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PC gamers can grab a sci-fi hit in 7 day time-limited free offer
AppWizard
September 4, 2026

PC gamers can grab a sci-fi hit in 7 day time-limited free offer

The Epic Games Store offers a selection of free games every Thursday. This week, players can claim the game Alone With You for free until 4 PM BST on Thursday, September 10. Alone With You, developed by BancyCo and launched in 2017, is an adventure game set in a doomed space colony, featuring a robot AI companion. The game typically retails for .99 and takes approximately 6.5 hours to complete the main storyline, or 11.5 hours for full exploration. It has a 'Mostly Positive' rating of 78% on Steam, with players praising its puzzle elements and narrative. Once claimed, the game remains in the player's library, but it is only available for PC.
A multi-month delay for Deus Ex turned into a huge payoff for one of its best characters, says designer Harvey Smith
AppWizard
September 3, 2026

A multi-month delay for Deus Ex turned into a huge payoff for one of its best characters, says designer Harvey Smith

Harvey Smith discussed the development of Deus Ex on the NoClip podcast, emphasizing the benefits of allowing extra time for game development, particularly in post-production. He noted that Ion Storm Austin received additional time, which enabled the team to refine the game and enhance the character Gunther Hermann, who initially had a limited role. Smith creatively integrated Gunther into a mission in a Paris cathedral, allowing for a more dynamic interaction and a dramatic moment where Gunther's presence added emotional weight to the gameplay. He highlighted the importance of providing game development teams with extra time to improve quality and creativity, suggesting that this approach could lead to greater success and recognition in the industry.
Good reviews are a 'great relief,' says Blood of Dawnwalker director, as former CD Projekt coworkers line up to offer congratulations
AppWizard
September 2, 2026

Good reviews are a ‘great relief,’ says Blood of Dawnwalker director, as former CD Projekt coworkers line up to offer congratulations

The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to launch on September 2, with early reviews being largely favorable, including an 83% rating from our publication and an aggregate score of 83/100 on Metacritic. Creative director Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz expressed relief about the reviews on social media, highlighting the emotional toll of waiting for them. He has a significant background at CD Projekt, having worked on The Witcher 2, The Witcher 3, and Cyberpunk 2077. His announcement received congratulations from industry peers, fostering a sense of camaraderie among developers. The game will be available on platforms like Steam and GOG at 6 PM ET on September 2.
Star Wars Zero Company's permadeath makes it a better RPG than most RPGs, even though it's not really an RPG
AppWizard
August 30, 2026

Star Wars Zero Company’s permadeath makes it a better RPG than most RPGs, even though it’s not really an RPG

Star Wars Zero Company is a role-playing game that combines tactical gameplay with narrative depth, allowing players to explore a universe similar to Mass Effect 2. A key feature is its system of permanent character loss, where main characters can be lost if they fall in battle three times without medical attention, adding emotional weight to player decisions. The game emphasizes meaningful choices, enriching the narrative experience. Companion questlines, such as that of the clone trooper Trick, personalize the story and deepen player engagement. While the game successfully integrates permadeath into its mechanics, the narrative and tactical elements are somewhat distinct, with potential for greater integration in future developments.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
August 29, 2026

Rockstar considered having four protagonists in Grand Theft Auto 6, but the studio ‘worried about diluting the amount of player time’ with each character

Rockstar has reduced the number of playable characters in Grand Theft Auto 6 from three to two, prioritizing a more intimate narrative experience. The decision was influenced by concerns about diluting player connection with characters if more were introduced. The focus on two protagonists aims to foster a strong emotional bond and chemistry between them, enhancing player engagement. The game features a world three times larger than Red Dead Redemption 2 and a nuanced honor system, but the central partnership between the two characters is expected to define this installment.
Beyond These Stars Arrives Oct 15 on PC Game Pass With Full 1.0 Launch
AppWizard
August 21, 2026

Beyond These Stars Arrives Oct 15 on PC Game Pass With Full 1.0 Launch

Hooded Horse and Balancing Monkey Games will release Beyond These Stars on October 15, 2026. The game is a city-building and colony management title set on the back of a sentient Space Whale named Kewa. It will be available on Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store, with day-one access for PC Game Pass subscribers. Beyond These Stars serves as a sequel to Before We Leave and features players guiding a civilization called the Peeps while managing resources and Kewa's well-being. The game emphasizes ecological mutualism, where Kewa's happiness affects gameplay. Players will navigate a complex production system and can explore a procedurally generated Galaxy Map with various star systems. The game has received positive feedback from critics and will launch as a complete 1.0 title, bypassing Early Access. The minimum system requirements include a Windows 10 (64-bit) PC with an Intel Core i3-6300 or AMD FX-9370, 8 GB RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 750 or AMD Radeon R9 380. A free demo is currently available on Steam.
The most profound objective in any Halo series was 'spiritually inspired' by the nuke sequence in Modern Warfare 2
AppWizard
August 21, 2026

The most profound objective in any Halo series was ‘spiritually inspired’ by the nuke sequence in Modern Warfare 2

Growing up during the golden age of first-person shooter games featured iconic titles like Modern Warfare 2, F.E.A.R., Halo: Reach, and Black Ops 2, allowing for extensive gameplay due to minimal responsibilities. Niles Sankey, the designer of Halo: Reach, revealed that the Modern Warfare series significantly influenced its campaign design, particularly in crafting inter-character relationships and narrative depth. He noted that moments in Reach were inspired by the work of Infinity Ward, including the "Objective Survive" mission, which was spiritually inspired by the Nuke sequence in Modern Warfare 2. The final mission of Reach, Lone Wolf, presented a groundbreaking narrative choice by suggesting that the protagonist might not survive, challenging traditional storytelling conventions in video games.
Cursed Doll Horror Game Baptiste Hits Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, and PC This Fall
AppWizard
August 20, 2026

Cursed Doll Horror Game Baptiste Hits Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, and PC This Fall

Spanish publisher Firenut Games and co-developer Digital Dreams™ announced the psychological horror game Baptiste, set to launch in fall 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. The announcement was made on August 19, 2026, alongside a gameplay trailer and a free demo available on Steam. The game follows Tom, a teenager dealing with his father's death, who discovers a cursed doll in a mansion that leads to supernatural events. Baptiste features a darkness mechanic that intensifies horror elements based on the protagonist's exposure to darkness. The game requires high-performance hardware, with recommended specs including an Intel i9 processor, 32 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU. Baptiste successfully raised €6,118 through a Kickstarter campaign in October 2025. It will support audio in English and Spanish, with interface and subtitle options in 11 languages. A free demo is currently available on Steam, covering the first 30 minutes of gameplay.
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