abilities Archives

AppWizard

July 27, 2025

Crash Bandicoot’s original lead programmer reckons the overhauled N. Sane Trilogy ‘got almost everything right’ except for one tiny detail: ‘they completely botched how jumping works’

The N. Sane Trilogy, released in 2017, received positive feedback but raised concerns about the jumping mechanics compared to the original PlayStation games. Players noted that Crash's jumping abilities seemed more challenging, leading to theories about changes in hitbox and the "hold X to jump higher" mechanic. Gavin highlighted that Naughty Dog had previously used a system that measured button press duration to create nuanced jumps, which Vicarious Visions may have disregarded. This oversight resulted in a binary jumping system where all jumps were set to maximum height, making them feel exaggerated and floaty. Despite the remake's advanced hardware, it failed to replicate the original's gameplay mechanics. Toys for Bob later refined platforming mechanics in 2020's Crash Bandicoot 4, suggesting potential evolution in the franchise's gameplay design.

AppWizard

July 26, 2025

After a forgettable launch, Ubisoft’s Avatar game is getting a huge new update later this year, introducing new game plus and a third-person mode

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora launched on Steam in late 2023, featuring a visually stunning rainforest environment and allowing players to navigate as Na'vi characters. The game had simplified combat mechanics and faced a decline in player engagement due to minimal marketing support from Ubisoft. Developer Massive Entertainment released paid DLC patches, including a New Game Plus mode that retains gear and introduces stronger equipment and a new skill tree. A significant update will add a third-person perspective, allowing seamless switching between first and third-person views. The game received mixed reviews, with some praising its world while others criticized its performance and narrative. A third-person update is set to launch on December 5, coinciding with the release of the film Avatar: Fire & Ash on December 19.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Two Dungeons & Dragons PC Titles Return This August

Hasbro and SNEG will release two Dungeons & Dragons titles, Dragonshard and Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone, on PC via Steam in mid-August. Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard, originally launched in 2005, features improved resolution support, localization-friendly saves, and enhancements for modern PCs. It combines real-time strategy and RPG elements in the world of Eberron, allowing players to command troops and explore dungeons. The game includes a narrative by Keith Baker, a dual-layered gameplay experience, diverse unit control, unit progression through experience points, the "Nexus System" for strategic building placement, three distinct factions, and dynamic environments with real-time terrain deformation. Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone, first released in 2004, will have smoother start-ups, widescreen scaling, and full controller support. Players will control a Fighter, Sorcerer, and Rogue in a quest to reclaim the Demon Stone. The game features accessible combat styles, a narrative by R.A. Salvatore, voice performances by Patrick Stewart and Michael Clarke Duncan, various environments, iconic Dungeons & Dragons creatures, and a range of combo moves and skill upgrades.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Action Roguelike ‘The Player Who Can’t Level Up’ Heads for PC & Consoles in 2026

Developer Tripearl Games is set to launch their 3D action roguelike game, The Player Who Can’t Level Up, in 2026 on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles. The game is inspired by a popular webtoon series and features high-impact combat, a new storyline, and collaboration with the original creators. Players control Kim Kigyu, who cannot level up but can master various combat styles and evolve through battles using roguelite mechanics. The game introduces Ego Shards and Blessings for strategic enhancements instead of traditional experience points. Key features include stylish combat, progression through play, stunning visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, and high replayability with randomized skill combinations. A trailer showcasing gameplay has been released.

AppWizard

July 22, 2025

Saber Interactive is working on a Hellraiser game for PS5, Xbox, and PC

Saber Interactive is developing a new game titled Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, based on the Hellraiser franchise, with Boss Team Games as the studio behind it. The game will be available on PS5, Xbox, and PC, offering a single-player survival horror experience. The narrative follows a character named Aidan, who seeks to rescue his girlfriend by unlocking the Genesis Configuration, a puzzle box, while dealing with Pinhead and a cult that worships him. Clive Barker is actively involved in shaping the game's story, emphasizing its deep exploration of horror themes. Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, highlights the franchise's significance in horror and the collaboration with Barker to create engaging gameplay.

