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Divinity: Original Sin 2's brilliant armor system is one of a kind in RPGs, and I'm bummed we'll apparently never see it again
AppWizard
January 11, 2026

Divinity: Original Sin 2’s brilliant armor system is one of a kind in RPGs, and I’m bummed we’ll apparently never see it again

Today marks a moment of reflection as I grapple with the loss of a cherished friend—one whose legacy is now being unfairly tarnished. The unique armor system crafted by Larian Studios for Divinity: Original Sin 2 will not be carried forward, and the criticism from my colleagues has been relentless. Notably, PCG guides writer Rory Norris boldly labeled it "broken" in large, eye-catching letters on our front page. In a recent meeting, Morgan Park, a fellow news writer, expressed his disdain for the armor system in a rather colorful manner, leaving me feeling both bewildered and defensive. D:OS2's armor system introduces a combat rhythm that is refreshingly distinct. Each character and enemy possesses both physical and magic armor bars, displayed prominently above their health. Physical armor absorbs damage from weapons and related abilities, while magic armor serves as a shield against spells and elemental effects. Crowd control effects become fully effective only after the corresponding armor has been stripped away. For instance, the warrior's charge attack, Battering Ram, merely deals damage while the enemy's physical armor is intact, but guarantees a knockdown once that armor is gone. This design choice ensures that every character contributes to both offense and crowd management. Players are encouraged to abandon traditional roles; the absence of a classic tank or healer is liberating. Each character must fulfill multiple roles—tank, DPS, and controller—while build variations arise from weapon choices, armor, and skill trees. This dynamic creates an aggressive form of turn-based tactics, where players race to dismantle enemy defenses and secure priority targets before they can retaliate. While Original Sin 2's system is not without its flaws, they are no more pronounced than the typical shortcomings found in random chance-based alternatives. One critique pertains to party composition; players are often encouraged to specialize in either elemental or physical damage, which can lead to challenges in the endgame for mixed-damage parties. However, there exists a wealth of character build variety within each category, and D:OS2 does not impose stricter limitations on viable character builds than any other RPG, especially at lower difficulty levels.
Crimson Desert, Atomic Heart 2, Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy and more — every Xbox and PC game shown during New Game Plus Showcase
AppWizard
January 8, 2026

Crimson Desert, Atomic Heart 2, Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy and more — every Xbox and PC game shown during New Game Plus Showcase

