immersive sim Archives

AppWizard

March 23, 2025

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Preview – How Nightdive Studios approaches remastering an influential classic PC game

Nightdive Studios has released a series of modern ports and remasters, including a ground-up remake of the 1994 classic, System Shock. They acquired the license for System Shock nearly a decade ago and are now working on the System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster, which has taken considerable time to develop. The remaster will feature optimized controller support for modern consoles and will maintain the original emotional resonance of the game. It will include a Vault with media related to the game's original creation. The remaster is set to be released on June 26 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam, Epic, GOG).

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

2011 was an amazing comeback year for PC gaming

In the 1990s, personal computers became popular in homes, leading to a surge in gaming among children, particularly with the rise of CD-ROM technology. The 2000s saw a decline in PC gaming, attributed to piracy concerns, with notable figures expressing skepticism about the platform's future. However, in 2011, the PC Gaming Alliance reported a 15% profit increase in PC gaming, driven by a growing market in China. The open-world genre thrived on PC, with significant releases like Skyrim and Batman: Arkham City, which emphasized exploration and fluid gameplay. RPGs experienced a revival in 2011, highlighted by Skyrim, Fallout: New Vegas, and The Witcher 2, alongside BioWare's Dragon Age 2 and the immersive sim Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Indie games like Bastion and Limbo gained popularity, while strategy games such as Total War: Shogun 2 also performed well. The year 2011 is recognized as a landmark period for PC gaming, marking its resurgence.

AppWizard

February 28, 2025

I became a domestic terrorist to steal a lightbulb in the best immersive sim I’ve played this Steam Next Fest—and it isn’t even a Next Fest demo

Peripeteia is a cyberpunk immersive sim set in an alternate reality of Poland, where players control a character named Marie who awakens disoriented and augmented in a warehouse. The game features a labyrinthine environment filled with gas-masked soldiers and surreal elements, such as a bar playing the USSR's National Anthem. Players must navigate creatively to complete quests, such as retrieving a bulb from a planetarium, which involves planning and stealth, including bombing a government building. The game recently entered early access, showcasing its potential for complex gameplay.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

New PC Game Sale Includes Hundreds Of AAA Hits For Low Prices

Fanatical has launched the Gaming Legends Sale, offering discounts of up to 90% on a wide range of PC games, including AAA titles and indie games. Customers spending over a certain amount will receive a bonus game or coupon code. Featured discounts include: - Control Ultimate Edition for .19 (originally .99) - Lies of P for .99 (down from .99) - System Shock Remake for .99 (previously .99) - Frostpunk for .44 (was .99) - Frostpunk 2 for .99 (originally .99) Major publishers like Capcom, Sega, and Bethesda are also participating, with discounts on titles such as: - Skyrim Anniversary Edition for .49 (down from .99) - Dragon's Dogma 2 for .39 (originally .99) - Metaphor: Refantazio for .99 (was .99) Preorders are available for upcoming titles like Monster Hunter Wilds, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Lika A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, along with additional preorder discounts on games such as Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Elden Ring: Nightreign. Bundle deals also qualify for the bonus promotion on orders exceeding a certain amount.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

How to find and use lockpicks in Avowed

In Avowed, lockpicking does not involve ability or skill checks; instead, a locked chest indicates the number of lockpicks required to open it, with a maximum of five needed for the most difficult chests. Players can unlock chests by pressing the action key if they have the necessary lockpicks. The game does not include a concept of theft, allowing players to open chests without fear of penalties. Lockpicks can be acquired from merchants, dropped by defeated enemies, or found in the wild, with bandits having a higher chance of dropping them. Multiple merchants sell lockpicks across different regions, and they restock their supplies every few days. Guaranteed locations for lockpicks in the first two regions include various merchants in Dawnshore and Emerald Stair. Locked chests are relatively rare, so players can maintain a sufficient inventory of lockpicks by purchasing them and collecting those found in the wild.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

Amid a tidal wave of new games in 2024, these 10 must-play deep cuts are cheap and will run on almost anything

