art direction

AppWizard
August 31, 2026
Miyamoto Musashi is the central character in Capcom's upcoming game, Way of the Sword, set to release on September 3, 2026, for £60. The game features a physics-driven combat system that emphasizes parrying and timing, with players building a "burning" meter to increase damage. Notable encounters include battles against a demon named Byakue. The game allows for straightforward controls while encouraging players to utilize environmental elements strategically. Musashi's Oni Armaments serve as secondary weapons that add depth to combat. The visuals are impressive, particularly on high-end hardware, achieving 120 fps, and the narrative explores Musashi's evolution as a warrior.
AppWizard
August 27, 2026
The franchise Heroes of Might and Magic is experiencing a revival after more than ten years, with the early access release of Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era earlier this year and a full launch anticipated in 2027. The HoMM 3 Remake is the third iteration of the iconic game, featuring a fresh art style and several enhancements while retaining the essence of the original. The remake allows up to four players to embark on quests and introduces quality-of-life improvements, such as visibility of enemy troop movement ranges. The gameplay involves commanding heroes and armies, battling monsters, conquering towns, and gathering resources. The new art style features more detailed units and dynamic combat animations, although there are concerns about the loss of the original's distinctive character. Both the HoMM 3 Remake and Olden Era are set to launch around the same time, providing fans with multiple options for tactical gameplay.
AppWizard
July 18, 2026
Konami has confirmed that its upcoming Castlevania game will not have a direct continuity with the Netflix anime series, but the artistic choices are designed to resonate with fans of the show. Series producer Tsutomu Taniguchi stated that they want to welcome anime fans who have never played the games. Creative director Emmanuel Nouaille mentioned that while there are no specific references to the anime in the game, Belmont's Curse, the art style of the Netflix series served as inspiration. He emphasized the importance of cinematography over specific references. There is uncertainty about the future of the Castlevania series on Netflix, with speculation about a new season based on Symphony of the Night. Taniguchi noted that there is no barrier between the game and the anime, hoping that anime viewers will enjoy the game.
AppWizard
June 17, 2026
Onimusha: Way of the Sword features a demo that showcases a later segment of the game set in Kyoto's open areas, highlighting its art direction, character movements, and swordplay. The melee combat differs from FromSoftware titles, offering immersive animations and impactful feedback. The demo was perceived as easy, particularly in "Action" mode, with basic enemies posing little threat, while the challenge increased during the boss fight. The game's director, Nihei, noted that both the demo and the event version are early in the game's progression, explaining the ease of basic enemies and indicating that players will face tougher foes as they advance. The demo included button prompts over enemies, which will not be present in the final product. Capcom intends to gradually introduce Musashi's abilities and increase enemy difficulty in the final release. The game will launch with only two difficulty settings: Story and Action, on September 24.
AppWizard
May 28, 2026
Dragon Quest 12 has been officially renamed from "Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate" to "Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams." A new trailer has been released, showcasing the game's visuals and art direction. Additionally, a new installment in the Dragon Quest Monsters series, titled "Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World," is in development and will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. The game will feature younger versions of characters Bianca and Nera from Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride.
AppWizard
May 17, 2026
Demigod, reviewed in PC Gamer issue #201 (June 2009), features a unique art direction characterized by a "Video Game Beige" color palette. The game allows players to utilize Generals to command minions in chaotic battles, though the visuals can sometimes obscure unit status. It includes four game types, with Conquest and Fortress modes requiring direct assaults on turrets, which can lead to drawn-out matches. Players can upgrade their minions at the Citadel, enhancing their capabilities. The game incorporates RPG elements, allowing players to invest in team benefits or personal enhancements through in-game currency. However, it has minor flaws, including pathfinding issues and inconsistent netcode, affecting online play. Despite these issues, players find enjoyment in the blend of strategy and RPG mechanics.
AppWizard
May 7, 2026
The Epic Games Store is offering two free titles this week: Arranger, a puzzle-driven adventure, and Trash Goblin, a shopkeeping experience. Arranger has a Steam review score of 92% and features a unique gameplay mechanic where players shift rows and columns of the map to solve puzzles. Trash Goblin has a Steam review score of 88% and focuses on restoring and selling curiosities in a relaxed shopkeeping environment. Both games are available for free from May 7 to May 14.
AppWizard
May 1, 2026
Metamorphosis is an upcoming game with a demo available on Steam, featuring a unique pixel art style and engaging gameplay. The game includes an innovative inventory system that uses a command line reminiscent of MS-DOS and incorporates interactive eerie paintings. Players face a blend of horror and action, encountering grotesque creatures and save points designed as confessionals that deepen the narrative. The combat system is accessible yet challenging, allowing advanced maneuvers from the start. The release date is currently "To be announced."
BetaBeacon
April 9, 2026
Super Awesome is bringing Animal Busters, an idle RPG game featuring cute animals, monster-bashing, and rewards that accumulate even when not actively playing. The game follows the genre blueprint closely but offers clean art direction and a faster progression system. Animal Busters is free to download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Search