The New Game Plus Showcase, created by content creators, aims to generate excitement around video game announcements without charging developers for participation. The inaugural showcase occurred on January 8, 2023. Deep Dish Dungeon is a dark survival game combining base-building mechanics and survival elements, available for wishlist on Steam, with plans for release on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. The Blood of Dawnwalker is an open-world fantasy ARPG where players live as a human by day and a vampire by night, set for release in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. Prologue: Go Wayback! is a survival game featuring procedurally generated maps, currently in Early Access on Steam for [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In the gaming landscape, the period following The Game Awards often sees a lull in major presentations until the summer showcases like Summer Game Fest or the Xbox Games Showcase. However, this year has marked the emergence of a notable event—the New Game Plus Showcase, commonly referred to as New Game+. This initiative, crafted by content creators, aims to rekindle "genuine excitement and conversation" surrounding video game announcements. Uniquely, it does not impose fees on developers for participation, setting it apart from many other industry events. Announced on December 29, the inaugural showcase took place on January 8 at 1 P.M. PT / 4:00 P.M. ET. Deep Dish Dungeon This intriguing dark survival game from Pokuch and META Publishing presents an engaging blend reminiscent of Valheim and Prey, combining base-building mechanics with survival elements and mysterious alien powers. Gamers can wishlist it now on Steam, with plans for release on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC platforms like Steam, GOG, Epic Games, and PS5. The Blood of Dawnwalker A captivating gameplay presentation and developer interview highlighted The Blood of Dawnwalker, an open-world fantasy ARPG where players navigate life as a human by day and a vampire by night. The showcase emphasized the dynamic interactions within the game world, which reacts to player actions. This title is anticipated for release in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. Prologue: Go Wayback! Brendan "PLAYERUNKNOWN" Greene shared insights into his new survival game, Prologue: Go Wayback!, during the showcase. The game features procedurally generated maps and deeper survival mechanics, currently available on Steam in Early Access for .99, with a free demo accessible for players. Beautiful Light A fresh glimpse into Beautiful Light, an extraction shooter inspired by STALKER, revealed intense combat scenarios against mutants and other players, set against atmospheric backdrops. This title is slated for a December 2026 release on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Project Shadowglass Starhelm Studios provided an exclusive look at Project Shadowglass, an immersive sim that challenges players to orchestrate daring heists in a dark fantasy realm. Unlike many retro-style pixel graphics games, this title adopts a first-person perspective, enhancing its unique appeal. It is set to launch on Steam, with wishlist options available now. Aphelion DON'T NOD showcased Aphelion, a sci-fi action-adventure game featuring an astronaut named Ariane who must navigate a perilous frozen world to rescue her partner, Thomas. The presentation highlighted the game's musical elements and is expected to release on Xbox, Steam, and PS5 in late 2026. The Expanse: Osiris Reborn A developer interview for The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, a third-person ARPG from Owlcat Games, explored character creation and the game's world responsiveness. Set in the beloved sci-fi universe of the TV show, it promises an engaging experience for fans and newcomers alike. Distant Shore: BRETAGNE Distant Shore's latest title is an action-adventure physics-based puzzle game where players manipulate objects in their environment using magnetic forces. Currently available for wishlist on Steam, it promises to offer a unique gameplay experience. Avowed Obsidian Entertainment discussed Avowed, a fantasy RPG set in the Pillars of Eternity universe. The developers revealed updates including new playable races and enhancements to weapon classes. Notably, the game will also be available on PS5, with preorders now open. Grounded 2 Obsidian also presented Grounded 2, showcasing new insect encounters and various items players can craft. The highlight was the ridable ladybug buggy mount, equipped with a water gun, adding a whimsical touch to the survival experience. Outward 2 The sequel to Nine Dots' immersive RPG, Outward 2, is set to challenge players with a more difficult survival experience. The developers shared insights during the New Game Plus showcase, with an Early Access release planned for Q3 2026 on PC. Forsaken Realms: Vahrin's Call Inspired by Fable and The Elder Scrolls, Forsaken Realms: Vahrin's Call is an open-ended action RPG that emphasizes player freedom and deep interactions within its fantasy world. It is expected to launch on PC in 2026, with console releases to follow. Dragontwin Draconic Interactive AB is developing Dragontwin, an open-world strategy RPG that allows players to customize and fly dragons into combat. Currently in Early Access for Patreon supporters, it will be available on PC and consoles later. Atomic Heart DLC #4 The showcase featured a first-look teaser for the upcoming fourth DLC for Atomic Heart, generating anticipation among fans eager for new content. The CUBE Mundfish revisited The CUBE, an MMO shooter set on a massive, rotating cube in the sky. This unique environment promises to shift gameplay dynamics, and players can wishlist it now on Steam. IMMORTAL: Gates of Pyre IMMORTAL: Gates of Pyre, an RTS that combines accessible gameplay with complex mechanics, was highlighted in a developer interview. It has been in development for five years and is set to launch on Steam in the future. ExeKiller ExeKiller is a retro-futuristic western action game that blends various gameplay styles, offering players the freedom to approach quests in multiple ways. It is currently available for wishlist on Steam. Far Far West Developer Evil Raptor is crafting Far Far West, a co-op shooter where players embody robot cowboys tackling bounties. This title is set to launch on PC in 2026, appealing to fans of cooperative gameplay. Erosion Erosion presents a captivating open-world roguelike experience with time-looping mechanics and a strong narrative focus, set in a post-apocalyptic Wild West. A playtest is currently live on Steam, with a full release planned for Spring 2026 on both Steam and Xbox. The Division 2: Survivors and The Division 3 The Division 2 developers showcased the upcoming winter-themed extraction mode, Survivors, while also confirming the development of The Division 3 and a mobile game inspired by the original title." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99, with a free demo available. Beautiful Light is an extraction shooter inspired by STALKER, scheduled for release in December 2026 on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Project Shadowglass is an immersive sim focused on orchestrating heists in a dark fantasy realm, set to launch on Steam. Aphelion is a sci-fi action-adventure game featuring an astronaut navigating a frozen world, expected to release on Xbox, Steam, and PS5 in late 2026. The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is a third-person ARPG set in the sci-fi universe of the TV show, featuring character creation and world responsiveness. Distant Shore: BRETAGNE is an action-adventure physics-based puzzle game where players manipulate objects using magnetic forces, available for wishlist on Steam. Avowed is a fantasy RPG set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, with updates on playable races and weapon classes, and will be available on PS5. Grounded 2 features new insect encounters and a ridable ladybug buggy mount, enhancing the survival experience. Outward 2, the sequel to Nine Dots' RPG, will offer a more challenging survival experience, with Early Access planned for Q3 2026 on PC. Forsaken Realms: Vahrin's Call is an open-ended action RPG emphasizing player freedom, expected to launch on PC in 2026. Dragontwin is an open-world strategy RPG allowing players to customize and fly dragons, currently in Early Access for Patreon supporters. Atomic Heart DLC #4 was teased during the showcase, generating anticipation for new content. The CUBE is an MMO shooter set on a rotating cube, available for wishlist on Steam. IMMORTAL: Gates of Pyre is an RTS combining accessible gameplay with complex mechanics, set to launch on Steam in the future. ExeKiller is a retro-futuristic western action game that allows multiple gameplay styles, available for wishlist on Steam. Far Far West is a co-op shooter featuring robot cowboys, set to launch on PC in 2026. Erosion is an open-world roguelike with time-looping mechanics, currently in playtest on Steam, with a full release planned for Spring 2026 on Steam and Xbox. The Division 2 developers showcased the upcoming winter-themed extraction mode, Survivors, and confirmed the development of The Division 3 and a mobile game.
Longmont events for Friday, Jan. 2: Minecraft Scavenger Hunt at Longmont Public Library
AppWizard
January 3, 2026

