folklore Archives

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

The Seance of Blake Manor is a folk horror detective game, but I’ve been too busy digging through my fellow hotel guests’ drawers to solve its supernatural mystery

An investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Evelyn Deane from Blake Manor in Ireland is underway. Evelyn's absence suggests deeper secrets within the estate. Blake Manor, now a hotel, hosts a seance on All Hallow's Eve, attracting spiritualists and skeptics. The investigation involves a mystery menu to navigate clues and interactions with guests. The narrator discovers letters in the widow's chambers that hint at connections to Evelyn. As the investigation unfolds, the narrator is distracted by conversations and ultimately misses the opportunity to confront the widow. The evening culminates in a tragic incident involving the narrator's investigator, Declan Ward, who is engulfed by green flames. A demo of the mystery experience is available on Steam.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

The Dwarf Fortress of survival gaming has been in continual development for 33 years, and its creator doesn’t think he’ll ever stop updating it: ‘When I accomplish one feature, I always have two more waiting’

UnReal World is a procedurally generated survival roguelike game set in Iron Age Finland, designed by Sami Maaranen since 1992. The game evolved from a traditional fantasy roguelike to incorporate survival elements like a dynamic weather system, hunger simulation, and shelter construction. It features complex systems such as crafting, intricate animal AI, and a combat system that simulates injuries to specific body parts, drawing inspiration from Finnish folklore. UnReal World debuted on Windows in 1999 and was released on Steam in 2016. Maaranen continues to work on the game part-time, focusing on enhancing clothmaking mechanics and introducing permanent NPC companions. He aspires to implement advanced artificial intelligence for NPCs to create richer interactions.

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

I’ve always struggled with Monster Hunter, but this stunning new RPG’s creature slaying may just win me over

Project Tal is the debut title of Madngine's first triple-A RPG, set in a vibrant world inspired by Korean mythology. The game features a narrative based on traditional Tal masks and includes epic battles against formidable foes such as a tree-like dragon and a colossal golden idol. The combat system is influenced by martial arts, allowing players to scale massive creatures and execute combos through cooperative mechanics among party members. Each character has unique abilities, and assembling a balanced team is crucial for survival. Unlike Madngine's previous title, Project Tal will not incorporate NFT or blockchain elements, focusing instead on a traditional single-player action RPG experience. The game is scheduled for release in 2027 on PC and console.

Tech Optimizer

October 22, 2025

Researchers tout vector-based automated tuning in PostgreSQL

Automated database systems using vector embedding algorithms can improve PostgreSQL database performance by two to ten times, according to researcher Andy Pavlo from Carnegie Mellon University. Automating database tuning is complex due to the challenge of addressing multiple tuning parameters simultaneously. Pavlo categorized tuning options into four groups: System Knobs, Physical Design, Query Tuning, and Life Cycle Management. Machine learning techniques have been developed to tackle these issues, but a holistic tuning agent, Proto-X, was created to optimize all parameters at once. Proto-X uses an encoder to transform database configurations into feature vectors and employs a reinforcement learning algorithm to rank tuning choices. The integration of an LLM-based "booster" can reduce the initial 12-hour processing time to about 50 minutes and allows for rapid responses in critical situations. Pavlo is establishing a new company, So You Don't Have To (SYDHT), to provide PostgreSQL database services with holistic tuning and LLM boosting, aiming for a launch next year.

AppWizard

October 4, 2025

Dead by Daylight’s new Thai killer is its “goriest,” but she’s more than just a “tick box”

The latest killer in Dead by Daylight is the Krasue, a character inspired by Thai folklore. The Krasue is depicted as a beautiful woman who becomes cursed and transforms into a disembodied head that hunts the living. Her gameplay mechanics involve a transformation from her human form to her killer persona, which presents unique challenges for the development team. The character features two distinct voices, with one voice provided by Thai opera singer Dr. Organ Prawang and the other by death metal vocalist Roxana B.L. The game's creative director, Dave Richard, emphasizes the importance of cultural authenticity and diversity, noting the Krasue's significance to the Thai community and hinting at future expansions that may explore horror stories from various cultures.

AppWizard

September 30, 2025

Dead by Daylight dev says it feels “unstoppable,” but knows change is needed

Dead by Daylight has launched Chapter 37, introducing a new Killer named The Krasue and a new Survivor named Vee, both inspired by Thai culture and folklore. Behaviour Interactive has decided to delay its upcoming licensed chapter to focus on improving core gameplay and addressing bugs and balance issues. The Krasue is described as a demonic entity that can detach from its human host, while Vee represents a cultural exploration for the game. Creative director Dave Richard mentioned the team's ambition to explore diverse characters and themes, stating that the possibilities are "infinite." The game is facing challenges related to its increasing complexity, prompting a strategic plan to enhance accessibility for new players. Richard emphasized the importance of regular content updates and community engagement, noting that while the frequency of new chapters may change, the evolution of Killers, Survivors, and perks will continue.

AppWizard

September 23, 2025

Must-play Arthurian roguelike boldly launches mere days before Hades 2, and I get why it’s so confident

Sworn, an Arthurian roguelike game, has officially launched on Steam after a successful six-month early access period. The game features a combat system influenced by Hades, with dynamic boss encounters and an array of boons. Players can enhance their characters through four unique skill trees and multiple characters, each with four upgradeable weapons. Sworn is set in the realm of Arthurian legends and Celtic lore, contrasting with Hades' Greek mythology. It also includes a co-op mode for up to four players, a potion lab unlocked by Guinevere, new blessings, balance adjustments, and refined weapon upgrades. The game is priced at .99 / £24.99.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

Dark isometric survival management game Peregrino announced for PC

Inverge Studios has announced its new project, Peregrino, a dark isometric survival management game set to launch on PC via Steam, with no specific release date yet. Players will lead a group of pilgrims through a dangerous landscape, facing life-or-death decisions that impact their journey and the fates of their followers. Key features include brutal survival management requiring resource management, a horror journey confronting nightmarish creatures, character-driven gameplay with unique pilgrim stories, a customizable caravan serving as a home and defense, careful inventory management, and a gothic horror-inspired 19th-century aesthetic. An announcement trailer is available for viewing.

AppWizard

June 22, 2025

I’ve already found the best fishing game in Steam’s Fishing Fest, Scale the Depths, which lets you feed fish to Nessie in Loch Ness and hunt for the mythic Beithir

The text describes a fishing-themed game called Scale the Depths, which features pixel-art graphics and involves players catching fish to serve whimsical creatures on Loch Ness. Players must cater to the unique dietary preferences of various patrons, including otters and the Loch Ness monster, while earning money to upgrade their fishing gear. Upgrades available in the game include enhancements to the fishing rod, hook, knife, and inventory size. Players can explore deeper waters for larger fish and treasures, with the ultimate goal of catching the mythical Beithir. The game requires active participation in fishing, with controls that can be challenging but improve with gear upgrades.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

This medieval slasher looks like an ’80s comic that inspired 100 death metal bands, and you should try its 10-minute Steam Next Fest demo

The Steam Next Fest demo for Black Raven, a 2.5D action-adventure game inspired by Slavic folklore, features striking visuals that attract players. The game begins with the protagonist, Ivan, returning to find his home destroyed, his wife killed, and his child missing, setting a dark tone for the narrative. The visual style resembles a 1980s comic strip, and the demo lasts about ten minutes, allowing for a single death. While the combat mechanics are straightforward, the artistic direction generates interest and anticipation for the full release.