combat system Archives

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

Solasta 2 has an impossible act to follow, but I’m hooked on its D&D roadtrip vibes

Solasta 2 is an Early Access sequel developed by Tactical Adventures, designed to be faithful to the tabletop D&D experience. The game emphasizes mechanics over narrative, featuring a hex-grid map and a party of four adopted siblings. Players engage in exploration and combat, with a variety of environmental factors influencing decisions. The combat system allows for both ranged and melee attacks, and events often require ability checks or dice rolls. Character creation is limited to four ancestries and six classes, with some animation issues present. The early hours of the game feel somewhat linear, with limited choices, but a roadmap for future updates is in place. Estimated playtime for Act One is 10-15 hours, though players may exceed this as they explore.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

XCOM meets Rashomon in Vaunted, a tactical RPG where your characters can rewrite history from their perspective

Vaunted is a sci-fi tactical RPG developed by Hooded Horse, showcased during the Xbox Partner Preview. Players navigate a criminal underworld, commanding a team of thieves and mercenaries after a high-stakes expedition goes awry. The game features a dual combat system that allows toggling between turn-based strategy and real-time action, enhancing tactical gameplay. Character loss can lead to new narrative perspectives, with player decisions significantly impacting the story. The game includes a roguelite element where characters earn "credibility" for upgrades upon death. James Phinney, known for his work on StarCraft and Guild Wars, leads the development team. Vaunted is set to launch later this year, although a specific release date has not been announced.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

This one small mod makes Crimson Desert a must-buy game

Crimson Desert offers a blend of solid gameplay and a captivating combat system, though it has received mixed reviews from critics, being described as merely 'okay.' The game features a frustrating stamina system that hampers exploration, leading players to consider mods. A 200KB mod for infinite stamina was found on Nexus Mods, which significantly enhanced the gameplay experience by removing the stamina constraint. Despite this improvement, the game still has issues such as fetch quests, crashes, and visual glitches. The narrative is often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics. The game is available for purchase at Fanatical for .49 / £46.74, with a 15% discount using the code 'FANATICAL15.' The player has logged over 20 hours in the game since its launch.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Everything you need to know about Star Wars Zero Company

Bit Reactor's tactical game, Star Wars Zero Company, is set in the Clone Wars era and is projected to launch in 2026, though a specific release date has not been disclosed. The game features tactical combat mechanics similar to XCOM and allows players to command a mercenary group made up of former operatives from the Separatist and Republic factions. Players control a custom protagonist named Hawks, accompanied by a clone buddy named Trick, and can choose from a diverse cast of squadmates, each with unique abilities. Character customization is extensive, allowing players to select from various classes and alien species for their mercenaries. Combat involves controlling a squad of four characters with three action points per turn, and players can engage in tactical missions and non-combat operations that affect squad morale and narrative outcomes. The home base, called the Den, serves as a hub for research, gear upgrades, and mission selections. The game will not include player-centric romance subplots. Developed by Bit Reactor and published by Respawn under EA, the narrative direction is led by Aaron Contreras.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Banquet For Fools review

Banquet for Fools is an immersive role-playing game set to release on March 5, 2026, by Hannah and Joseph Games. Players engage deeply with the game world, which lacks traditional quest logs and markers, requiring them to take notes to track objectives. The game begins with a chaotic scene and spans three centuries into the future, where players create questing parties with unconventional characters. The narrative is intentionally vague, and players must interpret information conveyed through elaborate scrolls and hand-drawn notes. Traveling in the game is a significant experience, with players choosing routes that impact their resources and survival. Encounters with friendly groups or hostile enemies add tension, and combat is real-time, requiring tactical decisions and quick reactions. The combat system emphasizes a personal connection to attacks and encourages players to unlock new abilities that enhance tactical options. Challenges include vague directions from NPCs and a strict day/night cycle, which can lead to frustration but also deepen player engagement with the game world. Each setback offers opportunities to learn and adapt, making the experience rewarding despite its complexities.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Crimson Desert’s reviews may be mixed, but here’s how you could get the game for just $1 and avoid buyer’s remorse

Crimson Desert is a game that occupies a 6-7/10 rating range, offering a fantasy-infused sandbox environment. Current reviews have not met player expectations, with scores falling short of the anticipated 8-9 range. Players assume the role of Kliff, a member of the Greymanes, tasked with rebuilding after an attack by the Black Bears. The gameplay features dragon riding, jetpack flights, and combat against various enemies, with a straightforward revenge narrative driving the combat system. The Fanatical Mystery Star Bundle offers inexpensive Steam keys, priced at £1 each, which may include Crimson Desert or other titles like Resident Evil Requiem. Purchasing multiple stars reduces the cost per star, making it possible to acquire Crimson Desert at a low price.

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 19, 2026

Crimson Desert is “too much in the best and worst ways,” and that’s exactly why it’s unforgettable

Crimson Desert, developed by Pearl Abyss, is set to release on March 19, 2026, priced at .99, and will be available on PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. The game offers nearly 100 hours of gameplay and features a vast world with diverse activities, including competitive archery, outlaw tracking, investment banking, and brawling. Players can encounter nearly 100 different creatures, 34 crafting manuals, and 28 factions. Traveling the map can take about four hours on foot, but there are 28 different mounts to enhance exploration. The combat system includes around 30 attack combinations across melee, ranged, and magical options. Performance on Windows PCs is commendable, running smoothly on mid-range and high-end graphics cards, though some features may challenge lower-end systems. The character-swapping mechanic allows players to switch between characters for different missions, but it may feel underdeveloped. The narrative evolves from a tale of vengeance into a more intricate story with engaging set pieces and well-crafted dialogue.

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 17, 2026

Minecraft meets Wind Waker? Hytale with airships? Everwind is Steam’s latest big early access release, and it could be a winner with time

Two fantasy-themed sandbox titles, Hytale and Enjoy Studio's Everwind, have recently emerged, with Everwind featuring airships as a unique gameplay element. The game invites players to scavenge, craft, and explore in a procedurally generated world made of destructible voxel blocks, reminiscent of Minecraft. Players gather resources to create weapons, armor, tools, and furniture, while the game’s aesthetic evokes a muted, medieval fantasy atmosphere. Everwind's world consists of vast oceans and diverse islands, some floating in the sky. Players can engage in crafting and combat, with a stamina-based system that enhances gameplay. The process of salvaging and constructing airships involves scanning parts for blueprints and gathering essential components. Initial experiences may include challenges such as resource scarcity and unexpected events, but these can lead to deeper exploration. Air travel mechanics allow players to set speed and elevation, though early travel can be slow and lacks engaging distractions. The game is currently in early access and has the potential for growth and improvement over the next year.