challenging gameplay Archives

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

‘Too many games let their players succeed’ says developer of notoriously tough survival RPG Kenshi, and ‘that’s mind-numbingly boring to me’

Kenshi is an open world survival RPG known for its challenging gameplay, particularly in the early stages. Players navigate a brutal world as ordinary individuals rather than legendary heroes. The game's creator, Natalie Hunt, dislikes the "chosen one" archetype and prefers stories about regular people. Kenshi 2 will be set 1,000 years before the first game, feature a map 50% larger than the original's 870 square kilometers, and introduce many new factions unique to the Kenshi universe. There is no release date for the sequel, but the original game is currently available at a 70% discount on Steam.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

Doom: The Dark Ages review

The latest first-person shooter from id Software, titled Doom: The Dark Ages, is set to release on May 15, 2025, with a price of £60. It is published by Microsoft and has been reviewed on an RTX 2080 Super, Intel Core i9 9900KS, and 32GB RAM. The game features a new mechanic called the Shield Saw, allowing players to deflect attacks and engage enemies more aggressively. However, the complexity of the firearms has been reduced, with no dedicated secondary fire modes and a focus on passive upgrades. The game emphasizes accessibility, offering customizable difficulty settings, but the level designs are simpler compared to previous installments. Players can pilot mechs and engage in aerial dogfights, but these moments are brief and feel disconnected from the main gameplay. The overall experience may lead players to prefer earlier entries in the series. The game does not include multiplayer and has not been tested on Steam Deck.

AppWizard

May 4, 2025

May the 4th brings free and discounted Star Wars games from Prime Gaming, Steam, GOG, and more

On May 4th, Amazon Prime members can access classic Star Wars games for free, including Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds Saga, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Pinball, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Star Wars Outlaws is available at a reduced price, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has an 80% discount. Several Star Wars titles are priced under , including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Battlefront II, Star Wars Squadrons, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Star Wars Republic Commando, and Knights of the Old Republic. The Epic Games Store offers discounts on Star Wars Outlaws, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Deluxe Edition, and LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Deluxe Edition. GOG's sale includes classic games like Knights of the Old Republic, Dark Forces, and X-Wing vs TIE Fighter for a few dollars each. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is recommended for newcomers, and Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga provides a fun experience.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

The Best PC Games of 2025 So Far (Spring Edition)

Spring 2025 has seen the release of several notable PC games, including: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Released on April 24, 2025, by Sandfall Interactive, it sold over 1 million copies in three days and features a blend of French art nouveau aesthetics and JRPG combat mechanics. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Released on February 28, 2025, by Capcom, it introduces full narrative integration and dynamic monster interactions. - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered: Released on April 22, 2025, by Bethesda Game Studios, it attracted over 4 million players shortly after launch and features enhanced visuals and gameplay updates. Other early 2025 releases include: - Blue Prince (April 10, 2025) - Split Fiction (March 6, 2025) - Atomfall (March 27, 2025) - Assassin’s Creed Shadows (March 20, 2025) - Two Point Museum (March 5, 2025) - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (January 23, 2025) - Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (January 22, 2025) - Ninja Gaiden II Black (January 23, 2025) - The Talos Principle: Reawakened (April 10, 2025) Highly anticipated titles for later in 2025 include: - Grand Theft Auto VI (Late 2025) - Doom: The Dark Ages (May 15, 2025) - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (August 28, 2025) - The Outer Worlds 2 (Expected 2025) - Borderlands 4 (September 12, 2025) - Marvel’s Blade (TBA 2025) - Hades II (Full Release later 2025) - Frostpunk 2 (Summer 2025) - Slay the Spire 2 (Early Access Expected 2025) - Anno 117: Pax Romana (Expected 2025) - Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (October 2025) - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Expected 2025) - Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Expected 2025) In 2024, top-rated PC games included: 1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 2. Metaphor: ReFantazio 3. UFO 50 4. Tekken 8 5. Caves of Qud 6. Animal Well 7. Satisfactory 8. Balatro 9. Thank Goodness You’re Here! 10. The Last of Us Part II Remastered The PC gaming landscape in 2024 was characterized by significant hardware advancements, improved game integration and compatibility, and thriving online communities.