Longmont events for Friday, Jan. 2: Minecraft Scavenger Hunt at Longmont Public Library

Families can participate in a Minecraft scavenger hunt at the Longmont Public Library at 9 a.m., with prizes available until January 4 or while supplies last. Sugar Britches will perform at Bricks on Main at 6 p.m., and admission is free. Bootstrap Brewing Company will host the Midnight Hour concert at 6 p.m. featuring Motown music. On Saturday at 8:30 a.m., residents can drop off holiday trees for free chipping at the Town of Lyons Utility Building. A concert celebrating Lynyrd Skynyrd and 38 Special will take place at Bootstrap Brewing Company at 11 a.m. The Wolf Moon Night Hike will occur at 4:30 p.m. at Ron Stewart Preserve. "Nunsense" will be performed at Jesters Dinner Theatre on Sunday at 2 p.m., with ticket prices varying. Adult Drag Bingo will be held at Left Hand Brewing at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Bilingual storytime for children ages 5 and under will take place at Longmont Public Library on Monday at 10 a.m. An open play session for children ages 4 and under will be hosted at the library at 10:30 a.m. on Monday. A drop-in writers group will meet at the library at 6 p.m. on Monday. A watercolor class for participants aged 18 and older will be held at the Firehouse Art Center at noon on Tuesday. The Longmont Public Library will offer a Silent Hour for teens at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Dungeons & Dragons sessions will take place at the library at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Sketch Club for teen artists will be held at Carbon Valley Regional Library at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. A Make and Take activity will be hosted in the Children’s Area of the Longmont Public Library at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
Android Central's Best of 2025 Awards: The best phones, smartwatches, tablets, apps, and more
AppWizard
December 29, 2025

