mechanic Archives

AppWizard

April 12, 2025

Narrative puzzle game Causal Loop announced for PC

Publisher Headup and developer Mirebound Interactive have announced the narrative puzzle game Causal Loop, which features a science-fiction storyline focused on time, consequence, and survival. The game will be available on PC platforms such as Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, but a release date has not been provided. Causal Loop includes a unique "echo" mechanic that allows players to record, replay, and interact with up to three versions of their past selves. The narrative follows exo-archaeologist Bale and exo-linguist Jen as they explore the remnants of the lost Tor civilization on the planet Tor Ulsat. Bale activates the Chronolith, an ancient alien device, causing Jen to disappear and trapping him in a reality where time loops and echoes converge. Key features of the game include: - Mind-bending puzzles utilizing the ‘Echo Branching’ mechanic. - A mysterious alien world with fifteen chapters filled with secrets. - An emotional narrative that complements the gameplay. - Fully-voiced characters with a talented cast. - Accessibility options for inclusivity, including features for motion sickness prevention and color blindness mode.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Narrative puzzle game Casual Loop announced for PC

Publisher Headup and developer Mirebound Interactive are set to release Casual Loop, a narrative puzzle game featuring a science-fiction storyline focused on time, consequence, and survival. The game will be available on PC platforms such as Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, with a release date yet to be announced. Casual Loop includes a unique “echo” mechanic that allows players to record, replay, and interact with up to three versions of their past selves. The story follows exo-archaeologist Bale and exo-linguist Jen as they explore the ruins of the lost Tor civilization on the planet Tor Ulsat. Bale accidentally activates the Chronolith, causing Jen to disappear and trapping him in a fragmented reality filled with time loops and echoes. Key features of the game include mind-bending puzzles, a mysterious alien world with fifteen chapters, an emotional narrative, fully-voiced characters, and strong accessibility options.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Enshrouded’s next update promises a ‘rebirth of the shroud,’ with new monsters, resources, and a whole new weapon customization system

The upcoming update for the open-world survival RPG, Enshrouded, is titled "Rebirth of the Shroud" and is scheduled for next month. It will introduce new monsters, locations, and a system for crafting customizable weapons. The creative director, Antony Christoulakis, mentioned that the update aims to enhance combat and the terrain, as well as increase points of interest in the shrouded areas. Players will discover special gems that can be embedded into weapons, which will have gem slots that can be unlocked at special forges. The rarity of a weapon affects its likelihood of having a gem slot. The shrouded areas will be improved for greater engagement, and nighttime gameplay will see new elements introduced. Water features will not be included in this update, but the development team is working on them for future updates. Enshrouded has surpassed four million players since its early access launch in January 2024, and the "Thralls of Twilight" update will be the sixth significant enhancement to the game.

AppWizard

April 7, 2025

Blue Prince review

Blue Prince is a first-person puzzle strategy adventure game set in a mysterious mansion, developed by Dogubomb and published by Raw Fury. It is played on Intel i7 9700K, RTX 4070 Ti, and 16GB RAM, and does not feature multiplayer. The game involves exploring 45 rooms to uncover a hidden 46th room, with players drafting room cards that affect their experience. Each room has unique attributes, and players must collect resources like keys, gems, and coins to progress. The gameplay includes strategic planning with a limit of 50 steps per day, and puzzles that require note-taking and connecting clues across sessions. Players can make permanent changes to the mansion, enhancing their experience and creating a personalized environment. The game balances luck and strategy, rewarding players for their dedication and ingenuity.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

Nintendo got a Bloodborne spiritual sequel before PC even got the first game

FromSoftware is developing a new game titled The Duskbloods, set for release in 2026, which is a spiritual successor to Bloodborne. The game features gothic architecture, beast transformation mechanics, and characters that can morph into monstrous forms, including a miniature T-Rex. It incorporates vampiric themes where vampires can siphon power from defeated foes. The gameplay will include elements like runes, firearms, and a focus on steampunk technology, with characters using jetpacks and a functioning train. The game is exclusive to Nintendo Switch.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Arc System Works rhythm puzzle game Magical Beat now available for PC

