Larian Studios Archives

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

5 PC games to play in 2025: From Warframe, and Baldur’s Gate 3 to Black Myth: Wukong and more

PC gaming in 2025 features advanced hardware technology and a diverse library of games, providing enhanced visuals and immersive gameplay. Warframe is a free-to-play MMO where players act as space ninjas, engaging in fast-paced combat and side activities like fishing and resource gathering, with ongoing updates expanding the game. Baldur's Gate 3 is a party-based RPG set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, featuring turn-based combat, a deep narrative, and developed by Larian Studios. Valorant is a tactical shooter that combines elements of Counter-Strike and hero-based gameplay, emphasizing team coordination and unique agent abilities. Cassette Beasts is a turn-based monster-taming game where players capture and fuse creatures, featuring an engaging narrative and diverse exploration. Black Myth: Wukong is an action-adventure game based on Journey to the West, featuring an open world, intense battles, and strategic gameplay, appealing to fans of challenging action RPGs.

AppWizard

February 6, 2025

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 8 is so big, it needed its own patch before it even released, and we’re one step closer to a Permanent Booming Blade Economy

Larian Studios is currently stress testing Patch 8 for Baldur's Gate 3, which will include balance adjustments for newly introduced subclasses and bug fixes. The patch will address crashes, bugs, and scripting errors, with a focus on improving the crossplay feature and enhancing the new photo mode. The Death Domain Cleric will receive a buff to its new cantrips, and its Reaper passive will now require targeting two different creatures. The Eldritch Knight subclass has been significantly improved, allowing three attacks per turn by level seven and four by the end of the game without using resources. This change has sparked debate in the community regarding its impact on the game's meta. Despite concerns about the potential dominance of Eldritch Knights, players are still interested in exploring new builds, including the Arcane Archer subclass.

AppWizard

December 23, 2024

2024 was the year gamers really started pushing back on the erosion of game ownership

The landscape of digital game ownership has come under scrutiny as digital distribution increases, leading gamers to question their true ownership of purchased titles. Many high-profile games have disappeared from digital platforms, including Sony's Concord, which was discontinued just 11 days after launch. The Stop Killing Games campaign, initiated by YouTuber Ross Scott, gained traction after Ubisoft shut down The Crew, a decade-old racing game, making it unplayable due to server and licensing issues. The campaign advocates for classifying video games as "goods" rather than "services," arguing that purchased games should not be rendered inoperable. The petition has over 400,000 signatures, aiming for a million by July 2025 to prompt the EU to consider a ban on making multiplayer games unplayable. Steam has updated its disclaimers regarding ownership in response to these issues, influenced by a new Californian law requiring retailers to inform consumers about the revocability of digital games. GOG has positioned itself as a champion of consumer rights, ensuring that purchased games remain with the buyer indefinitely and allowing users to bequeath their game libraries. Industry leaders, including Michael Douse from Larian Studios, have expressed concerns about the implications of losing ownership for developers. While some publishers recognize the value of preserving older titles, others remain less attuned to this importance. The conversation around ownership and preservation is intensifying, highlighting that players do not truly own their games on platforms like Steam, where access can be revoked at any time.

AppWizard

December 6, 2024

20 best PC games to play right now

Neva is an adventure game exploring themes of survival, nature, and loss, where players navigate life and death challenges through emotional narratives and puzzles. Alan Wake 2 is a psychological survival horror sequel featuring protagonists Alan Wake and FBI agent Saga Anderson, focusing on complex puzzles and survival mechanics. Balatro reimagines poker with special decks and magical cards, altering traditional gameplay dynamics. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes combines puzzle-solving with visual storytelling in a mysterious world. Cult of the Lamb is a rogue-like game where players build a cult as a lamb saved from death, blending action and resource management. Hades II follows Melinoë on a quest against Kronos, introducing new gods and mechanics in a roguelike format. Elden Ring is an open-world action RPG with vast exploration and dynamic combat in a dark fantasy setting. Still Wakes the Deep is a narrative-driven horror game set on an oil rig, exploring psychological and supernatural horror. Rollerdrome combines third-person shooting with roller-skating in a dystopian future. Tunic features a small fox exploring a mysterious world filled with puzzles and secrets. The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood allows players to craft tarot cards that shape destinies in a narrative-driven experience. Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is an adventure game inspired by Japanese mythology, focusing on fast-paced combat and strategic elements. The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series compiles all seasons of the series, emphasizing choice-driven gameplay and character evolution. Baldur's Gate 3 is a role-playing game set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, featuring deep RPG mechanics and impactful decisions. League of Legends is a free-to-play MOBA game known for its strategy and team coordination. Cocoon is a puzzle-adventure game where players navigate between realms and solve intricate puzzles. Kentucky Route Zero is an adventure game exploring American culture through surreal storytelling. Valorant is a tactical first-person shooter that combines traditional mechanics with hero abilities. Final Fantasy XIV is an MMORPG set in Eorzea, known for its rich story and extensive content updates. Half-Life 2 features protagonist Gordon Freeman in a dystopian world, celebrated for its innovative gameplay and narrative.

