level design Archives

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

This week in PC games: a trio of surreal shooters, a big Stellaris expansion, and a new RPG from Octopath Traveller devs

This week features the Steam Next Fest, showcasing numerous game demos and playtests. Notable new game releases include: - Stellaris: Nomads: Introduces migrant civilizations with planet-scale spaceships in a 4X strategy game. - Day Trade Coach: A stock market trading simulator with a live news feed and professional trading terminal interface. - Mole: Players pilot a drill guided by whispers from the deceased in a whimsical setting. - Alaric: A "boomer shooter" with metroidvania design elements. - Copa City: A football management game set in 2026, focusing on the chaos of fan influx. - GoblinAmerica: An early access FPS where players embody US presidents to restore order and rewrite history. - The Last Salvage Squad: Features anime robots battling UFOs. - A four-dimensional chess game concept. Additional noteworthy titles include: - R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos: A remastered collection of turn-based PSP R-Type games. - The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales: An action-RPG with "2D-HD" graphics by veterans of Octopath Traveller. - Mech Spa: A nurturing game focused on mechs. - Mythic Love: Iberian Legends: An otome visual novel exploring Iberian folklore. - The Quiet Things: An autobiographical narrative addressing childhood trauma. - Moon River: A short RPG where players navigate a river revealed by moonlight, marking its full release. The Treehouse team is engaged in various activities, including urban adventures, exploring fungal brains, and artistic projects.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons II wants to grow up, just like its players

Minecraft Dungeons II features key enhancements in gameplay, including gear customization that allows players to equip multiple armor pieces with distinct stats and perks, improved exploration with the ability to jump and a more interconnected world design, and increased difficulty tailored for a more experienced audience. Combat has been made more robust, with greater challenges presented by enemies, and inventory management has been improved with color-coded loot for better organization in multiplayer settings. The game is set to launch on September 29 across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Mina the Hollower has the best sidequests of any game in 2026

Mina the Hollower has captivated players with its nostalgic charm, reminiscent of Shovel Knight, and has garnered positive feedback from its Kickstarter supporters. The game is described as "pure joy," with a design philosophy that emphasizes simplicity and a modest install size. Its level design features intricate, labyrinthine landscapes comparable to those created by FromSoftware. After three days of release, the game achieved sales of 300,000 copies. Engaging side quests, such as escorting a bioluminescent moth that transforms into a challenging boss, add depth to the gameplay. The game encourages exploration and rewards curiosity, similar to the storytelling found in The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Crossfire was the most surprising game reveal I’ve attended in years

That's No Moon is a relatively unknown studio in Los Angeles, established during the pandemic and backed by South Korean publisher Smilegate. The studio's debut game is titled Crossfire, which is a single-player, third-person tactical shooter that diverges from Smilegate's original competitive FPS. The game features a protagonist named Minkoff, voiced by Claudia Doumit, and incorporates high lethality, limited healing options, and manual magazine reloading. Players engage in intense firefights with controlled bursts of fire and a unique on-screen reticle that enhances the connection to the weapon. The game includes a modular inventory system for managing gear and ammunition, encourages looting, and offers a linear, narrative-driven campaign. An adaptive cover system allows players to use various forms of cover dynamically. The studio aimed to balance accessibility with tactical challenges, and they proposed using the Crossfire name after exploring the franchise's lore.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Routine is an intense Alien Isolation-style experience, and it is cheaper than ever

Routine is an indie horror game that has been in development since its announcement in 2012 and is now available. It features claustrophobic hallways and a lurking predator, creating a tense atmosphere similar to Alien Isolation. The game emphasizes stealth and has a tight level design that encourages a slow, deliberate approach. Players take on the role of a basic worker in a sci-fi universe, with environmental storytelling replacing a traditional narrative. Routine includes elements inspired by SOMA, such as terminals and puzzles, and features menacing foes like Type-05 security robots. Critics have praised the game, with a review rating of 9/10, and it has been included in Game of the Year 2025 lists. Routine is currently available for .74 at Fanatical, the lowest price to date.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena review (2009)

