interactive storytelling Archives

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

Cyan releases teaser for the first new Myst game in 20 years, then breaks the news that it’s not actually being made

Cyan Worlds, the developer of the iconic game Myst, laid off approximately half of its workforce in 2025 due to financial struggles. In the same year, they developed a prototype for a new Myst game, codenamed Project Anglerfish, but the project is not currently in development due to a lack of interest from publishers. A teaser for the game was released, generating mixed reactions from fans who expressed disappointment over its cancellation while also showing a strong desire for a continuation of the Myst legacy. Despite the challenges in the current gaming landscape, there remains a dedicated audience for a new Myst experience, and Cyan has previously found success with crowdfunding for other projects.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Get 10 classic point and click adventures for cheap with Humble’s latest bundle

Point and click adventure games have a significant presence in the gaming landscape, with new titles regularly emerging. Humble Bundle has launched the Humble Bundle Point and Click Package, which includes nine games and a discount on an additional title. Pricing options are as follows: for the complete suite of nine games, .99 for seven selected titles, and .99 for a choice of four games. Featured titles in the bundle include Syberia Remastered, Amerzone - The Explorer's Legacy (Digital Deluxe Edition), Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile, Syberia: The World Before Deluxe Edition, Lil' Guardsman, Unavowed, STASIS: BONE TOTEM, Sunday Gold, When the Past Was Around, and Old Skies with a 35% off coupon. Purchases can contribute to charitable causes, encouraging customers to exceed the minimum purchase requirement. The offer is available until Wednesday, August 12.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

A classic Giger-inspired adventure game just got a sequel

Tormentum II is a standalone sequel to the original Tormentum: Dark Sorrow, which was heavily influenced by H. R. Giger's biomechanical art. The sequel, developed over eight years, offers a fresh narrative while maintaining similar thematic elements. It is currently available on Steam with a 15% discount, and a demo is also offered. The original game is on sale with a 67% discount.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

007: First Light was originally going to be less about James Bond and more of ‘an ensemble piece’, with ‘all the 00s working together, as they do in Slovakia’

In 007: First Light, characters Cressida Bright and Lennox Monroe are introduced alongside James Bond, presenting a unique narrative twist where Bond has flatmates. Initially, the game appears to be an ensemble piece featuring camaraderie among 00 agents during training sequences. However, after a failed operation in Slovakia, most of Bond's fellow trainees die, leaving him aligned primarily with his mentor, Greenway. This shift from an ensemble dynamic to focusing on Bond's individual journey is a deliberate narrative choice made by lead writer Michael Vogt, emphasizing Bond's character evolution and the harsh realities of his profession. The initial intention to include Cressida and Monroe as integral companions was significant in early development, and their absence enhances the emotional depth of Bond's story.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Netflix has finally figured out how to get viewers off their phones with its newest horror game, but it doesn’t quite stick the landing

Point-and-click horror games face challenges in maintaining player agency due to predetermined paths, especially when using smartphones for interaction. Netflix's game Unhinged, created by Zach Cregger and David Fincher, allows players to use their phones as the protagonist Ava's device while she seeks help from her friend Claire and avoids a pursuer. The game lasts about 30 minutes and features immersive but occasionally frustrating gameplay due to distractions from notifications and the smartphone's role in executing quick-time events. The atmosphere is eerie, and the performances by Zoë Kravitz as Ava, Sadie Sink as Claire, and Troy Baker as the antagonist enhance the experience. Unhinged offers a glimpse into interactive storytelling, despite its limitations.

AppWizard

June 18, 2026

Minecraft Is Becoming Entertainment’s Most Unexpected Storytelling Tool

In Minecraft, avatars lack facial expressions, prompting players to use imagination and body language for emotional interpretation. Players utilize vocal cues for storytelling, making viewers active participants who can influence gameplay. This interactive storytelling fosters social bonds between creators and audiences, allowing real-time audience engagement. Minecraft serves as a versatile platform for gaming, filmmaking, animation, and social networking, promoting independent media consumption. As Generation Z and Alpha engage with narratives across multiple platforms, Minecraft exemplifies this trend. Community innovators, including modders and animators, have inspired Mojang Studios to create narrative content like Minecraft Story Mode and Minecraft Dungeons, with a sequel set to release in September.

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

Humble’s offering a nearly buck-a-game deal on some of the best reactive narratives out there, including one of my personal favourite games of all time

Inkle's adaptation of Phileas Fogg's journey in 80 Days is highly regarded, ranking among the author's top three favorite games due to its blend of adventure, intrigue, and 19th-century themes. The Complete Inkle Library bundle is available for £11 and includes titles such as TR-49, Expelled, A Highland Song, Heaven's Vault, Sorcery Parts 1-4, 80 Days, Overboard!, and Pendragon. Heaven's Vault received an 88% review score for its engaging narrative, while TR-49 has been praised for its innovative approach. Pendragon is noted as an accessible strategy game linked to a dynamic story generator.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

LIFTED launches July 22 for PC, later for PS5 and Switch 2

LIFTED, a cinematic puzzle platforming adventure game developed by Adventure Works, will debut on PC via Steam on July 22, with plans for future releases on PlayStation 5 and Switch 2. The game features characters Ari Buktu and Professor Lionel Raventhorpe on a quest to find a legendary tiara for Miss Barton. Players will explore various locations, including 1818 Egypt and ancient Mayan civilizations, while solving puzzles and engaging in humorous antics. The narrative is crafted by Nick Gambino, a winner of the Austin Film Festival.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

There’s one game Don’t Nod narrative designer Nina Freeman won’t ever uninstall from her PC, because it’s banned on Steam: ‘It’s tragic, because everyone should play this game’

Nina Freeman's first gaming experience was with the 1991 game Rodent's Revenge, which she played on a friend's computer or at school. She has developed autobiographical games like Cibele and Last Call, and worked as a level designer on Tacoma and Open Roads. Currently, she is working on an undisclosed project with Don't Nod and developing an indie horror game titled Size Zero with her husband. Freeman recently played Angeline Era on her Steam Deck and completed Scarlet Hollow, which she describes as a masterpiece with a complex branching narrative. The oldest game installed on her PC is Rollercoaster Tycoon Deluxe, released in 1999. She has logged over 2,101 hours in Dota 2, which she and her husband enjoy together. Freeman considers Devotion by Red Candle Games one of the best horror games and will never uninstall it from her library. She relies on OBS for her work as a game developer and Twitch streamer, and maintains a tidy desktop for streaming purposes, although her external hard drives are less organized.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

All Will Rise devs ‘definitely expect some pushback from Western audiences’ over its depiction of violent resistance and ecoterrorism

All Will Rise is a narrative-driven deckbuilder that explores themes of activism, environmental degradation, and accountability through gameplay. It draws inspiration from real-world activism and contrasts peaceful methods with more radical tactics. The game is set in the fictional city of Muziris, inspired by India, and emphasizes the struggles of Adivasis and the complexities of their movements. The creators encourage debate and dissent among players, aiming to challenge stereotypes about activists. Comparisons are made to other games like Final Fantasy 7, but All Will Rise focuses on reflection and discussion rather than direct action. A demo is currently available, although no release date has been announced.