combat mechanics Archives

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Masters of Albion is a ‘Best of Peter Molyneux’ greatest hits collection in one game, but I fear it might not measure up to the games that inspired it

Peter Molyneux's latest project, Masters of Albion, is set to enter early access on Steam on April 22. The game features a click and drag interface with an iconic anonymous sky hand, allowing players to manipulate the game world. Players start in the village of Oakridge, focusing on building towns, defending against enemies, and controlling a hero villager. The gameplay includes city-building and combat, with players generating income and fulfilling orders from villagers. A design mini-game involves assembling dishes for characters like Sylvia Plinth. Players can summon a hero to explore new territories, engage in combat, solve puzzles, and discover collectibles. The game also includes a city-defense mechanic where players prepare for nighttime sieges, construct defenses, and adapt strategies in real-time. Players can load defenses with unconventional projectiles, including crafted food. Masters of Albion encourages players to engage at their own pace across city-building, combat, or exploration.

AppWizard

March 22, 2026

Screamer review

Screamer is a futuristic racing game developed and published by Milestone, set to be released on March 26, 2026, with a price of £50. The game features a narrative-driven experience with diverse character representation, where racers communicate in their native languages, supported by subtitles. The first team introduced, the Green Reapers, has a storyline involving revenge against the tournament organizer, Mr. A. The game incorporates an ECHO device for speed boosts and combat mechanics, but its handling model, which mimics exaggerated drifts, may be challenging for players. Customization options are available in Gage’s Workshop, showcasing different vehicle designs. The game includes various event types, offering a rich content experience despite potential issues with driving mechanics.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

Blight: Survival offers a fresh slice of its medieval zombie-slaying, after its developer took a break to ‘rebuild our core systems from the ground up’

Blight: Survival, a third-person hack 'n' slash game, has over 1.5 million wishlists on Steam, making it one of the most anticipated titles since its announcement in 2022. Developed by Haenir Studio in collaboration with Behaviour Interactive, the game features an immersive combat system designed to feel impactful, with various finishers enhancing the intensity of encounters. A recent trailer showcased brutal combat, including a character striking a zombie with a shield. Haenir Studio has been actively updating the community about the game's progress, including the introduction of a new exploration area, the marshlands, and a Halloween teaser featuring a zombie encounter.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

10 games to grab during the Steam Spring Sale 2026

March has seen the release of several notable gaming titles including Slay the Spire 2, Crimson Desert, Monster Hunter Stories 3, and Timberborn. The Steam Spring Sale offers discounts on a variety of PC games, running from March 19 to March 26. Featured titles in the sale include: 1. Dispatch: 20% off - .99 / £19.99 2. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: 50% off - .99 / £24.99 3. Routine: 20% off - .59 / £26.79 4. Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader: 60% off - .19 / £17.19 5. Maze Mice: 50% off - .49 / £4.49 6. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown: 50% off - .49 / £12.49 7. Blue Prince: 34% off - .84 / £14.84 8. Dungeons of Hinterberg: 66% off - .45 / £6.45 9. Star Wars Jedi Survivor: 90% off - .99 / £5.99 10. Dread Delusion: 50% off - .74 / £7.74

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Crimson Desert review

Crimson Desert is an epic fantasy action RPG developed and published by Pearl Abyss, set to be released on March 19, 2026, with a price of £55. The game features a complex web of systems and diverse build options, catering to players who enjoy depth and complexity. The narrative centers around Kliff, a Scottish character voiced by Alec Newman, who embarks on a journey after being ambushed by the Black Bears. While the main storyline lacks depth and coherence, side quests offer engaging character interactions. The game includes a variety of gameplay systems such as stock investments, black market dealings, resource gathering, and combat mechanics. Combat is fluid and allows for various tactical choices, although some aspects may frustrate players. The game runs smoothly on mid-range PCs and features a beautifully rendered world.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Crimson Desert review – a beautiful, shallow world

