first-person shooters Archives

AppWizard

July 19, 2025

15 incredible DOS classics you can play in your browser

Between the late '80s and early '90s, DOS became the foundation of PC gaming, fostering innovation with advancements in 2.5D and 3D environments, first-person shooters, city-building simulations, and point-and-click adventures. DOS games are lightweight, allowing them to run on modern devices easily. Dangerous Dave (1988) is a nostalgic platformer that remains enjoyable today. Sid Meier's Civilization (1991) is considered one of the greatest DOS games, allowing players to build empires through various strategies. Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (1992) is credited with shaping the real-time strategy genre, introducing base-building and resource management. Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons (1990) set the standard for PC platformers with its vibrant gameplay. Carmageddon (1997) is an iconic car combat game known for its humor and chaos. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (1992) is a hallmark of the point-and-click genre with engaging puzzles. The Oregon Trail (1990) started as an educational tool and became a classic game blending survival strategy with humor. Command and Conquer (1995) revolutionized the RTS genre with engaging gameplay. X-COM: UFO Defense (1994) is known for its strategic gameplay where every decision matters. Wolfenstein 3D (1992) is a pioneer of the FPS genre, influencing many subsequent titles.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Quantum Threshold Brings High-Intensity Seated Combat to PC VR Today

Quantum Threshold is a new VR game available on Steam that features a dystopian cyberpunk world populated by rogue AI agents called Techno Wraiths. Players assume the role of a wheelchair user, challenging traditional norms in first-person shooters. The game includes unique mechanics that utilize the wheelchair for movement and combat, offering randomized loot, evolving enemies, and a progression system that resets upon death while allowing for permanent upgrades. The Steam version enhances graphics and performance compared to the Quest version. Key features include wheelchair combat, roguelike progression with randomized elements, and power-ups inspired by other popular games. The game is available at a 10% discount for its first week on Steam.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

Deus Ex was a hard sell because, among other things, the Thief devs thought ‘if you give players a gun, they won’t sneak’

Deus Ex is a significant title in the immersive simulation genre, allowing players to approach challenges from various perspectives and breaking away from traditional linear gameplay in CRPGs and FPS games. Warren Spector, the game's creator, expressed frustration with conventional RPGs and FPS games before developing Deus Ex. The game has influenced many others, including Baldur's Gate, Pillars of Eternity, Skyrim, Avowed, Prey, and Baldur's Gate 3, showcasing its impact on player freedom and game design. An interview with Spector will be featured in the upcoming issue of PC Gamer, releasing on July 15.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

The 10 Best Steam Next Fest Games You Need to Wishlist

The Steam summer sale is approaching, and Valve is hosting the Summer 2025 Next Fest, showcasing various indie games. Notable titles include: - Dead as Disco: A beat 'em up game where players control Charlie Disco in a rhythmic combat system. Release date is not announced. Platforms: PC. - Voidbreaker: A first-person shooter focused on environmental destruction, set to launch on August 20. Platforms: PC. - Morsels: A twin-stick shooter roguelike featuring magical cards and strategic combat, set to release in 2025. Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch. - Dragon March: An arcade adventure with a mecha-dragon protagonist, release date unconfirmed. Platforms: PC. - House of Necrosis: A survival horror game with a turn-based system, release date not revealed. Platforms: PC, Linux. - DuneCrawl: A cooperative hack-and-slash game for up to four players, set for release in 2025. Platforms: PC. - Hell Clock: An action RPG based on Brazil's War of Canudos, launching on July 22. Platforms: PC. - 1000 Deaths: A platforming game exploring pivotal life moments, set to release on August 7. Platforms: PC. - Passant: A chess roguelike with unique mechanics, available on August 11. Platforms: PC. - Under The Island: A 2D RPG hack-and-slash game inspired by Zelda, release date unannounced. Platforms: PC.

