challenging gameplay Archives

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Is Marathon’s time-to-kill too fast, or am I too Arc Raiders-pilled?

The author completed the original Mass Effect and shifted focus to extraction shooters, particularly Marathon, influenced by experiences in Arc Raiders. During the first 24 hours with Marathon, the author compared it to Arc Raiders, noting the challenging gameplay dynamics, including a fast time-to-kill (TTK) and the importance of teamwork. Initial frustrations with Marathon's pace shifted to appreciation as the author adapted strategies with friends. The game emphasizes sound and teamwork, with a TTK that feels punishing but manageable with squad support. The author reflected on the need for better resource management, expressing concerns about inventory issues and the early loss of loadouts. They suggested that Bungie should streamline gameplay to enhance the PvP experience.

Winsage

February 19, 2026

Ex-Microsoft engineer says this is what Windows’ Task Manager would “probably” look like today — but it’s a “good thing” he stuck to his OS design lane

Dave W. Plummer, a former Microsoft employee, contributed to the Windows ecosystem, notably with the Task Manager, Calculator, and a classic pinball game. He left Microsoft in 2003 and recently expressed on Reddit that "there should be nothing that TaskMgr can't kill." Plummer shared a concept design for a modern Task Manager on his X account, inspired by his Tempest AI project, featuring a cyberpunk theme, various graphs, speedometer-style gauges, and music with a synthwave vibe. He selected Tempest for his AI project due to its challenging gameplay and holds the world record for it. The project utilizes about 75% of the GPU at 30 frames per second on his M2 Mac Pro.

AppWizard

February 15, 2026

After the Minecraft Movie, Jason Momoa Joins a Highly Anticipated New Video Game Adaptation

Jason Momoa is set to star in a cinematic adaptation of the cooperative shooter game Helldivers, developed by Arrowhead Game Studios. The film, directed by Justin Lin and co-written by Gary Dauberman, is scheduled for release on November 10, 2027. Helldivers, launched in 2015, has gained popularity for its challenging gameplay and satirical humor, reminiscent of Starship Troopers. Sony is actively adapting video games into films, following the successes of Uncharted and The Last of Us.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Nioh 3’s demo just hit Steam, and it’s achieving higher peak player counts than some full games

Game demos are becoming popular again, particularly during events like Steam Next Fests. A demo for Nioh 3, set to release on February 6th, is available for download on Steam and has reached a peak of 19,590 concurrent players, indicating its success in generating interest. The demo's player count has surpassed that of many full-sized games over their entire lifespan, showcasing its effectiveness as a marketing tool. Nioh 3 offers challenging gameplay with faster combat mechanics and a Diablo-inspired loot system. Feedback has been positive, with some suggesting it could rival games from FromSoftware. Players can add Nioh 3 to their Steam wishlist to receive notifications upon its release.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Life sims are in a slump and the only way out is becoming strategy games again

The life simulation genre is experiencing stagnation, with fans disappointed by the cancellation of Life By You in 2024, the postponement of Paralives, and the lackluster impact of Inzoi. The Sims 4 is facing persistent save corruption issues, leading to uncertainty about Project Rene, and many players are expressing boredom and a desire for more challenging gameplay. The shift in gameplay focus from unpredictability and drama in earlier games like The Sims 2 to a more accommodating approach in The Sims 4 has resulted in a less engaging experience. Players are seeking a return to strategic gameplay that includes meaningful consequences and unexpected events. The current state of The Sims 4 resembles a Creative Mode with low stakes, which does not align with the desires of the community for deeper, more challenging life simulations.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

Hollow Knight Silksong wins Steam’s Game of the Year with a staggering 43 million votes from PC players

Hollow Knight Silksong won the Game of the Year at the 2025 Steam Awards, receiving 43.8 million votes. It also won the award for Best Game You Suck At. The game was released on September 4, 2025, and experienced significant traffic that caused outages on platforms like Steam and Xbox. It did not win the Game Awards' GOTY, which went to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Players can expect additional content with the upcoming Sea of Sorrow expansion. Other notable awards included Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for Best Soundtrack, Hades 2 as Best Game on Steam Deck, Silent Hill F for Outstanding Visual Style, and The Midnight Walk as VR Game of the Year. Team Cherry is also developing a new release for the Nintendo Switch 2. Baldur’s Gate 3 received the Labor of Love award.

