combat Archives

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Path of Exile is ripping up the rulebook, and nothing is “untouchable” – but don’t get your hopes up for a campaign skip

Path of Exile 3.29 introduces significant changes, including the removal of socket colors, a rebalancing of over 100 skills, and the addition of underwater combat. Game Director Mark 'Neon' Roberts and Game Designer Christopher 'Octavian' Laferriere discussed the decision to remove socket colors, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in game design. They oppose allowing players to skip the campaign, believing it diminishes emotional investment in characters. The expansion will introduce a third ascendancy for the Scion class, called the Luminary, focused on managing mercenaries. Upcoming content includes a new pinnacle boss related to Breach, accessed through an item named Zorath's Eye of Malevolence. Path of Exile 2 is set to launch at the end of the year, with the team confident in their development progress. Exilecon is approaching, generating excitement for community feedback.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Cozy new open-world RPG to rival Minecraft launches on Steam, free to try

Taival is a newly launched co-op adventure RPG developed by Bonobo Software and published by Level Up Gaming, currently available in early access on PC via Steam. The game supports up to four players and features a unique shapeshifting companion called the Henki, whose quest involves recovering fragments of its lost heritage and restoring the Heartstone. Players can transform into various creatures through the Henki, unlocking unique abilities for exploration and combat. The game world is hand-crafted, featuring distinct realms and engaging NPC quests. Taival is priced at .99, with a 20% discount until July 28, and a free demo is available.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Minecraft and Hytale’s devs agreed their games needed to feel “more different.” Now it’s finally happening.

Hypixel Studios has revealed a new vision for Hytale, distinguishing it from Minecraft. Game Director Simon Collins-Laflamme noted a conversation with Minecraft's Chief Creative Officer, Jens 'Jeb' Bergensten, who expressed a desire for Hytale to develop its own identity. Bergensten acknowledged Hytale's polish but preferred playing Minecraft, prompting Collins-Laflamme to emphasize the importance of Hytale's unique features, which were not yet present in the game. The recent Chapter 1 preview showcases significant differences, including handcrafted dungeons with multi-phase boss fights, enhanced combat abilities, runeforging for customization, immersive world events, and companions in the crafting loop. Collins-Laflamme aims for Hytale to evolve into a deeper RPG experience, stating it is only at the beginning of its journey. The differentiation benefits both Hytale and Minecraft, allowing them to thrive in their respective niches. Other voxel-based games, like Everwind and Vintage Story, further demonstrate the variety of gameplay experiences possible within the voxel style.

BetaBeacon

July 19, 2026

Tired of free-to-play trash? These 6 Android games are worth paying for in 2026

- Minecraft Bedrock for Android offers full cross-play gameplay support with Bedrock PC and console users, as well as the same marketplace and servers. - Stardew Valley on Android has a more stable multiplayer scene and supports extensive modding, but there is no official mod support for the Android version. - Animal Crossing Pocket Camp Complete offers a mobile-first design focused on a cozy camp experience, and progression is tied to leveling up friendships with villagers. - Balatro is an addictive rogue-like deck builder game that feels like a cross between poker and solitaire. - Siralim Ultimate is a monster-catching RPG with over 1,200 creatures to engage with and places an emphasis on strategic squad-building. - Dead Cells is a unique game with smooth and responsive combat that can be challenging and addictive, offering a decent narrative and dark humor.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

