character-driven 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 14, 2026

Ultrakill is one of Steam’s highest-rated indies, and it’s 93% off in this bundle

Ultrakill is a first-person shooter (FPS) game that combines stylish combat mechanics similar to Devil May Cry with retro aesthetics reminiscent of classic Doom. Players control V1, a machine navigating a post-apocalyptic world where they battle demons for survival. The game features a variety of mechanics, including parrying and executing precise shots, and encourages players to achieve high ranks for replayability. Ultrakill is currently available for under , with a 93% discount, as part of the Decked Out Collection on Humble Bundle, which includes seven games for £10.71. The collection offers each title for less than £2, and all games come as Steam keys.

AppWizard

January 1, 2026

20 Best PC Games of 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, the PC gaming landscape has flourished with a diverse array of titles. Notable games include: 1. INAZUMA ELEVEN: Victory Road - A football RPG with a vibrant anime aesthetic and extensive replayability. 2. Dispatch - A humorous superhero adventure featuring a charming cast and an engaging narrative. 3. Hades 2 - A roguelike action-RPG sequel known for its captivating story and unique art style. 4. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered - An enhanced version of the original game, offering an unforgettable narrative experience. 5. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter - An action-packed JRPG with compelling characters and intricate combat. 6. Absolum - A roguelike game featuring thrilling combat against the Crimson Order. 7. Clair Obscur Expedition - An award-winning game with a beautifully crafted world and character-driven narratives. 8. Hollow Knight: Silksong - A sequel where players explore an expansive world with fresh combat mechanics. 9. Blue Prince - A puzzle game that challenges players with mental puzzles to secure an inheritance. 10. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 - An RPG sequel with a vast map and engaging quests. 11. ARC Raiders - An extraction shooter known for its community-driven experience. 12. Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Set in feudal Japan, featuring unique characters and stunning environments. 13. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth - An enhanced PC version of the classic narrative with improved gameplay mechanics. 14. Monster Hunter Wilds - An RPG with beautifully designed biomes and thrilling hunts. 15. Lumines Arise - A puzzle game that combines simple mechanics with complex gameplay loops. 16. Battlefield 6 - A visually impressive shooter with refined multiplayer mechanics. 17. The Alters - A creative title allowing players to create alternate versions of themselves. 18. The First Berserker: Khazan - A revenge-driven narrative complemented by stylish combat. 19. Bionic Bay - An atmospheric game that rewards creativity and patience. 20. Jurassic World Evolution 3 - A management game featuring dinosaurs and the return of Jeff Goldblum. The winner of the best PC game in 2025 is Clair Obscur: Expedition, praised for its blend of realism and artistic expression, compelling characters, and immersive soundtrack.

AppWizard

December 26, 2025

Minecraft releases Stranger Things DLC

Minecraft has introduced new downloadable content (DLC) that allows players to explore the world of Hawkins, Indiana, from Stranger Things, featuring characters like Will, Dustin, Mike, and Eleven, each with unique abilities. The DLC includes a Dressing Room feature offering a complimentary Hellfire Club T-shirt. This content is available on the Nintendo Switch worldwide.

AppWizard

December 25, 2025

From sprawling open-world RPGs to ingenious roguelikes, here are the ten best PC games of 2025

In 2025, indie and double-A titles gained prominence in the gaming landscape, overshadowing high-budget blockbusters. Notable games included Clair Obscur, Dispatch, Blue Prince, and Schedule 1. PCGamesN's top ten PC games of 2025 are as follows: 10. Hades 2 - Early access game with extensive content, new bosses, and an expanded narrative. 9. Split Fiction - Co-op game emphasizing friendship and sisterhood with vibrant visuals and clever puzzles. 8. Arc Raiders - Unique extraction shooter with a community-focused gameplay experience. 7. Routine - Single-player survival horror set on a deserted moon station, offering a concise and chilling experience. 6. Battlefield 6 - Multiplayer-focused game known for dynamic gameplay and large-scale battles. 5. Dispatch - Episodic narrative game featuring character-driven storytelling and humor. 4. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 - Open-world game set in 15th-century Bohemia with a focus on realism and exploration. 3. Hollow Knight Silksong - Sequel with refined gameplay and a beautifully crafted world. 2. Blue Prince - Roguelike puzzle game that encourages exploration and problem-solving. 1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Game of the Year with a profound narrative, innovative combat system, and artistic presentation.

