elements Archives

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

Arkane founder Raphael Colantonion gave up on the System Shock remake because the cyberspace sequences were ‘too hard,’ and I can’t tell you how disappointed I am right now

Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios, revealed during the Quad Damage Podcast that he abandoned the 2023 remake of System Shock due to its challenging gameplay, specifically getting stuck in cyberspace. He found the cyberspace segments frustrating and felt they detracted from the overall experience. Despite this, Colantonio remains passionate about immersive gaming and is developing a new "retro sci-fi first-person" game at his studio, WolfEye Studios, following the success of Weird West.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

Griffith Observatory recreated in Minecraft. How you can play the map

The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles has launched a free downloadable Minecraft map that allows users to explore its architecture virtually. The map is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems and offers a first-person perspective, featuring art, architecture, and educational exhibits. A scavenger hunt side-quest is included for interactive engagement. The observatory, dedicated in May 1935, underwent renovations and reopened in November 2006. It has been featured in various films and television shows, including "Rebel Without a Cause" and "La La Land."

TrendTechie

April 4, 2025

«Майнкрафт в кино» слили на торренты, но ленту лучше даже не включать: испортите и без того плохое впечатление

A leaked version of the anticipated film adaptation of Minecraft has surfaced online, described as a technical draft rather than a rough cut. The characters and locations are underdeveloped, with poor animations that detract from the experience. The editing and sound quality are also lacking, with missing background music and unclear dialogue. Early reviews indicate a low freshness rating of 53% on Rotten Tomatoes. Director Jared Hess states that the final version will include Easter eggs and a balanced narrative, which the leaked version does not possess. Pirates have reportedly confused the leaked draft with other versions, leading to disappointment among viewers. It is advised to avoid watching this draft to prevent spoiling the experience of the complete film.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Microsoft could make a huge change to an iconic part of Windows 11 that you use every day, and I can’t wait to try the new Start menu

Microsoft is redesigning the Start menu in Windows 11, which will feature a wider panel for easier pinning of applications and the ability to disable recommendations for files and apps based on usage history. The new design consolidates Start menu elements into a single, scrollable panel and introduces grid and category views for app organization. These changes are currently in development and not yet officially confirmed.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered review

The Last of Us Part 2 features a narrative that explores themes of vengeance and the moral dilemmas of violence, focusing on characters Abby and Ellie who are caught in a cycle of revenge amidst conflicts involving the military junta FEDRA, the Washington Liberation Front, and the Seraphites. The game introduces several enhancements in its recent PC release, including ultrawide support, HDR, enhanced graphics options, improved accessibility settings, and a new “speech to vibrations” feature. It also includes new gameplay modes such as a guitar-playing feature for Ellie and a roguelite mode called No Return, which emphasizes strategic resource management in randomized combat encounters. Despite its rich audiovisual presentation and engaging combat, the game has faced performance issues on PC, particularly with an RTX 3060 Ti, and its narrative has been criticized for being clichéd and for its handling of violence and power dynamics. A day-one patch is expected to address some of these performance concerns.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

South of Midnight review

A Southern Gothic action-adventure game titled "South of Midnight" is set to be released on April 8, 2025, with a price of £35. It is developed by Compulsion Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game is not multiplayer and was reviewed on Windows 11 Pro with an RTX 4080, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and 64GB RAM. The protagonist, Hazel Flood, navigates a world filled with supernatural elements and emotional depth, reflecting the complexities of life in the Deep South. The gameplay features combat that unfolds at a leisurely pace, intertwined with themes of healing and resilience. Hazel's journey emphasizes understanding and acknowledging pain, with encounters with spirits that represent trauma. The narrative challenges players to confront historical wounds and fosters a sense of connection and compassion.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

The Best PC Games to Play Right Now (Spring 2025)

