gameplay elements Archives

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

5 Video Game Graphics Settings You Can Turn Off Without Hurting Visuals

Many gamers are facing rising costs for hardware upgrades and may benefit from optimizing their existing setups. Five graphics settings that can be safely disabled to enhance gaming performance without compromising visual quality include: 1. VSync: Disable VSync if using a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor to avoid increased latency and conflicts with variable refresh rate technologies. Instead, cap frames at the GPU settings for a smoother experience. 2. Motion Blur: Disabling motion blur can improve clarity and help players spot enemies and items more easily, especially in games running below 60 FPS. 3. Film Grain: Turning off film grain can enhance visual clarity by removing a fuzzy texture that detracts from the game's graphics. 4. Chromatic Aberration: Disabling this effect can lead to a cleaner visual experience, enhancing clarity without affecting performance. 5. Depth of Field: This setting can be turned off for better performance, particularly on older hardware, but some players may prefer to keep it for its realistic effect. Experimentation is advised to find the best option.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

I never thought Stardew Valley and Diablo could coexist in one game, but then I saw Emberville

Emberville is a new game combining elements of Stardew Valley and Diablo, set to release in Summer 2026. The game features an intricate class system where players earn classes through in-game discoveries and can switch between them, with some skills being transferable across classes. It includes a randomized loot system, allowing items to drop from defeated enemies, while retaining core elements like NPC interactions, farming, crafting, and fishing. The game will feature voice acting from notable actors, including Alex Jordan and Dougle Cockle, and will launch into Steam Early Access in Summer 2026.

Winsage

January 19, 2026

Hytale modder gets Windows 95 OS up and running inside the actual game — other projects include running Minecraft, and Hytale inside itself

Modders have begun showcasing achievements in Hytale, a sandbox RPG that launched into Early Access on January 18, 2026. Engineer Sadat Sahib, known as iamcxv7, successfully ran Windows 95 and Minecraft within Hytale. Running Windows 95 revealed some cumbersome interactions, likely due to using a joypad instead of a mouse and keyboard. A modder also managed to run Doom inside Hytale before its official release. Hytale attracted 2.8 million players on launch day and over 420,000 viewers on Twitch, making it the most-watched game globally. The game was developed by the Hypixel Minecraft team and emphasizes modding capabilities.

AppWizard

January 19, 2026

It’s looking likely Escape From Tarkov lead’s mysterious sci-fi project is a space FPS, and a reveal could be very soon

Escape From Tarkov has launched its full 1.0 version, while director Nikita Buyanov is developing a new project called Cor3, which has been teased through a dedicated website. The project is speculated to be a new space sci-fi FPS game, with recent insights revealing screenshots of space debris and a planet with fires, alongside missile schematics and gameplay elements reminiscent of Escape From Tarkov. An "intel report" mentions a stable location labeled B4, and a countdown timer on a separate website is set to end on February 1, coinciding with an expected official announcement about Cor3. The project may involve various gameplay dynamics, including extraction shooter elements, narrative exploration, and potential cryptocurrency aspects, although the exact nature remains unclear.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Slipknot’s Clown built fantasy ‘Minecraft’ realm to help him grieve

Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan has been a key figure in Slipknot for three decades and recently launched his first fully playable game, Vernearth, inspired by Minecraft. The game allows players to build structures, engage in battles, and embark on quests, and it officially launched on December 1. Clown's passion for gaming began in his youth, and he faced challenges in game development due to financial barriers. He developed Vernearth over four years with his daughter and a drum tech, creating a unique version of Minecraft with new gameplay elements and a darker atmosphere. The game serves as a personal outlet for Clown, helping him cope with grief related to family losses. He is also exploring online therapy integration within the game and has launched The Auction House for players to trade items. Additionally, he is working on an original soundtrack for Vernearth while taking a break from new material with Slipknot.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

“Steam charts don’t measure fun,” says Splitgate dev as relaunched FPS debuts with a 90% lower peak

Splitgate 2, the sequel to a competitive first-person shooter, peaked at approximately 25,000 players on Steam upon its initial release but saw a rapid decline in interest, leading 1047 Games to revert it to a beta state and relaunch it as Splitgate Arena Reloaded. On launch day, the revamped game peaked at only 2,297 players, a 90% drop from its predecessor, and currently has daily concurrent player counts between 900 and 1,000. 1047 Games stated, "Steam charts don't measure fun," emphasizing that player statistics do not fully capture the gaming experience. Despite the low player count, the studio remains committed to the game and its community, encouraging players to try the free-to-play version, which features engaging gameplay elements like impressive maps and portal mechanics.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Turkiye’s PC games to watch in 2026

