This month, PC Gamer has secured an exclusive glimpse into Anshar Studios’ ambitious reimagining of the cult classic FPS, Painkiller. Set against the backdrop of Katowice, Poland, our team engaged with Damian Wyspiański, the studio’s creative director, to delve into his vision for this fast-paced shooter. With a weapon arsenal that may very well be the finest in gaming history, Painkiller promises to captivate both new players and long-time fans alike. Wyspiański’s insights reveal how Painkiller holds a significant place in the Polish video game landscape, likening its impact to that of The Witcher before it became a household name.
Exploring Choices in RPGs
In a thought-provoking secondary feature, PC Gamer tackles the contentious issue of choice in Cyberpunk 2077. Is the absence of meaningful decision-making detrimental to the RPG experience? To explore this question, we consulted a variety of game developers and academics, gathering diverse perspectives on the importance of choice—or the illusion of it—in role-playing games. The discussion raises critical inquiries: Does a linear narrative diminish a game’s quality? What level of freedom do players anticipate from RPGs? And how does this freedom shape game design and character development? This exploration is sure to resonate with RPG enthusiasts.
Exciting Previews and Features
This month’s previews are equally compelling, featuring hands-on experiences with several upcoming titles. Among them is the visually stunning city-building simulation, Anno 117: Pax Romana, alongside intriguing projects like Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream, Outworld Station, and Europa Universalis V. Other notable mentions include Blacksmith Master, Offscreen, Cast N Chill, Off-World Prospecting, and a host of others such as Elden Ring: Nightreign and JDM: Japanese Drift Master.
Additionally, readers can look forward to a comprehensive group test of CPU air coolers, a nostalgic revisit to the comedy FPS classic Redneck Rampage, and an entertaining continuation of our Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines diary. We also take a deep dive into a remarkable total conversion mod for the iconic side-scrolling brawler, Streets of Rage, and analyze why Injustice 2’s story mode is often regarded as the pinnacle of fighting game narratives. Our issue also includes a guide on optimizing Steam performance, an ambitious new CPU-maximized rig build, updates on Baldur’s Gate III post-patch, and a fresh case for our investigative series, featuring the ever-charismatic Dick Ray-Tracing.
Issue 411 is now available on shelves and can be accessed on all digital platforms, including the App Store and Zinio. For those looking to save while enjoying monthly deliveries, subscriptions are available through Magazines Direct, complete with exclusive subscriber-only covers.
