game experience Archives

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Friday’s Android app deals and freebies: Balatro, Samorost 3, CHUCHEL, Botanicula, more

A new lineup of game and app deals for Android includes Balatro, Samurai of Hyuga 5, Samorost 3, CHUCHEL, Botanicula, and Dawncaster: Deckbuilding RPG. Significant discounts on tech products include the Galaxy Fold 7 with a discount of up to , Microsoft's Surface Laptop 7 with a discount, and LG's 77-inch B5 OLED TV now priced 0 off with a 0 Best Buy gift card.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

I’m not sure who the PUBG x Payday collab is for, or why it exists

Developers of PUBG are introducing a map selection feature despite concerns that it could lead to longer wait times and more bot players. They believe this will enhance the game experience. PUBG has also collaborated with the game Payday, introducing a new game mode with monetary incentives for players. The gameplay in this mode has been described as unremarkable and feels more like a marketing strategy than a genuine enhancement. The developers expressed concerns about dividing the matchmaking pool and affecting overall quality in a letter regarding the new feature. The Payday heist mode incentivizes participation through in-game rewards but lacks the tension that has contributed to PUBG's longevity. Additionally, a 0,000 prize pool for streamers based on viewer numbers aims to draw attention to the new mode but feels inorganic. There seems to be a conflict within the development team between preserving player experience and diversifying the game, which could risk alienating the player base.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Ancient MMO Final Fantasy 11 still has new things on the horizon 24 years after launch

Final Fantasy 11, launched in 2002, continues to have a dedicated player base despite being overshadowed by newer titles like Final Fantasy 14 and Guild Wars 2. Square Enix has updated the game's website to modernize its appearance and announced new features, including the ability to replay story missions. A recent update allows players to progress to level 75 without a time limit in the previously time-limited 14-day free trial, although access to certain areas remains restricted. This update underscores the game's ongoing relevance and support from Square Enix.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Overwatch’s lackluster 10th anniversary event will have its rewards improved next week, with more free stuff planned for later this year

Players expressed disappointment with Overwatch's 10th anniversary event, which featured loot boxes primarily containing recolored skins and a few sprays, falling short of expectations for a significant milestone. Historically, previous anniversary events included a wider selection of items, leading players to hope for a similar experience this time. The Chinese version of the event offered exclusive skins from past seasonal battle passes, further highlighting the disparity. Blizzard's Keller acknowledged player feedback and announced upcoming improvements to the reward system, including a new event with more rewards and additional free cosmetics later in the year. While initial reactions to these announcements were mostly positive, some players remained dissatisfied, advocating for more premium skins. The community's sentiment indicated that a more substantial array of cosmetics would have better honored the game's decade-long impact.

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

A PvE-only mode is coming to Marathon as Bungie lays out plans for seasons 3, 4 and 5

Marathon director Joe Ziegler discussed Bungie's plans for upcoming seasons of Marathon, highlighting the introduction of a new map featuring "alien elements and mind-warping debuffs" and the next Runner shell, Sentinel, which will offer a defensive kit. Two new PvE-focused modes will debut in Season 2: one experimental mode at the beginning of the season that combines PvE with a light touch of PvP, and a second PvE-only mode focused on crew objectives. Ziegler emphasized that while PvE options are being introduced, PvP will remain a core aspect of the game. Further details on Season 2 changes, including faction progression enhancements and new runner stat boosts, will be revealed the week of May 25.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

New Slay the Spire 2 update reworks Ironclad’s most unpopular card and makes lower Ascensions easier

