first-person Archives

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Believe the hype for Wardogs, possibly the next great multiplayer FPS

Wardogs, a military simulation first-person shooter from the creators of Battalion 1944, will enter early access on September 10. The game supports up to 100 players in player-versus-player action and features a mode where three teams compete for control over a territory on a large map. Players earn account-level currency through various actions, which can be spent on gear, creating a personal stake in survival. The game encourages collaborative play and strategic loadout management, offering generous cash rewards for gameplay. Preorders are available, and players can request refunds if they find the beta unsatisfactory. The studio has committed to avoiding monetization during early access, with cosmetic skins earned through gameplay. Wardogs is designed as a PC-first FPS and will support community servers.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

5 Best PC Games Of The ’80s, Ranked

The original "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" is a classic game from 1989 that is being remade to appeal to both new and veteran players. "Dungeon Master," released in 1987 by FTL Games, is a first-person dungeon crawler that introduced a dynamic improvement mechanism for character attributes and skills, featuring real-time combat and detailed monster designs. "Maniac Mansion," developed by Lucasfilm Games in 1987, is a horror-comedy point-and-click adventure that involves rescuing a teenager from a mad scientist's home, known for its intricate puzzles and multiple endings. "MIDI Maze," released in 1987 for the Atari ST, was an early multiplayer first-person shooter that allowed up to 16 players to battle using floating smiley faces as avatars and included networking capabilities and a level editor. "Starflight," released in 1986, allowed players to explore a vast galaxy, interact with civilizations, and engage in diplomacy and trading, featuring 270 star systems and the ability to recruit crew members and upgrade spacecraft.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Hit markers are an FPS crutch

Hit markers are visual cues in first-person shooters that indicate the impact of a shot, often accompanied by an 'X'. Before 2007, developers used impact animations and effects like blood spurts for feedback instead of UI elements. Notable franchises like Halo and Gears of War initially provided immersive feedback through visual cues but have since adopted hit markers, which clutter the HUD and diminish the immersive experience. The trend raises questions about balancing clarity and immersion in game design, as seen in contrasting examples like Left 4 Dead 2, which uses dynamic enemy reactions, versus Back 4 Blood, which employs hit markers.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

id co-founder John Carmack revisits Doom at QuakeCon: ‘Still a great game after all these years!’

At QuakeCon in Gaylord, Texas, John Carmack, a key figure in gaming, played the Evercade port of Doom and shared his experience on X, noting he reached level four and spent 15 minutes on levels four and five, expressing that it remains a great game after many years. In contrast, Larian Studios' Swen Vincke mentioned he has never revisited Ultima 7 due to concerns it might not match his fond memories, preferring to focus on his own game development. Carmack's enjoyment of replaying classic games reflects a common sentiment among gamers who appreciate revisiting their favorites.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

The indie parkour game from one of the French brothers behind 2024’s best FPS is coming out in just two weeks

Vholume is a "melancholic first-person parkour adventure" set to launch on August 21. The game features an introspective soundtrack with atmospheric synths and sounds of footsteps and labored breaths. It includes striking environments with overgrown, brutalist structures and a multiplayer aspect that allows players to race against friends or compete with recorded performances. Developed by a small team of three, one of whom is associated with the acclaimed game Straftat, Vholume has a demo available on its Steam page.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Ambrosia Sky: Act Two Launches on PC, Split Critics Praise Story Over Systems

Toronto's indie game studio, Soft Rains, has released Ambrosia Sky: Act Two on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game has received mixed reviews, with two-thirds praising it as an emotional journey, while one review questions its gameplay and the "immersive sim" label. Owners of Act One receive Act Two for free, while new players can purchase the full game for .99 USD, with a 20% discount available until around August 14, after which the price will increase to .99 USD. Ambrosia Sky is a first-person game where players control Dalia, a field scientist returning to her home colony after a fungal outbreak. Players use an upgradeable chemical sprayer to cleanse space stations and uncover a conspiracy. Act Two focuses on Dalia's search for her ex-girlfriend Maeve and introduces new locations, exo-fungus species, a revamped progression system, and new equipment. The Corruptor fungus adds a new mechanic that has received mixed reviews. The total playtime for both acts is approximately six to seven hours. Critics debate the game's classification as an immersive sim, with some arguing it lacks the open-ended environments typical of the genre. The narrative has been positively received, with praise for its emotional depth and storytelling. The full game is priced competitively for narrative-driven indie games, and the current pricing offers good value for players interested in the story and atmosphere. As of now, Ambrosia Sky has received two critic reviews on Metacritic, scoring 80 and 60.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

One of Bethesda’s Best Games Getting New Release Next Week

On August 11, a beloved title from Bethesda will return exclusively for Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and potentially PC users as part of the Xbox Game Pass offering. The addition of Date Everything to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass has been officially announced for the same day. Titles such as Grounded 2 and Bounty Star will also be added to the Premium tier after their initial releases in the Ultimate and PC tiers. Speculation surrounds the potential addition of Wolfenstein 3D, which has not been formally announced, but may be revealed at QuakeCon. Wolfenstein 3D, released in 1992, is recognized as a pivotal title in the first-person shooter genre and was ported to the Xbox 360 in 2009. The upgraded version will soon be accessible through Xbox Game Pass.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

5 Best PC Games Of The ’90s, Ranked

"Doom II" has received a new official level nearly three decades after its initial release. "Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings," released in 1999, features 13 distinct civilizations and has seen numerous expansions that enhance multiplayer modes. "Grim Fandango," released in 1998, is celebrated for its distinctive art design and captivating narrative, despite initial commercial struggles. "Half-Life," released in 1998, introduced a seamless gameplay experience and a compelling narrative, establishing itself as a classic in the first-person shooter genre. "StarCraft," released in 1998, allows players to choose from three unique factions and is known for its balanced gameplay and robust online multiplayer experience.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

All the news from QuakeCon 2026

QuakeCon 2026 is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Quake franchise. A new episode titled "Dawn of the Machine," created by MachineGames and id Software, is now available as a free update for Quake, featuring a 19-map campaign, time-bending mechanics, a new soundtrack, and a new Deathmatch map. A special event discussing this episode will take place on August 6 at 1:30 PM CT with industry legends. The id Signature Series has new designs available for purchase, including tees and hoodies. "Quake: The Board Game," a cooperative dungeon crawler developed by Archon Studios, is set to launch in Q4 2026. The DOOM Collection for Evercade, including DOOM (1993) and DOOM II), is available for preorder, along with a limited-edition Evercade Nexus DOOM Edition releasing in October 2026. Additionally, "Return to Castle Wolfenstein" is now available uncensored in Germany on various platforms.

AppWizard

August 6, 2026

Former Bethesda lead artist is looking forward to Fallout 3’s remaster because the game they released was ‘100% not what we intended, and it was very, very constrained’

Nate Purkeypile, a former artist at Bethesda, contributed to iconic games like Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield, and was the lead artist on Fallout 76. He is now an independent developer working on a stealth-archer bowhunting first-person shooter called The Axis Unseen. Purkeypile expressed enthusiasm for the announced remaster of Fallout 3, noting the technical limitations faced during its original development, such as restrictions on lighting. He believes that enhancements like increased draw distance could improve immersion and advocates for a remaster that offers more than just graphical updates, referencing successful remakes like those of Resident Evil. He emphasized the need for remasters to meet modern gaming standards while resonating with nostalgia.