gameplay mechanics Archives

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

I pride myself on keeping up with Steam’s under-the-radar gems, but April was packed with enough new games to keep me busy for the rest of 2025

In April 2025, over 100 games launched, with notable titles including Blue Prince and Clair Obscur, the latter receiving significant attention. Clair Obscur was released on April 22nd and has a 94% rating from 39 reviews. Maliki: Poison Of The Past, inspired by a French comic, was released on April 20th. Mythical Concept Starnaut, a narrative-driven game, was released on April 28th with a 97% rating from 45 reviews. Bionic Bay, a stylish platformer, was released on April 17th and has a 90% rating from 264 reviews. Asura The Striker, released on April 23rd, has a 93% rating from 49 reviews. Traveler's Refrain, an action RPG, was released on April 11th with a 92% rating from 26 reviews. Voidborn, a low-fi shooter, was released on April 7th with a 90% rating from 262 reviews. I, Robot, a reimagining of an arcade classic, was released on April 17th and has a 95% rating from 20 reviews. Lab Rat, a dystopian comedy, was released on April 15th with a 97% rating from 188 reviews. Peppered: An Existential Platformer, released on April 7th, has a 95% rating from 266 reviews. Repose, a workplace horror game, was released on April 14th and has a 90% rating from 74 reviews.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Everyone is a boat in this ‘MOBA meets Vampire Survivors’ game inspired by a Warcraft 3 mod

The mod Battleships for Warcraft 3 features players controlling upgradable warships that autonomously fire weapons, allowing for strategic gameplay focused on maneuvering and managing cooldowns. Players can engage in harassment tactics and creep farming while their ships handle offensive actions, creating a dynamic environment that encourages tactical decision-making. The mod exemplifies the thriving modding scene and community-driven projects in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

May 5, 2025

Nightmare Frontier, a New Tactical Turn-Based Strategy Game, Announced for PC

Developer Ice Code Games has announced their new tactical turn-based strategy game, Nightmare Frontier, described as "XCOM meets Hunt: Showdown with a dash of Cthulhu." The game is set in an alternate 19th-century America, altered by a mysterious event, where survivors face the Dreadweavers—monstrous entities representing humanity's deepest fears. Players take on the role of a ringleader, navigating a treacherous environment and rallying scavengers for missions to find loot. The gameplay combines turn-based "gun-n-slash" mechanics with horror elements, featuring a risk-reward system. Nightmare Frontier is available for wishlisting on Steam.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Shadows announces more difficulties, more immersion options, more Jesuits, and a bo staff in its year 1 roadmap

Ubisoft has announced a post-launch roadmap for Assassin's Creed Shadows, featuring a year of updates that include patches, new features, and enhancements. This month, players can expect: - A free quest focused on Yasuke's companion, Luis Frois. - Quality-of-life improvements, including the potential reinstatement of the multi-sell feature. - An updated photo mode for creative expression. - A special collaboration similar to past co-marketing efforts. - Refinements to parkour mechanics, introducing new movement options. Future content will include: - A new free quest and ally. - New difficulty settings. - Gameplay immersion options, such as headgear visibility in cutscenes. - An open-world alarm system with unspecified changes. Ubisoft has also teased expansions, including new storylines, collaborations, unique gear for the battle-pass system, and the Claws of Awaji expansion, which will add a new region. Additionally, Naoe will be able to wield a bo staff, enhancing combat dynamics.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

Top Explosive Upcoming PC Games You Can’t Miss in 2025

- Game of Thrones: Kingsroad (TBA) will blend strategic gameplay with narrative depth in the lore of Westeros. - The Last Voyage is set to launch in Q4 2023, featuring a mysterious journey across uncharted waters. - Echoes of the Past is scheduled for early 2024 and will include a gripping narrative with intricate puzzles. - Cybernetic Dawn (TBA) offers a mix of action and strategy in a technology-dominated future. - Whispering Shadows is set for mid-2024 and is a horror adventure with atmospheric graphics. - Legends of the Forgotten Realm (TBA) is a fantasy RPG featuring vast landscapes and mythical creatures. - Galactic Conquest will launch in late 2023, focusing on empire-building and diplomacy in an interstellar setting. - The Enigma Files is set for release in Q1 2024, where players will act as detectives unraveling mysteries. - Realm of Shadows (TBA) features a dark fantasy setting with unique art style and engaging combat mechanics. - Timekeeper’s Legacy is set to debut in late 2023, combining time manipulation with puzzle-solving.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Medieval strategy sim Manor Lords is getting proper AI village-building, an upkeep system and fancier castles

