combat mechanics Archives

AppWizard

July 26, 2025

After a forgettable launch, Ubisoft’s Avatar game is getting a huge new update later this year, introducing new game plus and a third-person mode

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora launched on Steam in late 2023, featuring a visually stunning rainforest environment and allowing players to navigate as Na'vi characters. The game had simplified combat mechanics and faced a decline in player engagement due to minimal marketing support from Ubisoft. Developer Massive Entertainment released paid DLC patches, including a New Game Plus mode that retains gear and introduces stronger equipment and a new skill tree. A significant update will add a third-person perspective, allowing seamless switching between first and third-person views. The game received mixed reviews, with some praising its world while others criticized its performance and narrative. A third-person update is set to launch on December 5, coinciding with the release of the film Avatar: Fire & Ash on December 19.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Webtoon Series The Player Who Can’t Level Up Gets Console, PC Game

Tripearl Games is developing a video game adaptation of the webtoon "The Player Who Can't Level Up," set for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game will utilize Unreal Engine 5, featuring no loading screens and complete camera control. It includes a new side story created with the original webtoon creators, focusing on the protagonist Ki-gyu Kim, who navigates challenges without traditional leveling systems. The gameplay features roguelite elements, high-speed melee combat, perk-based progression, and randomized upgrades. The webtoon, illustrated by Tae_A, began serialization in 2021 and has over 210 million views worldwide. The English version of the webtoon is available on Tapas, and the English translation of the web novel is on Wuxia World. The game is currently available for wishlisting on Steam.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Action Roguelike ‘The Player Who Can’t Level Up’ Heads for PC & Consoles in 2026

Developer Tripearl Games is set to launch their 3D action roguelike game, The Player Who Can’t Level Up, in 2026 on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles. The game is inspired by a popular webtoon series and features high-impact combat, a new storyline, and collaboration with the original creators. Players control Kim Kigyu, who cannot level up but can master various combat styles and evolve through battles using roguelite mechanics. The game introduces Ego Shards and Blessings for strategic enhancements instead of traditional experience points. Key features include stylish combat, progression through play, stunning visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, and high replayability with randomized skill combinations. A trailer showcasing gameplay has been released.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Abiotic Factor review

Abiotic Factor is a survival crafting game developed by Deep Field Games and published by Playstack, scheduled for release on July 22, 2025, priced at £25. The game features a narrative about scientists trapped in a secret underground facility, combining humor and survival elements. Players use office supplies and academic skills to fend off interdimensional threats while exploring the GATE facility and establishing a home base that evolves over time. The game includes interactive mechanics for sleeping and eating, character creation with trait selection, and diverse combat options. Players can craft unique weapons and engage in cooperative gameplay, exploring new sectors and alternate dimensions for resources and lore.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

Alabaster Dawn receives a new gameplay trailer and will be getting a playable demo this September on PC

Radical Fish Games has released a new trailer for their upcoming action RPG, Alabaster Dawn, featuring gameplay footage. Players will control Juno, the Outcast Chosen, on a quest to restore a world affected by the shadow of Nyx, with gods and their followers absent. The game includes real-time combat mechanics influenced by classics like Devil May Cry and Kingdom Hearts, particularly in the design of the life-bar. A playable demo will be available on PC via Steam in September 2025.

AppWizard

July 20, 2025

11 best video games of 2025 (so far) on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X and PC