AppWizard

January 4, 2026

30 hidden gems from 2025 to grab before the Steam Winter Sale ends

The PC gaming landscape in 2025 features a diverse array of new titles, many receiving critical acclaim. A selection of 15 standout games has been curated based on specific criteria: they were released or re-released in 2025, received little to no prior coverage, have around 95% positive user ratings, offer offbeat yet accessible gameplay, are discounted by a minimum of 30%, and include one game per genre. 1. Project Silverfish - Price: £17.50 (30% off); Developer: Siris Pendrake; A non-linear shooter set in a post-apocalyptic world with lizard-people and multi-faction battles. 2. Contract Rush DX - Price: £11.72 (30% off); Developer: Figburn & Melon; A platformer blending elements of Mega Man and Contra with vector animation and humor, allowing players to tackle levels in any order. 3. Godpoke - Price: £10.05 (40% off); Developer: LimboLane; An adventure where players mend quarrelsome gods using a dialogue-stealing mechanic to solve puzzles. 4. Missile Command Delta - Price: £11.72 (30% off); Developer: 13AM Games, Mighty Yell; A tactical hex-based strategy game with a teen drama narrative and point-and-click puzzles. 5. Shooty Shooty Robot Invasion - Price: £5.10 (40% off); Developer: Bubby Darkstar; A humorous FPS where players navigate a beach while dealing with quirky robot foes. 6. Maliki: Poison Of The Past - Price: £15 (40% off); Developer: Blue Banshee; A JRPG-inspired title featuring time travel and turn-based combat based on a webcomic. 7. Desecrators - Price: £7 (30% off); Developer: Woodhound; A roguelike shooter with procedurally generated levels and online co-op support. 8. Wyrmhall - Price: £2.55 (70% off); Developer: Leafy Games; A game where players manage an artifact-cleaning stall in an interdimensional nexus. 9. Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo - Price: £11.72 (30% off); Developer: Pocket Trap; An adventure game featuring dungeon-crawling and puzzle-solving mechanics inspired by classic Zelda games. 10. Lingo 2 - Price: £5.95 (30% off); Developer: Brenton Wildes; A word puzzle adventure set in a minimalist block labyrinth. 11. Skogdal - Price: £8.37 (50% off); Developer: Erlend Kirkeboe, Kay Arne Kirkeboe; A deck-building game set in a quirky, 90s Norway with humor and strategic gameplay. 12. Schism - Price: £6.50 (35% off); Developer: Fami; A low-fi action roguelike with a punk aesthetic and intense combat. 13. My Little Puppy - Price: £14.69 (30% off); Developer: Dreamotion Inc.; An emotional adventure following a corgi's journey through the afterlife. 14. Decade - Price: £5.95 (30% off); Developer: Last Piscean; A narrative-driven game exploring time travel consequences in a post-apocalyptic world. 15. Kiloton - Price: £2.14 (50% off); Developer: Jack Morehart; A minimalist strategy game simulating geopolitical tensions with quick decision-making.

