intense gameplay Archives

AppWizard

December 12, 2025

Everything announced at The Game Awards 2025 — Xbox, gaming handhelds, PC, and more

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards 2025. Decrepit, an indie title from Frame Interactive, is set to launch on PS5 and Steam in 2027. Audiomech, a bullet hell shooter by Dylan Fitterer, will have a free demo available on Steam starting December 12. PRAGMATA, an action-packed sci-fi adventure from CAPCOM, is scheduled for release on April 24, 2026, with preorders open and a demo available on Steam. Solasta 2 will enter Early Access on Steam on March 12, 2026. TankRat, a vehicular action game, is set for a Spring 2026 release on Steam. Bradley the Badger, an action platformer, is available for wishlisting on Steam. Stupid Never Dies, a zombie-themed game, is planned for release in 2026 on Steam and PS5. Casey Hudson is developing a new Star Wars RPG set in the Old Republic era. Larian Studios announced Divinity, a project larger than Baldur's Gate 3. 4:LOOP, a co-op game from Bad Robot, will release on PC and PS5. Ontos, a spiritual successor to SOMA, is slated for a 2026 release on Steam and PS5. South of Midnight, winner of the Games for Impact award, will be available on PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 in Spring 2026. Order of the Sinking Star, a puzzle adventure game, is set to launch on Steam in 2026. Exodus, an RPG from Wizards of the Coast, is expected in Early 2027. WARLOCK, a dark fantasy action-adventure game, will launch on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5. Control Resonant, a sequel to Control, will be available in 2026. Gang of Dragon is an upcoming action game from the developers of Yakuza. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will release on May 29, 2026. Tomb Raider: Catalyst is expected in 2027, while a reimagining titled Legacy of Atlantis will launch in 2026. Forest 3 is in development with limited details. Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred expansion will launch on April 28, 2026. Hogwarts Legacy is available for free on the Epic Games Store until December 18. No Law, an open-world shooter, is set for release on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. Total War: Warhammer 40,000 is available for wishlist on Steam. ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE will launch in 2026. Star Wars: Galactic Racer is scheduled for release in 2026. The Wind Awakening is set for release on December 23 for multiple platforms. Phantom Blade Zero will launch on PC and PS5 on September 9, 2026. Mega Man: Dual Override is set to release in 2027. Highguard, a free-to-play multiplayer FPS, will launch on January 26, 2026.

AppWizard

December 10, 2025

ININ Games has announced R-Type Dimensions III, coming to PC in May 2026

ININ Games has announced R-Type Dimensions III, set to launch on PC in May 2026. The game will feature high-end 3D graphics, enhanced animations, and detailed environments while capturing the essence of the original arcade games. It will include several new gameplay modes, such as a local co-op mode and an Advanced mode for seasoned players. Players will have the option to toggle between 3D graphics and classic 2D sprites. The gameplay footage shown in the trailer is a work in progress, and the final product may differ in quality and presentation.

AppWizard

November 24, 2025

Escape from Tarkov director says the launch week’s wobbles were ‘actual stress testing not only of our servers but also our mind and nerves’

On November 15, Escape From Tarkov launched on Steam after an eight-year beta phase. The launch faced login issues due to high demand, leading to server difficulties acknowledged by developer Battlestate Games. This resulted in review bombing from frustrated players. Nikita Buyanov, the director and COO of Battlestate, commented on the situation, expressing gratitude for player enjoyment despite the challenges. The game's intense gameplay and immersive environments continue to attract players, highlighting its enduring appeal.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

A new rival to Tarkov and Arc Raiders, PUBG Black Budget lets you try its supernatural extraction action very soon

Krafton has announced PUBG Black Budget, a spinoff from its multiplayer franchise, entering the extraction shooter genre. Alpha playtests will begin next month without a non-disclosure agreement. The game, set on the island of Coli, features a time loop and PvPvE threats, focusing on exploration and discovery rather than just survival. It includes a 2.5×2.5 km open-world environment, 30-minute matches, squads of up to three players, and a maximum of 45 real players alongside PvE adversaries. The game will have two weekends of alpha testing: December 12-14 and December 19-21, available on Steam.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

Minecraft’s popularity returns in a new light

Minecraft has over 204 million monthly active users as of 2025, maintaining its popularity since its launch in 2011. The latest update, version 1.21.120, was released on October 28, focusing on visual enhancements and new features. The game regularly receives updates that introduce new mobs, blocks, and packs, fostering creativity within the community. Minecraft content has over 1 trillion views on YouTube and averages 86.7k viewers daily on Twitch, with over 14.5 million hours watched. Popular video formats include Minecraft ASMR, player versus player commentary, and survival let's plays, which have seen a resurgence. Traditional survival playthroughs are also reviving, with creators launching new seasons and challenges.