Many gamers are facing a growing backlog of titles as they enter the new year. Instead of returning to popular games like The Witcher 3 or Persona 5, players are encouraged to explore quirky indie games that offer depth and creativity, are budget-friendly, and suitable for short gaming sessions. Eight standout indie games from the past year and two late entries from 2023 include: 1. Felvidek: Set in the Slovak highlands, featuring a disgraced protagonist investigating supernatural occurrences with a priest, utilizing sepia-toned visuals and retro turn-based combat. 2. Skald: Against the Black Priory: A DOS RPG-inspired game with pixel art and a rich soundtrack, offering modern hardcore CRPG mechanics. 3. Dread Delusion: A low-fi RPG with immersive world-building and exploration, captivating players since early access. 4. Anger Foot: An arcade FPS priced at , combining fast-paced action and humor, reminiscent of "Hotline Miami." 5. Judero: An action-adventure game with a druid protagonist in a whimsical claymation world, featuring surreal dialogues. 6. Mouthwashing: A claustrophobic narrative set on a marooned spaceship, known for its nonlinear storytelling and haunting atmosphere. 7. Straftat: A 1v1 FPS that combines classic map design with humor, serving as a contrast to live service games. 8. The Black Parade: An unofficial expansion for Thief Gold, featuring ten expansive missions that highlight immersive sim design. These indie titles offer a refreshing alternative to mainstream gaming, allowing players to enjoy unique narratives and innovative gameplay.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

The best deals in the 2024 Steam Winter Sale

Valve's Steam Winter Sale features a 40% discount on Elden Ring and the first discount on Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Other notable discounts include 40% off Shadows of Doubt, 50% off Dungeons of Hinterberg, and 35% off Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The sale includes various sections for games under different price points, highlighting budget-friendly options and showcasing ten games for under 0, including recent Game of the Year winners.

AppWizard

December 16, 2024

‘I’ve spent my entire career trying to recreate the feeling I had when I played D&D for the first time,’ says immersive sim godfather Warren Spector, with new game Thick as Thieves going multiplayer because ‘you don’t play D&D alone’

Warren Spector, co-founder of OtherSide Entertainment, discussed the studio's upcoming multiplayer title, Thick as Thieves, which shifts from traditional single-player immersive sims to a live service PvPvE multiplayer format. Spector has long envisioned multiplayer as the next logical step for immersive sims, aiming to capture collaborative storytelling akin to Dungeons & Dragons. He emphasized the importance of player agency and creativity in creating surprising narratives. Project lead Greg LoPiccolo noted the dynamic interactions that can occur in multiplayer settings. The game's success will depend on ongoing support and community engagement, distinguishing it from other titles like Anthem and Redfall. Players can wishlist Thick as Thieves on Steam or Epic, although a release date has not been announced.

AppWizard

December 6, 2024

The PC Gaming Show’s best trailers: creepy aliens, strategic turtles, and desktop platformers

The recent PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted showcased several upcoming indie games. 1. Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault - A sequel to Moonlighter, blending action RPG elements with shopkeeping, set for release in 2025 on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. 2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown - A turn-based strategy game from Strange Scaffold, launching on PC in 2025. 3. Cairn - A rock-climbing adventure and survival game with a free demo available on Steam, focusing on co-op gameplay, with early access expected next year. 4. The Legend of Baboo - An adventure game inspired by Middle Eastern fables, releasing in 2025 on PC and Xbox. 5. Abyssus - A co-op shooter set in a "brinepunk" world, entering alpha on December 6th, with a full release planned for next year. 6. MainFrames - A platformer set within a desktop PC interface, launching on PC and Nintendo Switch on March 6th. 7. Deepest Fear - A sci-fi horror game combining Metroidvania and FPS elements, with a release date yet to be announced for PC. 8. Blue Prince - A reimagining of Myst, inviting players to explore Mt. Holly manor, with a potential launch in the upcoming spring.

AppWizard

November 21, 2024

Avowed is a jack-of-all-trades action RPG with a rare attention for the little details

Obsidian Entertainment is developing the fantasy RPG Avowed, which is not an expansive open-world game like Skyrim. The game features firearms, diverging from traditional fantasy tropes. Director Carrie Patel highlights the series' blend of political intrigue with philosophical and metaphysical elements. The game aims for a scope similar to The Outer Worlds while focusing on expansive role-playing and action-heavy combat. Players can purchase firearms and use a classless system to combine melee and magic, which is uncommon in RPGs. Combat includes a responsive dodge mechanic and a stun meter for special attacks, with a balance between agility and weight. The game encourages exploration with climbable surfaces and hidden rewards, and player agency is emphasized. Avowed includes tutorials and customizable user interface controls. While the gameplay is engaging, some elements feel artificial, and the writing may not resonate as deeply as other titles.