character design Archives

AppWizard

January 19, 2026

Big Hops is a charming platformer with some great movement and a classic vibe, but most importantly it lets you rotate several bugs for science

The author expresses an interest in indie platformers, particularly highlighting the game Big Hops developed by Luckshot Games. In Big Hops, players control a small character named Hop, and the game is described as charming and affordable, promising a delightful experience despite some imperfections.

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

January 16, 2026

Heartopia (PC) Review

Heartopia is a life-simulation game that blends cozy simulation elements with MMO features, allowing players to cultivate a town and interact with locals. However, the MMO aspects dilute the individuality typically found in cozy games, as multiple players receive the same accolades for completing quests. Gameplay involves repetitive fetch quests to unlock activities like home decoration and fishing, which can feel tedious. The game features a community aspect, but players may find their neighbors' homes replaced or their own home relocated between sessions, undermining familiarity. Character design is uninspired, and the user interface resembles a mobile game, lacking polish. As a free-to-play title, it includes multiple currencies that create confusion, with microtransactions for premium items. Despite these issues, the game offers engaging home-building mechanics and unique hobbies like Birdwatching and Pet Care. Overall, Heartopia struggles to effectively merge MMO elements with cozy simulation, making it a less appealing option compared to established titles like Animal Crossing.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Marvel Rivals’ Deadpool is a triple-role menace, and the Merc with a Mouth’s cringe-worthy interactions don’t disappoint

Deadpool is the first triple-role hero in Marvel Rivals, presenting a challenge for game balance with three distinct versions. His character design includes upgradeable abilities and witty dialogue, featuring humorous interactions and cultural references. He will join the Marvel Rivals roster when Season 6 launches on January 16. Season 6 will also introduce a new convoy map, the Museum of Contemplation, enhance the Hero Proficiency system, and include a photo mode in Times Square and a new area called the Clobberin' Club for 1v1 duels.

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

7 Greatest Blizzard Games of All Time

Blizzard Entertainment has produced several iconic games that have significantly impacted the gaming community. 1. Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness - Released a year after the original Warcraft, it refined multiplayer real-time strategy gameplay and solidified Blizzard's reputation in the genre. The expansion, Beyond the Dark Portal, enhanced the experience. 2. Hearthstone - Launched with over 100 million players by 2018, it has become a staple in digital card games despite criticisms of its monetization strategies. 3. Overwatch - Originating from the shelved Titan project, it became a phenomenon in the hero shooter genre with nearly 10 million players in the open beta, although it faced loot box controversies. 4. StarCraft - A cultural phenomenon, it established itself as a national sport in South Korea and set new standards for balance in competitive play with its innovative design. 5. Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos - Known for its compelling narrative and rich lore, it laid the groundwork for the MMO genre and inspired the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre. 6. World of Warcraft - With a peak player count of 12 million in 2010, it is the best-selling MMO of all time, generating billions in revenue and continuing to thrive with new expansions. 7. Diablo 2 - Following its Lord of Destruction expansion, it became the fastest-selling PC game and defined the action RPG genre, influencing many subsequent games.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Gone are the days of buying Minecraft clothing from supermarkets, Very Cool have released a collaboration to save us all from getting another low-quality printed tee

Videogame merchandise has evolved significantly, moving from import-heavy themed apparel to stylish, licensed collections. A recent collaboration between Very Cool and Minecraft has introduced a collection featuring knitted shirts, jeans, and joggers with subtle gaming motifs. Items like the Crafting Pants have hidden details, while overtly themed pieces include The Wolf Tee and the Axolotl tee. The collection has been well-received, with most items selling out quickly. Very Cool has implemented a voting system for restocking items, and a second wave of the collection is set to launch in January 2026, featuring new products like keycaps and a cardigan.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

It’s a shame HoYoverse’s new game is sporting offensively cheap-looking character models because everything else has me sold on its paranormal cop mystery

HoYoverse has announced a new game titled Varsapura, which follows their previous projects, Petite Planet and Nexus Anima. The game features a narrative centered around a paranormal government agency dealing with a harmful black substance. Character designs have received criticism for their plasticky look, contrasting with the game's realistic aesthetic inspired by Singapore. Varsapura includes engaging gameplay mechanics, such as a combat system similar to Zenless Zone Zero, allowing character swaps and dynamic attacks. The protagonist uses a whimsical umbrella as a weapon, while a secondary character, Sayuki, wields paperwork. The gameplay incorporates stealth elements and features a small police vehicle for transportation. Despite some concerns about character models, Varsapura offers a mix of creativity, light horror elements, and a richly designed world.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Bloodlines 2’s first patch prioritizes fashion over features, and I’m not sure how I feel about it

The first patch for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, referred to as the 'Halloween update', has been released, addressing various bugs and introducing new customization options. Players can now access eight new hairstyles, diverse makeup styles, and additional eye colors, including features like golden tears and skull-inspired face paint. The patch also fixes several title crashes and issues with non-playable characters and missing voiceovers. However, it does not include requested features such as a field of view (FOV) slider or the ability to skip Fabien's storyline in subsequent playthroughs.

AppWizard

October 19, 2025

Don’t let 2025’s best-kept JRPG secret pass you by, because it just got even better with a free endgame update

In 2025, the turn-based combat game Quartet, developed by Something Classic, continues to gain popularity with its latest update. The game features a refined turn-based RPG system, inspired by classics like Final Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger, and incorporates a freeform narrative structure similar to Octopath Traveler. Players can explore four distinct stories in any order, assemble a party of eight characters, and engage in dynamic combat with a turn queue system reminiscent of Final Fantasy X. The game offers a playtime of 20-30 hours, with rich exploration and a nostalgic '90s aesthetic. Update 1.2 introduces a new sheep-stacking minigame, an optional dungeon called the Cave of the Mighty Javelin, an auto-save feature, 'battle cursor memory', 'battle party memory', improved AI for card game opponents, and the ability to retrieve a previously missable item. Quartet is available on Steam for .99 / £15.99, with a demo and Steam Deck verification for handheld play.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

Bloodlines 2 is a sequel in name alone, and it isn’t a good enough RPG to combat that disappointment

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 has faced a troubled development process with multiple teams and a lengthy production timeline. It is described as a "spiritual successor" to the original game, but the connection feels weak. The game is set in Seattle, which lacks the vibrancy and depth of the original's Santa Monica. While there are well-designed environments, many areas feel generic and repetitive. Character design is praised, with a diverse cast, but supporting characters lack development and side quests are often mundane. The protagonist, Phyre, is seen as unremarkable, and the narrative becomes convoluted over time. The combat system is criticized for being problematic, with chaotic abilities and a lack of enjoyment. Each clan offers distinct playstyles, and the progression system resembles tabletop mechanics. Overall, Bloodlines 2 is viewed as a diminished version of its predecessor, failing to capture the essence and complexity that made the original memorable.