A curated watchlist highlights promising Turkish video games set for release in 2026, featuring titles that indicate a 2026 release window on Steam. The main list includes: - Anomaly President by Phew Phew Games: A presidential roguelike action game set for Q1 2026 on PC. - Dead Engine by Chocolate Dungeon Games: A pixel-art, post-apocalyptic survival action-roguelite launching in Early Access on January 22, 2026. - Emberbane by Hamlet Games: A pixel-art action-adventure game scheduled for January 2026. - Eternity’s Echo: Patient Zero by Demonsoft Games: A first-person psychological survival-horror title set for Q1 2026. - Gamer Stop Simulator by Red Axe Games: A simulation game set in Japan, aiming for a higher visual standard, with no specific release date mentioned. - Island Market Simulator by Zentium Studio: Set for Q1 2026, focusing on managing an island-town business. - Mayhem Brawler II: Best of Both Worlds by Hero Concept: A beat 'em up game set for 2026 release on Steam and consoles. - Papa Needs a Headshot by Phew Phew Games and Vercial Games: An FPS set for Q2 2026 release. - Sagas of Lumin by Elos Games and Arts: An action RPG launching in Q1 2026. - The Enigma Cases by Red Axe Games: A co-op detective mystery game set for 2026. - Who Do Voodoo by Kuixo: A multiplayer social-deduction game targeting Q1 2026 for Early Access. Additionally, several titles are under consideration for a potential 2026 release, including: - Black State by Motion Blur: A single-player action-adventure shooter marked as “To be announced.” - Deckfort Alchemist by Team Machiavelli: A strategic roguelike tower defense game currently marked as “Coming soon.” - A new project from Fubu Games is anticipated following their successful titles in 2025.

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

Best Star Wars games 2026: play in a galaxy far, far away

Star Wars has a rich history of licensed games, with a curated list of the finest titles available on PC in 2025 including: 1. Star Wars Outlaws - Players assume the role of Kay Vess in a narrative set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, focusing on heists and adventures. 2. Star Wars Bounty Hunter Remaster - A remaster of the original game following Jango Fett, featuring updated controls and graphics, rated 'Very Positive' on Steam. 3. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga - Covers all nine mainline films in a Lego format, offering cooperative gameplay. 4. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords - A sequel with a complex narrative exploring the light and dark sides of the Force. 5. Star Wars: Republic Commando - A tactical shooter from the perspective of a special ops clone trooper during the Clone Wars. 6. Star Wars: Empire at War - A real-time strategy game focusing on the conflict between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance. 7. Star Wars: The Old Republic - An MMO with single-player storytelling and various class narratives. 8. Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer - A racing game based on the pod race sequence from the film. 9. Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster - A remaster of the classic game featuring Kyle Katarn's first adventure. 10. Star Wars Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast - Continues Kyle Katarn's journey with a mix of shooting and lightsaber combat. 11. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron - Players pilot starfighters in space battles. 12. Star Wars: TIE Fighter - Players experience the conflict from the perspective of an Imperial pilot. 13. Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2017) - A multiplayer experience with stunning visuals and epic battles. 14. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - A sequel featuring a more mature Cal Kestis with refined combat mechanics. 15. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Allows players to wield the dark side of the Force as Starkiller. 16. Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith - A game capturing the essence of the prequel trilogy with dynamic saber combat. Upcoming titles include a remake of Knights of the Old Republic and a new project titled Fate of the Old Republic, led by KOTOR director Casey Hudson.

AppWizard

December 18, 2025

A grittier take on post-apocalyptic MMOs like Fallout 76, new shooter finally lands on Steam to mixed reviews

Pioner, developed by GFA Games, is an MMO with shooter elements set in a post-apocalyptic world inspired by Stalker. It features a 50km² island that players can explore, incorporating story-driven exploration, social spaces, and PvE and PvP zones. The game includes a faction-based progression system that allows players to build reputations and unlock better items. Players must manage hunger and rest while crafting tools for survival. Launched on Steam Early Access, Pioner has over 1,200 players but faces performance issues and bugs, resulting in a user score of 50%. A hotfix has been released to address these issues, and new story content is expected by January 2026, along with a roadmap for future developments.

AppWizard

December 14, 2025

Phoenix Point’s Terror from the Void mod is so good Snapshot Games just released a massive patch to make the original game more like the fanmade overhaul

Phoenix Point, originally designed as a successor to the X-COM series, faced challenges at launch, including bugs and repetitive gameplay. The introduction of the "Terror from the Void" mega-mod significantly improved the game, leading to the Firebird update, which coincided with the game's fifth anniversary. This update includes a 20% reduction in research times, halved construction times for project buildings, simplified ammunition production, and revamped base defense missions. It also alters the Pandorans' evolution system to create a more balanced gameplay experience. Additional changes include more predictable soldier rescue missions, increased ambush missions, and the introduction of loot crates. The update is compatible with the Terror from the Void mod, and players are encouraged to update their mods. To celebrate the update, Phoenix Point is being offered at a 60% discount, reducing the price from £19.50 to £7.79, with the offer ending on December 18.