Double Fine Archives

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Just when you think there’s no room for shooters to innovate, here’s one where your health is literally your framerate

FPS Quest links player health to framerate, causing framerate drops as the character takes damage. Players can upgrade weapons and manipulate the game environment to boost framerate and health, such as replacing a 3D gun with a 2D sprite or altering level geometry. One upgrade can increase framerate by 10 fps at the cost of removing structural columns, which eliminates cover. This mechanic encourages a balance between alterations and game stability.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

The Worst Optimized PC Games of 2025

In 2025, several high-profile games have been criticized for poor optimization and disappointing performance. The most poorly optimized titles include: - Rise of the Ronin: The PC version struggles to maintain satisfactory performance at ultra settings, with graphics not meeting system requirements. - Keeper: Built on Unreal Engine 5, it fails to achieve 60 FPS in native 4K at maximum settings, even with a GeForce RTX 5090. - The Outer Worlds 2: Performance drops significantly with ray tracing enabled and requires a CPU with high IPC, only efficiently utilizing four threads. - Borderlands 4: Launched with subpar optimization, performance issues persist despite updates. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Required multiple patches to achieve acceptable frame rates and stability. - Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2: Notable for severe stuttering, one of the worst in recent releases. - Oblivion Remastered: Criticized for poor performance and appears abandoned without necessary fixes.

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

Worst Optimized PC Games of 2025

As of 2025, the following PC games are noted for their poor optimization: 7) Rise of the Ronin: Criticized for high GPU demands that do not justify the visuals, resulting in a chaotic experience on Ultra Settings. 6) Double Fine’s Keeper: Requires players to lower settings to Medium to achieve smooth 60FPS at Native 4K, despite its striking art style. 5) The Outer Worlds 2: Nearly unplayable with Ray Tracing enabled; struggles on mid-range PCs due to heavy reliance on few CPU cores, with stuttering issues and unimpressive graphics. 4) Borderlands 4: While a recent update has improved performance for GPUs with 8GB of VRAM, it still suffers from stutters and high GPU requirements. 3) Monster Hunter Wilds: Continues to face significant performance problems despite a recent update and promises for future improvements. 2) Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2: Experiences severe stuttering that can render it unplayable, with only minor hotfixes provided. 1) Oblivion Remastered: Plagued by stutters and bugs, with no updates since April, despite visual upgrades.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

The Best Games of 2025 — The Windows Central team ranks our favorite titles across Xbox and Windows PC

2025 has seen a diverse range of high-quality gaming titles across multiple platforms, including Xbox, Windows PC, Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation. Notable releases include: - Silent Hill F: A return of the franchise set in 1960s Japan, featuring intense combat and an immersive atmosphere. - Elden Ring: Nightreign: Introduces a co-op roguelike format with fast-paced gameplay and randomized upgrades. - Hollow Knight: Silksong: A highly acclaimed metroidvania known for its difficulty, visuals, and tight combat mechanics. - Arc Raiders: Emphasizes player choice and community-driven gameplay, reminiscent of early multiplayer games. - Battlefield 6: A grounded approach to warfare, positively received after previous setbacks in the franchise. - Ball x Pit: Blends classic gameplay with modern auto-battler mechanics, becoming a standout title. - Hades 2: A sequel that expands on the original's success with stunning artwork and engaging gameplay. - Blue Prince: Features intricate puzzles and co-op gameplay that encourages collaboration. - Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: An open-world RPG praised for its dynamic systems and immersive storytelling. - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Combines homage to classic JRPGs with modern storytelling in a unique French setting. Honorable mentions include Atomfall, Dying Light: The Beast, DUSK, The Alters, Keeper, Silent Hill 2 (remake), Dispatch, Cronos: The New Dawn, WH40K: Rogue Trader — Lex Imperialis DLC, and remastered versions of Monster Hunter Stories 1 and 2.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

PC Gamer’s highest review scores of 2025

This year's PC Gamer rankings highlight the absence of several anticipated titles from the Game of the Year conversation, including Elden Ring Nightreign, Battlefield 6 (82%), Europa Universalis 5, Arc Raiders (86%), and Clair Obscur (70%). To be considered exceptional, a game must score 89% or higher. Notable games that received high praise include Halls of Torment, Thank Goodness You're Here, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Keep Driving, The Alters, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Silent Hill f, Keeper, Nine Sols (91%), Blue Prince (92%), Abiotic Factor (92%), and Promise Mascot Agency (94%).