AppWizard

December 25, 2025

Twisted Voxel Presents Best Of 2025 PC Games

The team at Twisted Voxel has highlighted five remarkable PC titles of 2025: 5. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Remake - A remake of a classic RPG that enhances visuals and mechanics while maintaining the original's narrative depth. 4. Hades II - A sequel that builds on its predecessor with new combat styles and a darker narrative, featuring the character Melinoe. 3. Silent Hill f - Set in 1960s Japan, this installment evolves the franchise with a focus on psychological trauma and environmental storytelling, along with a modernized combat system. 2. Split Fiction - A cooperative game that features imaginative realms and inventive puzzles, emphasizing teamwork and heartfelt storytelling. 1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - The top game of 2025, known for its painterly art style, intricate worldbuilding, and a dynamic turn-based combat system, exploring themes of mortality and purpose.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

Uh-oh, I think I’m finally all gacha’d out

The author has been involved in gacha games and RNG mechanics for over a decade, starting with mobile games like Love Live! School Idol Festival. They transitioned to various titles, including Genshin Impact, which launched in 2020 and expanded the gacha genre's audience. The author notes the overwhelming number of games from HoYoverse, such as Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero, and expresses concern about the sustainability of the market due to the rapid release of new titles and the fear of missing out. They highlight the transient nature of live service games, with many shutting down within a year, leading to doubts about investing time and money in them. Despite these concerns, the author still feels a desire for the excitement of gacha games and their character-driven narratives, suggesting that a reduction in the number of available titles could enhance the gaming experience.

AppWizard

December 20, 2025

The 10 best PC games of 2025

PC gaming is experiencing a surge in popularity due to higher frame rates, ultra-wide monitor compatibility, modding capabilities, and robust backward compatibility. Players can upgrade individual components over time, enhancing long-term value. 1. Hades II - Metacritic score: 94; praised for its fast-paced action, character-driven storytelling, and expressive art. 2. Sektori - Metacritic score: 93; a minimalist PC shooter emphasizing precision and featuring twin-stick mechanics. 3. Blue Prince - Metacritic score: 92; combines puzzles and roguelike exploration with a unique structure. 4. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Metacritic score: 91; an RPG with surreal fantasy elements and turn-based combat. 5. Hollow Knight: Silksong - Metacritic score: 90; focuses on agile gameplay and features a vertically expansive world. 6. Split Fiction - Metacritic score: 90; an experimental narrative adventure exploring parallel storylines. 7. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth - Metacritic score: 90; expands the world and character arcs with enhanced PC features. 8. Despelote - Metacritic score: 89; a narrative about soccer and childhood through a reflective lens. 9. The Talos Principle: Reawakened - Metacritic score: 89; refines puzzles and philosophical themes for modern audiences. 10. The Seance of Blake Manor - Metacritic score: 89; a detective horror game focused on atmosphere and environmental storytelling.

AppWizard

December 6, 2025

The 10 best Total War games to play today ahead of Medieval 3

The Total War series has evolved over two decades from a simple wargame to a complex strategy format combining real-time tactics with a strategic world map, incorporating military, political, and economic dimensions. Total War: Napoleon (2010, PC) focuses on gunpowder campaigns and emphasizes combat tactics and army strategy. Total War: Rome (2004, PC) is considered a franchise-defining title, introducing a variety of unit types and campaign factions, and remains popular with numerous mods available. Total War: Attila (2015, PC) immerses players in a world on the brink of collapse, focusing on empire management and societal decline. Total War: Medieval 2 (2006, PC) is known for its intense battles and intricate tactics, becoming a popular modding platform. Total War: Shogun 2 (2011, PC) is praised for its refined gameplay and accessibility, set in a single nation during a specific historical period. Total War: Rome 2 (2013, PC) has developed a distinct identity despite initial criticism, offering rich strategic gameplay. Total War: Three Kingdoms (2019, PC) introduces character-driven politics and relationships, enhancing narrative engagement. Total War: Warhammer (2016, 2017, 2022, PC) provides a dark fantasy experience with a vast game map and diverse factions, solidifying its place in the franchise.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy’s director says Rebirth wasn’t too long, you’re just too busy

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth features a variety of minigames and side quests, with director Naoki Hamaguchi addressing critiques about pacing and tone, suggesting they may arise from players being overly engaged. Some critics have noted "open-world filler" and repetitive quests that detract from the narrative experience. The card game Queen's Blood has been well-received, while whimsical activities like riding a dolphin provide a break from the main storyline. Character-driven missions, especially those related to the Gold Saucer, are highlighted, though some tasks may feel tedious. Hamaguchi believes the game's pacing is appropriate and attributes player urgency to the abundance of gaming options. He acknowledges community feedback for the sequel, aiming for a more concise storytelling approach in the trilogy's conclusion.