gameplay Archives

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Question time: How long have you been playing MMOs?

A new bi-weekly column called Terminally Online from PC Gamer explores the world of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), featuring insights, interviews, and guest writers. The design of contemporary MMORPGs has shifted towards seasonal structures to cater to "midcore" players who have limited time for gameplay. Popular MMOs like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV have been around for over 20 years and a decade, respectively, while newer games like Amazon's New World have struggled with player retention. The column encourages readers to share their experiences and reminisce about the MMO community.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Raids just landed in solo ‘simulated MMO’ Erenshor

Erenshor is a solo MMO that features computer-controlled NPCs called "simplayers" and has recently introduced guilds and party formations. The Planar March patch, released last Monday, added raids to the game, which the developer Brian described as a significant update. The game has a "very positive" rating on Steam, with 94% of user reviews recommending it. Erenshor allows players to engage in gameplay without the need to coordinate schedules for traditional raids, offering a blend of grinding and strategic encounters reminiscent of classic MMOs.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

For years, survival games have convinced us that chopping down 400 trees is somehow part of the fantasy—Palworld proves them wrong

Survival games often involve repetitive tasks like gathering resources and building bases. Palworld, released on Steam's early access, differentiates itself by allowing players to capture "Pals" that perform laborious tasks, reducing the grind typical of the genre. Players initially engage in standard survival activities but can later assign Pals to chop wood, water crops, gather resources, and manage planting and harvesting. This transforms the player's base into a self-sustaining entity, enabling them to explore without the anxiety of leaving their base unattended. The game encourages players to consider the utility of Pals in addition to their combat abilities, allowing for a more dynamic gameplay experience. Palworld retains core survival mechanics while minimizing repetitive tasks, focusing on adventure and exploration.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

This week’s Epic Games Store free games go spooky with mystery and psychological horror

This week, the Epic Games Store is offering two games for free: Luto, a first-person psychological horror game that explores themes of dreams, secrets, love, loss, and regret, and Echo Generation, a nostalgic adventure game inspired by pop culture references. Luto features a haunting narrative and an unsettling environment, while Echo Generation includes a vibrant voxel art style and engaging combat with button-mashing mini-games. Both games are available from July 16 to July 23 and will remain in players' libraries indefinitely once claimed.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Marathon’s ‘experimental’ PvE mode will only be playable for 2 weeks when it goes live in July, full rollout expected to happen sometime in Season 3

Marathon's Vault Breaker PvE mode will launch on July 21 and be available for two weeks until August 4. A full rollout is expected in Marathon's third season, starting on September 22, though the exact date is uncertain. Bungie previously tested a Sponsored Survival mode in June, which received positive feedback from players. The studio is under pressure to deliver with the declining popularity of Destiny 2 and internal changes.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Survival Horror RPG GRAFT Debuts Story Trailer During Convergence Games Showcase 2026

GRAFT is a survival horror RPG set in a deteriorating megastructure called the Arc. The game features a haunting world filled with challenges, where players must master forgotten technologies and navigate through various environments. Players will engage in a dark RPG story, forming alliances that can lead to danger. Combat involves facing ancient experiments and a deranged AI, requiring strategic resource management. The player's body can be transformed into a weapon through Grafts, enhancing abilities and presenting moral choices linked to fragmented memories. GRAFT is available for wishlisting on Steam and the Epic Games Store.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Blizzard finally caved on Diablo 4’s disastrous new season with a patch that reverts almost everything players hated: ‘Not every idea lands exactly as intended’

Blizzard Entertainment has released an emergency patch (3.1.1a) for Diablo 4 in response to player criticism about the game's Season of Death Awakening. The patch improves Mythic drop rates and removes the crafted Mythic limit, addressing player frustrations regarding the grind to acquire Mythic items. Players have reported an increase in Mythic Uniques from the new seasonal boss and the ability to craft and use multiple Mythics. Blizzard plans to release another patch to further enhance drop rates and is considering reinstating the crafted limit for Mythics created in the Horadric Cube in the next season.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

5 Classic PC Games That Are Unplayable Today

"Dune II," released in 1992, is credited with laying the foundation for real-time strategy games, featuring base-building and military maneuvers on the planet Arrakis. It has not been re-released due to licensing issues after Westwood Studios closed in 2003. Interplay Entertainment released two video games based on "The Lord of the Rings" in the early '90s, allowing players to guide Frodo Baggins through Middle-earth. Low sales led to the cancellation of a planned trilogy, and both titles have since faded into obscurity. "Star Trek: The Next Generation — A Final Unity," a point-and-click adventure from 1995, features Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew on a mission to recover an ancient scroll. It has not received a modern re-release. Sid Meier's "Civilization II," released in 1996, has not been officially re-released, despite the series' significant evolution and availability of later entries. The absence of these formative titles leaves a gap in strategy gaming history. "Black & White," released in 2001, is a god simulator that allows players to influence tribes on islands. It has not been optimized for modern platforms following the acquisition of Lionhead Studios by Microsoft, limiting access to those with original discs.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

2 months after releasing Zero Parades, Studio ZA/UM is laying off employees: ‘Its commercial performance has not enabled us to sustain a studio of our current size’

Studio ZA/UM announced layoffs two months after the launch of their game, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, due to sales not meeting expectations. The studio issued redundancy notices affecting up to 32 employees, despite the game receiving critical acclaim. The game did not achieve the same level of success as its predecessor, Disco Elysium, with mixed reviews highlighting its shortcomings. Key figures from Disco Elysium had left the studio prior to the game's release, contributing to a challenging environment. Critics noted that the cultural context surrounding the game has impacted its reception, turning it into a symbol of industry practices rather than a standalone experience.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

We just awarded $500 to the PC gamer who sent us this wild Crimson Desert video, and next month it could be you

Crimson Desert has maintained excitement among gamers months after its launch, leading to a recent winner of the PC Gamer Clips contest who received 0 in Amazon gift cards for their video submission. The contest invites participants to record and submit gameplay clips from any PC game, with monthly prizes awarded for the most engaging entries. Eligibility is limited to citizens of the US or UK. The contest accepts clips from various games, including GTA 5 and Assassin's Creed: Black Flag, and encourages gamers to share their creative moments. The PC Gamer Clips page features entertaining videos from the community.