encounters Archives

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Banquet For Fools review

Banquet for Fools is an immersive role-playing game set to release on March 5, 2026, by Hannah and Joseph Games. Players engage deeply with the game world, which lacks traditional quest logs and markers, requiring them to take notes to track objectives. The game begins with a chaotic scene and spans three centuries into the future, where players create questing parties with unconventional characters. The narrative is intentionally vague, and players must interpret information conveyed through elaborate scrolls and hand-drawn notes. Traveling in the game is a significant experience, with players choosing routes that impact their resources and survival. Encounters with friendly groups or hostile enemies add tension, and combat is real-time, requiring tactical decisions and quick reactions. The combat system emphasizes a personal connection to attacks and encourages players to unlock new abilities that enhance tactical options. Challenges include vague directions from NPCs and a strict day/night cycle, which can lead to frustration but also deepen player engagement with the game world. Each setback offers opportunities to learn and adapt, making the experience rewarding despite its complexities.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons II Announced for Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, PC, and Game Pass

Xbox Game Studios, in collaboration with Mojang Studios and Double Eleven, has announced Minecraft Dungeons II, set to release in 2026. The game will be available on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox Game Pass. Players will face a new adversary and engage in high-stakes encounters, thrilling challenges, and explore new locations within the Minecraft universe.

AppWizard

March 22, 2026

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die proves roguelikes don’t need to fill 100 hours

Action roguelikes, particularly those inspired by Hades, have gained popularity, with "Lost in Random: The Eternal Die" being a notable recent release. This sequel retains whimsical aesthetics and introduces a magical die companion, focusing on action gameplay rather than exploration. Players select weapons with multiple forms and battle through four regions, facing a boss at the end of each. The game features an innovative card system that allows players to discover unique spells, with timing affecting spell effectiveness. A relic system adds strategic depth, where players draft bonuses and align relics to enhance damage types. Level design includes interconnected rooms and engaging boss battles, which may surpass those in Hades. The game has a playtime of under 21 hours and is currently available at a 45% discount during the Steam Spring Sale for .67 / £10.99, as well as on Xbox Game Pass with a demo available.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

Blight: Survival offers a fresh slice of its medieval zombie-slaying, after its developer took a break to ‘rebuild our core systems from the ground up’

Blight: Survival, a third-person hack 'n' slash game, has over 1.5 million wishlists on Steam, making it one of the most anticipated titles since its announcement in 2022. Developed by Haenir Studio in collaboration with Behaviour Interactive, the game features an immersive combat system designed to feel impactful, with various finishers enhancing the intensity of encounters. A recent trailer showcased brutal combat, including a character striking a zombie with a shield. Haenir Studio has been actively updating the community about the game's progress, including the introduction of a new exploration area, the marshlands, and a Halloween teaser featuring a zombie encounter.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

I’ve spent over 100 hours in Crimson Desert—here are my top 20 quick tips to triumph in Pywel

1. Ring the bell in each city to unlock the regional map and reveal points of interest. 2. Spend your first Abyss Artifacts on health and stamina, prioritizing stamina for early boss encounters. 3. Complete Requests from the notice board to gain more inventory space or purchase extra slots at shops. 4. The Force Palm ability is effective for puzzles and boss fights, especially with the Level 3 upgrade. 5. You can heal your horse by using the Force Palm ability. 6. Petting and feeding your horse unlocks new skills, such as double jumping. 7. Refine your gear at the Smithy using copper and iron ore, and look for Bloodstone for maximum refinement. 8. Kicking is an effective tactic against humanoid bosses and enemies. 9. Mysterious Energy areas on the map often hide fast travel points or puzzles. 10. Completing Sealed Abyss Artifact challenges yields Abyss Gears and Faded Abyss Artifacts for respecs. 11. Hold up your lantern to locate Sealed Abyss Artifacts, which shine with a white circle. 12. Sell learned recipes for profit and participate in various contests for quick cash. 13. Use CTRL (or LB on controller) to investigate vendor inventories for hidden items. 14. Steal carefully to avoid losing Contribution points, which are needed for better gear. 15. Use grindstones and anvils to temporarily increase weapon damage and armor protection. 16. Cook and equip food for quick healing access during battles. 17. The Blinding Flash ability can burn obstacles and reveal powered cables for puzzles. 18. Observe enemies and bosses to learn new skills for free. 19. Keep your guard up and upgrade Keen Senses to Level 2 for better dodging and parrying. 20. Palmar Pills found during main quests restore 30% HP upon death instead of forcing a respawn.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

