difficulty Archives

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Screamer’s racing action and storytelling are impressively unique, but the game needs balancing fast

Screamer is a racing game that integrates a comprehensive narrative into its gameplay, distinguishing itself from traditional racing titles. The game features a vibrant anime aesthetic and a cast of eccentric characters involved in dramatic rivalries and corporate intrigue. Players engage with the story primarily in the main Tournament single-player mode, which focuses on character motivations and relationships. The driving mechanics in Screamer differ from conventional controls, utilizing the right stick for drifts and the left stick for steering. As players progress, they can accumulate boost abilities that can be transformed into attack capabilities, adding a strategic layer to the racing experience. However, the gameplay often revolves around maximizing boosts, which can overshadow classic racing strategies. The game presents challenges such as erratic difficulty spikes in Tournament mode, leading to inconsistent experiences where some races are disproportionately easy or difficult. The boost system is essential for most races, and developers may need to refine the mechanics to achieve better balance and enhance the overall experience.

AppWizard

March 22, 2026

Steam Deck Users Warned About Playing #1 Selling Steam Game

Steam Deck users are experiencing performance issues with the best-selling game on Steam, Crimson Desert, which is marked as “Unknown” for compatibility with the device. Despite being a top title, its demanding technical requirements create significant challenges for the Steam Deck. Experts recommend waiting for patches before playing, as current performance struggles include difficulty achieving stable 30 FPS, especially in demanding sequences. Developer Pearl Abyss has not communicated plans for future support or optimization for the Steam Deck. The gaming community is encouraged to discuss their experiences regarding the game's performance on this platform.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach PC impressions

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach features themes of connection, grief, and the transient nature of existence, set in Australia and linked to the Chiral Network. The game is noted for its engaging gameplay and visual capabilities, with performance tests showing around 60 fps in demanding environments on high settings with an RTX 4070 Ti and Intel Core i9-12900K. Lowering settings can yield up to 94 fps, while enabling frame generation can surpass 126 fps. PICO upscaling combined with DLSS frame generation provides optimal visuals. The Steam Deck struggles with performance, achieving only 24 fps on the Portable preset. The game supports various controllers, including the Nintendo Switch 2 and DualSense, with a new difficulty mode called "to the wilder" that increases challenge through tougher enemies and resource management.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review

Death Stranding 2, developed by Kojima Productions, is set to release on March 19, 2026. It is described as an intricate mail delivery simulation that offers a unique journey filled with emotional depth and innovative gameplay mechanics. The game allows for multiple approaches to challenges and features a new PC setting for a richer experience. The narrative intertwines themes of connectivity and isolation, with a rogue AI system as the antagonist. The game emphasizes the importance of human expression and creativity, advocating for the value of struggle and inefficiency in the creative process.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Crimson Desert review – a beautiful, shallow world

Crimson Desert features a vast and visually stunning world but struggles with a conventional narrative framework. The combat system can feel cumbersome, especially during challenging boss encounters, leading to a sense of unfulfilled potential in exploration. The game follows a protagonist named Kliff Greymane, who seeks revenge against an antagonist, but after 50 hours, the main adversary remains elusive, and players engage in mundane tasks. Exploration is initially enticing, but it becomes constrained, with limited interactions and repetitive tasks. Combat mechanics blend elements from various genres, but boss battles introduce a significant difficulty spike that can frustrate players. Promotional materials promise thrilling gameplay elements, but the actual experience often falls short. While moments of joy can be found in exploring the Abyss network, the connection to the character Kliff is lacking, and the narrative becomes convoluted over time. Despite its vibrant world and visual splendor, the game may leave players wanting more due to restricted exploration and busywork.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

Death Stranding 2’s PC launch comes with a tougher new mode and, staying true to the brand, live-action cutscenes

The PC release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set for March 19th. New features include a difficulty mode called "to the wilder," which presents challenging enemies and requires strategic gameplay. Players can earn unique bandanas for Sam by completing new VR training missions against a character named Neil. The game will also feature George Miller's Chiral Feline in the private room and photo mode. Additionally, live-action cutscenes that were previously cut due to capacity constraints will now be included. System requirements were disclosed last month for player preparation.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

Death Stranding 2 PC and PS5 major update details revealed including new difficulty mode, live-action cutscenes and more

Hideo Kojima has announced new features for the upcoming PC port of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which will also launch on PlayStation 5 on March 19. The PC version will support unlocked frame rates, ultra widescreen formats, and full compatibility with the DualSense controller, along with advanced upscaling and frame generation technologies. A new difficulty mode called To the Wilder will be introduced, alongside new live-action cutscenes, additional scenes with new nightmares for the protagonist Sam, new items, replayable boss fights, a 21:9 ultrawide mode for PS5, a Chiral Cat in Sam’s room, and various gameplay adjustments based on player data. Critics have praised Death Stranding 2, with VGC naming it their Game of the Year for 2025, highlighting its stronger narrative and refined mechanics compared to its predecessor.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

My favorite Warhammer 40k game just got a Helldivers 2-style game mode, and to celebrate, it’s at its lowest price

Warhammer 40k: Darktide was released in late 2022 and initially faced performance issues, particularly on mid-range graphics cards like the 3060Ti. The developers, Fatshark, have since improved the game's performance and introduced a new mode called 'Expeditions,' which is free for all players. This mode allows players to explore larger landscapes, complete objectives within a 15-minute timer, and gather Tech-Remnants while facing randomly generated challenges. The game is currently priced at .24, reflecting a 75% discount from its usual price.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

Marathon review in progress – exquisite gunplay and striking aesthetics cover up some frustrating cracks

Three bags of loot are accompanied by the bio-synthetic remains of their former owners, with pools of blue blood marking the ground. The narrator has transitioned from collaborating with players in Arc Raiders to a more competitive spirit in Marathon. The game features a striking user interface and vibrant aesthetics, but some aspects, like item transitions and menu designs, can be clunky and confusing. The map layouts have engaging points of interest but also feature obstructive barriers. The gunplay is praised for its quality, with balanced gameplay and challenging PvE enemies. PvP encounters have a quick time-to-kill, and environmental dangers add intensity. However, faction quests often rely on repetitive tasks, which can be frustrating despite the compelling narrative elements. The narrator expresses surprise at their engagement with the game and suggests that improvements to the user experience and quest diversity could enhance its longevity.

AppWizard

March 7, 2026

I got stuck in a 13-day stalemate with an eldritch god in Bloodletter, and now it’s my new favourite deckbuilder

Bloodletter is a game where players assume the role of a medieval doctor, healing villagers while combating an eldritch god's influence in a town plagued by supernatural forces. Players manage metrics such as purity, health, sickness, and trust using a deck of cards to cure ailments and build trust with townsfolk. Successful interactions yield special cards that provide bonuses, while nightfall introduces a malevolent entity that increases the game's difficulty. Players must strategically prioritize which villagers to save, adapting their tactics to overcome challenges. Each day brings new obstacles, and players can enhance their decks through bonuses from trusted villagers. The game's striking visuals contribute to its immersive experience, making it a notable title in the deckbuilding genre.