art direction Archives

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Screamer Review: A New Benchmark for Racing Game Artistry

Screamer is an arcade racing game developed by Milestone, set in a vibrant cyberpunk world. It features a unique dual-stick control scheme, where the left stick steers and the right stick facilitates drifts. The game includes two meters: Sync, which acts as a boost mechanic, and Entropy, which allows vehicles to become invincible for a short time. Players can customize 15 fictional cars and race on 32 tracks across four environments. The game supports online multiplayer for up to 16 players and split-screen for up to four players. It is powered by Unreal Engine 5 and features a mix of licensed and original music. Screamer is priced at .99, with a Digital Deluxe Edition available for .99, and is set to release on March 26, 2026, with early access for the Deluxe Edition on March 23. The game has received a score of 9/10.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

This week in PC games: Marathon, Slay The Spire 2, a promising Disco-like RPG and a monastic garden mystery

This week features a variety of new PC game releases, including: - The Abbess' Garden: A life simulation game set in the 17th century where players restore a botanical sanctuary. - Sad God: A game where players navigate a shaft filled with threats to reach the surface before lava engulfs them. - The Legend of Khiimori: An open-world courier game set in 13th-century Mongolia, now in early access. - Esoteric Ebb: A single-player CRPG where players investigate an explosion at a teashop during an election. - Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered: A remaster of the classic title focusing on narrative and choice. - Humanica: A city-building game where players can edit the landscape of their prehistoric city. - Luxman Moonlit Market: A night market simulation game with a unique art style. - Scott Pilgrim EX: A side-scrolling brawler based on the Canadian comic book series. - Slay the Spire 2: The sequel to the roguelite deckbuilder, now in early access. - Card Cultivation: A game combining elements of Cultist Simulator with Chinese mythology. - Planet of Lana II: A puzzle-platformer where players save a cyborg world alongside a kid and their pet. - Age of Barbarians Chronicles: An action game with a sword-and-sorcery theme. - Here Comes The Swarm: An early access survival RTS where players fend off gigabeetles. - Marathon: Bungie's reboot of the classic FPS set in a rich lore universe. - Ratcheter DX: An adventure game challenging players to escape a sunken ice base. - Mr. Peregrino: A game set in the 19th century where players manage food supplies while escorting pilgrims. - Over The Top: WW1: A game where players experience the frontlines of World War I. - Aethus: A game where players investigate a lost science expedition on a desert world. - Post-Apocalyptic Technician: Players repair Stroggs as an underground technician. - Frog Abundance: An exploration game centered around frogs in various time periods. Team members at RPS express interest in different titles, with Ollie favoring Marathon, James interested in Planet of Lana, Mark leaning towards automotive adventures, and Julian considering writing about Slay the Spire 2.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Bungie share top feedback from Marathon’s playtest, including PC performance, UI issues and ammo shortages

Bungie conducted a "server slam" for the reboot of Marathon to stress-test its online capabilities ahead of the release on March 5th. Players provided feedback on various aspects, including: - UI Feedback: Bungie is collecting user input on the user interface and plans to iterate post-launch. - PC Performance: Issues reported include high CPU usage, low GPU utilization, FPS ceilings around 80-100, and stuttering. - PvP Frequency: Bungie is investigating player density on maps and welcomes feedback on gameplay experiences. - Movement and Heat Generation: Discussions about heat generation and momentum are ongoing, with players encouraged to share thoughts on movement mechanics. - Med and Ammo Economy: Feedback on the economy of medical supplies and ammunition, particularly regarding stack sizes and item effectiveness, is being collected. - Weasel Error Codes: Players have encountered Weasel error codes related to network disruptions, and Bungie is investigating these issues. The author expressed mixed feelings about the gameplay experience, noting issues with extraction-shooting mechanics and ammunition shortages, while appreciating the art direction.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

These games made us all upgrade our PCs

PC enthusiasts often delay hardware upgrades until necessary, but certain games can compel upgrades due to their advanced technology and demanding graphics. Half-Life 2, released in 2004, introduced real-time physics and advanced graphics, leading to a surge in demand for GeForce 6600 and Radeon X800 graphics cards as players sought smoother performance. Grand Theft Auto IV, released in 2008, required robust quad-core processors for optimal performance due to its CPU-intensive simulations, prompting players to upgrade their CPUs. Crysis, launched in 2007, set a new standard for graphical fidelity with its advanced features, becoming a benchmark for PC performance and prompting gamers to upgrade their systems. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, released in 2015, utilized cutting-edge technologies that made midrange builds struggle, leading players to upgrade for better performance and visuals. Cyberpunk 2077, released in 2020, created a surge in demand for NVIDIA's RTX 20-series GPUs as players sought to experience its high graphical fidelity, prompting many gamers to upgrade their systems.

