elements Archives

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

Legacy of Atlantis is “perfect” for newcomers, because it’s “the foundation of where Tomb Raider is going”

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is designed to appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers, blending nostalgia for the original Lara Croft with elements from the 2013 reboot trilogy. Experience Director Jeff Adams describes it as a reimagining that operates on a deeper level, while Art Director Arek Tomaszewski notes that the nearly ten-year gap since the last game has heightened anticipation. Game Director Raul Siqueira emphasizes that Legacy of Atlantis is a standalone experience that introduces Lara Croft's character effectively, with no prior knowledge required. The game is set to launch on February 12, 2027, and can be wishlisted on Steam.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

A series of surprise updates has polished Path of Exile 2 into a juggernaut that’s about to shake up the action RPG genre later this year

Grinding Gear Games has announced that the latest expansion for Path of Exile 2 will be the final update before the game exits early access later this year. A new skill tree for a side activity and a comprehensive upgrade to Unique items have been introduced, enhancing gameplay and strategies. PoE 2 combines elements from soulslike games and hack-and-slash titles, maintaining a challenging experience throughout its campaign. The game encourages mastery of its mechanics, with hidden features rewarding exploration. The recent update, Return of the Ancients, allows max-level players to sacrifice their characters for others and includes a quest for a powerful wand. New tutorials have been added to assist players in navigating the endgame loop. The ongoing updates reflect a commitment to refining and enhancing the game, setting a new standard for the action RPG genre.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

I tried to create the perfect zombie apocalypse in this intensely detailed outbreak simulator, and sorry slow zombie fans, fast zombies are just better

DeadOS is an indie game developed by Benn Powell, focusing on a realistic simulation of a zombie apocalypse. Inspired by cutscenes from Resident Evil 3, Powell aimed to explore the moments typically overlooked in zombie narratives. The game allows players to manipulate various parameters, such as city size and population density, to observe the consequences of different outbreak scenarios in a procedurally generated 3D cityscape. The simulation initially featured a simple infection model but became more complex with the addition of weapons and law enforcement, affecting human behavior during the outbreak. Players can guide characters through the chaos, engaging in actions like fighting zombies and scavenging for supplies. After nearly seven years of development, Powell plans to enhance the game further, including features for player-designed cities and community-created content. He aims to create a detailed zombie outbreak simulation, likening it to the Dwarf Fortress of undead scenarios.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

Super Earth’s finest, can you identify these Helldivers 2 Stratagems using just their codes?

The text discusses the distinction between various gaming elements in tactical shooters, emphasizing the pride gamers take in achieving high scores in games like Stratagem Hero. It introduces a quiz focused on Helldivers 2 Stratagems, where participants must identify ten specific Stratagems from the base game within two minutes. The quiz excludes Stratagems acquired through Warbonds and encourages players to rely on their knowledge and muscle memory to succeed.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

The next game from the director of Blood West is a frozen survival shooter where you scratch a living off the decaying corpse of a god

Blood West is an indie shooter launched in 2023, set in the Badlands where players battle eldritch horrors. The game has received expansions, including the Scavengers DLC. Hyperstrange is developing a new title called Bloodwoven, a spiritual successor that focuses on survival elements such as food and warmth, requiring players to manage temperature and prepare for challenges. Bloodwoven features a peak-style climbing system and has a trailer released, with speculation of a potential release next year.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

New Extraction Shooter on Steam is Like Cyberpunk 2077 Had a Baby with Minecraft

Gridlands is an upcoming extraction shooter game on Steam that features a distinctive aesthetic combining blocky visuals similar to Minecraft and a gritty noir ambiance akin to Cyberpunk 2077. It aims to differentiate itself from other titles in the genre, which has gained popularity due to successful games like Escape from Tarkov and ARC Raiders. Bungie's Marathon also joined the extraction shooter genre earlier in 2026.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

Eric Barone gives players a small update on Haunted Chocolatier’s progress: ‘It’s not a simple task, as I torture myself over every last detail’

Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has been developing Haunted Chocolatier for five years, focusing on refining every aspect of the game. He aims for it to be larger and more complex than Stardew Valley, with a bigger map, more characters, and intricate systems. Barone has dedicated significant time to the chocolate-making mechanics and is committed to creating an engaging user interface that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. He emphasizes the importance of balancing information presentation to avoid overwhelming players and aims to replicate and enhance the intuitive design of Stardew Valley. Barone prioritizes quality over speed, indicating that the game may take additional years to complete.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

Google’s Pixel home screen organizer looks almost ready for prime time in Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5

The fifth beta release of Android 17 QPR1 has introduced advancements in the home screen organizer feature for Pixel phones, allowing users to create, delete, and rearrange home screens. The feature suggests automatic population with relevant apps and widgets based on categories derived from the Google Play Store, including Most Used, Games, Health & Fitness, Productivity, Travel, and Social. Users can choose from three layout options for arranging apps and widgets. Additionally, a new folder creator feature has been added, enabling users to group apps into folders and eliminate duplicate icons from the home screen.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

Down with tactical rocks

The evolution of miniature design in tabletop gaming has shifted from simple character representation to exaggerated poses and precarious placements. Miniatures like the ork, once depicted in dynamic stances, now feature characters such as a dwarf leaping off a statue for dramatic effect. Maugan Ra, the Phoenix Lord, is shown straddling two tactical rocks, resembling a politician rather than a harbinger of doom. Games Workshop has popularized the trend of "tactical rocks," which are intended to elevate characters for visual impact but have become excessive. Originally, key figures were distinguished by size or mounting, but now even imposing figures like Kragnos awkwardly perch on these rocks. There is a growing sentiment among enthusiasts that this trend detracts from the artistry of miniatures, with many preferring to use color schemes and banners for distinction rather than relying on exaggerated poses. The balance between creativity and practicality in miniature design continues to be a topic of discussion.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

It’s wild of Rockstar to ask us for $80, minimum, without showing a GTA 6 gameplay trailer

Rockstar has announced the commencement of preorders for Grand Theft Auto VI, despite the absence of any actual gameplay footage. The minimum preorder price is set at an unspecified amount, with an "Ultimate Edition" available for an additional , which locks certain gameplay features. To date, there have been two trailers for the game, focusing on narrative elements rather than gameplay, and recent promotional images have not provided gameplay content. Many fans feel frustrated by the lack of evidence to justify their investment, especially those without current-generation consoles who are considering waiting for a PC release.