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A new Crimson Desert update just fixed its empty world problem, and added two legendary pets
AppWizard
May 2, 2026

A new Crimson Desert update just fixed its empty world problem, and added two legendary pets

Crimson Desert has received a significant update (version 1.05) that introduces two new features: 'rematch' and 're-blockade' options. The rematch feature allows players to re-engage with any previously defeated boss at the original battle site using a Memory Fragment, with 69 bosses available and two modes—'Reminisce' for original encounters and 'Resonate' for scaled challenges. The re-blockade feature lets players adjust enemy respawn rates in strongholds, with three settings: 'Conflict,' 'War,' and 'Stable,' affecting 23 forts and quarries. Additionally, players can now discover two legendary animals, the Iron Eagle and the Hyacinth Macaw, and interact with goose and duck pets. The update also includes various bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements.
11 years after launch, Pillars of Eternity's new turn-based mode feels like the way it's meant to be played
AppWizard
April 7, 2026

11 years after launch, Pillars of Eternity’s new turn-based mode feels like the way it’s meant to be played

Pillars of Eternity celebrated its 11th anniversary with a significant update from Obsidian Entertainment, introducing a full turn-based mode alongside the original real-time with pause (RTWP) mechanics. The turn-based option had been in beta on Steam since November before its official release. The update includes extensive patch notes, and players have reported enjoying the new gameplay style, with some preferring it for future playthroughs. Discussions among industry professionals at last year's Game Developers Conference highlighted the evolving nature of combat systems, with optimism for the future of RTWP despite the rising popularity of turn-based mechanics.
1348 Ex Voto's stylish sword fighting and strong premise caught my attention, but the game's awful PC performance tainted the experience
AppWizard
March 12, 2026

1348 Ex Voto’s stylish sword fighting and strong premise caught my attention, but the game’s awful PC performance tainted the experience

1348 Ex Voto is a third-person action game set in 14th-century Italy, developed by Sedleo. Players control Aeta, a young noblewoman and knight-errant, navigating a plague-ridden landscape. The game struggles with performance on mid-range setups, particularly with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti and AMD Ryzen 7 5700X, maintaining a frame rate of 20 to 30 fps at 1440p resolution, and requiring low settings for a stable 60 fps. The sword-fighting mechanics are intricate, allowing players to choose between one-handed and two-handed longsword styles, and players can enhance Aeta's weapon and customize skills through a skill tree. The game features bugs, such as repeated lines during cutscenes, and lacks power scaling, which may reduce challenge by the final boss. Accessibility options are limited, focusing mainly on graphics settings and subtitles, with no customizable keybinds on PC. The review experience lasted eight hours, comparing visuals and performance to other medieval action titles.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
March 5, 2026

Control Resonant is far more of an RPG than I expected, complete with talent trees, stats screens, and build-crafting that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Diablo game

Control Resonant features a new protagonist, a different environment, and shifts from gunplay to melee combat, incorporating RPG mechanics. Players can customize their experience in a hub called The Gap, where they refine combat builds. The combat system allows players to charge supernatural abilities through weapon attacks, creating a cycle of attack and power accumulation. Customization includes a shape-shifting weapon, Aberrant, which offers various forms for different playstyles. Players can equip abilities gained from defeating bosses and utilize extensive talent trees for enhancements. The game includes diverse monsters and aims to provide varied combat experiences, drawing inspiration from action titles like Devil May Cry.
With a sequel on the way, now is the perfect time to pick up a Stellar Blade Steam key at 30% off
AppWizard
February 22, 2026

With a sequel on the way, now is the perfect time to pick up a Stellar Blade Steam key at 30% off

Stellar Blade, released on PC in June, has received positive reviews and is currently available at a 30% discount on Fanatical. The game features engaging combat mechanics where players control Eve, a warrior fighting alien creatures on a post-apocalyptic Earth. The combat system combines elements of soulslike games and Devil May Cry. However, the narrative is considered weak, with characters lacking depth and the storyline described as "serviceable" but unremarkable. The game includes a 25-hour campaign with collectibles and impressive boss battles. The Standard Edition is priced at .99 / £41.99, while the Complete Edition, which includes additional DLC and cosmetics, is available for .99 / £55.99. This discount offer is valid until February 23, 2026.
'I can finally do the thing I wanted to do in every previous game': Divinity's head of design teases a new mechanic without saying what it is
AppWizard
January 10, 2026

‘I can finally do the thing I wanted to do in every previous game’: Divinity’s head of design teases a new mechanic without saying what it is

Larian Studios is developing a new installment in the Divinity series, and while they have released a trailer, details about the game's mechanics and storyline remain undisclosed. Nick Pechenin, the design head at Larian, hinted in a Reddit AMA that the upcoming game will feature a new mechanic he has wanted to implement in previous titles. The gaming community is speculating on what this new feature could be, with suggestions including new forms of exploration, unique combat systems, or innovative crafting mechanisms.
Monster Hunter Wilds is on my GOTY list for a reason, but after a messy year I just want Capcom to wipe the slate clean with Master Rank DLC
AppWizard
December 30, 2025

Monster Hunter Wilds is on my GOTY list for a reason, but after a messy year I just want Capcom to wipe the slate clean with Master Rank DLC

The author apologizes to Yuya Tokuda, the director of Monster Hunter Wilds, for not using the weapon swap feature despite playing the game for over 100 hours. The game has received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 and is considered one of the year's best, but it has inconsistencies that affect player experience. Capcom has struggled with defining a clear direction for the game, particularly with the PC port facing performance issues. The difficulty of new quests varies significantly, leading to a lack of consistent challenge. Changes to the armor system have resulted in more powerful loadouts, but the introduction of tougher monsters may have been an overcorrection. The author's enthusiasm for Artian weapons has diminished, viewing them as tedious and detrimental to the crafting experience, suggesting they should be removed or made cosmetic.
In defense of tab-targeting: MMO devs have been trying to put dodge rolls in their games for 10+ years to avoid WoW, and it's never worked
AppWizard
November 16, 2025

In defense of tab-targeting: MMO devs have been trying to put dodge rolls in their games for 10+ years to avoid WoW, and it’s never worked

PC Gamer's column on MMORPGs explores trends in the genre, particularly the shift from tab-targeting systems to action combat systems among MMO designers. This trend emerged in the late 2010s and 2020s, with a prevailing belief that tab-targeting is outdated. The Old School RuneScape (OSRS) wiki highlights a mechanic called "tick eating," where players can consume food just before taking lethal damage, showcasing strategic gameplay. Action MMOs face challenges with tick rates that can hinder combat fluidity compared to single-player games, leading to a less stable experience. The author appreciates action combat but argues that tab-targeting and turn-based combat can also be engaging, emphasizing the complexity and depth of MMO combat in endgame content. The belief that action combat is superior is subjective, and the author suggests that developers should embrace traditional systems rather than reinventing them, as seen in the co-op PvE game Fellowship, which successfully integrates tab-targeting combat. The dominance of World of Warcraft in the MMO space raises questions about whether developers are overlooking the potential of established mechanics.
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