and Into the Spine. He loves writing guides since they are all about teaching (his side job for 10 years before starting writing about games) others about the games. He has, however, a good number of opinions about games and anime shows that he eventually will write down.

What's your origin story?

As kid, I had this project where I copied onto the family PC all my gaming magazines and put together what I liked to call "my gaming bible." For years I forgot about this dream, but in 2022 I decided to give writing a try and pitched my first story to Into the Spine. Since then, I have been focusing on writing guides for different types of games, from niche RPGs and survival horror titles to the latest triple-A action blockbusters.

What did you play or watch that changed your life?

While I know Final Fantasy IX is the game that made me fall in love with gaming and with the genre that is now my favorite, it was only with Persona 5 that I truly understood the medium'ss potential. The game mesmerized me with its visuals and writing. On top of that, Persona 5 introduced me to thoughtful gaming criticism, which expanded my love for gaming even more.

What's a recent obsession?

Since I'm up-to-date with the Trails series, I began to make my way through the Ys series.

A Ragnarok Online screenshot showing my character, an assassin
Feature

I played this 24-year-old MMO every day for a month. Here's what it taught me about modern games

By  POLY Staff
A Metaphor: ReFantazio screenshot showing the main character looking at the camera
Analysis

The future of JRPGs lies beyond turn-based combat

By  POLY Staff
A Resident Evil Requiem screenshot showing a Mr. Raccoon statue
Resident Evil Requiem

All Mr. Raccoon statue locations in Resident Evil Requiem

By  POLY Staff
trailsbeyondthehorizon_review_header
Reviews

Trails Beyond the Horizon is a brilliant beginning for an epic ending

By  POLY Staff

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Say "baboo" to your new home in Heartopia

7
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Take down this monster in the sea

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Achieve balance to find the real power in Carcosa

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Best upgrades to get first in Saros
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How to spend your lucenite and halcyon

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Find the right recipe and craft the perfect item using this magic cube

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Use the flames of hell to decimate demons and angels

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When Saros early access begins?

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When the maintenance for patch 7.5 begins

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Sanctuary will need your help again soon

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A light version of Final Fantasy 9's jump rope minigame

2
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All Central Port upgrade component locations in Pragmata
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Explore the final sector to prepare for the final challenges hidden in the moon

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All Lunum Mines upgrade component locations in Pragmata
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It's finally time to actually walk on the moon

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Mini Cabin figure locations in Pragmata
Pragmata

Functionality: zero

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10 Pragmata beginner's tips to help you on your moon journey
Pragmata

Become the dad a little robot girl needs

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All Terra Dome upgrade component locations in Pragmata
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In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the bots sleep tonight

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All Mass Production Array upgrade component locations in Pragmata
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Find the treasures the big city hides from you

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All Solar Power Plant upgrade component locations in Pragmata
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Get Hugh and Diana ready for combat with these components

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