Hardcore Archives

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Kusan: City of Wolves Launches For PC and Consoles on July 30

CIRCLEfromDOT, in collaboration with PQube, has announced that Kusan: City of Wolves will be released on July 30, 2026. The game features 54 stages with skill-based challenges, dynamic boss encounters, and extensive weapon customization. Players will control Jin, an ex-soldier, in a neo-noir pixel-art metropolis. The soundtrack is by hip-hop artist Loptimist, and the narrative is presented through comic-panel cutscenes. The game emphasizes fast-paced action and a gripping story.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

As Terraria turns 15, Re-Logic confirms crossplay is “soon” and that “updates will continue beyond 1.4.6”

Terraria celebrates its 15th anniversary since its initial release. The game has achieved total sales of 70 million, making it the eighth best-selling game of all time, with 39.6 million copies sold on PC. The modding platform tModLoader has 12.3 million downloads on Steam. Over the past year, the game averaged 461,000 daily players, with a peak of 1.4 million during the 'Bigger and Boulder' update. The average playtime for the base game is 101 hours and 18 minutes, while tModLoader users average 89 hours and 52 minutes. Re-Logic is working on crossplay functionality and future updates beyond version 1.4.6. A special collector's edition box set will be available for preorder in early June.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

Demigod review (2009)

Demigod, reviewed in PC Gamer issue #201 (June 2009), features a unique art direction characterized by a "Video Game Beige" color palette. The game allows players to utilize Generals to command minions in chaotic battles, though the visuals can sometimes obscure unit status. It includes four game types, with Conquest and Fortress modes requiring direct assaults on turrets, which can lead to drawn-out matches. Players can upgrade their minions at the Citadel, enhancing their capabilities. The game incorporates RPG elements, allowing players to invest in team benefits or personal enhancements through in-game currency. However, it has minor flaws, including pathfinding issues and inconsistent netcode, affecting online play. Despite these issues, players find enjoyment in the blend of strategy and RPG mechanics.

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

Marathon’s Game Director admits it’s “overwhelming to learn” and too sweaty

Marathon, developed by Bungie, has a specialized appeal that may hinder sustainable growth, as noted by Game Director Joe Ziegler. He described the game's learning curve as "overwhelming" and gameplay as a "hardcore sweat-fiesta," indicating a need for more relaxed options. Since its launch nearly three months ago, the game has fostered a growing core community, with players contributing fan art and lore videos. Key observations from Season 1 include the overwhelming experience for newcomers, the chaotic endgame balance, and the demand for less intense gameplay. For Season 2, two new PvE-focused modes will be introduced, including one that blends PvE with PvP and another emphasizing cooperative gameplay. New features will include the Night Marsh zone, a defensive Runner shell named 'Sentinel,' fresh weapons, and improved customization options. Additional anticipated features are a Duos rotating zone queue, a revamped matchmaking system, and an expansion of Vault size. Bungie is also working on enhancing the onboarding experience and contract system. Season 2 is set to launch on June 2, with more details to be revealed in late May.

BetaBeacon

May 13, 2026

Racing Master global launch confirmed for May 8 on iOS and Android

- Racing Master is a new racing simulation game developed by seasoned professionals in the gaming industry. - The game promises to deliver a realistic and immersive gaming experience for players of all skill levels. - Racing Master features stunning graphics, dynamic gameplay, a wide selection of cars and tracks, and intense multiplayer races. - Early reviews of Racing Master have been overwhelmingly positive, with critics praising its attention to detail, realistic physics, and overall polish.

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

Arrowhead addresses the Helldivers 2 community as recent Steam reviews slump to Mostly Negative: ‘We want to be clearer about what we’re working on and what’s coming next’

In February, the gaming community celebrated the launch of Helldivers 2 and the introduction of the Cyberstan galactic campaign, which included new elements like the Bastion tank and Vox Engines. However, by May, the game's reviews had shifted to 'Mostly Negative' due to concerns over hidden weapon adjustments and the implementation of warbonds. Arrowhead Studios addressed community frustrations on Steam, emphasizing the game's importance and acknowledging feedback on the Exo Experts update, while also stating that additional vehicles would be available without warbond purchases. They outlined ongoing efforts to enhance the game, including new red stratagems, improved Galactic War rewards, and plans for more beta tests. Despite these efforts, the community's response has been mixed, with many players expressing frustration over the game's direction and the emphasis on warbonds, feeling that it overshadows regular gameplay rewards. There is a sense of ennui among hardcore fans who have quickly exhausted new content and are waiting for the next major narrative arc.

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

TommyInnit Tops US Streaming Charts with New Minecraft Series

TommyInnit launched a new Minecraft series on May 1, 2026, which quickly gained 10 million global views within 72 hours, with 40% of the traffic from the US. The series features a custom modpack that combines survival challenges with storytelling and collaborations. It has resonated particularly well with the 16-30 age demographic in the US, evoking nostalgia for classic Dream SMP days while offering fresh content. The series is currently trending in gaming categories across various states and has sparked discussions about Tommy's evolution as a storyteller. A total of 20 episodes has been teased, with the next installment featuring guest stars from the MCYT crew.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Plants vs. Zombies review (2009)

Plants vs. Zombies features a main Adventure mode with various minigames and side activities that enhance gameplay. Players earn coins from defeated zombies and minigames, with the Zen Garden providing a steady income for upgrades at Crazy Dave's car boot sale. Notable minigames include Beghouled, Last Stand, and I, Zombie, each offering unique gameplay experiences. The game combines humor, creativity, and strategic elements, keeping players engaged despite its casual nature.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

Ex-Escape From Tarkov devs say their new shooter “won’t be another clone lost in a gray zone,” but don’t want it labeled as an “‘X’ killer”

Rush is Real is an upcoming shooter game developed by Dmitri Ogorodnikov and German Terekhov under Nomion Games, who previously worked on Escape From Tarkov. The game is currently in the prototyping phase and aims to differentiate itself from generic multiplayer experiences by being fast-paced and structured, avoiding slow gameplay typical of extraction shooters or battle royales. It will feature clear objectives and promote player skill, with a design philosophy focused on simplicity and clarity. Rush is Real intends to merge elements from games like Call of Duty and Escape From Tarkov while appealing to a broad audience, balancing casual and hardcore gaming. The development team emphasizes the importance of human creativity in the game's final design, despite the potential use of artificial intelligence in the process.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

Intel VP says PC games would run up to 30% faster if they were properly optimized for its CPUs

AMD has gained a larger share of the CPU market with its Ryzen series and X3D lineup, leading to perceptions that Intel is falling behind in CPU performance. Intel's Vice President Robert Hallock stated that a significant part of the performance gap may be due to software optimization rather than just hardware limitations. He noted that many games are not optimized for specific CPUs, resulting in untapped performance potential of 10 to 30 percent. Hallock indicated that game developers often focus on optimizing for mainstream graphics cards and may prioritize AMD hardware, affecting the performance of Intel's Core Ultra 200 Series CPUs.