Developer Megacrit has released beta patch notes for Slay the Spire 2, focusing on refining the Ascension difficulty scaling. Changes include reduced HP for Scrolls of Biting, Owl Magistrate, and Slimed Berserker at lower Ascensions, while making them stronger at higher levels. The Vantom Act 1 boss has been nerfed, and the Waterfall Giant elite heals less in low-difficulty encounters. The team is monitoring the performance of the Act 3 boss, Doormaker, but is hesitant to make further changes. Card updates feature new artwork and significant reworks for Conflagration and Drum of Battle for Ironclad, with Conflagration now dealing two damage to all enemies four times at base. Regent's Parry has been adjusted to align better with Dexterity and Frail mechanics. Neow's blessings have seen some improvements, with Booming Conch providing additional energy and Neow's Fury allowing players to choose cards from the discard pile. Tezcatara's Nutritious Soup relic has been buffed to grant Strikes additional damage and cost nothing. The patch also includes various smaller balance changes, user interface enhancements, and bug fixes.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Slay the Spire 2 patch notes arrive for all, meaning an easier early game but harder infinites

The latest patch for Slay the Spire 2 has transitioned from beta to the main game, introducing several enhancements. Players can now experience improved map generation, a more forgiving Act One, and five new Neow relics: Hefty Tablet, Neow's Talisman, Phial Holster, Winged Boots, and Neow's Bones. Elite enemies appear one floor later, and rebalancing has adjusted foes like the Skulking Colony and Byrdonis. The Act Three boss, Doormaker, has been redesigned with a unique setup and three phases: Hunger, Scrutiny, and Grasp. All five classes have been rebalanced, with new cards introduced, such as Not Yet, Blade of Ink, Regent's Arsenal, and Borrowed Time. Shop relic prices have been reduced, and gold-generating relics are no longer available for purchase. Ascension level six now features 'Inflation,' increasing card removal costs. The patch also includes new art, visual effects, a 'Phobia mode,' and Badges for achievements. Achievements and epochs cannot be unlocked during daily and custom runs, and the main and beta branches will maintain separate records. The patch 0.103.2 is now live for all versions of the game.

AppWizard

March 31, 2026

The Elder Scrolls Online is coming to PC Game Pass in June, and it’s free right now with PlayStation Plus

Zenimax Online Studios announced that The Elder Scrolls Online will be available on PC Game Pass starting June 2. Players will return to previously unseen areas of Skyrim, enhancing the game experience. The Elder Scrolls Online Collection: Gold Road is currently free for PlayStation Plus subscribers until April 6, including the base game and all major Chapter zones. The game will also be part of Xbox Play Anywhere. A new event zone called the Night Market will launch on April 29, offering a unique PvE experience. Additionally, two new story content updates focusing on the Thieves Guild and Sheogorath are forthcoming.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Mechabellum is a conversation you should be having

Mechabellum is an autobattler game that supports 1v1, 2v2, or 1v1v1v1 matchups, where players deploy various mechs to engage in combat. The game emphasizes strategic interaction over execution, allowing players to adapt their strategies based on their opponent's moves. After about ten hours of gameplay, players experience the game's depth, characterized by a dynamic exchange of tactics that resembles a conversation. Defeats often arise from understanding the opponent's intentions rather than from executing a pre-learned strategy. The game provides clear cause-and-effect feedback, enabling players to learn from their decisions. New units are regularly introduced, and matches are designed to be concise, fitting easily into players' schedules. The visual presentation of the game enhances the experience, making battles easy to follow and rewarding strategic planning.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Borderlands 4’s Mad Ellie expansion plummets into the red as players reject $30 price tag

Anticipation for the first story expansion of Borderlands 4 is high, particularly due to the enjoyable base game experience. The expansion features characters like Ellie and introduces a new playable character, C4SH, a robotic gambler. Players will join forces with Moxxi's daughter and Ellie to confront a cosmic threat in the new region, Whispering Glacier, while seeking an alien monolith and exploring the Vault of the Damned. C4SH has unique abilities that enhance gameplay, including building 'Fortune' stacks and using various action skills. However, the expansion has received 'mostly negative' reviews on Steam, with only 33% of reviewers rating it positively, largely due to its pricing. The expansion is priced at .99 / £26.99, which many players feel is too high for the content offered, especially when compared to other games that provide more substantial gameplay for similar prices. The bundling of the new character with the story content has also contributed to dissatisfaction, as not all players may be interested in both elements. The expansion is available on Steam and included in the Super Deluxe Edition bundle.