lockpicking Archives

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

Judging by how well Gothic Remake has sold, we still love eurojank

The Gothic Remake achieved 500,000 sales within a week of its release. It has a Very Positive rating on Steam based on 3,369 user reviews. The game received a score of 60% from a review by Jody. Despite mixed critical reception, it has resonated with players, who appreciate its nostalgic appeal and engaging elements, even with criticisms such as the lockpicking system.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

There are already two mods to make Gothic Remake’s lockpicking less painful

The Gothic Remake offers a deeper gaming experience but has received criticism for its lockpicking system, which players find tedious. Alkimia Interactive is aware of the feedback and notes that investing skill points can improve the experience. Mods like "Unlock All Chests and Doors" and "Lockpick Settings" are available to help players manage the lockpicking mechanic. Players are also using mods to enhance performance and identify interactable objects in the game. Installing these mods requires downloading files into the game’s directory and launching the game with administrative privileges.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Gothic Remake’s lockpicking system has broken me and I can no longer experience joy

Fraser Brown, an online editor at PC Gamer, attempted to rob a merchant named Fisk in Gothic Remake. He faced challenges with a lockpicking minigame that involved aligning sliders, leading to broken lockpicks and frustration. 1. In his first attempt, Brown failed to pick the lock on a chest, resulting in the loss of his lockpick but he had saved his progress. 2. In the second attempt, the merchant woke up, causing his character to stand up and alert Fisk. 3. During the third attempt, Brown faced another confrontation with Fisk, leading to his defeat. 4. In the fourth attempt, he tried a more aggressive approach, resulting in a chaotic battle and another defeat. 5. The fifth attempt ended with a game crash, but Brown persisted and eventually opened a chest, finding only mundane items. 6. In a bonus round, he successfully opened a second chest containing a bow, but was caught by Fisk, leading to a chaotic battle where he used the bow against the merchant and his allies.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Gothic devs are ‘monitoring the sentiment about lockpicking,’ promise a PC patch for crashes by Monday

Gothic's recent remake has generated mixed feelings among players, particularly regarding its revamped lockpicking system. The new mechanic has led to confusion, with players discussing its complexity on platforms like Reddit. One user explained that the lockpicking involves moving multiple plates in a specific order, which can be challenging for newcomers. A contributor expressed frustration with the system, stating it diminished their enjoyment of the game, although they acknowledged it is an improvement over the original. Developer Alkimia responded to community concerns, indicating they are monitoring feedback and considering adjustments, including making the system easier as players invest skill points. The backlash reflects a tradition in RPGs where challenging minigames, like lockpicking, are seen as a rite of passage.

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

Elder Scrolls 6 is a ways off, but who needs it? The world’s most specific game jam is back with 40 playable entries all based off Oblivion’s wonderful/awful persuade-o-wheel

Nostalgia significantly influences player experiences in video games, exemplified by the wheel system for NPC disposition in Oblivion, which allowed players to engage in a minigame to affect relationships with NPCs. This system differed from Skyrim's approach, which focused on quest completions and faction memberships. The fondness for Oblivion's mechanics has led to the creation of Wheeljam 2, a game jam where participants submitted 40 playable experiences incorporating the lockpicking minigame or persuasion wheel. Many of these entries embrace the original mechanics' charm, with 27 games available to play in web browsers. The voting for Wheeljam 2 will conclude in about five days, but the games will remain accessible for players.

AppWizard

August 27, 2025

The Outer Worlds 2 feels like a much more ambitious RPG than its predecessor: I played its prologue three times with different builds, and each run felt unique

Anticipation for The Outer Worlds 2 has increased following a 45-minute hands-on demo of the game's prologue, showcasing a richly crafted universe. The character creation process includes extensive customization options, such as hair, eye choices, and robot prosthetics. The gameplay mechanics have been streamlined, replacing attributes with a system of backgrounds, positive traits, and tagged skills, enhancing depth and dialogue opportunities. The demo features immersive design elements reminiscent of previous Obsidian titles, allowing for stealth or aggressive gameplay, and includes a bullet time mechanic. Players can engage in various skill checks, interact with environmental elements, and experience dynamic NPC interactions with consequences based on dialogue choices. The design encourages exploration and experimentation, raising expectations for the full game.

AppWizard

August 21, 2025

After nailing a quirky PS2 throwback with Kunitsu-gami, Capcom’s Pragmata has the charming energy of an Xbox 360-era shooter like The Darkness or Syndicate

Capcom's upcoming title, Pragmata, has been in development for six years and features gameplay that combines hacking robotic foes with shooting mechanics. The game includes two distinct hacking minigames—one for combat and another for unlocking doors. Its aesthetic is inspired by NASA, featuring sterile white corridors and computer terminals, reminiscent of linear gameplay from the Xbox 360 era. There is hope that Pragmata will introduce innovative hacking methods to keep players engaged.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

89-year-old Skyrim Grandma starts streaming Oblivion Remastered, has to deal with its mystifying lockpicking minigame and ‘absolutely ugly movement’ just like we did in 2006

Shirley Curry, known as Skyrim Grandma, has started playing Oblivion at the age of 87, having been a prominent figure in the Skyrim YouTube community for over a decade. Born in 1936, she has gained recognition from Bethesda for her engaging roleplaying videos. In her new adventure through Cyrodiil, she showcases her spirited approach to gaming, exploring gameplay mechanics and sharing her experiences with viewers. Her journey reflects a nostalgic return to a game she first played in 2006. Curry's enthusiasm and unique perspective foster a sense of camaraderie among her audience, highlighting that age does not limit one's passion for gaming.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

How to find and use lockpicks in Avowed

In Avowed, lockpicking does not involve ability or skill checks; instead, a locked chest indicates the number of lockpicks required to open it, with a maximum of five needed for the most difficult chests. Players can unlock chests by pressing the action key if they have the necessary lockpicks. The game does not include a concept of theft, allowing players to open chests without fear of penalties. Lockpicks can be acquired from merchants, dropped by defeated enemies, or found in the wild, with bandits having a higher chance of dropping them. Multiple merchants sell lockpicks across different regions, and they restock their supplies every few days. Guaranteed locations for lockpicks in the first two regions include various merchants in Dawnshore and Emerald Stair. Locked chests are relatively rare, so players can maintain a sufficient inventory of lockpicks by purchasing them and collecting those found in the wild.