AppWizard

November 8, 2025

Arc Raiders briefly overtakes Battlefield 6’s concurrent player count on Steam as it proves to be one of the hottest PC games this fall

Arc Raiders, an extraction shooter, launched just over a week ago and achieved a peak concurrent player count of over 354,000 on Steam, surpassing Battlefield 6's 318,000 players. The game is praised for its smooth technical performance and accessibility, appealing to a broader audience without requiring high-end hardware. Unlike other extraction shooters like Escape From Tarkov, Arc Raiders offers a more relaxed gameplay experience, catering to players seeking less stressful alternatives. Currently, it stands out in the market, potentially leading a shift in the extraction shooter genre.

AppWizard

October 17, 2025

Minecraft devs “want to avoid treating players in a way that feels unfair,” so Mojang’s guiding principle is that “bad things happen, but they’re technically the player’s fault”

Mojang continues to innovate Minecraft with updates guided by a philosophy of balance in game design. Lead designer Jens 'Jeb' Bergensten emphasized the importance of finding the right balance to avoid unfair treatment of players, stating that challenges should be the player's responsibility. He explained that balancing risk versus reward is crucial for making the game enjoyable. Challenges are placed later in the game and are opt-in, allowing players to choose their level of difficulty. This player-centric design contributes to Minecraft's appeal by enabling players to engage with either challenging gameplay or creative building without threats. Mojang's CEO noted that player expectations and game design have evolved, suggesting that if the Creeper were introduced today, it might face controversy.

AppWizard

September 27, 2025

Dying Light The Beast’s most frustrating zombie type is too hands-on, so Techland is taking action

Dying Light The Beast has received acclaim for its gameplay, particularly its combat mechanics. Players have faced challenges with biters, known for their aggressive attacks. Game director Nathan Lemaire announced three changes to improve player experience: increased time to escape from a biter's grasp before taking damage, adjusted start-up animations for clearer visual cues, and reduced likelihood of newly alerted biters immediately grabbing players. Techland is testing these fixes and is committed to monitoring player feedback. A comprehensive map and system requirements for the game are available, and players are encouraged to share their experiences in the PCGamesN community Discord server.

AppWizard

September 23, 2025

Can You Play Games on a 300$ PC in 2025?

In 2025, a budget-friendly gaming PC can be assembled using second-hand components for approximately 0, featuring an Intel i7-7700k or 8700k, 32GB RAM, a GTX 1080 Ti, and a 2TB HDD. This configuration can deliver impressive performance, achieving around 147 FPS in Far Cry 5 at 1080p, 127 FPS in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1080p, and over 50 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p. In Apex Legends, framerates range from 115 FPS to 144 FPS depending on the map location. While performance can be improved with an NVMe SSD, the setup is suitable for casual gamers focused on single-player or older titles. However, it may not meet the demands of modern AAA games.

AppWizard

September 12, 2025

Borderlands 4 test shows big frame rate drops, even with an RTX 5090 and 9950X3D

Early impressions of Borderlands 4 indicate performance challenges on PC, particularly in maintaining a steady frame rate even on high-end hardware. A video review showed that gameplay tested on an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D struggled to consistently reach 70fps in certain areas. The game’s system requirements are on the higher end for contemporary 3D gaming, and while it features vibrant artwork, it demands significant GPU power for a smooth experience. Content creators reported performance slowdowns during intense gameplay, with one video showing an average frame rate of 120-130fps during exploration, dropping to about 100fps in combat, and further declining to 60-80fps after the initial boss fight. The integration of DLSS has raised concerns for gamers with mid-range or lower-end systems. Visual gameplay appears acceptable but includes occasional stutters, with significant frame rate drops during combat. Despite using the highest graphical preset, there are still options to enhance graphics settings, indicating that the top preset does not fully utilize maximum in-game settings.