Crimson Desert features a vast and visually stunning world but struggles with a conventional narrative framework. The combat system can feel cumbersome, especially during challenging boss encounters, leading to a sense of unfulfilled potential in exploration. The game follows a protagonist named Kliff Greymane, who seeks revenge against an antagonist, but after 50 hours, the main adversary remains elusive, and players engage in mundane tasks. Exploration is initially enticing, but it becomes constrained, with limited interactions and repetitive tasks. Combat mechanics blend elements from various genres, but boss battles introduce a significant difficulty spike that can frustrate players. Promotional materials promise thrilling gameplay elements, but the actual experience often falls short. While moments of joy can be found in exploring the Abyss network, the connection to the character Kliff is lacking, and the narrative becomes convoluted over time. Despite its vibrant world and visual splendor, the game may leave players wanting more due to restricted exploration and busywork.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

Fantasy heist sim Project Shadowglass is even more inspired by Thief than I had realised, as a new trailer shows off water arrows, blackjack knockouts, and authentically sloppy swordfighting

Project Shadowglass, developed by Starhelm Studios, is a stealth game inspired by Thief: The Dark Project. It features open-ended levels with guards and traps, and utilizes simulated 3D audio technology. The game showcases nostalgic pixelated graphics and offers full 360-degree freedom. Players can perform mechanics such as sliding down rooftops, shooting explosive barrels, and creating slippery surfaces with water arrows. The combat mechanics are described as "sloppy" to fit the stealth theme. Players will plan heists, conduct research for optimal strategies, and face consequences for their actions, including imprisonment and increased security. Project Shadowglass is currently in early development with no release date, but a demo is expected later this year.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

I desperately want the Just Cause creator’s new open-city game to be great, but I’m not convinced by its latest trailer

The gaming community has been seeking an engaging open-world experience similar to those from the Xbox 360 era, particularly with the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Samson, an open-world game developed by Liquid Swords and created by Cristofer Sundberg, features a protagonist named Samson who returns to his hometown of Tyndalston to settle a significant debt using various methods. The gameplay requires players to meet a daily cash quota to manage debt interest, incorporating an "action points" mechanic that limits mission availability. The game showcases a gritty aesthetic with muscle cars but has received mixed reactions due to concerns about repetitive combat mechanics and sparsely populated environments. A notable moment in the gameplay trailer features Samson throwing a wrench at an enemy with a humorous quip. Samson is set to launch on April 8, and there is hope for its success despite the current work-in-progress feel of the trailer.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Crimson Desert adds confirmation of Denuvo DRM to its Steam page a week out from launch

Fans of Crimson Desert, particularly those who enjoyed its predecessor Black Desert Online, are excited about the game's impressive scale, visuals, and combat mechanics. It is positioned as a massive MMORPG-lite single-player experience. However, a week before its launch, it was announced that Crimson Desert will incorporate Denuvo DRM on Steam, which has sparked mixed reactions among the PC gaming community. Denuvo is known as a leading anti-tamper solution, and its inclusion is intended to protect revenue from piracy. A study indicates that games can lose up to 20% in revenue if cracked within the first week. The reputation of Denuvo is contentious, with some arguing that it complicates user experience and does not effectively combat piracy. Discussions on platforms like Reddit show a split among players regarding pre-orders and refunds due to the Denuvo decision. Additionally, there will be no mod support for PC at launch, but the game's system requirements are accessible.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

After 6 hours, Crimson Desert is one of the most overwhelming, chaotic, madcap videogames I’ve ever played—and I’m hungry for more

Crimson Desert is a single-player game developed by Pearl Abyss, known for Black Desert Online. It features a dynamic combat system with a skill tree that allows players to explore various combat styles, including archery, unarmed combat, swordplay, and grappling maneuvers. The protagonist, Kliff, can perform a range of moves such as parrying, grappling, and executing special attacks. The game includes multiple playable characters, each with unique abilities, and offers a variety of activities beyond combat, such as cooking, resource gathering, and minigames. The control scheme is complex, leading to a steep learning curve. The game is ambitious in scope, with numerous objectives and side quests, but raises concerns about sustaining its complexity. The narrative features quirky characters and scenarios, contributing to the game's whimsical tone.