BetaBeacon

April 30, 2025

Epic Games store challenges mobile monopolies

- Flappy Bird has made a comeback exclusively for Android users through the Epic Games store, developed by Flappy Bird Publishing. - The game includes Classic mode and a new Quest mode with unlockable worlds and obstacles. - Epic Games Store has struggled to meet installation goals, achieving fewer than 30 million installs out of a goal of 100 million by the end of 2024. - Alternative marketplaces on iPhones are needed to increase competition and benefit consumers through improved pricing and innovation.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Elden Ring Nightreign’s PC requirements are here to birth thee anew

The system requirements for Elden Ring Nightreign are as follows: Minimum specifications: - Operating System: Windows 10 - Processor: Intel Core i5-10600 or AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - Memory: 12GB RAM - Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB or AMD Radeon RX 580 4 GB - Storage: At least 30 GB Recommended specifications: - Operating System: Windows 11 - Processor: Intel Core i5-11500 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600 - Memory: 16GB RAM - Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB or AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 8 GB The game is scheduled for release on May 30th.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Hideo Kojima confirms an easy mode for Death Stranding 2, which’ll allow players to skip boss battles and let them read about it instead

Hideo Kojima announced that Death Stranding 2 will feature an easy mode aimed at players less familiar with action games. This mode includes a boss battle skip option, allowing players who prioritize narrative over combat to bypass challenging confrontations. Reactions in the gaming community are mixed, with some expressing concern that skipping boss battles diminishes the gaming experience, while others advocate for player choice in how to engage with the game.

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

Arkane founder Raphael Colantonion gave up on the System Shock remake because the cyberspace sequences were ‘too hard,’ and I can’t tell you how disappointed I am right now

Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios, revealed during the Quad Damage Podcast that he abandoned the 2023 remake of System Shock due to its challenging gameplay, specifically getting stuck in cyberspace. He found the cyberspace segments frustrating and felt they detracted from the overall experience. Despite this, Colantonio remains passionate about immersive gaming and is developing a new "retro sci-fi first-person" game at his studio, WolfEye Studios, following the success of Weird West.

AppWizard

March 1, 2025

7 PlayStation Exclusives That Still Aren’t on PC

PlayStation has a strong reputation in the gaming industry due to its exclusive titles, including franchises like Uncharted, The Last of Us, Spider-Man, and God of War, which have historically driven console sales. Recently, PlayStation has begun releasing some exclusives on PC, such as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and The Last of Us Part 2, while several key titles remain unavailable on this platform. The original Uncharted trilogy is not on PC, despite Uncharted 4 being available. Bloodborne, a PS4 exclusive, has a dedicated fanbase seeking a remaster for PC. The original God of War trilogy is also absent from PC, although newer titles are available. The Infamous series, Shadow of the Colossus, and Demon’s Souls are other notable titles that have not made the transition to PC, with fans hoping for future releases. Astro Bot is considered the least likely to be released on PC, as it serves more as a promotional tool for PlayStation.

AppWizard

February 28, 2025

The first gameplay trailer for PUBG creator’s ‘brutal’ survival game shows off deadly weather and cozy cabins

Brendan Greene, creator of PUBG, has announced his upcoming project, Prologue: Go Wayback!, which will enter early access this summer. The game focuses on a challenging survival experience with minimal guidance, emphasizing skill and resilience against the forces of nature. A gameplay trailer has been released, showcasing a beautiful yet perilous world. Early testers have noted that while it may not redefine the survival genre, it appeals to players seeking a realistic experience without excessive crafting mechanics or complex narratives.