In 2025, the gaming landscape features the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and a variety of notable titles across platforms like PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. - Split Fiction by Hazelight Studios is a co-op game where players control rival authors Mio and Zoe in a simulation of their imaginations, emphasizing collaboration and real-time interactions. - Assassin’s Creed: Shadows by Ubisoft returns to stealth gameplay with dual protagonists in a vibrant Feudal Japan setting, offering over 100 hours of gameplay. - Lost Records: Bloom & Rage by Don't Nod presents an engaging narrative with dual timelines, exploring a supernatural mystery through character interactions. - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive is a turn-based RPG known for its unique art style, intricate combat mechanics, and immersive storytelling. - Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves by SNK revives the classic fighting game series with smooth animations and a new REV system for varied gameplay styles. - Doom: The Dark Ages revitalizes the franchise with a medieval-inspired combat system and a focus on world-building and storytelling. - Monster Train 2 by Shiny Shoe builds on its predecessor's success with a deck-building experience featuring new equipment cards and clans. - Rematch by Sloclap is an online soccer game that emphasizes precision and offers a competitive atmosphere with a unique arena setup. - Death Stranding 2 by Kojima Productions delivers an emotional narrative with themes of fatherhood and redemption, showcasing Hideo Kojima's storytelling prowess. - Donkey Kong Bananza by Nintendo utilizes the Nintendo Switch 2's capabilities, offering classic gameplay with destructible environments and open-ended experiences.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

I’ve been obsessed with a single dialogue choice in an underappreciated Obsidian game for 10 years, so I tracked down the guy who wrote it to learn everything about my favorite joke in RPG history

In Pillars of Eternity's expansion, The White March: Part One, players encounter a character named Zahua, a martial artist hiding in a barrel of fish as part of his quest for self-debasement. Upon meeting the player, Zahua asks, "Are you real?" This interaction offers various dialogue choices, including responses like "Yes," "[Lie] Yes," and "There is no way to be certain." The character's introduction was designed by Eric Fenstermaker to convey Zahua's detachment from reality and to allow players to explore their interpretations of reality. Fenstermaker emphasizes the importance of player agency in RPGs, suggesting that if an NPC can reject reality, so can the player. He also reflects on the need for dialogue to facilitate self-expression and discovery for players, recognizing the diverse motivations they bring to the genre.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition is an excellent, subtle remaster and my new Steam Deck game of the summer

Neverwinter Nights 2 has received a remaster that enhances the original 2006 RPG, making it appealing to both returning players and newcomers. The remaster is compatible with existing mods and fan campaigns, and it allows for play on the Steam Deck. The game maintains its real-time with pause combat mechanics and isometric camera view, with controls adapting well for gamepad use. Performance on the Steam Deck is impressive, achieving a consistent 60fps, though some areas may cause frame rate drops, and battery life is limited to under three hours. The Enhanced Edition features sharper textures and a user interface that scales to HD resolutions, while also being more efficient in CPU usage. It supports cloud saves and retains compatibility with old save files, allowing for a seamless transition for players. The remaster focuses on delivering a polished experience without aiming for flashy graphics, preserving the original's charm and quirks.

AppWizard

July 13, 2025

The Expanse RPG’s developers are ‘humbled’ by comparisons to BioWare’s heyday, but don’t expect it to be a straight Mass Effect clone: ‘We make our story a little bit differently’

Owlcat is developing a role-playing game titled The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, inspired by the narrative depth and character-driven gameplay of BioWare's Mass Effect series. Creative director Alexander Mishulin acknowledged the influence of Mass Effect on their project, stating that many team members grew up playing it and that it has significantly impacted them as game developers. The game aims to blend intricate storytelling with engaging combat mechanics, appealing to both new players and fans of narrative-driven RPGs.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Video Game Review | ‘Stellar Blade’ Comes to PC

Stellar Blade, originally a PlayStation 5 exclusive, has been released as a PC port. The game's narrative follows Eve, the last member of the 7th Airborne Squad, as she navigates a post-apocalyptic Earth to confront the Elder Naytiba. The combat system features heavy-hitting combos and a satisfying parry mechanic, with impressive animations. The game was tested on an RTX 4070 Super with 32 GB of RAM at maximum settings, running smoothly at 60 frames per second with minor audio glitches and occasional lag. Critics have compared it to Nier Automata, describing it as a budget version, but the combat mechanics are considered superior. Stellar Blade is available on Steam, the Epic Store, and the PlayStation Store.