NewApp Digest
search bot

competitive gameplay

The best extraction shooters on PC or: how I learned there are other games like Arc Raiders
AppWizard
March 16, 2026

The best extraction shooters on PC or: how I learned there are other games like Arc Raiders

Extraction shooters are experiencing a renaissance with a growing selection of titles catering to various playstyles. These games revolve around the concept of "extraction," requiring players to safely leave a mission area with collected loot, risking loss upon death. Arc Raiders is a third-person extraction shooter available on Steam and Epic, where players combat massive flying robots and navigate potential teammate betrayal while scavenging for gear. It features aggressive matchmaking and offers both PvE and PvP experiences, with optional seasonal gear wipes. Marathon, a first-person extraction shooter from Bungie, includes unique character classes with distinct abilities and fast-paced rounds. Players can quickly accumulate gear and have unlimited free loadouts, with a narrative enriched by colorful quest-givers. Escape from Duckov is a top-down extraction shooter where players control ducks on quests, offering easy mechanics, exploration, base building, and gear upgrades, making it suitable for newcomers. Hunt: Showdown is set in the Louisiana bayou, emphasizing stealth and strategic gameplay as players hunt bosses and contend with rival hunters, featuring a long-term progression system. Witchfire blends single-player gameplay with fast-paced action and inventive weapons, maintaining an engaging loop of resource gathering and upgrading, currently in Early Access. The Forever Winter is a third-person shooter set in an apocalyptic world, focusing on survival amidst towering mechs and tanks, still in Early Access with some performance challenges. The extraction shooter genre is diversifying, offering experiences for both casual gamers and seasoned veterans.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
March 11, 2026

The best FPS games of all time, from a PC gaming veteran

First-person shooters (FPS) have captivated gamers since the early 1990s, with influential titles shaping the genre. - Wolfenstein 3D: Developed by id Software, released on May 5, 1992, for PC (MS-DOS). It established core gameplay with real-time movement and first-person perspectives. - Quake: Developed by id Software, released on June 22, 1996, for PC (MS-DOS, Windows). It transitioned FPS from 2.5D to true 3D rendering, enhancing gameplay speed and introducing vertical aiming. - Half-Life: Developed by Valve, released on November 19, 1998, for PC (Windows, Linux, Mac). It integrated storytelling with gameplay, featuring a silent protagonist and advanced AI. - Counter-Strike 1.6: Developed by Valve, released in September 2003 for PC (Windows, Mac, Linux). Originally a mod for Half-Life, it emphasized teamwork and strategy in competitive gameplay. - Halo 2: Developed by Bungie, released on November 9, 2004, for Xbox and PC. It introduced new perspectives and moral complexities, with a strong online multiplayer experience. - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: Developed by Infinity Ward, released on November 5, 2007, for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It transformed military FPS with a cinematic approach and persistent progression in multiplayer. - Left 4 Dead: Developed by Valve, released on November 17, 2008, for PC and Xbox 360. It focused on cooperative gameplay against zombies, featuring a dynamic AI Director. - Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Developed by EA DICE, released on March 2, 2010, for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It featured large-scale combat and destructible environments, emphasizing squad cooperation. Other notable FPS games include GoldenEye 007, Titanfall, and Bioshock, contributing to the genre's diversity and appeal.
Marathon feels like the yin to my Arc Raiders yang
AppWizard
March 4, 2026

Marathon feels like the yin to my Arc Raiders yang

In Arc Raiders, players can collaborate through features like proximity chat and shared objectives, while also facing formidable foes. The game emphasizes a relaxed atmosphere with opportunities for camaraderie among players. In contrast, Marathon fosters a competitive mindset, encouraging aggressive interactions and a focus on maximizing player-versus-player effectiveness. The first-person perspective in Marathon aligns with a competitive gameplay style, while the third-person viewpoint in Arc Raiders promotes social interaction and community engagement. Both games provide safety nets for players to recover lost resources, but they offer distinctly different experiences in terms of gameplay dynamics and player interactions.
Vanguard Princess PC Port DLC Launches In Early Access On Steam With Online Play
AppWizard
February 17, 2026

Vanguard Princess PC Port DLC Launches In Early Access On Steam With Online Play

eigoMANGA has released the Vanguard Princess Mobile (PC Port) DLC in Early Access on Steam, requiring the base version of Vanguard Princess. This DLC adapts the mobile version of the 2D fighting game for PC, featuring online play and enhanced control options. The Early Access version includes Story Mode, Versus Mode, Training Mode, Tutorial Mode, and Online Mode, with online multiplayer supported by Photon Unity Networking 2 (PUN2). Players can customize controls and use various input methods, including keyboards and gamepads. The combat system retains the assist mechanic, allowing players to extend combos and manage battles. The Early Access phase will focus on gameplay balance, online stability, and performance updates based on player feedback.
Top Mobile Games to Try in 2026: PlayStation‑Level Fun on Android
BetaBeacon
February 16, 2026