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

With WH40K Boltgun and Dungeons of Hinterberg, this month’s Humble Choice lineup is stacked for less than $12

The June 2025 Humble Choice bundle includes eight games available for subscribers at a price of .99. The featured titles are: 1. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun - A first-person shooter with a retail price of .99. 2. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered - A remastered classic with a retail price of .99. 3. Nobody Wants to Die - A narrative-driven adventure with a retail price of .99. 4. Dungeons of Hinterberg - An adventure game with a retail price of .99. 5. Tchia - An open-world exploration game with a retail price of .99. 6. Sker Ritual - A zombie survival FPS with a retail price of .99. 7. Biped - A co-op adventure game with a retail price of .99. 8. Havendock - A colony simulation game with a retail price of .99. Additionally, the bundle includes a month of IGN Plus valued at .99 and a one-month subscription to Boot.dev worth .00. For June, 5% of every Humble Choice membership will be donated to The Trevor Project, which supports programs aimed at preventing suicide among LGBTQ+ youth.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

The greatest DOS games that defined the golden generation of DOS gaming

Before the rise of platforms like Steam, MS-DOS served as a foundation for many influential games that shaped the gaming landscape. - Dangerous Dave (1988): A slow-paced platformer known for its vibrant colors and imaginative enemies, though it was not widely successful. - Star Wars: TIE Fighter (1994): A game that provided a nostalgic experience of piloting spacecraft in a 3D environment, marking a formative moment in gaming. - Wolfenstein 3D (1992): An innovative title that showcased the potential of PC gaming and paved the way for future titles. - Sid Meier’s Civilization (1991): A highly influential game in the turn-based strategy genre, allowing players to build empires through strategy and diplomacy. - Prince of Persia (1989): Notable for its smooth animations and challenging gameplay, it laid the groundwork for future platformers. - SimCity 2000 (1993): A significant title in the city-building genre, allowing players to manage urban planning and budgets, influencing modern city simulation games. - DOOM (1993): A revolutionary first-person shooter that introduced fast-paced action and multiplayer gaming, establishing itself as a cornerstone of gaming history. MS-DOS gaming represents the starting point for many gamers, contributing to the evolution of gaming.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Over 25 Years Ago, This Lemmings-Esque Puzzler Was Sent Out To Die – Its Fans Had Other Plans

Monolith Productions announced its closure earlier this year, prompting tributes to its 30-year legacy. One notable title from the studio is Gruntz, a puzzle strategy game released for PCs in 1999, which has maintained an active community despite its initial rocky launch. The game was designed by Nick Newhard, who aimed to create a game that his wife would enjoy, blending real-time strategy elements with puzzles. After Newhard's departure from the project due to internal disagreements, Kevin Lambert took over development, infusing humor and personality into the characters. Gruntz received mixed reviews upon release, but found a favorable reception in Europe. The game's inclusion of level editing tools led to a dedicated fan community, with ongoing projects like Dizgruntled and Gruntz Unityverse. The community currently has over 368 accounts, showcasing the game's lasting appeal.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Best Single-Player PC Games to Play in 2025

Single-player PC games are thriving in 2025, featuring captivating narratives, intricate gameplay, and stunning visuals. Notable titles include: 1. Blue Prince - An indie roguelike puzzle game with a Metacritic score of 93, set in a shifting manor where players solve interconnected puzzles. 2. Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Set in feudal Japan, this game features two protagonists with distinct playstyles and has been praised for its narrative pacing and environmental design. 3. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - A cinematic first-person adventure focusing on exploration and puzzle-solving, released on PC in late 2024. 4. South of Midnight - A magical adventure following a girl with weaving abilities, notable for its claymation art style and emotional depth. 5. Avowed - A first-person fantasy RPG with choice-driven storytelling, set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity. Upcoming games include: - Blades of Fire (May 22, 2025) - A Soulslike combat game with a focus on cinematic storytelling. - Cairn (TBA 2025) - A survival climbing simulator emphasizing precision control mechanics. - Hell Is Us (September 4, 2025) - A narrative-driven action game that eschews traditional open-world design. - Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream (Late 2025) - A stealth-adventure game featuring orphans uncovering a conspiracy. The PC platform remains the best for single-player games due to mod support, performance flexibility, a vast library, and indie innovation. The evolution of gaming technology has led to cutting-edge graphics, immersive storytelling, and innovative exploration mechanics, enhancing player engagement.

BetaBeacon

April 11, 2025

Razer PC Remote Play finally launches, will let gamers stream PC games to iOS, Android, and Windows mobile devices

Razer PC Remote Play allows users to stream PC games to their mobile devices while using the Razer Kishi Ultra Controller. The platform has been updated with features such as automatic optimization for resolution and refresh rate, support for the AV1 video codec, and compatibility with iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Users can also take advantage of keyboard, mouse, and trackpad functionality on iPads for a more versatile gaming experience. The Razer Nexus app allows users to browse, configure, and launch PC games directly from their mobile devices. Setting up Razer PC Remote Play requires installing the necessary apps, enabling Remote Play via Razer Cortex on the PC, and signing in with a Razer ID.

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.