immersive simulations Archives

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

The devs on Deus Ex: Invisible War knew its most-hated part was a ‘terrible idea,’ and they give the director ‘sh*t about it all the time’

The author bio on the website stated that Deus Ex: Invisible War was considered good, despite criticism, particularly regarding its universal ammo system. This system allowed all weapons to draw from a single pool of ammunition, which frustrated players. Lead designer Ricardo Bare criticized the decision, while director Harvey Smith explained that the intention was to address players' tendency to use only a few weapons. Smith acknowledged the backlash and expressed a sense of acceptance regarding the game's reception over time.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

What’s the next step in these adventure game puzzles?

A variety of gaming trivia quizzes are available, covering topics such as health bars, currencies, and patch notes. In the 1980s and early 1990s, adventure games were the primary genre for players seeking well-crafted narratives, as RPGs focused on dungeon crawling and had limited dialogue. Point-and-click adventures evolved from text-based games and adapted literary works, with companies like Infocom, LucasArts, and Sierra emphasizing character development and thematic depth. Players often faced challenging puzzles that could lead to frustration, requiring collaboration or help. Today, classic puzzles can be revisited through accessible multiple-choice quizzes, allowing fans to engage with gaming history in an interactive manner.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

“Deus Ex” just turned 25 years old and it’s still the best PC game of all time — you only need $2 to play it on practically anything

Deus Ex, released in 2000 by Ion Storm, is widely regarded as one of the most influential PC games and a pinnacle of immersive simulations. The franchise has evolved with entries like Human Revolution and Mankind Divided, developed by Eidos-Montreal. The original game, directed by Warren Spector, combined first-person action with RPG elements, allowing players to choose various playstyles. Modern players can access Deus Ex on contemporary Windows systems, using keyboard and mouse or controllers, including handheld devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck, which runs the game through Proton emulation. Despite its outdated graphics and AI, Deus Ex offers a richly layered adventure in a cyberpunk dystopia, appealing to both newcomers and veterans.

AppWizard

June 16, 2025

Yes, that was the original voice of Garrett in the trailer for Thief VR

The trailer for Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow features a protagonist named Magpie, who finds a mechanical eye that embeds itself into her face. Stephen Russell, the voice of Garrett from the original Thief trilogy, confirms his involvement in the game. The game is set between the original trilogy and the 2014 reboot, in a fractured city ruled by Baron Northcrest. Richard Bunn, the lead game designer, notes that the Keepers are gone, but their secrets remain. The game represents a continuation of the Thief franchise in a VR format amid a declining market for first-person stealth games.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

This game about being trapped on a spaceship overgrown with a jungle that wants to eat you is basically Project Zomboid in space, and it looks absolutely terrifying

Dandelion Void is a video game set aboard a derelict generation ship that has become overgrown with alien flora and fauna since its departure from Earth in the late 20th century. The ship's ecosystem is hostile, with life forms attacking creatures with fewer than seven legs. The game, developed by Manzanita Interactive, features survival elements such as repairing spacesuits and navigating radiation-filled corridors. The creature designs are influenced by the remains of the ship's deceased crew. The game has been in development for a couple of years, but no release date has been announced. Additional information is available on its Steam page.

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

Arkane founder Raphael Colantonion gave up on the System Shock remake because the cyberspace sequences were ‘too hard,’ and I can’t tell you how disappointed I am right now

Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios, revealed during the Quad Damage Podcast that he abandoned the 2023 remake of System Shock due to its challenging gameplay, specifically getting stuck in cyberspace. He found the cyberspace segments frustrating and felt they detracted from the overall experience. Despite this, Colantonio remains passionate about immersive gaming and is developing a new "retro sci-fi first-person" game at his studio, WolfEye Studios, following the success of Weird West.