graphical enhancements Archives

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

August 2025 is the month of remakes and remasters

August is a subdued month for new video game releases, particularly original titles, but features several remakes and remasters. Key releases include: - Dawn of War: Definitive Edition launching on August 14, which consolidates all expansions and multiplayer modes, enhances textures, supports 4K resolution, and improves lighting, reflections, and modding capabilities. - Gears of War: Reloaded releasing on August 26, featuring significant graphical enhancements, modern features like cross-play and DLSS, and an optional streamlined control scheme. - Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, a remake of Harvest Moon DS, set to launch on August 27, promises gameplay efficiency improvements. - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, releasing on August 28, is a full remake with new features like the Fox Hunt multiplayer mode and real-time wear and tear mechanics, marking Konami's first major MGS project since Hideo Kojima's departure.

AppWizard

July 29, 2025

Roblox Versus Minecraft: Comparing the Giants

In 2025, Roblox has over 380 million monthly active users and nearly 89 million daily players, with a library of more than 5 million user-generated games. Minecraft has approximately 32 million monthly active users and 2.5 million daily players. Roblox features a virtual currency called Robux, allowing players to personalize their experiences and trade virtual items. Minecraft offers modes like Survival and Creative, emphasizing resource management and artistic expression. Roblox's graphics vary by creator, with enhancements like dynamic lighting, while Minecraft maintains a consistent blocky style with recent graphical updates. Both platforms are accessible on multiple devices, with Roblox supporting PC, mobile, Xbox, and VR, and Minecraft available in Java and Bedrock editions, which do not share servers.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

NBA 2K26 Gets Official PC System Requirements

2K Games has released the system requirements for NBA 2K26. Minimum Requirements: - OS: Windows 10 64-Bit (latest update) - Processor: Intel Core i3-9100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 - Memory: 8 GB RAM - Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (5 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT (4 GB) or Intel Arc A580 - DirectX: Version 12 - Network: Broadband Internet connection - Storage: 110 GB available space - Additional Notes: SSD required, dual-analog gamepad recommended, one-time internet connection for Steam authentication required, and installations for DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributable 2019 included with the game. A processor supporting AVX2 and a graphics card supporting DirectX feature level 12.0 are necessary. Recommended Requirements: - OS: Windows 11 64-Bit (latest update) - Processor: Intel Core i5-10600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X - Memory: 16 GB RAM - Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 (8 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 5700 (8 GB) or Intel Arc A770 - DirectX: Version 12 - Network: Broadband Internet connection - Storage: 110 GB available space - Additional Notes: SSD required, dual-analog gamepad recommended, one-time internet connection for Steam authentication required, and installations for DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributable 2019 included with the game. A processor supporting AVX2 and a graphics card supporting DirectX feature level 12.0 are necessary. The Steam page for NBA 2K26 does not currently list Denuvo, similar to the pre-order phase of NBA 2K25. The specifications for NBA 2K26 are identical to those of NBA 2K25, suggesting no significant graphical enhancements.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Minecraft Adds Jack Black’s Lava Chicken Song, But You Gotta Do Something Special To Get It

The song "Lava Chicken," performed by Jack Black in the recent Minecraft movie, has been added to the Minecraft game through update 1.21.93 for Bedrock Edition. Players can obtain the music disc by defeating a Chicken Jockey. The disc features a chiptune rendition of the song, which has been positively received for its nostalgic charm.