Top Mobile Games to Try in 2026: PlayStation‑Level Fun on Android

- Genshin Impact is an open-world action RPG game available on Android with high-end visuals and constant seasonal updates. - Call of Duty: Mobile brings the classic FPS franchise to Android with fast-paced multiplayer matches and a battle royale mode. - Hearthstone is a strategy card game set in the Warcraft universe, offering deep strategy for veterans and regular expansions. - Just Dance Now brings the energetic dance-filled experience of the Just Dance series to mobile devices with thousands of popular songs to dance to. - The Elder Scrolls: Blades brings the world of Tamriel to mobile devices with fast-paced combat, dungeon crawling, and town building.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
January 30, 2026

Black Ops 7 Season 2 is bringing some wild loadout additions, and I haven’t been this scared of a scorestreak in years

Treyarch is set to introduce new content for Black Ops 7 Season 2, including a scorestreak called the Lockshot, inspired by Titanfall's Smart Pistols, which can lock onto multiple targets and eliminate them with a single trigger pull. Players will also have access to new weapons through the battle pass, including the REV-46 submachine gun, EGRT-17 assault rifle, and H311-SAW melee weapon. Additional weapons, such as the SG-12 shotgun, Voyak KT-3 assault rifle, and the returning Swordfish burst rifle from Black Ops 4, will be available later in the season. Season 2 will also feature the launch of Ranked Play, providing a competitive gameplay environment. The season officially begins on February 5.
Best Mobile Games for 2026
BetaBeacon
January 2, 2026

Best Mobile Games for 2026

- Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption was released on mobile in 2025, including the original story campaign and Undead Nightmare expansion, priced at .99 or available through a Netflix subscription. - Subnautica also transitioned to mobile, offering a survival adventure set on an alien oceanic planet, optimized for touch controls and supporting controllers, priced at .99. - Persona 5: The Phantom X delivered a mobile-specific RPG experience with gacha mechanics and turn-based combat, maintaining ties to the original Persona 5 storyline, and offering free-to-play mechanics. - Where Winds Meet is an open-world wuxia title on mobile with demanding hardware requirements, featuring cross-progression support and light monetization. - DREDGE brought its Eldritch fishing simulation to mobile, included in Google Play Pass for subscribers, priced at .99. - Cassette Beasts is a premium turn-based RPG inspired by Pokémon on mobile, offering cassette monster collection and combat, priced at .99. - Destiny: Rising brought the FPS MMO experience to mobile for free, with typical NetEase monetization strategies. - Enter the Gungeon and Exit the Gungeon were released on mobile simultaneously, offering bullet hell and platforming gameplay with touchscreen and controller support. - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown combined platforming and Metroidvania elements in a 2.5D action-adventure on mobile, offering offline play and full controller support.
From sprawling open-world RPGs to ingenious roguelikes, here are the ten best PC games of 2025
AppWizard
December 25, 2025

From sprawling open-world RPGs to ingenious roguelikes, here are the ten best PC games of 2025

In 2025, indie and double-A titles gained prominence in the gaming landscape, overshadowing high-budget blockbusters. Notable games included Clair Obscur, Dispatch, Blue Prince, and Schedule 1. PCGamesN's top ten PC games of 2025 are as follows: 10. Hades 2 - Early access game with extensive content, new bosses, and an expanded narrative. 9. Split Fiction - Co-op game emphasizing friendship and sisterhood with vibrant visuals and clever puzzles. 8. Arc Raiders - Unique extraction shooter with a community-focused gameplay experience. 7. Routine - Single-player survival horror set on a deserted moon station, offering a concise and chilling experience. 6. Battlefield 6 - Multiplayer-focused game known for dynamic gameplay and large-scale battles. 5. Dispatch - Episodic narrative game featuring character-driven storytelling and humor. 4. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 - Open-world game set in 15th-century Bohemia with a focus on realism and exploration. 3. Hollow Knight Silksong - Sequel with refined gameplay and a beautifully crafted world. 2. Blue Prince - Roguelike puzzle game that encourages exploration and problem-solving. 1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Game of the Year with a profound narrative, innovative combat system, and artistic presentation.
Out of all the new games I've played in 2025, Grounded 2 deserves a special nod simply because it makes me like a genre that I really don't like: multiplayer survival
AppWizard
December 22, 2025

Out of all the new games I’ve played in 2025, Grounded 2 deserves a special nod simply because it makes me like a genre that I really don’t like: multiplayer survival

Over the past year, 32 new gaming titles were released, with Grounded 2 emerging as a favorite. The game builds on its predecessor, which was played for over 110 hours, and emphasizes adventure and teamwork without competitive pressure. Players can engage in cooperative resource gathering or solo missions, fostering enjoyable experiences. Grounded 2 features awe-inspiring moments and rewards fun over competition, making it popular among families. It is currently in early access, with a full version expected by the end of 2026, allowing for ongoing content updates. The game has reshaped the author's perspective on multiplayer gaming, highlighting its non-competitive appeal.
Search