PC gaming in 2025 features advanced GPUs enabling ray tracing and AI-enhanced upscaling, with tools like Unreal Engine 5 facilitating diverse game development. Platforms such as Steam and Epic Games Store host tens of thousands of titles, with over 13,000 new games launched on Steam in 2024. Notable games include Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, Cyberpunk 2077, Valorant, Overwatch 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Warframe, and Apex Legends. Key trends include cross-platform compatibility, free-to-play models, and game subscription services. Optimal gaming setups typically require a mid-range processor, a GTX 1070 or better graphics card, and at least 16GB of RAM. Popular multiplayer games include Valorant and Apex Legends, while highly rated titles include Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, and Disco Elysium. Classics worth playing today include The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Portal 2.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

South of Midnight

South of Midnight is a video game developed by Compulsion Games for PC and Xbox Series X/S, set to release in early 2025 at a price of .99. It features a coming-of-age story centered around Hazel Flood, a teenage track star who embarks on a quest to rescue her mother after a hurricane separates them. The game incorporates elements of Southern Gothic folklore, including characters like a talking catfish and the child thief Huggin' Molly. Hazel, an African-American teenager, navigates themes of generational poverty and historical struggles faced by Black individuals in the South. The gameplay includes platforming, puzzles, and combat, reminiscent of action-adventure titles from the PlayStation 2 era, with a total playtime of around 10 hours. The game showcases a rich visual style with detailed environments and a stylized aesthetic, supported by a soundtrack composed by Olivier Deriviere. South of Midnight has received the Editors' Choice accolade and is noted for its narrative depth and cultural significance.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Windows wallpapers worth celebrating

Microsoft is celebrating its 50th anniversary by inviting fans to reminisce and has released a collection of exclusive products, including limited-edition Windows wallpapers designed by Microsoft designers and Windows enthusiasts. These wallpapers reimagine iconic moments in Windows history, featuring the four-square logo and inspired by nostalgic elements such as the Windows 95 startup screen and classic games like Mahjong and Solitaire. Designer You Zhang created wallpapers that merge retro and modern styles, while art director Yulia Makhmudova designed a wallpaper featuring Solitaire cards arranged in the shape of "50" and revisited the iconic Tulips motif from Windows XP, adding 50 yellow buds. More ways to celebrate the anniversary can be found on Microsoft Unlocked.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Is Windows 11 Finally Better Than Windows 10 For Gaming?

Windows 11 has introduced several gaming-focused enhancements that are not present in Windows 10, including: - DirectStorage: Optimized for Windows 11, this technology allows games to load data directly from an NVMe SSD to the GPU, reducing load times. - Auto HDR: Enhances older games by automatically applying high dynamic range lighting effects for users with HDR-capable monitors. - Improved Scheduling for Hybrid CPUs: Offers better task scheduling for Intel's 12th or 13th generation CPUs, resulting in smoother frame rates during CPU-intensive gaming sessions. Benchmark tests show minimal performance differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11, with slight FPS improvements in some titles on Windows 11, especially when using advanced hardware and DirectStorage. As of March 2025, over 55% of Windows users on Steam have transitioned to Windows 11, indicating growing confidence in the operating system among gamers. Windows 11 has addressed many early bugs and driver issues, providing robust stability on compatible systems. Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, including the need for TPM 2.0 and UEFI secure boot. Windows 10 remains supported until October 2025, making it a viable option for users with older hardware. Windows 11 features a redesigned interface with a centered Start Menu and Taskbar, rounded corners, and expanded personalization options. It also simplifies the update process with annual feature updates and smaller, faster security updates. Windows 11 enhances integration with Microsoft services, supports Android apps through the Amazon Appstore, and introduces productivity tools like Snap Layouts and improved Task View. Security improvements include mandatory TPM 2.0, enhanced Windows Defender, and a redesigned privacy dashboard for better user control over app permissions. Despite its advancements, Windows 11 has limitations such as ongoing stability issues, driver compatibility concerns, and a simplified taskbar that lacks certain functionalities from Windows 10. Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 devices through Windows Update.