gameplay Archives

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Crimson Desert adds 133 new trading posts and overhauls the in-game economy with supply and demand

Crimson Desert is undergoing a transformation towards trading simulation, with a recent patch introducing 133 new trading posts and rebalancing the types and quantities available. New mechanics have been added to simulate supply and demand dynamics. The developer, Pearl Abyss, is enhancing the game's complexity despite some critiques for a more minimalist approach. Minor fixes in the patch address bugged challenges and improve interaction animations for creatures like the platypus and feathered weasel. These updates have garnered attention, including praise from the Prime Minister of South Korea.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

The great RPG debate: Do RPGs really need romanceable companions?

RPG developers have faced challenges in incorporating romance into video games, leading to a noticeable absence of romance in many titles. BioWare popularized romanceable companions with games like Baldur's Gate 2, influencing even non-RPG titles. While romance is not strictly necessary in RPGs, some games, like Baldur's Gate 3, integrate it into the narrative to enhance character development. However, the portrayal of characters as universally available for romance raises questions about authenticity. Other games, such as Fable, approach romance humorously, allowing multiple marriages without emotional depth. Harvey Randall argues that romance is vital for character development and exploring themes of intimacy and trust, suggesting it enriches RPG narratives.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

My new favourite Tolkien game is free, has over 40 years of history, and would run on a toaster

Sil-Q is a free and open-source game that reimagines the classic Rogue experience within Tolkien's First Age of Arda, as depicted in The Silmarillion. It draws inspiration from the game Angband, which is a descendant of the 1983 title Moria. Players are tasked with infiltrating Morgoth's fortress to retrieve a Silmaril gem, focusing on strategic evasion rather than combat. The game restricts character options to races aligned with Tolkien's lore, including the Noldor, Sindar, Naugrim, and Edain, prioritizing immersion over balance. Players encounter challenges reminiscent of classic rogue-like gameplay while navigating Morgoth's domain, battling orcs and discovering mythical weapons. Sil-Q emphasizes storytelling and community engagement within the gaming realm.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

We haven’t needed motion blur in games for a long time, so I wish it would stop being the default

James Bentley, a hardware writer, criticized the implementation of motion blur in gaming, particularly in Halo: Campaign Evolved, calling it one of the worst he has encountered, especially since it is enabled by default. He noted that while motion blur can enhance speed and realism and obscure visual artifacts, its continued default status is questionable given modern hardware's ability to achieve high frame rates. Bentley observed that motion blur made the game capture appear worse and detracted from immersion. He expressed a desire for players to have customizable settings that allow for an unfiltered gaming experience, advocating for a shift away from motion blur as the standard in gaming.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

The voice of Lady D and Orin the Red will be back for the next D&D videogame

Baldur's Gate 3 showcases the successful adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons principles into a video game RPG. Wizards of the Coast is developing a new title called Warlock, a third-person action-adventure game inspired by God of War, through its internal studio, Invoke. Maggie Robertson will voice the protagonist's patron, Tasha, who is an archfey and will grant players eldritch abilities. Tricia Helfer is also involved in the game. Gameplay is expected to be revealed at Gamescom, scheduled for August 26–30 in Cologne.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

ACRODRIFT: FPV Drone Simulator Arrives on PC on August 7

ACRODRIFT: FPV Drone Simulator is set to launch on PC via Steam on August 7, 2026, with console versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S expected in 2026 or 2027. Developed by Dueking Studio and published by Ultimate Games S.A., the simulator features realistic flight physics and offers three core gameplay modes: Free Flight, Race, and Collection. Players can engage with over 20 challenges and customize their drones in a workshop with options for pre-built models or scratch builds. The game includes six maps, 11 drone frames, and 13 types of motors. It supports both gamepads and professional drone controllers. The minimum system requirements for PC include Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X CPU, 8 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT GPU.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Pirate-themed City Builder Corsair Cove is Out Now

Corsair Cove, a pirate city builder developed by Hooded Horse and Limbic Entertainment, is now available on PC through Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store, as well as PC Game Pass. The game has over 500,000 wishlists prior to its release. Players can build their own island paradise and engage in narratives that involve confronting the Crown. It is localized in multiple languages, including German, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. The game is priced at .99 / £34.99 / €39.99 / ¥3,980, with a 25% launch discount available until August 13, 2026.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Corsair Cove Is Available Today With Xbox Game Pass, And Here’s What The Reviews Are Saying

Corsair Cove, a pirate-themed strategy game, has been added to Xbox Game Pass for PC users and has received a 'Generally Favorable' rating of 79 on Metacritic. Critics praise its engaging gameplay, charming aesthetics, and vibrant visuals, comparing it to titles like Sea of Thieves. The game features city-building mechanics that allow players to manage an island, raise a fleet, and govern a crew, although some reviewers note that the building mechanics may lack complexity for veteran players. Corsair Cove will be available on PC Game Pass at 4pm BST / 8am PDT / 11am EDT / 5pm CEST.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Total War: Warhammer 40k’s siege reset is one of the things I’m looking forward to most

Total War: Warhammer 3 features ongoing issues with siege mechanics, notably a "gate bug" that affects unit movement during battles. Players have historically faced challenges with sieges, including unreliable pathfinding and the tendency for units to scale walls instead of moving through gates. The upcoming Total War: Warhammer 40k may change the approach to sieges, focusing on grander battlefield designs without conventional siege towers and ladders, potentially eliminating walls altogether. This shift could enhance tactical gameplay in streets and chokepoints, moving away from traditional wall-based defenses. The new War Core engine is expected to address persistent siege bugs from previous titles.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

League of Legends Classic reminds us why we loved the old game and why we left it behind

Cecilia, a writer with over a decade of experience in League of Legends, reflects on her journey through the game and the nostalgia sparked by the introduction of League Classic, which incorporates beloved elements from the past. League Classic offers a tribute to the early game experience, featuring iconic draft music, classic champion models, and the return of runes and masteries. Edgar "MeDroiD" Medina, Senior Manager for League Classic in EMEA, stated that Classic is designed "to endure and evolve." Cecilia encourages players to try League Classic for its nostalgic appeal, though she questions its long-term viability due to some limitations in gameplay and champion abilities. She envisions playing Classic with friends but acknowledges it may not become her primary game mode.