10 games to grab during the Steam Spring Sale 2026

March has seen the release of several notable gaming titles including Slay the Spire 2, Crimson Desert, Monster Hunter Stories 3, and Timberborn. The Steam Spring Sale offers discounts on a variety of PC games, running from March 19 to March 26. Featured titles in the sale include: 1. Dispatch: 20% off - .99 / £19.99 2. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: 50% off - .99 / £24.99 3. Routine: 20% off - .59 / £26.79 4. Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader: 60% off - .19 / £17.19 5. Maze Mice: 50% off - .49 / £4.49 6. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown: 50% off - .49 / £12.49 7. Blue Prince: 34% off - .84 / £14.84 8. Dungeons of Hinterberg: 66% off - .45 / £6.45 9. Star Wars Jedi Survivor: 90% off - .99 / £5.99 10. Dread Delusion: 50% off - .74 / £7.74

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Crimson Desert is “too much in the best and worst ways,” and that’s exactly why it’s unforgettable

Crimson Desert, developed by Pearl Abyss, is set to release on March 19, 2026, priced at .99, and will be available on PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. The game offers nearly 100 hours of gameplay and features a vast world with diverse activities, including competitive archery, outlaw tracking, investment banking, and brawling. Players can encounter nearly 100 different creatures, 34 crafting manuals, and 28 factions. Traveling the map can take about four hours on foot, but there are 28 different mounts to enhance exploration. The combat system includes around 30 attack combinations across melee, ranged, and magical options. Performance on Windows PCs is commendable, running smoothly on mid-range and high-end graphics cards, though some features may challenge lower-end systems. The character-swapping mechanic allows players to switch between characters for different missions, but it may feel underdeveloped. The narrative evolves from a tale of vengeance into a more intricate story with engaging set pieces and well-crafted dialogue.

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 18, 2026

Death Stranding 2 PC and PS5 major update details revealed including new difficulty mode, live-action cutscenes and more

Hideo Kojima has announced new features for the upcoming PC port of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which will also launch on PlayStation 5 on March 19. The PC version will support unlocked frame rates, ultra widescreen formats, and full compatibility with the DualSense controller, along with advanced upscaling and frame generation technologies. A new difficulty mode called To the Wilder will be introduced, alongside new live-action cutscenes, additional scenes with new nightmares for the protagonist Sam, new items, replayable boss fights, a 21:9 ultrawide mode for PS5, a Chiral Cat in Sam’s room, and various gameplay adjustments based on player data. Critics have praised Death Stranding 2, with VGC naming it their Game of the Year for 2025, highlighting its stronger narrative and refined mechanics compared to its predecessor.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

Pragmata’s stellar combat proves multitasking can actually be fun

Multitasking is integral to the gameplay of Capcom's Pragmata, where players control Hugh and his AI companion Diana while engaging in combat against robots. Players must aim and fire at enemies while simultaneously completing hacking mini-games that enhance damage output. The game features a variety of weapons, including assault rifles, electrified guns, and shotguns, which players can pick up and use throughout their journey. The hacking mechanics evolve as players progress, introducing new challenges and skills. The fast-paced combat and dynamic interactions between Hugh and Diana create an engaging experience, although the narrative and world-building remain partially unexplored.