AppWizard

January 2, 2026

The Biggest Games Coming in 2026

- January 15: Animal Crossing: New Horizons launches on Switch 2; 3.0 update for original Switch. - January 15: The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond The Horizon releases on all major platforms. - January 22: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade launches on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series. - January 26: Highguard, a free PvP raid game, becomes available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series. - January 28: The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin releases. - January 30: Code Vein 2 launches. - February 5: Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined releases. - February 6: My Hero Academia: All’s Justice and Nioh 3 launch. - February 11: Romeo is a Deadman releases. - February 12: Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties launches. - February 13: High on Life 2 releases. - February 20: Ys X: Proud Nordics launches. - February 27: Resident Evil: Requiem releases; cloud versions of Resident Evil 7 and 8 for Switch 2. - March 5: Pokemon Pokopia releases. - March 12: John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando launches; Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake releases. - March 19: Crimson Desert launches. - March 26: Screamer, a racing game, releases. - April 16: Cthulu: The Cosmic Abyss launches. - April 24: Pragmata releases. - April 30: Saros, a roguelite bullet hell game, launches. - May 8: Mortal Kombat 2 movie releases. - May 27: 007 First Light launches. - May 29: LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight releases. - September 8: John Carpenter’s Halloween launches. - September 12: Phantom Blade Zero releases. - October 16: New Street Fighter movie releases. - November 19: Grand Theft Auto 6 launches. - Sometime in 2026: Titles like Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes, Super Meat Boy 3D, and Zero Parades: For Dead Spies expected. - To Be Announced: Zero Company and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 have no confirmed release dates.

AppWizard

December 26, 2025

The RPS 100: Reader Edition (2025) – your favourite games of all time

The RPS 100: Readers Edition allows readers to vote on the best PC games of all time, consolidating entries from the same series for broader representation. - X4: Foundations: Praised for its unconventional gameplay and immersive economic simulation. - Hardspace: Shipbreaker: Noted for its zen-like gameplay and masterful design that intertwines narrative and mechanics. - Horizon Zero Dawn: Appreciated for its beautiful world, intriguing storyline, and emotional depth. - Oxygen Not Included: Recognized for fostering resilience and problem-solving skills, with engaging gameplay. - What Remains of Edith Finch: Described as a perfect game blending sadness with exuberance. - Alan Wake 2: Lauded for intricate lore, masterful storytelling, and stunning visuals. - Planescape: Torment Enhanced Edition: Reflects philosophical depth and memorable experiences despite challenging gameplay. - Terraria: Celebrated as a quintessential indie game with endless possibilities. - Overwatch 2: Reminisced for its balance of accessibility and depth, fostering a positive community. - Baba Is You: Considered one of the best puzzle games with delightful mechanics. - Heaven's Vault: Described as a profound exploration of history and memory with rich storytelling. - Jagged Alliance 2 Rally Point: Highlights memorable mercenaries and strategic challenges. - Star Control 2: Remembered as an ideal space adventure with brilliant dialogue. - The Long Dark: Known for providing countless emergent experiences as a survival simulator. - The Stanley Parable: Described as silly and mind-bending with a unique player engagement approach. - Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth: Celebrated for emotional storytelling and engaging gameplay. - Football Manager: Shares nostalgic stories that create personal connections. - Call of Duty: Reminisced for its cinematic experience and revolutionary impact on online multiplayer.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

My 2026 New Year’s resolution is to finally play these 8 Xbox and PC games in my backlog — mostly because new releases are getting too expensive

As 2025 ends, there is growing anticipation for the gaming landscape of 2026, with a focus on the rising costs of new games and their frequent need for extensive post-release patches. Notable examples include Monster Hunter Wilds and the acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin series, which features intricate turn-based combat and rich storytelling. The original Divinity: Original Sin was released in 2014, while its sequel, Divinity: Original Sin 2, launched in 2017 and introduced new features and character options. Baldur's Gate 3, set in the Baldur's Gate universe, has received numerous accolades for its storytelling and gameplay. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous involves character customization and narrative choices. The Hollow Knight series, including the upcoming Hollow Knight: Silksong, and the Ninja Gaiden series are also highlighted. Control, with its sequel Control: Resonant, features surreal visuals and unique gameplay. The Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine series includes a remastered version of the original game. Age of Mythology: Retold is set to be released with enhanced graphics and improvements. All mentioned titles are available on various platforms, including Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.