AppWizard

December 3, 2024

CHARTS: Counter-Strike 2 reclaims No.1 spot on Steam

Counter-Strike 2 has reclaimed its position as the highest-grossing game on Steam for the week ending December 3rd, following a brief period where Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl held the top spot but has since dropped to tenth place. The recent Steam Sale has influenced game rankings, bringing older titles back into focus and affecting newer releases. The Steam Deck has climbed one position due to a price reduction. The top ten games on Steam for the week include: 1. Counter-Strike 2 - Valve 2. Steam Deck - Valve 3. PUBG: Battlegrounds - Krafton 4. Cyberpunk 2077 - CD Projekt 5. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 - Activision 6. Apex Legends - EA 7. Baldur's Gate 3 - Larian Studios 8. Path of Exile 2 - Grinding Gear Games 9. EA Sports FC 25 - EA 10. Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl - GSC Game World

AppWizard

November 30, 2024

Witcher 4 dev not sure if CDPR will take a Baldur’s Gate 3-style PC-first release

Charles Tremblay, the vice president of technology at CD Projekt Red, discussed the platform release strategy for The Witcher 4 in an interview with Eurogamer. He was asked about the possibility of a PC-first launch, similar to Baldur's Gate 3, which could help avoid development challenges faced by Cyberpunk 2077. Tremblay expressed reservations about this approach, highlighting the importance of a balanced strategy that considers the diverse gaming landscape and player expectations across various platforms. He emphasized a commitment to delivering a polished experience for The Witcher 4, regardless of the launch platform.

AppWizard

November 12, 2024

CHARTS: Esports tournament boosts PUBG: Battlegrounds back to No.1 on Steam

PUBG: Battlegrounds has risen to first place on Steam's charts, moving up from twelfth position. Counter-Strike 2 is in second place, while Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has dropped to third. Apex Legends has climbed from fifty-eighth to fourth place. Throne and Liberty is in fifth, and the Steam Deck is sixth. Baldur's Gate 3 has returned to the Top Ten, rising from forty-fifth to seventh place due to a 20 percent price reduction. Dota 2 is eighth, Planet Coaster 2 debuted in ninth place, and Farming Simulator 25 is in tenth place, available for pre-order ahead of its release on November 12th.

AppWizard

November 3, 2024

Baldur’s Gate 3’s offscreen secrets include an ‘asylum’ for plot-critical NPCs and a ‘magical teleporting death journal’ to help particularly murderous players find Act 2

YouTuber SlimX has released a 25-minute video detailing the behind-the-scenes mechanics of Baldur's Gate 3's first act. Key points include Larian Studios' solutions like a designated area for essential NPCs and a "magical teleporting death journal" to guide players to Act 2. The game features a unified NPC data system, ensuring player choices, such as selling items, carry over throughout the game. The video also reveals hidden elements like the "realm of naked men," character creation backgrounds, and cut NPCs, including a Tiefling scam artist named Nerela. Additionally, it discusses a field of portrait backgrounds in a void, which are used for character icons, and notes minor bugs related to these portraits. SlimX hints at creating more content for future acts of the game.

AppWizard

October 27, 2024

Larian Publishing Director Criticizes Ubisoft’s ‘Broken Strategy’ For Releasing Games on PC –

Larian Studios' Publishing Director, Michael Douse, criticized Ubisoft's decision to disband the development team for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, calling it a sign of a "broken strategy" that favors subscription models over traditional game sales. He expressed concerns that the industry's shift towards subscription-based access undermines game ownership and creates instability for developers, potentially leading to job insecurity. Douse warned that while subscription services offer immediate access to many titles, they may harm the long-term sustainability of game development.

AppWizard

October 14, 2024

Baldur’s Gate 3 takes the crown in the PC Gamer Top 100: ‘To be named alongside so many of these games today is truly an honour—enough to tug at the heartstrings of even the most cold-hearted Lolth-sworn drow’

PC Gamer has released its comprehensive Top 100 list, with Baldur's Gate 3 now ranked as the top game, dethroning Disco Elysium. Swen Vincke, CEO of Larian Studios, expressed pride in this achievement, highlighting the game's tribute to tabletop RPGs and its connection to the legacy of previous RPGs. Baldur's Gate 3 has maintained its popularity since its launch in August 2023, thanks to substantial updates and its engaging characters and storylines. The game offers approximately 150 hours of gameplay, encouraging players to explore different character configurations. RPGs have historically dominated PC Gamer's rankings, with notable titles like Divinity: Original Sin 2 and The Witcher 3 preceding Disco Elysium. The publication looks forward to seeing if Baldur's Gate 3 can retain its top position in the coming year.