character development Archives

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Four classic Final Fantasy games get the DRM-free treatment from GOG, and they’re 60% off if you’re fast

Four Final Fantasy titles have been released on GOG, offering a DRM-free experience and a 60% discount until February 7. The titles are Final Fantasy 9, FF8 Remastered, FF4 3D Edition, and FF3 3D Edition, priced at .39 / £4.49 for FF3 and FF4, .39 for FF8, and .39 for FF9. These games are compatible with current Windows PC configurations and include tech support.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

Get ready to battle bruxae and swipe sorceresses in Reigns: The Witcher, out next month

Nerial is set to release Reigns: The Witcher on February 25. Players will assume the role of Geralt of Rivia, with gameplay narrated by Dandelion. The game features decision-making that affects relationships with various factions and includes a real-time combat system. Each playthrough resembles a ballad of Geralt's adventures, often ending in his demise. Players will encounter sidequests that enhance the story and Dandelion's skills, with humorous elements included. The game incorporates nostalgic features from The Witcher 3, aiming to appeal to both fans and newcomers.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

What’s the next step in these adventure game puzzles?

A variety of gaming trivia quizzes are available, covering topics such as health bars, currencies, and patch notes. In the 1980s and early 1990s, adventure games were the primary genre for players seeking well-crafted narratives, as RPGs focused on dungeon crawling and had limited dialogue. Point-and-click adventures evolved from text-based games and adapted literary works, with companies like Infocom, LucasArts, and Sierra emphasizing character development and thematic depth. Players often faced challenging puzzles that could lead to frustration, requiring collaboration or help. Today, classic puzzles can be revisited through accessible multiple-choice quizzes, allowing fans to engage with gaming history in an interactive manner.

AppWizard

January 19, 2026

Battle Suit Aces review

Trinket Studios has released a new game called Battle Suit Aces, featuring Captain Heathcliff on a cosmic journey against the Frenzied, an alien enemy. The game is a deckbuilding title where players assemble a crew of characters with unique battle suits and engage in turn-based combat across two rows. Players must manage resources and strategize to defeat opponents with distinct abilities. Progressing through the game rewards players with crafting materials for suit and drone enhancements, allowing for diverse customization options. Between battles, players can interact with their crew, adding personality to the game and enriching the narrative, which evolves from a clichéd premise to a humorous and creative story with absurd side missions. The game includes a puzzle mode for tackling scenarios in a single turn and optional crew missions that deepen the narrative and provide rewards like additional mod slots for suits. Visually, the game features a vibrant art style and embraces queerness, presenting a refreshing narrative with diverse characters and scenarios. While it has some flaws, such as a predictable opening and lack of challenge at standard difficulty, the overall experience is enjoyable, making Battle Suit Aces a notable addition to the gaming landscape.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Larian is “sorry” that Baldur’s Gate 3’s most underrated companion didn’t get a “fulfilling arc,” with romance on its improvement list

In Baldur's Gate 3, Wyll, the Blade of Frontiers, is often overshadowed by more prominent companions like Shadowheart and Astarion, resulting in his character arc feeling underdeveloped. Despite intentions to include him in the party, players tend to favor other characters, leaving Wyll's story less explored. Developer Kevin VanOrd acknowledged the disappointment regarding Wyll's limited content, attributing it to challenges during development, including a split narrative and personal health issues. Wyll's storyline was affected by the Mizora and Ravengard arcs, which diluted his impact, and there are concerns he may remain unchanged by the game's conclusion. VanOrd expressed a desire for deeper character interactions and relationships in future titles, hoping to enhance the emotional depth of characters like Wyll.

