mechanic Archives

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review

Clair Obscur is a JRPG set in a dark version of Belle Époque France, featuring a countdown marked by a figure called the Paintress that signals doom for certain individuals. The gameplay combines traditional turn-based mechanics with real-time challenges, requiring players to develop characters into powerful allies to prevent an apocalypse. The battle system includes quick-time events and real-time shooting, which can lead to frustration due to its demand for precision. Character diversity is a highlight, with each member of Expedition 33 offering unique abilities, but the game often lacks meaningful feedback on strategies. Exploration is streamlined, allowing players to avoid excessive grinding, with a total playtime of around 20 hours. Inventory management is simplified, focusing on combat and storytelling. The game features strong voice acting and vibrant visuals, though its combat mechanics can overshadow the narrative.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

10 tips to conquer the continent in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a French JRPG-style game featuring real-time combat mechanics similar to rhythm games. Players engage in exploration, which reveals lore, powerful items, optional bosses, and quests. The game includes a lumina mechanic that enhances combat effectiveness by activating additional pictos. Combat features an elemental weakness system, requiring players to adapt their strategies based on enemy vulnerabilities. Quicktime dodging, jumping, and parrying are essential skills, and Gustave's gun offers versatile combat options, including targeting weak points and dismantling enemy shields. Many exploration upgrades are optional and require engaging in side quests. Building relationships with expedition team members unlocks new abilities, and managing action points effectively is crucial for maximizing damage output. Each character has a unique playstyle, encouraging players to experiment with combinations for optimal effectiveness in battles.

AppWizard

April 21, 2025

Steam’s latest themed sale is so specific it includes just 0.367% of the 135,000 game library

Valve has launched the Steam Box-Pushing Fest, dedicated exclusively to games that involve pushing boxes, running until April 28. The event features a selection of titles focused on this theme, including Patrick's Parabox, Stephen's Sausage Roll, Bonfire Peaks, and Sokobond Express. Participants can also earn a free animated avatar, frame, and sticker from the Steam Points Shop, all designed with a box theme.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: LEGO Bricktales, Riptide GP, Paths & Danger, more

Google Play has announced discounts on various Android games and apps, including significant price reductions on Google Pixel 9 and Pro smartphones, Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE, and ASUS's Vivobook S 15 OLED laptop. Google’s Indoor Nest Cams are also included in the deals. LEGO Bricktales features a building mechanic where players create puzzle solutions in a LEGO world, assisting their grandfather in revitalizing an amusement park while exploring diverse biomes and solving puzzles to unlock new skills and secrets.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

‘It’s about to get even darker, more disturbed, and violent’: Barotrauma’s Calm Before the Storm update introduces new PVP outpost and alien ruins

The "Calm Before the Storm" update for the 2D co-op horror game Barotrauma introduces several new features, including a mission to explore alien ruins, a themed outpost for player-versus-player encounters, additional modules for abandoned outposts, updated level backgrounds, and a reserve bench option for bots. The update also improves AI for bots and rebalances the radiation mechanic while introducing new creatures that thrive in radioactive environments. The new modules were created by a fan of the game, NotWendy. Barotrauma is currently available at a 50% discount on Steam until April 26.

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.