AppWizard

July 4, 2025

Minecraft Update 3.15 Slots in Bedrock 1.21.93

Mojang has released a new patch for Minecraft, identified as update 3.15/1.023.000 (Bedrock version 1.21.93), which addresses various issues from the Chase the Skies update. Key features include: - Bug fixes for world template packs, graphical enhancements, and mob behaviors. - Resolved an issue causing packs in world templates to vanish (MCPE-222906). - Introduced a new music disc titled “Lava Chicken” obtainable by defeating a baby Zombie riding a Chicken. - Split-screen players on PlayStation and Switch can now access player data from version 1.21.80 and earlier (MCPE-222048). - Reduced emissive intensity of certain light sources in Vibrant Visuals (MCPE-222020). - Fixed animation issues related to parent_setup. - Glowing text on Signs no longer appears excessively bright in Vibrant Visuals. - Addressed performance issues with a Happy Ghast when leashed (MCPE-222147). - Air friction is now applied only to Boats when leashed (MCPE-222298), allowing them to maintain momentum off ledges. - Fixed a camera movement issue on touch devices (MCPE-220353). - Introduced a new API condition passengerofentity for developers to check vehicle entity types and a condition is_baby to check if the entity dropping loot is a baby.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

Hellblade 2 is getting an enhanced edition that brings back the fake permadeath system from the first game, but there’s every chance it’s real this time

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will receive an enhanced edition on August 12, featuring improved graphics, including a new "very high" graphics setting. The update will reintroduce the Dark Rot mechanic from the first game, which grows with each death and can lead to losing all progress if it reaches Senua's head. The enhanced edition will be Steam Deck Verified and will include improvements to the photo mode and developer commentary. Critics have noted concerns about the game's focus on gameplay mechanics and Senua's character feeling disconnected from the story.

BetaBeacon

June 19, 2025

This simple app lets you run your Steam games on Android, no streaming required

GameNative is a new app that simplifies playing Steam games on Android devices by utilizing the Pluvia fork and Winlator backend. It supports titles with DRM, offers performance and graphical enhancements, and allows for on-screen keyboard and controller overlays. Cloud saves are supported, but online features are not available. Users are advised to be cautious when entering Steam credentials and can enhance security by logging in via scanning a QR code in the Steam mobile app. Despite some bugs and crashes, GameNative offers a promising solution for playing Steam games on the go.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

‘There is no way a Borderlands game is that demanding’ — Borderlands 4 users furious as PC requirements reveal RTX 3070 minimum GPU, 3080 recommended

Borderlands 4 has been announced with minimum and recommended PC specifications that include an octa-core CPU, an RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT graphics card, and 32GB of RAM, requiring up to 100GB of SSD storage. The game will utilize Unreal Engine 5 and include performance-impacting DRM, specifically Denuvo and Symbiote. The Standard Edition is priced at .99, the Deluxe Edition at .99, and the Super Deluxe Edition at .99, with the latter two editions offering additional content that has drawn criticism for being perceived as a paywall. The game is set to launch on September 12 on Steam, the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, while Switch 2 users will have to wait longer.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

Minecraft Vibrant Visuals: New Graphics, New Mounts, New Adventures, All Dropping Today!

On June 17, 2025, Mojang will release two updates for the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft: "Chase The Skies" and "Vibrant Visuals," both free of charge. The "Chase The Skies" update introduces the Happy Ghast, a flying mount for up to four players, which can be tamed by transforming a Dried Ghast Block into a Ghastling. This update also includes a Player Locator Bar and new mob and boat interaction mechanics. The "Vibrant Visuals" update features graphical enhancements such as directional lighting and shadows, water reflections, volumetric fog, and enhanced mob and item lighting. Players are advised to gather materials like ghast tears and soul sand, build a Ghastling Station, and ensure their devices meet the requirements for the Vibrant Visuals update.

AppWizard

May 15, 2025

Stellar Blade heads to PC on June 11

Stellar Blade will be released on PC on June 11, following its PS5 launch in April of the previous year. The PC version features enhanced graphics with support for NVIDIA DLSS 4, NVIDIA DLAA, NVIDIA Reflex, and AMD FSR 3, as well as compatibility with ultrawide resolutions. It is designed to work with the DualSense controller and offers customization options for various input methods. The minimum system requirements include 16GB of RAM, an Intel Core i5 processor, and a GeForce GTX 1060. Sony is expanding its portfolio of first-party games on PC, reflecting a trend away from exclusivity.