Wes Fenlon reflects on the legacy of older video games, particularly The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, expressing nostalgia for its innovative gameplay mechanics, including stealth and melee combat. He compares its level design to that of Batman: Arkham Asylum and suggests that Riddick influenced future licensed games. Fenlon notes the unavailability of both Riddick titles in the current market and speculates that Vin Diesel could help resolve licensing issues for a revival. He describes the immersive gameplay experience, where players embody Riddick and navigate a dynamic environment filled with various types of guards. The game features a mix of stealth and conventional shooting mechanics, with a variety of weapons, including a tranquilizer gun and the Scar gun. Fenlon critiques the level design in later stages and the checkpointing system, which lacks quicksave options. Despite these flaws, he appreciates the game's adult themes and humor, highlighting its significance in video game evolution.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Fallout co-creator says non-linear design is all about never assuming how players will act, illustrates his point by fantasising about an NPC guard he seems to really hate

Tim Cain, co-creator of the Fallout series, shared insights on game design in a YouTube video titled Eight Level Design Guidelines, emphasizing the importance of understanding player behavior and intentions. He advocates for non-linear gameplay, warning against making assumptions about player choices and criticizing design documents that enforce linearity. Cain believes that understanding the purpose of game elements is crucial for designers. He also credits his experiences with Dungeons & Dragons, which began in 1979, as a significant influence on his design principles, particularly in storytelling and mechanics.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Ex-Escape From Tarkov devs will “ride the wave” of AI, but stress “the finishing touch must always come from a human hand”

Nomion Games was founded by Dmitri Ogorodnikov and German Terekhov, former contributors to Battlestate Games. They believe that "creative potential, accumulated experience, and ambition should not be put on hold." Their upcoming title, Rush is Real, will incorporate AI as a crucial tool in game development. Ogorodnikov views AI as essential, comparing it to a sculptor's chisel, and emphasizes its role in speeding up the ideation process. He acknowledges AI's ability to alleviate tedious tasks in game development but insists that final decisions must come from humans. He warns against over-reliance on AI, particularly in critical areas like level design and gameplay mechanics, to avoid losing creativity and identity. The gaming community has raised concerns about AI-generated content, and Ogorodnikov recognizes the need for vigilance in maintaining unique artistic vision while using AI to enhance efficiency.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War review

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War is a licensed first-person shooter developed by Auroch Digital and published by Dotemu and Game Source Entertainment, priced at £15. The game lacks multiplayer functionality and performs suboptimally on the Steam Deck. Combat mechanics involve players using powerful spray-and-pray weapons with limited ammunition against sparse enemy encounters, failing to create a sense of urgency. Airstrikes are included but often feel unnecessary due to insufficient enemy presence. The Klendathu Drop mission stands out for its chaotic gameplay, contrasting with the otherwise empty maps. The game attempts to replicate the film's aesthetic but often misses the mark, with repetitive outposts and an uninspired soundtrack. Players can assume the role of an "Assassin Bug," but this mode lacks depth and engaging objectives. The game features characters voiced by the original actors, but the delivery is stilted and the satire feels dated. Overall, Ultimate Bug War struggles to capture the essence of the original film and novel, with pacing and level design that leave much to be desired.

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

Steam Giving Away PC Game From 2024 for Free for Few Days Only

GGTech Studios will transition their 2024 3D platformer, eWorlds, from a free-to-play model to a paid option on April 16, 2024, with a price set at .99. Players can add eWorlds to their Steam libraries for free until that date. The decision to charge is aimed at maintaining the game's multiplayer servers. eWorlds has received Steam Deck Verified status, ensuring smooth gameplay on the device, and currently holds a “Very Positive” rating on Steam, with 87% of 325 user reviews being favorable. The game is compared to Super Mario Odyssey and has a runtime of a few hours, with mixed feedback on its latter half.