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Total War Medieval 3 aims for emergent character growth: "We have no plans for skill trees"
AppWizard
May 17, 2026

Total War Medieval 3 aims for emergent character growth: “We have no plans for skill trees”

Total War Medieval 3 is in development by Creative Assembly, with Creative Director Leif Walter actively communicating with the community. The team has decided against including skill trees in the game due to concerns about repetitiveness, instead opting for emergent gameplay elements like traits and ancillaries. The focus will be on dynasties rather than individual characters, allowing players to cultivate distinct identities over a long time span. Walter acknowledged the influence of the modding community, specifically citing Europa Barbarorum 2 and the Stainless Steel megapack as inspirations. He emphasized the need to balance accessibility and depth in the game, ensuring it remains engaging for both experienced and less experienced players while maintaining historical authenticity.
Final Fantasy 11 takes cues from FF14 as Square Enix plans a dramatic free trial expansion
AppWizard
May 17, 2026

Final Fantasy 11 takes cues from FF14 as Square Enix plans a dramatic free trial expansion

Final Fantasy 11 is set to enhance its free trial experience by removing the current two-week limit and raising the level cap for trial players from 50 to 75. The changes aim to allow players unrestricted playtime and greater engagement with the game, similar to the successful free trial model of Final Fantasy 14. Certain restrictions will remain to prevent farming bots and scammers, including limitations on using the auction house, party invitations, earning more than 100,000 gil at a time, and communication methods. Director Yoji Fujito acknowledged that the existing trial limitations feel outdated and expressed a desire to implement these changes before the game's 25th anniversary in May 2027.
MMOs are better if classes are imbalanced—you just need to do it on purpose
AppWizard
May 17, 2026

MMOs are better if classes are imbalanced—you just need to do it on purpose

Hikaru Tamaki, during the Final Fantasy 14: Evercold presentation, revealed that the design team is considering a 90% damage reduction buff for the new Dragoon class while using its Sky High action. The game has maintained a strong job balance, partly due to the lack of a traditional talent tree system, which is currently under review. The developers are introducing a feature that allows players to sync their highest item level across different jobs, facilitating easier role adaptation without excessive grinding. The article suggests that MMO developers should enhance existing systems rather than reinvent them, advocating for a "purposefully imbalanced" framework where classes excel in specific areas while relying on others for support.
The Talos Principle 3: The Trilogy Will Be Realized on PC and Console
AppWizard
May 17, 2026

The Talos Principle 3: The Trilogy Will Be Realized on PC and Console

Developer Croteam and publisher Devolver Digital have announced The Talos Principle 3 for PC and consoles, concluding the trilogy. A specific release date has not been provided, but more details are expected during gaming events like Summer Game Fest or Gamescom. The game takes place in the Anomaly, a world with altered physics, where players will solve puzzles and explore themes of existence and mortality. It features a mix of familiar and new puzzle mechanics, a narrative crafted by Jonas Kyratzes, Verena Kyratzes, and Tom Jubert, and an original soundtrack by Damjan Mravunac.
Steampunk colony sim Steel Artery is here, and it's "emergent chaos" aboard a giant train
AppWizard
May 16, 2026

Steampunk colony sim Steel Artery is here, and it’s “emergent chaos” aboard a giant train

Steel Artery is a train city-building simulation game set in a moving city called Steelpolis, developed by SoulAge23. It combines elements from colony simulation games and features fully autonomous citizens with their own needs and desires. Players manage the population, production chains, and resources while navigating challenges and social tensions. The game has stunning pixel artwork and offers a unique experience with each playthrough. It is available on Steam with an 89% positivity rate from initial reviews, highlighting its complexity and management challenges. The game is priced at .24 during a promotional period, with a 10% discount until May 22.
Destruction sandbox Besiege's new space DLC gets far bigger than anything you've seen before
AppWizard
May 16, 2026

Destruction sandbox Besiege’s new space DLC gets far bigger than anything you’ve seen before

Besiege: The Broken Beyond is the next expansion for the sandbox game Besiege, set to release in the second quarter of 2026. This expansion introduces a universe with varying gravitational forces and features larger, immersive environments compared to previous versions. Players will encounter celestial bodies like asteroids and planets, each affecting gameplay through unique gravitational fields. The game aims to balance realistic physics with whimsical gameplay, adhering to the inverse square law for gravitational pull. Different celestial shapes will provide varied gravitational experiences, and players will face challenges such as space debris and obstacles. Further insights into the game’s mechanics, including planetary atmospheres, will be revealed as the release date approaches.
Sink your teeth into V Rising for free this weekend, and you can grab the full game for less than half price
AppWizard
May 16, 2026

Sink your teeth into V Rising for free this weekend, and you can grab the full game for less than half price

V Rising is currently available for free on Steam until Monday, allowing players to experience the game without initial cost. The full version is offered at a 55% discount, priced at £16, and six downloadable content packs are available at a 20% discount. The game features exploration, resource gathering, and base-building, with players taking on the role of a vampire. It has received a score of 89% from critic Lewis Parker, who praised its progression system and boss fights. A new patch has been released to improve gameplay and balance PvP encounters. The promotional offers will last until May 21. Stunlock Studios is also working on a new title related to the vampire theme.
Borderlands 4's new tag-team superboss borrows a killer trick from Dark Souls' Ornstein and Smough
AppWizard
May 16, 2026

Borderlands 4’s new tag-team superboss borrows a killer trick from Dark Souls’ Ornstein and Smough

Borderlands 4 will release update 1.7 on May 28, featuring a new raid boss encounter with two bosses named Subjugator and Thol the Invincible. Players will face these bosses in a tag-team combat style, with dynamic attacks as the battle progresses. Defeating one boss leads to a final confrontation with the survivor gaining a power boost. New rewards include the Pearlescent Ripper SMG, Jail-Broken Gatling, and four legendary items: Lockjaw assault rifle, Shammy Kablammy pistol, Flak Cannon heavy weapon, and Collector energy shield. Each Vault Hunter will receive a unique class mod. The update will also introduce a toggle for shared character progression. A 40% discount on the game is currently available on Steam. Version 1.8 is planned for late June, introducing a Takedown challenge and Bounty Pack 3 DLC.
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