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

The tech industry came for Steam and whiffed so hard that it’s had to admit that it didn’t even really like making games in the first place

Amazon's gaming strategy has shifted, leading to the decision to discontinue updates for the MMO New World, which will eventually be retired. New World achieved a peak of 913,634 concurrent players shortly after its launch in 2021, but player numbers declined by early 2022. The game secured an expansion in 2023 and is set to launch on consoles in 2024. Other tech companies have faced challenges in gaming, with Google retreating from its ambitions and Microsoft continuing to invest in its Game Pass service and releasing games on Steam. The gaming landscape has changed, with a focus on creating engaging experiences rather than solely pursuing profit. Concerns about studio closures and layoffs persist, highlighting the tension between creativity and financial expectations in the industry.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

Game Pass Horror Picks: 17 Excellent Games To Play This Halloween

Gamers with Game Pass on Xbox or PC can access a selection of horror games for Halloween, including: - Aliens: Fireteam Elite (Co-op sci-fi shooter) - Good for those wanting to battle Xenomorphs; not ideal for players who dislike loadouts or glitches. - A Plague Tale: Requiem (Cinematic stealth adventure) - Great for fans of intricate narratives; not suitable for those who prefer direct confrontations. - CARRION (2D pixel art adventure) - Appeals to Metroidvania enthusiasts; not for players who dislike backtracking. - Costume Quest (Turn-based comedy RPG) - Nostalgic for trick-or-treating; not for those seeking complex mechanics. - Dead By Daylight (Online survival horror co-op) - Perfect for horror movie scenario fans; not for those who dislike being hunted. - Diablo IV (Loot-based action-RPG) - Great for demon-slaying fans; not for players who disengage during button-mashing. - Doom 2016 (First-person shooter) - Ideal for chaos lovers; not for cautious players. - Inscryption (Deck-building horror adventure) - Appeals to strategy and chance lovers; not for those averse to plot twists. - Inside (Cinematic platforming adventure) - Great for emotional storytelling fans; not for those who prefer dialogue-heavy narratives. - Little Nightmares II (Dark fantasy puzzle adventure) - Perfect for atmosphere lovers; not for players frustrated by intricate controls. - Pacific Drive (Haunted car sim) - Good for scavengers; not for those who prefer smooth rides. - Redfall (Co-op demon hunter) - Appeals to vampire hunting fans; not for those seeking loot shooters. - Resident Evil 2 (Survival horror shooter) - Great for survival fantasy enthusiasts; not for those afraid of monsters. - State of Decay 2 (Open-world base-building zombie survival) - Ideal for resource gatherers; not for those who find repetition daunting. - Still Wakes the Deep (Lovecraftian walking sim) - Appeals to fans of eerie atmospheres; not for those lacking patience. - The Evil Within (Psychological survival horror) - Great for boundary-pushing horror fans; not for those struggling with jarring mechanics. - The Walking Dead (Point-and-click zombie adventure) - Ideal for fans of the comic or show; not for those easily moved to tears.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

Keeper review

Keeper is an adventure game developed by Double Fine and published by Xbox Game Studios, set to release on October 17, 2025, for a price of .99. The game features a sentient lighthouse and a bird navigating a vibrant, post-apocalyptic world, with gameplay lasting approximately six hours. It avoids common gaming trends such as crafting systems and battle passes, focusing instead on a narrative that unfolds in a visually stunning environment. The gameplay includes manipulating time through the lighthouse's searchlight to solve puzzles and interact with hybrid creatures. The game transitions from serene exploration to exhilarating sequences, maintaining a captivating experience throughout.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

Is Ninja Gaiden 4 on Game Pass?

Ninja Gaiden 4 will be available on PC and Ultimate Game Pass from day one, accessible on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox Cloud, and purchasable on Steam and the PlayStation Store. Microsoft has confirmed its inclusion in the October release lineup. Additionally, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black will also join the Game Pass lineup, featuring a new game plus mode.

AppWizard

October 14, 2025

This week in PC games: Next Fest demo excess and Double Fine’s sentient lighthouse

The Maw has claimed Edwin, but he is expected to return by midweek. The Steam Next Fest begins on October 13th, featuring numerous free demos. Upcoming game releases include Undusted: Letters from the Past, Spindle, Ball X Pit, GlitchSPANKR, Lords of Ravage, Fellowship, Escape from Duckov, This Is No Cave, and Keeper from Double Fine. Future releases also include Jurassic World Evolution 3, Ninja Gaiden 4, Dispatch, and Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2.