gameplay elements Archives

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

The designer of cult classic King of Dragon Pass says his upcoming hellish heist game is pushing the boundaries of a concept he invented in 1999: ‘There’s really nothing else quite like it’

In 1999, designer David Dunham and his studio A Sharp released King of Dragon Pass, which combines mythic fantasy RPG and cattle management simulation. Although it initially faced commercial disappointment, it gained a dedicated following for its narrative experience. Later in 2023, Dunham and A Sharp will launch Thousand Hells: The Underworld Heists, described as a "systemic storybook experience" by its publisher, Kitfox Games. Dunham calls it a "tactical narrative game," emphasizing its unconventional classification. The game features gameplay elements where players use traits of party members in conflict resolution, set in a fantastical representation of Byzantium. It introduces conditional, rearrangeable storytelling elements, which Dunham claims to have pioneered in the '90s, although he acknowledges that King of Chicago may have predated him. Thousand Hells offers a unique experience in each playthrough and can be completed in one to two hours, contrasting with the longer narratives of its predecessors.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Steam drops four free games, including a ‘peak’ RPG you can claim right now

The text highlights four free games available on Steam: 1. The Song of WILL: Act I - An RPG by Dylan Webber, inspired by 90s JRPGs, featuring randomized weapons and a "Positive" rating based on 11 reviews. 2. All Tomorrows: Invasion - A casual first-person shooter by Bluestone, with solid shooting mechanics and a "Positive" rating from 11 reviews. 3. Oblivion Maiden - Developed by Project Ex Libris, this game has a "Positive" rating from 29 reviews and combines elements of The Legend of Zelda and classic Final Fantasy. 4. BomBee - A puzzle game described as an online arcade PvP game, currently lacking a rating.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

My first 40 days in Moonlight Peaks started off with juicy feuds, but its anemic character writing is starting to show through

A new farm simulation game, Moonlight Peaks, has been released, featuring gameplay elements such as cultivating crops, foraging, tending to animals, forging friendships, crafting, mining, and fishing. The game introduces four feuding families of supernatural beings, adding drama to the narrative. Initial impressions suggest that while the characters provide entertainment, the game struggles with tone consistency, particularly with the portrayal of Orlock, a comedic vampire patriarch, and the serious dynamics involving his daughter, Mina. Moonlight Peaks faces competition from the upcoming game Fields of Mistria, and the reviewer is currently unconvinced of its value in the market.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

The new Company of Heroes is a wave-based defense game that throws prospective generals straight into the action

Relic Entertainment has announced Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand, which introduces a "wave defense" gameplay style and features formidable bosses and dynamic battlefield events. The game incorporates a roguelite progression system, encouraging players to experiment with different strategies. This installment celebrates the franchise's 20th anniversary while evolving the Company of Heroes experience.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

New Extraction Shooter on Steam is Like Cyberpunk 2077 Had a Baby with Minecraft

Gridlands is an upcoming extraction shooter game on Steam that features a distinctive aesthetic combining blocky visuals similar to Minecraft and a gritty noir ambiance akin to Cyberpunk 2077. It aims to differentiate itself from other titles in the genre, which has gained popularity due to successful games like Escape from Tarkov and ARC Raiders. Bungie's Marathon also joined the extraction shooter genre earlier in 2026.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

GTA 6 pre-orders are now live, but will you buy on console or hold out for the (obviously superior) PC version?

Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto 6 have launched, with the game set to release on November 19. There are two editions available: the standard edition priced at and the deluxe edition at . The standard edition includes the base game but restricts access to certain in-game stores behind a paywall. Currently, there is no announced version for PC gamers. Many players hope that the eventual PC release will feature enhanced graphics and additional content, with expectations for improved visual fidelity and access to various in-game shops. Players have about 18 months to prepare for the PC launch.

AppWizard

June 23, 2026

The Elder Scrolls Online Prepares to Set Sail for Adventure with High Seas of Tamriel, Its Most Ambitious Experiment in Years

The Elder Scrolls Online is introducing the High Seas of Tamriel event, which focuses on naval combat and underwater exploration as part of its new Season One. This event marks a shift to a seasonal update model, allowing for a dynamic content delivery system that includes a new reward system and various enhancements at no extra cost. The event features instanced content such as naval battles, underwater combat, and scavenger hunts. Players will defend their vessels from boarding enemies rather than controlling ships against other ships, creating a chaotic atmosphere. The event is designed to be accessible for both solo players and groups, with an emphasis on exploration and discovery in the underwater segments. Combat scenarios will also be present underwater, including bosses and unique mechanics. The developers are open to expanding this direction based on player feedback, potentially leading to recurring events or permanent systems in the game. The Elder Scrolls Online is available on multiple platforms, including XBOX Series X|S and PC.

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

Minecraft Update 3.40/1.050 Released on June 19

Mojang has released a hotfix for Minecraft, designated as update 3.40/1.050 for console players, to address various issues following the Chaos Cubed update. The hotfix does not include a changelog, but players have reported several issues it aims to fix, including: - Pillagers and piglins maintain their loaded crossbow pose during their death animation. - Misalignment of the cursor position when opening the inventory. - Killing endermen, bees, and wolves in creative mode triggers their rage state upon death. - Incorrect textures for pillagers and blazes. - Performance issues on the PS5 version. - Fluctuating volume of goat horns based on the player's vertical view. - Breakage of old experimental sulfur cube tops. - Black stripes visible on water from a distance. - Transparent layer of sulfur cubes visible through certain blocks. - Problems with the image preview gallery in the profile menu. - Visual glitch in the menu background after logging out of a server. - Crashes on Nintendo Switch during world loading. - Delays in quick and precise inputs. - Reversion of the Japanese font from Noto Sans. - Unexpected distortion of textures within Minecraft. - Mouse functionality ceasing while in-game. - Mutton not appearing in the “new recipe unlocked” screen. - Chaos Cubed notification disabling wireless controller input. - Two Torch Clocks have stopped functioning.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2

Mojang is developing Minecraft Dungeons 2, a sequel that enhances the original game's mechanics and introduces an interconnected world for exploration. The game features multiplayer cooperative play for up to four players, improved matchmaking, and full cross-platform play at launch. New gameplay elements include a mini-inventory for loadout adjustments, the ability to jump and execute jump attacks, and a guiding line for navigation. Character customization has been expanded, allowing armor categorization by body parts and the introduction of Talismans, which provide passive abilities. The game includes a new Deep Dark biome with visual enhancements and a challenging boss encounter, the Twisted Warden. Minecraft Dungeons 2 is set to release on September 29th for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

Running your own store is just the tip of the iceberg in Saleblazers

Saleblazers is a multiplayer open-world game where players can choose from three distinct classes and interact with dynamic, voiced NPCs while customizing their storefronts. The game recently launched the Immersive Update, which enhances NPC behaviors, introduces a random daily event system, and improves visuals and audio. The update includes vigilant border police in Kazai Village, revamped combat mechanics, and a character development system that allows players to invest in stats and craft items. The game blends elements of survival, simulation, and adventure, offering a rich experience for exploration and interaction.