immersive simulation Archives

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

It’s my own fault for thinking Warren Spector’s new multiplayer stealth game adding singleplayer would make it the Thief successor I was hoping for

Thick as Thieves is a first-person stealth game featuring minimalist controls and hand-drawn map designs. The game combines elements of technology and magic, with Scottish-accented guards who discuss light. Players navigate Elway Manor's basement, encountering marked areas that hint at mysteries. The game includes responsive guards who react to player actions, such as extinguishing candles. Originally intended as a PvPvE experience, it has shifted to a single-player and co-op format, currently lacking features like key rebinding and offering only two maps. Otherside refers to this release as the first chapter, resembling an early access title. The game is priced attractively, leading to consideration for co-op play despite its limitations.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

This game about being a chaotic mage might be the best indie immersive sim you can play, as I learned after destroying a mime’s house with magnetism

Rhell: Warped Worlds & Troubled Souls is a PC game that combines RPG elements with immersive simulation. Players encounter a mime in the game, who has an elaborate setup and a magnet-themed puzzle. The game features 40 spells, or runes, that can be creatively combined to solve puzzles. The design encourages experimentation and embraces failure, allowing quick respawns after mistakes. The gameplay includes slapstick animations that highlight comical misfortunes. Despite minor flaws in narrative and spell reprogramming, the game offers an engaging experience that appeals to fans of RPGs and puzzle-solving.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

I’m unsure how much of a detective game Artificial Detective will be, but I enjoyed the bit in the trailer when your character attacks a robot with a massive drill

Vivix, a new studio formed by former developers of Dead Space, Control, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, has announced their game titled Artificial Detective during the Xbox Partner Preview. The game is set in a futuristic city where humanity has disappeared, and players will assume the role of a robotic detective. The gameplay involves exploring the city using a "flying streetcar" across ten districts, with opportunities for combat, stealth, and environmental interaction. Players will be accompanied by a small child and a robotic dog. The game is expected to blend action and exploration, with a release planned for next year.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

I’m unsure how much of a detective game Artificial Detective will be, but I enjoyed the bit in the trailer when your character attacks a robot with a massive drill

Vivix, a new studio formed by former developers from titles like Dead Space and Control, has announced a game called Artificial Detective during the Xbox Partner Preview. The game is set in a dystopian future where humanity has vanished, and players take on the role of a robotic detective in a city dominated by machines and afflicted animals. It features nonlinear gameplay with sandbox-style encounters, including the ability to ride a flying streetcar across ten districts. Players will be accompanied by a small child and a robotic dog. The game is expected to blend action and investigation, with a release planned for next year.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

These games made us all upgrade our PCs

PC enthusiasts often delay hardware upgrades until necessary, but certain games can compel upgrades due to their advanced technology and demanding graphics. Half-Life 2, released in 2004, introduced real-time physics and advanced graphics, leading to a surge in demand for GeForce 6600 and Radeon X800 graphics cards as players sought smoother performance. Grand Theft Auto IV, released in 2008, required robust quad-core processors for optimal performance due to its CPU-intensive simulations, prompting players to upgrade their CPUs. Crysis, launched in 2007, set a new standard for graphical fidelity with its advanced features, becoming a benchmark for PC performance and prompting gamers to upgrade their systems. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, released in 2015, utilized cutting-edge technologies that made midrange builds struggle, leading players to upgrade for better performance and visuals. Cyberpunk 2077, released in 2020, created a surge in demand for NVIDIA's RTX 20-series GPUs as players sought to experience its high graphical fidelity, prompting many gamers to upgrade their systems.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

Nightdive boss says no one’s making immersive sims because they appeal to ‘a very small, niche group’ and tend to ‘come together at the 12th hour,’ even though it’s obviously the best genre

The immersive simulation genre is considered a pinnacle of gaming, offering unique experiences that blend creativity and interaction. However, the production of immersive sims is rare due to financial challenges. Stephen Kick, CEO of Nightdive Studios, noted that these games typically appeal to a small, dedicated fanbase, which is insufficient to influence corporate decisions. Despite this, Kick and his team pursue these games for their artistic value rather than financial performance. The development of immersive sims is complex, with the game's essence often crystallizing only in the final stages. Nightdive Studios has managed to allocate the necessary resources for their projects, but as budgets increase, companies become less willing to take risks on niche audiences. Even successful immersive sims may only reach a limited audience of dedicated fans and industry insiders.

