Game Features Archives

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Stonking Half-Life remake Black Mesa is the cheapest it’s ever been on Steam, offering Barney Calhoun in glorious 4K for a mere 2 bucks

The fan-made remake of Valve's 1998 first-person shooter, Half-Life, titled Black Mesa, is currently available on Steam for £1.70 until May 19. The game features a mute scientist navigating chaotic scenarios, including a confrontation with a giant baby in space. The recent "Resonance Decade" update, celebrating the game's 10-year anniversary, includes various technical improvements.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Labyrinth of the Demon King review

Labyrinth of the Demon King is a first-person dungeon crawler developed by J. R. Hudepohl and published by Top Hat Studios, set to release on May 13, 2025, priced at £16.75. The game combines horror and adventure, drawing inspiration from the King's Field series and early survival horror games, featuring a visual style that evokes mid-’90s graphics. Players can use various weapons, including a katana, otsuchi, and rifle, with talismans providing additional combat complexity. The game includes a stalking figure named Nuribotoke, reminiscent of Resident Evil's Mr. X, and features puzzles that require backtracking and engagement with narrative elements found in scrolls about Buddhist folklore.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Doom: The Dark Ages feels like a console game first and PC game second

The latest installment of the Doom franchise, Doom: The Dark Ages, introduces a new combat loop centered around the Shield Saw, allowing players to block damage with a right-click. This change alters the frenetic pace of earlier games, shifting towards a more methodical approach tailored for console players. The game features expansive, flat arenas lacking the verticality of previous titles, resulting in a gameplay experience reminiscent of traditional shooters like Call of Duty. There is a reduction in airborne threats and static enemy placements, leading to a slower combat experience with less emphasis on quick reflexes. Gun mechanics have been simplified, favoring passive upgrades over the intricate hot-swapping of mods, which may leave PC players feeling shortchanged. Exploration is more forgiving, with fewer hazards and a safety net that teleports players back without penalty. Overall, The Dark Ages emphasizes accessibility and streamlined gameplay, potentially diluting the challenge expected by long-time fans of the franchise.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

This Factorio-ish sim is threatening to devour hours of my time, and I haven’t even gotten to the part where I make my own starships yet

Players of management games can experience a cycle of improvisation, where strategies develop after constructing makeshift systems. "Outworld Station" is a game that combines striking visuals with engaging gameplay, allowing players to build assembly lines and explore environments filled with abandoned ships. The game features an interactive interface where a drone follows the cursor, gathering resources. Players can explore to uncover valuable materials and engage in combat by shifting into a combat mode with the drone. Initial impressions of the game suggest deeper mechanics, such as starship construction, and it is currently available as a demo on Steam.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Stellar Blade PC will release on 11th June, according to leaked trailer montage of technical improvements

Stellar Blade is set to release on PC on June 11th. A leaked trailer revealed enhancements for the PC version, including advanced AI frame generation, support for higher resolutions, bonus outfits, Japanese and Chinese voiceovers, a new boss fight, and ultrawide display support. The PC version was originally confirmed in February and has generated attention alongside its console counterpart. The game features dynamic character designs and engaging gameplay mechanics, combining elements of combat and exploration.

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

Killing Floor 3’s new release date is late July

Killing Floor 3 is set to release on July 24 via Steam and Epic Games, delayed from its initial date of March 25 due to player feedback from a beta test. The game features intense action where players assume the role of rebel Nightfall specialists fighting against a bioengineered zombie-monster army. Players can unlock new skills and weapons to enhance their combat strategies.

AppWizard

May 11, 2025

The best FPS of 2024 simply cannot stop adding new maps, introducing 37 new arenas, 4 new weapons, and a ‘Horrible Smelly Head’ in its latest update

Straftat is a micro-first-person shooter developed by the Lemaitre brothers, featuring a fast-paced 1v1 duel format. The game includes dozens of unique weapons, 150 creatively designed maps, and a variety of hats, all available for free, with an optional £4.29 DLC that nearly doubles the map count and adds features. Continuous updates have introduced new maps, a training area inspired by their previous game Babbdi, an optional weapon randomizer, and exclusive DLC cosmetics. Future features teased by the developers include a 4-player free-for-all mode and a 2v2 Team Deathmatch, with some new maps designed for larger player counts.

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

Locomoto is a train management adventure with Animal Crossing vibes and Minecraft-like crafting that’s already claimed hours of my time

In the game Locomoto, the player takes on the role of a train conductor, having commandeered a train from a goat named McGruff, with the mission of assisting a struggling town by transporting the future mayor. The gameplay includes clearing tracks, operating the train, and engaging in quests that involve transporting passengers and locating items. The game features a character customization system, allowing players to modify their character and train, and incorporates a crafting system for creating various items. Players can collect parcels and complete tasks, leading to an immersive and time-consuming experience. Locomoto is currently available on PC.

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

The next ‘Minecraft’ could come from a Niagara College student

Conor MacNeill, a game development professor at Niagara College, highlights the excitement of students presenting their capstone projects at the Welland campus library. The game development program has grown from about a dozen graduates to a large community, now including collaborations with Brock University. Students are now creating VR games, a significant development compared to the program's early years. First-year student Mark Lampman and fourth-year student Dante Bell showcase their projects, with Bell's team, Slugworks, presenting a game called "Green Thing from the Planet Jupiter." This game features a competitive chase between a green alien and a cat, requiring significant time commitment from the team. The GDLaunch event has evolved, with students actively promoting their games through various marketing strategies. Approximately 25 alumni attended, many looking to hire graduates. The gaming industry is expected to grow through 2027, providing promising opportunities for students. After GDLaunch, 64 graduates attended the Level Up Showcase in Toronto, where their game won second place for Achievement in Audio. The event attracted around 5,000 attendees, showcasing the innovation and dedication of the students.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

Doom: The Dark Ages review

The latest first-person shooter from id Software, titled Doom: The Dark Ages, is set to release on May 15, 2025, with a price of £60. It is published by Microsoft and has been reviewed on an RTX 2080 Super, Intel Core i9 9900KS, and 32GB RAM. The game features a new mechanic called the Shield Saw, allowing players to deflect attacks and engage enemies more aggressively. However, the complexity of the firearms has been reduced, with no dedicated secondary fire modes and a focus on passive upgrades. The game emphasizes accessibility, offering customizable difficulty settings, but the level designs are simpler compared to previous installments. Players can pilot mechs and engage in aerial dogfights, but these moments are brief and feel disconnected from the main gameplay. The overall experience may lead players to prefer earlier entries in the series. The game does not include multiplayer and has not been tested on Steam Deck.