immersive sim Archives

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.

AppWizard

September 23, 2024

Shadows of Doubt review

Shadows of Doubt is an immersive simulation game developed by ColePowered Games and published by Fireshine Games, scheduled for release on September 26, 2024, priced at in the US and £20 in the UK. Players take on the role of a cash-strapped private investigator in a procedurally generated city filled with crime, tasked with solving neglected murders and kidnappings. The game features a "social credit" system that allows players to advance socially and aim for retirement in a location called The Fields. The city can vary in size and population, with around 600 residents. The game emphasizes atmospheric design, utilizing environmental sounds and a synth soundtrack to enhance immersion. However, it faces challenges typical of indie games, such as vague side quest clues and repetitive elements in investigations. Gameplay mechanics involve deduction and exploration, allowing players to gather clues and connect them on a caseboard. Players must also navigate encounters with law enforcement, with a focus on non-lethal strategies. Despite its strengths, the game lacks a social dimension in interactions, limiting character engagement. Performance issues may arise in larger cities, affecting gameplay. Shadows of Doubt aims to provide a unique experience within the immersive sim genre.

AppWizard

August 26, 2024

Gloomwood, aka Thief with guns, is getting cutscenes ‘done in an early 1900s animated horror style’ to introduce major areas and encounters

Gloomwood, an immersive sim from New Blood Interactive, has announced the addition of cutscenes presented in an early 1900s animated horror style, enhancing its storytelling. Creator Dillon Rogers shared this news on Twitter and introduced a new enemy called the "fishdog." Player reactions have been mixed, with some preferring a seamless experience akin to the original Thief gameplay, while others worry that cutscenes may reduce surprise elements. Rogers reassured fans that future cutscenes might only hint at threats, and an option to skip them will likely be available. Other enhancements include new rat AI introduced in February, a harpoon gun revealed in March, and the first part of the Underport area, the Power Station, released in June. A definitive release date for Gloomwood has not been announced.

AppWizard

August 12, 2024

Shadows of Doubt, the procgen private-eye immersive sim, is leaving early access next month

Shadows of Doubt entered early access in April and will have its full 1.0 release on September 26, 2024. The game features procedurally generated cities and a crime-solving simulation sandbox, with NPCs that have their own homes, jobs, relationships, and routines. Players investigate murders by tracing connections and uncovering motives among the NPCs. Developer ColePowered Games plans to introduce new content and features as the game transitions out of early access.