In Manor Lords, a medieval strategy city builder by Slavic Magic and Hooded Horse, developers have announced updates as the game nears its first anniversary. Key updates include: - New buildings such as a quarry for stone mining and a lime kiln for construction. - Visual enhancements to the user interface and map resource nodes, along with improved castle components. - AI improvements allowing it to construct and manage small villages with new features like burgage plots. - Introduction of a new upkeep system requiring consistent resource flow for buildings like smithies and mines. - Modifications to the Record View for regional production and consumption tracking. - A rewritten pathfinding system for multi-story castles to improve unit navigation. The team has expanded since the game's early access debut and is focused on enhancing gameplay and AI capabilities.

AppWizard

April 28, 2025

‘There’s still a lot to do’: One year later, Slavic Magic reveals what’s next for Manor Lords, including AI progress, a new way to view records, and a team expansion

Manor Lords, a medieval city-building game, is undergoing significant development as it moves beyond its early access phase. Developer Greg Styczeń has expanded the team to ensure more consistent updates and a wider range of features. Upcoming enhancements include a refined user interface, new graphics inspired by manuscript art, and a river fishing feature that replaces pond resource nodes in certain areas. Recent updates have introduced geographical features like a towering hill on a new map, which is suitable for building a motte and bailey stronghold to improve defenses. The game aims to provide a more immersive experience with additional fishing spots and improved gameplay mechanics.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Old Skies review

Wadjet Eye Games will release the adventure game Old Skies on April 23, 2024. The game is set in a futuristic New York City in the 2060s and follows Fia Quinn, a ChronoZen agent who guides wealthy tourists through time manipulation. Fia is chronolocked, remaining unchanged by the timeline's fluctuations, which contrasts with her clients' evolving lives. The gameplay features accessible puzzles that encourage logical thinking, including a scenario where Fia must create a life-saving drug from non-existent ingredients. The game departs from Wadjet Eye's traditional pixel art style, using bold colors and comic book-inspired designs. It features a jazzy score by Thomas Regin and explores themes of love, loss, and human emotion. Fia's character development highlights her struggle for agency in her role, with her experiences portrayed through Sally Beaumont's performance.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

Rematch passes 100K Steam concurrents in open beta as ‘Rocket League but with feet’ turns out to be a winning idea

Rematch, a newly unveiled multiplayer soccer game, is hosting an open beta on Steam this weekend and has attracted over 100,000 concurrent players. The game focuses on traditional sports mechanics rather than physics-based gameplay, distinguishing it from Rocket League. Developed by Sloclap, known for martial arts games like Absolver and Sifu, Rematch represents a shift in the studio's focus. Creative director Pierre Tarno has opted for a paid model instead of free-to-play, emphasizing the importance of quality in game development. The full launch of Rematch is scheduled for June 19.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

The new trailer for Remedy’s co-op FPS features explosive pink goop and flying desk chairs, so it’s still looking like the silliest thing they’ve made

In the latest trailer for FBC: Firebreak, a character experiences a series of mishaps, including electrocuting himself, getting lost in sticky notes, and losing his vision in a blizzard, culminating in him exclaiming, "I'M PINK!" before a fiery explosion. The trailer, showcased at the Galaxies Games Showcase, highlights environmental interactions and gameplay mechanics, such as cooling down environments and incinerating enemies. Remedy Entertainment, known for narrative-driven titles, is venturing into the co-op shooter genre with Firebreak, which is set for a summer release and available for wishlisting on Steam.