dynamic environments Archives

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Two Dungeons & Dragons PC Titles Return This August

Hasbro and SNEG will release two Dungeons & Dragons titles, Dragonshard and Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone, on PC via Steam in mid-August. Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard, originally launched in 2005, features improved resolution support, localization-friendly saves, and enhancements for modern PCs. It combines real-time strategy and RPG elements in the world of Eberron, allowing players to command troops and explore dungeons. The game includes a narrative by Keith Baker, a dual-layered gameplay experience, diverse unit control, unit progression through experience points, the "Nexus System" for strategic building placement, three distinct factions, and dynamic environments with real-time terrain deformation. Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone, first released in 2004, will have smoother start-ups, widescreen scaling, and full controller support. Players will control a Fighter, Sorcerer, and Rogue in a quest to reclaim the Demon Stone. The game features accessible combat styles, a narrative by R.A. Salvatore, voice performances by Patrick Stewart and Michael Clarke Duncan, various environments, iconic Dungeons & Dragons creatures, and a range of combo moves and skill upgrades.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

Demonic sci-fi RPG Illusion City is one of those timeless pixel art games that still looks incredible in GIF form 34 years later

Pasokon Retro highlights the significance of Illusion City, a 1991 RPG developed by Micro Cabin for multiple platforms including PC-98 and MSX Turbo R. The game features a narrative set in a world of shady corporations and demons, blending magic with technology. Players engage in turn-based battles while navigating a well-crafted story that emphasizes visual detail and character expression. The protagonist, Tian Ren, is introduced through a dynamic animation, and the game showcases vibrant environments and intricate animations during combat. Illusion City is noted for its rich storytelling and immersive atmosphere, remaining influential in the realm of retro gaming.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Rematch review

A new 5v5 football game developed by Sloclap is available for £21, playable on Windows 11 and compatible with the Steam Deck. It performs well on systems with a GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, Intel Core i7 12700F, and 16 GB of RAM. The game lacks an instant rematch feature, which can disrupt player camaraderie, and has experienced technical issues, including bugs affecting gameplay. Despite these challenges, the game's visual presentation is impressive, featuring dynamic environments and rewarding notifications that enhance the experience. It emphasizes strategic gameplay over current rosters, making it accessible to a wide audience, including those unfamiliar with football.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Warner’s ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Debuts No. 1 Atop Weekly U.K. Home Entertainment Sales Chart Through May 28

The upcoming Minecraft Movie aims to translate the popular block-building game into a cinematic experience, focusing on themes of friendship, exploration, and resilience. It features a talented cast of actors voicing iconic characters and is directed by a skilled team experienced in animation and live-action films. The filmmakers are using innovative animation techniques to replicate and enhance the game's distinctive visuals, creating an immersive experience. The production team is engaging the Minecraft community for input and inspiration, fostering a sense of ownership among fans. The film is generating significant anticipation as its release date approaches.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Doom: The Dark Ages feels like a console game first and PC game second

The latest installment of the Doom franchise, Doom: The Dark Ages, introduces a new combat loop centered around the Shield Saw, allowing players to block damage with a right-click. This change alters the frenetic pace of earlier games, shifting towards a more methodical approach tailored for console players. The game features expansive, flat arenas lacking the verticality of previous titles, resulting in a gameplay experience reminiscent of traditional shooters like Call of Duty. There is a reduction in airborne threats and static enemy placements, leading to a slower combat experience with less emphasis on quick reflexes. Gun mechanics have been simplified, favoring passive upgrades over the intricate hot-swapping of mods, which may leave PC players feeling shortchanged. Exploration is more forgiving, with fewer hazards and a safety net that teleports players back without penalty. Overall, The Dark Ages emphasizes accessibility and streamlined gameplay, potentially diluting the challenge expected by long-time fans of the franchise.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

The Best PC Games Right Now (2025)

PC gaming in 2025 features a mix of innovative remasters, indie titles, and new intellectual properties, providing a wide range of experiences for gamers. The most played games on Steam include Counter-Strike 2, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, and Dota 2, with Counter-Strike 2 leading in player engagement due to its esports scene. Notable new releases include Blue Prince, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, and Promise Mascot Agency. Other popular games outside Steam are Minecraft, Fortnite, and Valorant. Genre-specific leaders include South of Midnight for action, Myst (Remastered) for adventure, and Street Fighter 6 for fighting. Upcoming anticipated titles include Grand Theft Auto 6 and Elden Ring: Nightreign. Trends in 2025 highlight esports engagement, indie innovation, purposeful remakes, and cinematic storytelling. Last Epoch's Season 2 update has revitalized player interest with new content and enhancements. The year 2019 was significant for PC gaming, with acclaimed titles like Resident Evil 2, Control, and Disco Elysium, and marked by the influence of digital distribution platforms.

AppWizard

March 7, 2025

Rise of the Ronin PC review: an engrossing action-RPG plagued by technical issues

Rise of the Ronin has transitioned from a PS5-exclusive title to a PC release, featuring enhanced frame rates, support for DLSS, XeSS, FSR upscaling, ray tracing, and ultra-wide support. However, it struggles with optimization on PC, leading to inconsistent performance, frame rate drops, stuttering, and muddled textures. Koei Tecmo plans to release a day-one patch to address these issues. Performance problems are linked to heavy VRAM usage, even on powerful graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX 4070 Super. The core gameplay includes a combat system focused on parrying and stamina management, with engaging encounters and exploration. The game features impressive draw distances and a dynamic day-night cycle but suffers from visual shortcomings, such as less polished character models and animations. Its file size is 143 GB, which may deter some players. The game is available at a discounted price of .99 on PC, appealing to those interested in the Souls-like formula and Japanese culture. Players prioritizing performance and visual fidelity may want to wait for optimizations.

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Ubisoft Releases Assassin’s Creed Shadows PC & New-Gen Features Trailer

Ubisoft has announced that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be released on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, set in 16th-century feudal Japan. The game features two protagonists: Yasuke, a historical African samurai, and Naoe, a skilled shinobi. It will not be available on older consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Key features include uncapped frame rates on PC, multiple performance modes on consoles, ray tracing, AI-driven upscaling techniques, and spatial audio technology. The game is powered by the new Anvil engine, designed exclusively for current-generation hardware, and will run at 60 FPS on consoles. Minimum and recommended system requirements for PC have been specified, and the game requires a constant internet connection for activation and online features. Pre-orders are open with multiple editions available.

BetaBeacon

December 20, 2024

Crunchyroll reveals a sea of new games that are out now on mobile

Crunchyroll has added five new games to its roster for Android and iOS users. The games include ConnecTank, Kawaii Kitchen, Lost Words: Beyond the Page, Roto Force, and Tokyo Dark, offering a variety of gaming experiences from tank battles to culinary challenges and narrative-driven mysteries.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

I’m so ready to embrace vehicle-swapping Mad Max carnage in Drivers of the Apocalypse

Drivers of the Apocalypse features mercenaries in high-octane vehicular combat, allowing players to switch between vehicles while using a wingsuit for maneuverability. Players take on the role of Artemis, who emphasizes human capabilities over vehicles. The game includes makeshift vehicles equipped with weapons, requiring players to strategize and make quick decisions. Developer Jussi-Petteri Kemppainen highlighted the importance of survival and strategy in gameplay. The visual style is reminiscent of the Mad Max franchise, set in a chaotic environment with sandstorms and various vehicles racing across the landscape. The game promises exhilarating boss encounters and has garnered significant anticipation among gamers.