combat encounters Archives

AppWizard

September 16, 2025

Atomfall just got a new DLC and, like any good sci-fi game, it lets you recruit robots

The Red Strain is the latest downloadable content (DLC) for Atomfall, featuring new gameplay enhancements, including the ability to hack and command robots as companions in battle. The DLC introduces a narrative involving an infested rocket launch, offering players the choice to thwart or support the launch. It also includes balance updates, enhanced blood effects for a more intense combat experience, and is available for .99/£14.99 on Steam. Players are encouraged to provide feedback in the community Discord server.

AppWizard

September 14, 2025

Review: Cronos: The New Dawn is just shy of being a Dead Space successor

Cronos: The New Dawn is a AAA survival-horror game developed by Bloober Team, set in an eerie '80s Polish town named New Dawn. The game features straightforward exploration with a linear progression, environmental puzzles, and a focus on inventory management. Combat involves facing grotesque enemies called Orphans, with a risk-reward system for resource management. The narrative follows The Traveler as they navigate time rifts and uncover secrets about a mysterious organization called The Collective. The game is available on multiple platforms, including PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Linux, and macOS, in Standard and Deluxe editions.

AppWizard

August 18, 2025

Shenmue III Enhanced Edition Announced, Free PC Upgrade Confirmed

ININ Games has announced an Enhanced Edition for Shenmue 3, which will be a complimentary upgrade for existing PC owners. The Enhanced Edition includes sharper 4K textures, richer details in environments and characters, faster load times, and support for NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR. The city village of Niaowu will feature more NPCs. Gameplay enhancements include a new optional camera view, an adjustable stamina system, healing options before battles, and reduced costs for progression. These changes are optional, allowing players to retain the original experience if desired. The release date is currently unannounced.

AppWizard

August 10, 2025

Doom: The Dark Ages latest update adds a ‘Ripatorium’ that lets you build your own wave shooter from its demonic menagerie

id Software has released Update 2 for Doom: The Dark Ages, introducing a new arena mode called the "Ripatorium," which allows players to customize combat encounters with various options for demons, waves, and time limits. The update also includes a significant overhaul of the combat system, improving the speed of weapon swaps, allowing the Slayer to interrupt weapon-swap animations to block attacks, and adding more enemies to late-game fights. The game is currently available at a 25% discount on Steam, reducing the price from $/£70 to $/£52.

AppWizard

August 9, 2025

I finally played Duke Nukem Forever’s unfinished 2001 build, and while it probably would have been better than Gearbox’s fiasco, it still wouldn’t hold up today

Duke Nukem Forever was released in 2011 with outdated graphics and gameplay compared to its ambitious 2001 E3 trailer. A playable prototype of the 2001 version surfaced, revealing various levels and features, including the Ladykiller Casino and Hoover Dam, but it was unfinished and plagued by glitches. The prototype included navigational puzzles, scripted events, and innovative mechanics like vending machines for healing items. Combat mechanics showed potential, with satisfying weapon dynamics, but the overall experience felt disjointed and less cohesive as it progressed. The prototype demonstrated ambitious ideas but likely would not have stood the test of time alongside classics like Quake or Half-Life.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

The Witcher 3 mod adds enhanced physics, new animations, and improved precision when dismembering enemies

The modder Kradiarumas has released a new mod for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt that enhances the game's dismemberment system. This mod introduces a more dynamic physics engine for dismemberment, allowing for improved precision and a 100% chance of dismemberment with every strike. It also revives the spinning sword attack from the E3 2014 gameplay reveal. The mod is available in five versions and is compatible with both Next-Gen and Old-Gen editions of the game. Other mods in the community include a first-person mod, the HD Reworked Project, and various combat and quest enhancements. Recent mods have restored boat races, added new quests, and reinstated a cut reputation system. Additionally, mods utilizing Ray Tracing technology have been introduced, such as the RTX Mirrors Mod and one that enhances fire effects.

BetaBeacon

August 2, 2025

The Best Roguelikes on Android and iOS: great rogues and roguelites on mobile and tablet

The text provides a guide to Android and iOS roguelikes and roguelites, highlighting various games that are worth playing on mobile devices.

AppWizard

July 27, 2025

Lost Soul Aside’s PS5, PC Price Could Be Its Biggest Bottle Neck

Yang Bing has classified the game Lost Soul Aside as a “AA game.” Sony has set its price at £59.99. Content creator Lunatic Ignus experienced a two-hour demo, expressing concerns about the game's execution and its ability to justify the price point. He noted issues with animations and combat, suggesting it may not achieve general success despite interest from Chinese gamers. The demo revealed a town with shops and NPCs, indicating more depth than expected. The release date for Lost Soul Aside is set for August 29th.

AppWizard

June 23, 2025

Death Stranding 2 cements Hideo Kojima’s legacy as a PC game designer still living in the console world

In Death Stranding 2, players are tasked with delivering a pizza to an anime VTuber who has withdrawn from society. The game emphasizes the character's belief in the simple pleasure of hot pizza. Game director Hideo Kojima notes that the sequel allows for greater player freedom, including the option to avoid combat. The game combines immersive sim elements with a focus on delivery mechanics, offering various approaches to challenges. Players navigate diverse environments, including dust storms and blizzards, using new gear like the coffin surfboard. The balance between combat and delivery is maintained, with a versatile arsenal and attention to detail enhancing the experience. The day/night cycle introduces strategic elements, and the character Dollman serves both narrative and gameplay functions. The game encourages exploration and personal storytelling within its expansive world.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Former BioWare lead writer says the best level in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines gave him ‘ammunition’ to argue that story can be just as engaging as combat

David Gaider, former lead writer at BioWare, expressed concerns about the overuse of "trashmob fights" in gaming, advocating for a balance between combat and narrative. He was influenced by the combat-free level in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, which emphasized tension through storytelling rather than action. Gaider argued against the necessity of frequent combat encounters, believing that narrative depth and political intrigue could engage players just as effectively. Despite his vision for a combat-free masquerade ball in Dragon Age: Inquisition, the design team opted to include combat, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing player engagement with narrative flow. Gaider emphasized that storytelling can keep players interested without relying solely on fighting.