combat Archives

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

15 years before Dishonored, Thief devs considered letting Garrett shrink himself rat-sized so he could scurry through drains and mouse holes

Corvo Attano, the protagonist of Dishonored, possesses the unique ability to inhabit various creatures, including rats, allowing him to access otherwise unreachable areas. This concept was considered for Thief: The Dark Project over a decade earlier. Both Thief and Dishonored feature stealthy protagonists embroiled in political intrigues, but Garrett from Thief lacks supernatural powers and relies solely on stealth. Thief emphasizes navigating environments without detection, while Dishonored allows for combat if stealth fails. Thief's focus on stealth mechanics has significantly influenced the genre. Recently, Thief has gained attention due to the announcement of a remaster, Thief: The Dark Project Remastered, by Nightdive Studios, which will include additional missions and enhancements. Original artist Daniel Thron is involved in revitalizing the game's cutscenes. A release date for the remaster has not been announced, but excitement within the gaming community is high.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

Modern Warfare 4 beta dates set for August, and this year Game Pass subscribers get no special treatment

Activision has announced the beta schedule for Modern Warfare 4, with two beta weekends planned. The first weekend, from August 21-25, is exclusive to pre-order customers on PC, PS5, and Xbox, while the second weekend, from August 28 to September 1, is an open public beta available on all platforms, including the Switch 2. Participants will have the opportunity to unlock 19 weapons and engage in various combat scenarios, including 3v3 skirmishes and larger battles with vehicles. Players can test new and returning game modes, such as Search & Destroy and Kill Block, as well as a Training Mobility Course. The full game is set to release in late October.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

NetEase to Launch New Title ‘Conqueror’s Blade: Three Kingdoms’ on July 24

Booming Tech, in collaboration with NetEase Games, will launch the action-strategy multiplayer PC game 'Conqueror's Blade: Three Kingdoms' globally on July 24. This game is a reinterpretation of the original Conqueror's Blade from 2019, featuring a free-to-play model with Korean localization. It enhances gameplay with real-time tactical commands and environmental strategies, moving away from repetitive combat. The game includes large-scale multiplayer battles across nearly 60 unique cities and various battlefields, allowing players to engage in combat, trade, craft weapons, or interact with historical figures. Players can also develop their characters by mastering skills and collecting weapons.

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.