Arc System Works and APLUS Games have released the PC version of the rhythm puzzle game Magical Beat on Steam, priced at .99 or 990 yen. The game originally launched in Japanese arcades on May 31, 2012, and was later released on PS Vita on December 12, 2023, and PlayStation 3 on August 5, 2014, with the PS Vita version reaching Western audiences on June 17, 2014. Magical Beat combines match-3 gameplay with rhythm elements, where players drop colored blocks called beatons in sync with the music. The game features an original Vocaloid soundtrack by Kikuo and includes tracks from various Arc System Works titles, such as Guilty Gear and BlazBlue. Players can eliminate beatons by connecting three or more of the same color, and the game includes over 100 soundtracks from different series.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Psycho Patrol R, the FPS-Mech sim from the creator of Cruelty Squad, is one of the most challenging, complicated games I’ve ever played⁠—and worth every second it took to figure out its deal

Psycho Patrol R is an early access game that combines immersive simulation, mech combat, and open-ended role-playing. Players assume the role of a bureaucrat-officer in the European Federal Police in an alternate-history 2000, tasked with investigating thought crimes. The game features a hardcore design, requiring patient exploration and experimentation. Players can pilot a mech called the "V-Stalker," which operates on a milsim framework. Weapons are acquired from defeated enemies, and players can customize their character and mech at EFP HQ. The game has a unique saving system involving a holographic globe, and players drop currency upon death, which can be lost permanently if not retrieved. Money serves as both currency and experience points, and players can earn it through missions and eliminating wealthy NPCs. Character stats influence gameplay, and a fatigue meter affects player performance. The Detective class is recommended for its hacking tool and high perception stat. The hacking minigame requires players to input passwords and manipulate characters into recognizable words. Advanced tips include targeting specific NPCs for cash and exploring thoroughly for loot. An eight-minute video guide offers strategies for newcomers.

AppWizard

March 30, 2025

Obsidian snuck goodies and secrets around every corner to make exploring Avowed feel worthwhile: ‘If you have a lot of dead ends that lead nowhere, you learn the lesson as a player: This game doesn’t have much to offer me’

The game Avowed rewards players for exploration by embedding hidden treasures throughout its environments, including vendor items and upgrade materials. It features a parkour system that encourages players to explore vertically-oriented levels without restrictions, leading to unexpected discoveries. Notable secrets include a concealed sewer beneath the starting docks with challenging enemies and a unique item, as well as a chest in Shatterscarp that has a creative loot interaction. The game is designed to ensure that exploration leads to meaningful discoveries, countering the negative impact of dead ends. The team aims to provide worthwhile rewards for side paths and explorations, fostering curiosity among players. Avowed is considered a strong contender for game of the year, and there are hints of potential DLC and a future release of The Outer Worlds 2 in 2025.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

I’ve only played Atomfall for a few hours, but I think I’m going straight to hell

Atomfall is an open-world disaster adventure game developed by Rebellion, available on Xbox Game Pass. The game features a setting in Wyndham Village where players face moral dilemmas, such as deciding whether to eliminate characters like a Vicar and a bakery owner to achieve their goals. The gameplay emphasizes non-linear choices, allowing players to explore different strategies and navigate a spectrum of morality. Atomfall is available on Xbox, PC, PS5, and Xbox Game Pass.

AppWizard

March 18, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Shadows review

Assassin's Creed Shadows is a stealth-action adventure set in feudal Japan, developed by Ubisoft Quebec and published by Ubisoft, with a release date of March 20, 2025, priced at £60. The game features the historical Black samurai Yasuke as its protagonist, sparking discussions on cultural representation. Shadows includes a unique loot mechanic with a flexible engraving system for gear customization. The game presents a visually striking rendition of 16th-century Japan, although interactivity within the environment is limited. Players navigate using vague clues rather than straightforward markers, encouraging exploration. Shadows includes over 30 castles to conquer and is designed for extended play, inviting players to revisit the game for a relaxed exploration experience.