AppWizard

January 4, 2026

‘Happy Gloom Year!’: The new Gloomwood update is out, and it includes the game’s ‘largest, most vertical open area’ yet

Gloomwood, an immersive simulation by New Blood, is currently in early access and features a blend of stealth and action. The latest update, the Hightown Update, introduces the game's largest and most intricate environment, along with new gameplay mechanics. This update includes a new revolver enhanced with a rifle stock and scope, designed for combat against tough enemies. The update also features the most sophisticated enemy forces and gothic environments. Gloomwood is available for purchase on Steam.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

Here’s how to get over $350 of great Steam games for just $20, if your backlog isn’t already big enough

Fanatical is offering the Movember Game 'Stache Charity Bundle, valued at over £290, for £20. The bundle includes 15 games, such as Schedule 1, Gloomwood, and Chivalry 2. Thirteen of these titles are compatible with the Steam Deck.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

Game Pass Horror Picks: 17 Excellent Games To Play This Halloween

Gamers with Game Pass on Xbox or PC can access a selection of horror games for Halloween, including: - Aliens: Fireteam Elite (Co-op sci-fi shooter) - Good for those wanting to battle Xenomorphs; not ideal for players who dislike loadouts or glitches. - A Plague Tale: Requiem (Cinematic stealth adventure) - Great for fans of intricate narratives; not suitable for those who prefer direct confrontations. - CARRION (2D pixel art adventure) - Appeals to Metroidvania enthusiasts; not for players who dislike backtracking. - Costume Quest (Turn-based comedy RPG) - Nostalgic for trick-or-treating; not for those seeking complex mechanics. - Dead By Daylight (Online survival horror co-op) - Perfect for horror movie scenario fans; not for those who dislike being hunted. - Diablo IV (Loot-based action-RPG) - Great for demon-slaying fans; not for players who disengage during button-mashing. - Doom 2016 (First-person shooter) - Ideal for chaos lovers; not for cautious players. - Inscryption (Deck-building horror adventure) - Appeals to strategy and chance lovers; not for those averse to plot twists. - Inside (Cinematic platforming adventure) - Great for emotional storytelling fans; not for those who prefer dialogue-heavy narratives. - Little Nightmares II (Dark fantasy puzzle adventure) - Perfect for atmosphere lovers; not for players frustrated by intricate controls. - Pacific Drive (Haunted car sim) - Good for scavengers; not for those who prefer smooth rides. - Redfall (Co-op demon hunter) - Appeals to vampire hunting fans; not for those seeking loot shooters. - Resident Evil 2 (Survival horror shooter) - Great for survival fantasy enthusiasts; not for those afraid of monsters. - State of Decay 2 (Open-world base-building zombie survival) - Ideal for resource gatherers; not for those who find repetition daunting. - Still Wakes the Deep (Lovecraftian walking sim) - Appeals to fans of eerie atmospheres; not for those lacking patience. - The Evil Within (Psychological survival horror) - Great for boundary-pushing horror fans; not for those struggling with jarring mechanics. - The Walking Dead (Point-and-click zombie adventure) - Ideal for fans of the comic or show; not for those easily moved to tears.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

Amnesia: The Bunker is one of the best straight-up horror games ever made, and it’s free on Epic for the next week

Amnesia: The Bunker, released in 2023 by Frictional Games, is set during World War I and follows Henri Clement, a French soldier in a bunker. The game features a semi-open world with randomized elements and a sophisticated AI monster called the Stalker. It has received a 93% review score, praised for its immersive gameplay and atmosphere. The game is currently available for free on the Epic Store until October 23rd at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET / 4 PM GMT.