combat mechanics Archives

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

RTS games aren’t dead yet – but nothing hits quite like Starcraft 2

The real-time strategy (RTS) genre has seen a resurgence, with Starcraft 2 celebrating its 16th anniversary next week. The game features a rich campaign and has received updates to its multiplayer mode, reigniting interest among players. The mission design in Starcraft 2 is praised for advancing the narrative while introducing new units and mechanics organically. One notable mission, 'Outbreak,' involves strategic gameplay using a day/night cycle and the introduction of the Hellion unit. The game includes hidden tutorials and optional objectives, allowing for tailored experiences and non-linear progression. Despite its age, Starcraft 2 maintains a polished interface and fluid gameplay. It is now accessible as a free-to-play title, allowing players to enjoy the entirety of Wings of Liberty and several co-op characters. The RTS genre faces challenges in attracting new audiences, but Starcraft 2 remains a compelling choice for those seeking a strategic experience.

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

Xbox Announces Fable, Gears of War: E-Day, Metro 2039, Minecraft Dungeons 2 and More for Gamescom

Xbox will return to Gamescom from August 26th to 30th, featuring 25 playable titles including Stranger Than Heaven, Alien: Isolation 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, Minecraft Dungeons 2, and Metro 2039. Players can engage with the multiplayer mode of Modern Warfare 4, and Playground Games will present a live demonstration of Fable's combat mechanics. Attendees will experience the campaign of Gears of War: E-Day before its launch. Other titles include Alien Deathstorm, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, Turok Origins, and Valor Mortis. Halo: Campaign Evolved and the Drift Attack mode in Forza Horizon 6 will also be available. Live broadcasts are scheduled for 7 AM PST on August 26th and 27th, featuring interviews and gameplay reveals. Gamescom Opening Night Live will occur on August 25th, showcasing titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past and Silent Hill: Townfall.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

10 highly anticipated new games coming to PC in August 2026

In August 2026, ten notable video game titles are set to launch on PC: - Beast of Reincarnation - August 3: An action-RPG by Game Freak featuring real-time and turn-based combat. - Big Walk - August 4: A co-operative open-world adventure from the creators of Untitled Goose Game. - Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls - August 6: A fighting game featuring iconic Marvel characters like Spider-Man and Captain America. - Agefield High: Rock The School - August 12: A spiritual successor to Bully, offering a nostalgic schoolyard experience. - Hell Let Loose: Vietnam - August 13: A 50v50 player battle game set during the Vietnam War. - The Sinking City 2 - August 18: A survival-horror sequel with Lovecraftian elements. - Mortal Shell 2 - August 20: A sequel known for its challenging combat mechanics, with a free demo available on Steam. - Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 - August 27: Includes re-releases of Metal Gear Solid 4 and Peace Walker. - Star Wars Zero Company - August 27: An X-COM-style game set during the Clone Wars, featuring Anakin Skywalker. - Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy - August 27: A prequel exploring an original story in the Plague Tale universe.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

I suck at fighting games, but Marvel Tōkon has the sauce

Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls was unveiled during Sony's 2025 State of Play, featuring striking graphic design and a beta now available for players. The game introduces a mechanic where teammates can join in for follow-up attacks after specific combos, allowing for seamless character transitions and intricate combos. Its stylish presentation enhances the gameplay experience, making it more accessible for novice players interested in fighting games.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Ascend to ZERO: A Time-Bending Roguelike Sharpened to the Last Second

Ascend to ZERO has launched on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, and XBOX Cloud, and is part of the XBOX Play Anywhere initiative, accessible through XBOX Game Pass. The game features a 30-second countdown timer for each run, with damage taken reducing the time. A unique Time-Stop feature allows players to freeze everything while they move, enabling strategic positioning and action planning. Combat mechanics focus on autonomous targeting, allowing players to concentrate on strategy. The leveling system enables rapid progression from level 1 to hundreds of thousands. The game includes a new difficulty system for tailored challenges and an in-game play guide for player support. The late-game experience is designed to maintain excitement with strategic decision-making and culminates in a boss battle.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

Even though Old School RuneScape was ‘not built to have a LAN setup at all,’ it just had a live esports tournament with 4,000 attendees: ‘We were doubting at times whether we actually can pull it off’

On June 20, 4,000 fans attended the Deadman All Stars PvP tournament for Old School RuneScape in Chicago, with over one million viewers online. The tournament showcased a successful adaptation of the game for modern esports, featuring a combat system that requires quick item switching and strategic gameplay. Players used their own equipment for comfort and performance, often opting for a low-resolution display to enhance focus. The matches followed a format similar to crew battles, with players starting fresh accounts and a 120-hour playtime limit to prepare. Jagex faced logistical challenges in creating a LAN setup for the tournament, which was their first major event in North America and their largest to date, surpassing RuneFest in the UK.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Console-exclusive Silent Hill game finally gets PC release 14 years later

Aleksey Shevchenko, a Russian developer, has announced an unofficial PC port of Silent Hill Downpour, originally released in 2012 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This port will feature enhanced graphics with resolutions up to 1440p and support for 60 frames per second, along with improved lighting and shadow effects. It will include both controller and keyboard/mouse support, quick-save and quick-load options, and the ability to skip cutscenes. The port will also restore previously cut content, including deleted cutscenes, dialogues, notes, quests, 3D models, weapons, and a teased deleted boss fight. A specific release date has not been provided, but it is expected to launch in autumn. Players will need to own the original game to access the port. The original Silent Hill Downpour received mixed reviews, with criticism of its combat mechanics and technical issues but praise for its character depth and storytelling.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Epic Games Store Makes $50 Worth of PC Games Free

The Epic Games Store is offering two free games from July 9th to July 16th: Tattoo Tycoon and Nova Lands. Tattoo Tycoon, developed by CrazyBunch and released in October 2025, allows players to manage a tattoo parlor, featuring isometric management mechanics and a mini-game for tattoo application, though it has received criticism for clunky controls. It holds a “Mixed” rating on Steam. Nova Lands, developed by Behemutt and launched in June 2023, is a base-building simulation with a retro 2D art style, averaging a score of 79 on Metacritic and also holding a “Mixed” rating on Steam. Players gather resources to automate processes and expand their bases, with simplistic combat mechanics. The next free titles will be Echo Generation: Midnight Edition and Luto, available from July 16th to July 23rd.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Review: 22 CPU and 30 GPU Benchmarks

Ubisoft is releasing Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the original 2013 game, developed by Ubisoft Singapore. The remake utilizes an enhanced Anvil engine, featuring technological advancements such as ray tracing, fluid-based wind simulation, and virtualized geometry. Players will again control Edward Kenway, with a narrative that follows his transformation from a buccaneer to an Assassin. The game includes redesigned environments with new paths and parkour elements, expanded mission designs, and omits modern-day scenes for better immersion. Players can upgrade their ship, the Jackdaw, and interact with historical figures like Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Naval combat has been revitalized with improved customization, boarding maneuvers, and combat mechanics.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Here’s the Black Flag Resynced release time for your region

Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the pirate-themed Assassin's Creed game, will be released on July 9. Console versions will launch at midnight local time, while PC release times are as follows: West Coast US at 7 am PDT, East Coast US at 10 am EDT, UK at 3 pm BST, Europe at 4 pm CEST, Australia at 12 am AEST (July 10), and New Zealand at 2 pm NZDT (July 10). The game offers a preload option that started on July 7, allowing players to download it in advance, requiring 65 GB of available space.