AppWizard

January 8, 2026

More than 8 years after The New Colossus, a new Wolfenstein game is reportedly in the works at MachineGames

BJ Blazkowicz, the protagonist of the Wolfenstein series, has evolved from a simple muscle-bound character to a complex figure dealing with a challenging dream. Reports indicate that Wolfenstein 3 is in development, alongside a Wolfenstein television series set to premiere on Amazon in 2025. The last main installment, The New Colossus, was released in 2017, followed by the spinoff Youngblood in 2019 and the VR title Cyberpilot, both of which did not fully satisfy fans. MachineGames has also worked on other projects, including Quake, Doom, and Indiana Jones, but there are indications they may return to the Wolfenstein franchise. Jerk Gustafsson, head of MachineGames, mentioned the intention to view Wolfenstein as a trilogy, and the studio has teased a new project, raising hopes for BJ Blazkowicz's return.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

Code Vein 2 is largely more of the same despite its story reset, but I think I’m okay with that

Code Vein 2 has been announced and is set to launch on January 29, priced at .99 / £54.99. The game retains core mechanics from the original, including checkpoints called Mistles and a system for reclaiming lost currency called Haze. It features extensive character customization, with a detailed editor and various Blood Codes that influence play style. Combat dynamics include faster-paced encounters and new weapon types, such as twin blades and rune blades, with over 200 Formae to master. The narrative involves Blood-drinking Revenants and human hunters in an apocalyptic setting, with players awakening 100 years after a catastrophic event. Companions can assist in combat and revive players upon death, adding strategic depth. Exploration has improved, with more complex dungeon layouts and navigation aids.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

New Path of Exile 2 patch notes nerf the ARPG’s game-breaking temples, but GGG might have gone too far

New patch notes for Path of Exile 2, specifically the 0.4.0c hotfix 13, aim to address the dominance of certain Vaal Temple layouts by introducing changes to room modifiers and restricting the locking of anything below tier three. The update includes diminishing returns on modifier values for room types after four or more of a specific type are used, primarily affecting lower-tier rooms. This change is intended to improve server performance and reduce the potential of high-value temple layouts, which previously generated hundreds of Divine Orbs per run, now averaging around 20. The rooms associated with Golem Works and Spymaster have been swapped to encourage variety in temple setups. Additionally, the use of Juatalotli's Medallion is restricted to tier-three rooms, leading to backlash from players who feel disadvantaged by this change. The patch is now live, and while it aims to mitigate top-end currency drops and curb inflation, it may disproportionately affect average players.

BetaBeacon

January 2, 2026

Best Mobile Games for 2026

- Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption was released on mobile in 2025, including the original story campaign and Undead Nightmare expansion, priced at .99 or available through a Netflix subscription. - Subnautica also transitioned to mobile, offering a survival adventure set on an alien oceanic planet, optimized for touch controls and supporting controllers, priced at .99. - Persona 5: The Phantom X delivered a mobile-specific RPG experience with gacha mechanics and turn-based combat, maintaining ties to the original Persona 5 storyline, and offering free-to-play mechanics. - Where Winds Meet is an open-world wuxia title on mobile with demanding hardware requirements, featuring cross-progression support and light monetization. - DREDGE brought its Eldritch fishing simulation to mobile, included in Google Play Pass for subscribers, priced at .99. - Cassette Beasts is a premium turn-based RPG inspired by Pokémon on mobile, offering cassette monster collection and combat, priced at .99. - Destiny: Rising brought the FPS MMO experience to mobile for free, with typical NetEase monetization strategies. - Enter the Gungeon and Exit the Gungeon were released on mobile simultaneously, offering bullet hell and platforming gameplay with touchscreen and controller support. - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown combined platforming and Metroidvania elements in a 2.5D action-adventure on mobile, offering offline play and full controller support.

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

I’m not waiting 5 years for everyone to realize The Outer Worlds 2 is another Obsidian classic—I’m giving it its flowers now

The Outer Worlds 2 is set to release in 2025 and is part of Obsidian Entertainment's lineup, which includes Grounded 2 and Avowed. The game emphasizes character development and player choices, offering a variety of options tailored to individual character builds. Players can invest in a select few of the twelve available skills, fostering a unique gameplay experience. The game features locked doors and terminals that can be accessed through pickpocketing or dialogue options influenced by previous choices. A significant moment in the game involves negotiating a peaceful resolution with the final boss, dependent on the player's speech skill. The consequences of player choices are reflected throughout the game, culminating in a slideshow at the end. While it may not have as many quests and locations as New Vegas, it offers proportional complexity that engages players.