character designs Archives

AppWizard

February 14, 2026

I can’t recognize my favorite League of Legends champions anymore, and I’m sick of it

The author discusses the lack of clarity in champion skins in League of Legends, particularly highlighting the recent Love Confession skin for Riven, which deviates significantly from her established identity. The skin's design lacks the defining features of Riven, such as her rugged femininity and signature markings, leading to community backlash and comparisons to unrelated aesthetics. The author notes a broader trend of champions becoming unrecognizable, raising concerns about Riot's understanding of its characters. This shift reflects a larger identity crisis within the game, as it attempts to attract new fans while straying from its original character-driven appeal. The author expresses disappointment in their changing gaming habits and the game's current direction.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

Maybe I should just buy Factorio? I’d like Arknights: Endfield a lot more if it would stop trying to be Genshin Impact and just let me build

The anime gacha game market is becoming increasingly similar, with Genshin Impact as a dominant influence. New titles often struggle to differentiate themselves, leading to a saturation of open-world action RPGs with collectible anime characters. Arknights: Endfield introduces a unique factory-building mechanic, allowing players to mine materials and manage conveyor belt systems, which sets it apart from typical gacha games. Honkai: Star Rail is noted for its turn-based gameplay and humor, while other titles like Zenless Zone Zero and Genshin Impact feature vibrant character designs but face challenges with monetization strategies that can detract from gameplay enjoyment. Despite the innovations in Endfield, it still caters to the Genshin Impact audience, highlighting a desire for more engaging gameplay without the complexities of traditional action RPGs.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

This week in PC games: is Highguard a nothingburger? Plus, Winnie the Cthulhooh, Code Vein 2 and a plant-based RTS

- John Highguard: A sci-fantasy raid shooter developed by former creators of Apex Legends and Titanfall. - Winnie’s Hole: An early access title that transforms Winnie the Pooh into a cosmic horror roguelite. - Echoes Of Elysium: An early access game featuring six-player co-op in a procedural clockwork world. - Earth Must Die: A point-and-click sci-fi comedy from the creators of The Swindle and Lair of the Clockwork God. - The Spirit Lift: A roguelite deckbuilder set in a haunted hotel. - Roots Devour: A game where players control a malevolent tree deciding the fate of humans. - DON’T LET THEM IN: A horror game where players are supermarket clerks dealing with cautious customers. - Lanesplit: A first-person biking simulator with a cinematic style. - Ghost Keeper: An early access title where players manage a house full of ghosts. - Nova Antarctica: A post-apocalyptic game set in Antarctica focused on mysterious signals. - The Midnight Walkers: An early access extraction shooter set in a megamall with a poison gas mechanic. - Calyx: An RTS game featuring a military force against plant life. - Feastopia: A city-builder roguelite where players feed an infant god to avoid becoming part of the menu. - Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator: A sequel that escalates the absurdity of its predecessor. - Cairn: A climbing adventure game with narrative depth. - I Hate This Place: A survival crafting horror game inspired by comic books. - Don’t Stop, Girlypop: An arena shooter with Y2K aesthetics. - Code Vein 2: The latest entry in the anime Soulslike genre featuring time travel mechanics. - Half Sword: An early access physics-based medieval combat game. - Front Mission 3: A remake of the classic turn-based mech game.

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 14, 2025

The Hades 2 rival I poured even more hours into this year just got three new bosses, and it’s half price if you’re quick

Windwalk Games' Sworn is an action roguelike that emphasizes replayability with four unique characters, each having four customizable weapons and spells, allowing for numerous combinations. The game features vibrant environments inspired by Arthurian legend and supports up to four-player co-op gameplay. The recent update, version 1.1, introduces three new alternate bosses: Lady Kay, Sir Dagonet, and Lady Agravain, along with various balance adjustments and an increased internal cap on attack speed. The update is live, and the game is available for a limited-time discount on Steam at .49.

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

November 21, 2025

Genshin Impact’s flashy combat and Control’s paranormal vibes collide in a new Hoyoverse game, and I’m immediately hooked

Hoyoverse has released a half-hour gameplay demo of its upcoming open-world title, Varsapura, which features elements reminiscent of Control and LA Noire. Set in modern-day Singapore, the game involves paranormal investigation, dialogue choices, stealth mechanics, and combat similar to Zenless Zone Zero. Players assume the role of a protagonist applying for a job at SEAL (Shadow Entity Analysis and Limitation), where they undergo a "mind scan" during the application process. The game introduces officer Sayuki, who discusses the Mindrot phenomenon, which generates derogatory comments in a test chamber. Players combat shadow creatures using umbrella-based attacks and can swap characters during battles. The narrative includes a personal motive for joining SEAL, with dialogue options categorized into 'Empathy,' 'Persuasion,' and 'Deception.' The gameplay features an open-world driving segment and stealth mechanics, allowing exploration of a city resembling Singapore. The visual style combines realistic art with anime character designs. Hoyoverse hints at customization options for the protagonist's appearance and is recruiting talent for the game's development.

AppWizard

November 8, 2025

Snag this gorgeous Greek mythology ARPG on sale before its price permanently goes up, and discover why it’s won my heart

Path of Exile, PoE 2, and Diablo 4 are leading titles in the action role-playing game (ARPG) genre, with Last Epoch and Torchlight Infinite also gaining popularity. Titan Quest 2 entered early access in August and has released its second chapter, with plans for further updates until 2026. Recent updates include keyword tooltips for build crafting and an extensive character creator. The game’s price will increase soon, but it is currently available at a 10% discount on Steam until November 10, priced at .99 / £22.49. After this date, the price will rise to .99 (or regional equivalents). The game has received positive feedback, with 84% of Steam users rating it favorably.

AppWizard

September 26, 2025

Hades 2 is Hades, but better.

Hades 2 is the sequel to Supergiant Games' Hades, featuring a new protagonist, Melinoë, who confronts Chronos while exploring themes of revenge and family drama. The game introduces a diverse cast of mythological characters and offers a complex narrative that responds to player choices. Gameplay retains the original's mechanics but adds new elements, such as Melinoë's witch abilities and animal Familiars that aid in combat. The visuals are vibrant and imaginative, with a soundtrack by Darren Korb that enhances the atmosphere. Accessibility features, including "God Mode," make the game more approachable. Hades 2 is set to release on September 25, 2025.

AppWizard

September 16, 2025

One of our favorite soulslikes drops deluxe upgrade and free gear, so now’s the time to try it

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is set in Ming Dynasty China, where players control Wuchang, a pirate warrior fighting a virus called 'Feathering' that creates monstrous entities. The game has a 69% rating on Steam and received an 8/10 from PCGamesN, but faced launch issues, including performance problems and a controversial patch. Recent reviews have improved to 'mostly positive' as developers address these concerns. The deluxe edition includes two new costumes and weapons, while the base game offers free headgear. A patch with various fixes is now live, and guides for gameplay optimization and mods are available. Players are encouraged to share experiences on Discord.