AppWizard

February 14, 2026

Scars of Honor assures MMORPG fans that it’s a PC game first while defending its stylistic art choice

Beast Burst Entertainment has confirmed that Scars of Honor is primarily a PC game, with a focus on delivering a polished experience on this platform before developing mobile adaptations. The studio emphasizes that the stylized graphics are a deliberate artistic choice, not a result of mobile design constraints. The mobile version will be developed after the PC release is completed and stable.

BetaBeacon

February 12, 2026

Arc System Works’ Dear me, I was… Narrative Game Now Out on Steam, Switch, iOS, and Android

Arc System Works has released a narrative game called "Dear me, I was..." with watercolor-style visuals and rotoscoping. The game is available on multiple platforms including Steam, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Once and for all, which game has the best art?

Videogame art captivates audiences, with enthusiasts collecting special editions, design works, and vinyl soundtracks featuring concept art. The Dishonored Soundtrack Collection exemplifies the artistic talent within the franchise. Iconic artists like Viktor Antonov have created striking visuals that blend gothic architecture with futuristic elements, contributing to the lasting impact of games like Half-Life 2 and Dishonored. Character art in Dishonored includes contributions from Cedric Peyravernay, Sergey Kolesov, and Piotr Jabłoński, enhancing the game's visual narrative. In Destiny, Rory Norris highlights the captivating concept art of a post-apocalyptic Chicago and the enigmatic Vex architecture illustrated by Jesse van Dijk. Tyler Colp admires Elden Ring's concept art, which translates into stunning visuals, showcasing detailed character designs. Ted Litchfield expresses excitement for Avowed, noting its comic book-style illustrations and inventive designs that evoke nostalgia. The artistry in gaming enhances gameplay and creates emotional connections with players.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

‘Friendslop’ dominated 2025 by proving time and time again that graphics are overrated

In 2025, the PC gaming industry has shifted away from the pursuit of cutting-edge graphics, as advancements have plateaued and often yield only marginal improvements. AI-generated enhancements have not generated the expected enthusiasm, especially given their high costs. Successful games like Peak and REPO demonstrate that engaging gameplay can thrive on budget-friendly PCs, some nearly a decade old. The term "friendslop" describes a genre of games that, despite being labeled low-effort, feature intentional design choices that enhance enjoyment. REPO involves transporting a fragile vase, creating tension and humor, while Peak utilizes immersive sound design and dynamic lighting to convey danger and adventure. Abiotic Factor, a survival game, runs smoothly on older hardware while using modern lighting effects. Larger productions like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Battlefield 6 prioritize performance over graphics, optimizing for mid-range and minimum-spec PCs. The common thread among these titles is that gameplay is prioritized over graphics, suggesting a potential turning point in the industry towards valuing engaging mechanics and narratives over visual fidelity.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

Slick and stylish, this underrated roguelike twist on Diablo now feels better than ever, and a big expansion is coming

Hell Clock, developed by Rogue Snail, is an action role-playing game (ARPG) set during the Brazilian War of Canudos in 1896. The game features a quest to rescue the soul of a fallen mentor and allows players to battle through hellish landscapes while enhancing their characters with various blessings. Update 1.2, released recently, improves movement dynamics, granting players 360-degree freedom and enabling skills to be executed while moving, albeit with a slight speed penalty. This update also buffs melee builds, introduces community-created unique items, and adds new constellations. A significant expansion is planned for next year, which will include a new storyline, new skills, and one-third of the base game's content. Most improvements will be free, with a paid component for those who wish to support the developers. A free update is also scheduled for 2026, featuring 12 new biomes, enhancements to dungeon generation, a respec system, and a new mapping system called 'Endless Nightmares.' Hell Clock is currently available at a 30% discount, priced at .99 / £10.55.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Total Chaos, which started life as a Doom II mod, is now out for Xbox and PC

Total Chaos is a survival horror game now available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, and is included in the Game Pass subscription. The game features an art style similar to Alan Wake and introduces an insanity mechanic. It is set in an old fort and was developed by the team behind Turbo Overkill. Total Chaos originated as a mod for Doom II and has a soundtrack composed by Akira Yamaoka, known for his work on the Silent Hill series. The game can be purchased on various platforms, and there are introductory sales currently available. An update on November 20 confirmed its launch on PlayStation 5.