Android Central’s Best of 2025 Awards: The best phones, smartwatches, tablets, apps, and more

The OnePlus 15 was named Best Android Phone, featuring a fast chip, three-day battery life, and a 165Hz display. The Google Pixel 10 Pro won Best Camera with its Gemini-powered photo system. The Nothing's CMF Phone 2 Pro was recognized as the best budget option. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was awarded Best Foldable Device, while the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 was named Best Flip Phone. Samsung was recognized as the most improved brand. The Google Pixel Watch 4 won Best Smartwatch, and the Oura Ring 4 was the top smart ring. The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 was the best smart glasses, with the Oakley Meta Vanguard for athletes and the Xreal One Pro as Best XR Glasses. Marvel's Deadpool VR won Best Single-Player VR, and Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked was Best Multiplayer VR Game. The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 was the Best Chromebook, and the OnePlus Pad 3 was the best tablet. The Amazon Kindle Scribe was awarded Best E-Reader. Spotify was named Best Music Streaming Service, and Netflix was Best Video Streaming Service. The Gemini app won Best Android App, and Pokémon TCG Pocket was Best Android Game. Spigen was recognized as Best Phone Case Manufacturer, Anker was the top charging brand, Sony WH-1000XM6 won Best Wireless Headphones, and Apple AirPods Pro 3 were the best earbuds.
My 2026 New Year’s resolution is to finally play these 8 Xbox and PC games in my backlog — mostly because new releases are getting too expensive
AppWizard
December 21, 2025

My 2026 New Year’s resolution is to finally play these 8 Xbox and PC games in my backlog — mostly because new releases are getting too expensive

As 2025 ends, there is growing anticipation for the gaming landscape of 2026, with a focus on the rising costs of new games and their frequent need for extensive post-release patches. Notable examples include Monster Hunter Wilds and the acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin series, which features intricate turn-based combat and rich storytelling. The original Divinity: Original Sin was released in 2014, while its sequel, Divinity: Original Sin 2, launched in 2017 and introduced new features and character options. Baldur's Gate 3, set in the Baldur's Gate universe, has received numerous accolades for its storytelling and gameplay. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous involves character customization and narrative choices. The Hollow Knight series, including the upcoming Hollow Knight: Silksong, and the Ninja Gaiden series are also highlighted. Control, with its sequel Control: Resonant, features surreal visuals and unique gameplay. The Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine series includes a remastered version of the original game. Age of Mythology: Retold is set to be released with enhanced graphics and improvements. All mentioned titles are available on various platforms, including Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
If the only Larian game you've played is Baldur's Gate 3, here's what you need to know about the Divinity series
AppWizard
December 13, 2025

If the only Larian game you’ve played is Baldur’s Gate 3, here’s what you need to know about the Divinity series

Larian Studios is shifting its focus from the Dungeons & Dragons universe back to its original franchise, the Divinity series, with a new installment titled Divinity. The upcoming game will be accessible to newcomers and will not require extensive knowledge of the series' lore. The recommended order to play the Divinity games is: Divinity: Original Sin 2, Divinity: Original Sin, Divinity: Dragon Commander, Divinity 2: Ego Draconis, Beyond Divinity (optional), and Divine Divinity. Divinity: Original Sin and its sequel feature turn-based combat and cooperative gameplay, with Original Sin 2 being particularly praised as Game of the Year in 2017. The series is set in the fantasy world of Rivellon, featuring various beings and engaging narratives centered around heroism. The new installment's reveal trailer has sparked discussions about its darker themes.
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