RTS IS BACK! The Best Upcoming Real-Time Strategy (RTS) Games of 2026-2027

The real-time strategy (RTS) genre, which thrived in the late 90s and early 2000s, experienced a decline from the late 2000s until around 2015 but is expected to make a comeback in 2026 and 2027. Anticipated titles include Stronghold 4, ZeroSpace, D.O.R.F., Dawn of War IV, and Total War: Warhammer 40,000. Bergfried, developed by Quid Pro Games, is a medieval strategy game that combines castle-building mechanics, town management, and real-time combat, with a unique grid reflecting European castle shapes. Panzer Strike, by ISAK Team, aims to recapture the essence of late 90s RTS games and is set for release in Q3 2026. Falling Frontier, a procedurally generated space RTS, is highly wishlisted on Steam and promises detailed ship combat. Chronicles: Medieval, releasing in 2026, offers a sandbox strategy experience during the Hundred Years’ War, blending free-roaming gameplay with large-scale battles. Dinolords, developed by Northplay, features a medieval world with armored dinosaurs and allows players to control dinosaur-riding Lords, presenting a unique twist on traditional RTS gameplay.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

For years, survival games have convinced us that chopping down 400 trees is somehow part of the fantasy—Palworld proves them wrong

Survival games often involve repetitive tasks like gathering resources and building bases. Palworld, released on Steam's early access, differentiates itself by allowing players to capture "Pals" that perform laborious tasks, reducing the grind typical of the genre. Players initially engage in standard survival activities but can later assign Pals to chop wood, water crops, gather resources, and manage planting and harvesting. This transforms the player's base into a self-sustaining entity, enabling them to explore without the anxiety of leaving their base unattended. The game encourages players to consider the utility of Pals in addition to their combat abilities, allowing for a more dynamic gameplay experience. Palworld retains core survival mechanics while minimizing repetitive tasks, focusing on adventure and exploration.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

This week’s Epic Games Store free games go spooky with mystery and psychological horror

This week, the Epic Games Store is offering two games for free: Luto, a first-person psychological horror game that explores themes of dreams, secrets, love, loss, and regret, and Echo Generation, a nostalgic adventure game inspired by pop culture references. Luto features a haunting narrative and an unsettling environment, while Echo Generation includes a vibrant voxel art style and engaging combat with button-mashing mini-games. Both games are available from July 16 to July 23 and will remain in players' libraries indefinitely once claimed.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Marathon’s ‘experimental’ PvE mode will only be playable for 2 weeks when it goes live in July, full rollout expected to happen sometime in Season 3

Marathon's Vault Breaker PvE mode will launch on July 21 and be available for two weeks until August 4. A full rollout is expected in Marathon's third season, starting on September 22, though the exact date is uncertain. Bungie previously tested a Sponsored Survival mode in June, which received positive feedback from players. The studio is under pressure to deliver with the declining popularity of Destiny 2 and internal changes.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Survival Horror RPG GRAFT Debuts Story Trailer During Convergence Games Showcase 2026

GRAFT is a survival horror RPG set in a deteriorating megastructure called the Arc. The game features a haunting world filled with challenges, where players must master forgotten technologies and navigate through various environments. Players will engage in a dark RPG story, forming alliances that can lead to danger. Combat involves facing ancient experiments and a deranged AI, requiring strategic resource management. The player's body can be transformed into a weapon through Grafts, enhancing abilities and presenting moral choices linked to fragmented memories. GRAFT is available for wishlisting on Steam and the Epic Games Store.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

The Best Dodo Studios Add-Ons for Minecraft Bedrock on PS5 Worth Your…

The Dodo Studios Minecraft Bedrock marketplace offers over 400 add-ons, worlds, and skin packs for the Bedrock Edition, accessible through the official Minecraft Marketplace without third-party downloads. The content supports cross-platform play on mobile, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation, allowing diverse gaming experiences. Each product page includes a rating, features, and pricing typically under a few hundred Minecoins. Notable offerings include Bed Wars for competitive matches, One Block for a unique survival challenge, and Craftable Houses and Mansions for creative building. Secret Doors and the WEAPONS++ pack enhance gameplay with innovative features. The marketplace has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from nearly half a million reviews, with most items priced affordably, encouraging players to purchase multiple add-ons. Players can easily choose their first purchase based on their preferred gameplay style, and Dodo Studios regularly adds new content to the marketplace.