AppWizard

July 22, 2025

What’s Dropping In August 2025: The Best Games Coming To PS, Xbox, PC & Switch 1/2

As August 2025 approaches, several notable game titles are set to launch across various platforms: - Lost Soul Aside (PS5/PC) will be released on August 29. It is an action-RPG developed by Ultizero Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, featuring a warrior named Kazer on a quest in a fractured world. - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (PS5/Xbox Series X|S/PC) is a next-gen remake launching on August 28, enhancing the original game with improved graphics and modernized controls, including new features like 3D audio and a battle damage system. - Dying Light: The Beast (PS5/Xbox Series X|S/PC) will be available on August 22. This standalone sequel offers a horror-centric experience with cooperative gameplay for up to four players, set in expansive rural landscapes with a 20-hour campaign and additional side content. - Gears of War: Reloaded (PS5/Xbox Series X|S/PC) is set for release on August 26. This remaster of the original game features 4K visuals, up to 120 fps, HDR, and Dolby Atmos support, along with full cross-play capabilities. - Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World will launch on August 28, introducing a new story campaign, new gameplay modes, and significant graphical upgrades for the Nintendo Switch 2.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

Yogscast Games’ The Royal Writ Launches August 7 for PC

The medieval roguelike deckbuilder, The Royal Writ, developed by Save Sloth Studios and published by Yogscast Games, will launch on PC via Steam on August 7. Players command cards on the battlefield, strategically positioning them to advance toward the enemy while facing the risk of permanent destruction for cards that fail to achieve victory. The game features a diverse army of characters with unique abilities, including an injured flamingo and a short-sighted chicken archer. There are two campaigns: one focused on quelling a rebellion and another introducing gunpowder as a new adversary. Key features include intuitive gameplay, roguelike progression, card permadeath, a charming art style, memorable NPC encounters, special boss mechanics, a gradual difficulty ladder, challenge modes, and collectible relics that alter gameplay dynamics.

BetaBeacon

July 19, 2025

Top 5 iPhone and Android apps & games you need to try this week – Subnautica, Oceanhorn, and More!

Subnautica is a paid game that costs .99.

Tech Optimizer

July 18, 2025

ESET vs Avast: Which antivirus is better in 2025?

ESET and Avast are leading antivirus software providers, each offering solutions for individual and business users. ESET features real-time threat detection with a multi-layered engine that includes advanced heuristics and machine learning, achieving high marks in independent tests for catching new threats. Its firewall allows granular control over network traffic and includes a Learning Mode for initial configuration. Identity theft protection is available only in its Ultimate tier, focusing on proactive monitoring. ESET includes a VPN in its highest-tier solution and provides a password manager compatible with multiple platforms. Parental controls include content filtering and activity logging. ESET is recognized for minimal impact on system performance, scoring 5.5 out of 6 in performance tests. Avast offers strong malware detection with a vast threat intelligence network, achieving near-perfect detection rates. Its firewall protects against network attacks and is integrated into the Avast One suite. Identity theft protection is included across all plans, with advanced features in higher tiers. Avast bundles its VPN across all offerings and does not provide a traditional password manager but alerts users about compromised credentials. It lacks built-in parental controls but offers supplementary features. Avast scored a perfect 6 in performance tests. Both ESET and Avast scored highly in protection and usability during AV-Test trials, with Avast achieving a 97.7% offline and 99.3% online detection rate, while ESET recorded 96.5% offline and 97.2% online detection rates. ESET's pricing is customizable, starting at .99 for a single device, while Avast offers a free Basic tier and starts its premium plans at .88 for three devices.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

Avowed update basically reinvents the fighter and ranger classes, while also adding new weapons and better Steam Deck optimization

Avowed has received a significant update to address the imbalance between character classes, particularly benefiting rangers and fighters. New abilities for rangers include Shadow Step, Fan of Daggers, Smoke Bomb, and Chilling Surprise, along with passive skills like Concussive Shot, Sharpshooter, and Deadly Poison. Fighters have gained abilities such as Driving Kick, Barbaric Smash, Deep Breath, and Reviving Exhortation, with passive skills including Dual Wield Mastery, Adrenaline, Bloodlust, and Vanguard. Additionally, new unique items have been introduced, including various weapons and robes. The update also includes graphics improvements, new FPS options, and bug fixes.