Elden Ring Archives

AppWizard

April 10, 2026

Esoteric Ebb’s creator reckons most players only saw half the game, and that’s fine by him: ‘You’ve got to miss stuff in order to feel like the world is bigger’

A player completed New Vegas after 300 hours over 15 years, demonstrating dedication to experiencing every aspect of the game. Christoffer Bodegård, the creator of Esoteric Ebb, designed the game to evoke wonder and discovery, similar to classic RPGs like Elden Ring. He introduced the concept of the "illusionary wall of agency," suggesting that with numerous choices and content, players may feel they have missed significant portions even after completing a large percentage of the game. This design philosophy enhances gameplay and fosters a deeper connection between players and the game world, encouraging exploration and repeated engagement.

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

Datamined Elden Ring cutscene gives more clues about DLC villain Miquella’s original story

Lance McDonald discovered a work-in-progress cutscene in Elden Ring featuring the antagonist Miquella the Kind, who is shown planting a sapling of the Haligtree in a modified version of Malenia's boss room. Miquella waters the sapling with his own blood, symbolizing his connection to the tree. The scene portrays Miquella as vulnerable, with dialogue that shifts from addressing Malenia to speaking to the player, including the phrase "graceful and malign," suggesting a duality in his character. McDonald's findings indicate a more benevolent portrayal of Miquella, hinting at his vision for a utopian society. The mention of "abundance" in his dialogue connects to a previously datamined item, the "Abundance and Decay Twinblade," which was linked to Miquella's cut content and later reworked into Euporia in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

This one small mod makes Crimson Desert a must-buy game

Crimson Desert offers a blend of solid gameplay and a captivating combat system, though it has received mixed reviews from critics, being described as merely 'okay.' The game features a frustrating stamina system that hampers exploration, leading players to consider mods. A 200KB mod for infinite stamina was found on Nexus Mods, which significantly enhanced the gameplay experience by removing the stamina constraint. Despite this improvement, the game still has issues such as fetch quests, crashes, and visual glitches. The narrative is often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics. The game is available for purchase at Fanatical for .49 / £46.74, with a 15% discount using the code 'FANATICAL15.' The player has logged over 20 hours in the game since its launch.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Bloodborne players are celebrating its 11th anniversary by replaying it. Please FromSoft, just give us a remaster

Bloodborne fans are celebrating the game's 11th anniversary by revisiting its world, despite no news of a remake or remaster due to disagreements between Sony and FromSoftware. The game, released in 2015, has achieved cult status for its unique Victorian fantasy setting. Fans have organized a two-week event called Return to Yharnam, starting on March 24 and ending on April 7, encouraging players to create new characters and engage in multiplayer experiences. The community's enthusiasm highlights a potential market for a PC port, which could attract new players to the game.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

Oblivion turns 20 today, and I need Bethesda to return to its roots for Elder Scrolls 6

The author purchased The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion the day after its release, exchanging all their pocket money at Gamestation. The game came with a disc and a glossy map of Cyrodiil. Oblivion allowed players to take on various roles, showcasing the flexibility characteristic of RPGs. The author experienced the game on PC, while it also became a flagship title for the Xbox 360, broadening the appeal of RPGs to console gamers. Oblivion has influenced many contemporary games, including Elden Ring and Kingdom Come Deliverance. It is associated with the controversial horse armor DLC, which sparked discussions about microtransactions in gaming. The author reflects on the game's graphical limitations and the unnecessary nature of the Oblivion Remastered version. As Oblivion celebrates its 20th anniversary, the author considers the future of RPGs and the potential impact of The Elder Scrolls 6.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

Steam Spring Sale 2026: The Best And Biggest PC Gaming Deals

The Steam Spring Sale is live through March 26, featuring significant discounts on a wide variety of games. Valve has curated over 14 metric tons of games at reduced prices, including titles like Resident Evil 3’s remake, Elden Ring, and Fallout: New Vegas. Notable discounts include: - Dying Light – .50 - Fallout: New Vegas – (originally ) - Hollow Knight – .50 - Stardew Valley – .50 - Rise of the Tomb Raider – .50 Gamers are encouraged to share their discoveries and recommendations during the sale.

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 16, 2026

Asset reuse in videogames is essential, and we need to embrace it, says Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry director: ‘We redo too much stuff’

Ubisoft's Far Cry Primal is set in the Mesolithic period, allowing players to navigate the Carpathian mountains and face prehistoric creatures. The game faced criticism for reusing elements from Far Cry 4, leading to frustration from Alex Hutchinson, the director of Far Cry 4, who suggested that Ubisoft should have acknowledged the connection. Similarly, Activision's Call of Duty: Ghosts was criticized for reusing animations from Modern Warfare 2, raising concerns about creativity in game development. Hutchinson noted that asset reuse is common in large studios, citing examples from the Assassin's Creed series. He observed a shift in perspectives regarding asset reuse, with some now advocating for its creative merits, particularly in successful Japanese titles like Dark Souls and Yakuza. Hutchinson also speculated on the potential role of AI in game development but expressed skepticism about its ability to significantly change the industry.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Top PC Single-Player Games You Absolutely Must Play

Single-player games on PC provide immersive experiences, allowing players to explore vast worlds and engage in compelling narratives without multiplayer coordination. Notable titles include: - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: An open-world RPG where players control Geralt of Rivia, featuring a rich narrative, complex moral dilemmas, and extensive content including side quests. - Grand Theft Auto V: Set in the fictional Los Santos, it offers a sprawling map with diverse activities and a narrative filled with twists and satire. - Red Dead Redemption 2: Players assume the role of Arthur Morgan in the Wild West, with a focus on rich storytelling, character connections, and survival elements. - Cyberpunk 2077: A post-launch improved RPG where players navigate Night City as a mercenary, featuring extensive customization and impactful choices. - Elden Ring: An action RPG set in a vast open world, emphasizing exploration, a deep combat system, and environmental storytelling. - Hades: A roguelike dungeon crawler where players control Zagreus, featuring dynamic gameplay, memorable characters, and a compelling narrative. Honorable mentions include God of War (PC port), Divinity: Original Sin 2, Disco Elysium, and Control, each offering unique gameplay experiences and narratives.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

This bloody medieval carve-’em-up has me praying the devs deliver a holy gaming experience

The game "1348 Ex Voto" features a female knight named Aeta, who is trained in swordplay and accompanied by her companion Bianca. The combat system requires players to carefully judge enemy attacks, creating a tense experience. The game world is designed to be desolate and cinematic, focusing on a predetermined path rather than open-world exploration. Players can find items to enhance gameplay, such as health-restoring food and skill books. The visuals, powered by Unreal Engine 5, depict detailed medieval Italian settings. The game is set to launch on March 12, 2026, and aims for authenticity in storytelling and character development, with a completion time of under 20 hours.