mechanics Archives

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

This ‘stealthvania’ is like if Prince of Persia never gave up on 2D and narrated your every move

The gaming landscape shows a lack of sequels for retro side scrollers and stealth games, with titles like Mark of the Ninja 2 and a reimagined Splinter Cell missing. The Assassin's Creed series, influenced by Prince of Persia, combines stealth and platforming. The recent release of The Siege and the Sandfox on Steam has received "Mostly Positive" reviews, blending stealth and platforming in intricately designed levels, appealing to both stealth and platforming fans.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Warhammer 40K: Boltgun 2 is coming to PC in 2026

Big Fan Games has announced the sequel to Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, titled Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2, set to launch on PC in 2026. The game features a branching single-player campaign with new locations, explosive combat mechanics, and a Navigation Guide system for improved maneuverability. The minimum system requirements include Windows 10, an AMD Phenom II X4 965 or Intel Core i3-2120 processor, 8 GB RAM, 1 GB VRAM (AMD Radeon HD 7770 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560), DirectX 11, and 5 GB of available storage. Recommended specifications include an AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or Intel Core i5-8400 processor, 8 GB RAM, 3 GB VRAM (AMD Radeon RX 580 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Ti), DirectX 11, and 5 GB of available storage. An exact release date has not been confirmed.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Over 25 Years Ago, This Lemmings-Esque Puzzler Was Sent Out To Die – Its Fans Had Other Plans

Monolith Productions announced its closure earlier this year, prompting tributes to its 30-year legacy. One notable title from the studio is Gruntz, a puzzle strategy game released for PCs in 1999, which has maintained an active community despite its initial rocky launch. The game was designed by Nick Newhard, who aimed to create a game that his wife would enjoy, blending real-time strategy elements with puzzles. After Newhard's departure from the project due to internal disagreements, Kevin Lambert took over development, infusing humor and personality into the characters. Gruntz received mixed reviews upon release, but found a favorable reception in Europe. The game's inclusion of level editing tools led to a dedicated fan community, with ongoing projects like Dizgruntled and Gruntz Unityverse. The community currently has over 368 accounts, showcasing the game's lasting appeal.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Windows Server Flaw a Shortcut to Privilege Escalation

An unpatched vulnerability in Windows Server 2025, identified by Akamai researchers, is associated with a method called "BadSuccessor." This flaw, considered "trivial" to exploit and present in the default configuration, allows for privilege escalation and potential full domain compromise. The vulnerability arises from delegated managed service accounts (dMSA), which were intended to enhance security during the migration of legacy service accounts. However, dMSAs can inherit permissions from legacy accounts, enabling attackers to simulate a migration and gain access to the permissions and encryption keys of those accounts without verification. The attack requires prior permissions within an Active Directory organizational unit, indicating a previous breach. Akamai reported the vulnerability to Microsoft on April 1, but Microsoft classified its severity as "moderate." Akamai recommends organizations restrict the creation of dMSAs to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad launches on mobile and PC

Netmarble has released its action-adventure RPG, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, for mobile and PC, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for HBO. The game features a new character from House Tyre and allows players to choose from three classes: Knight, Sellsword, or Assassin. It includes combat mechanics tailored to each class and draws from George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, featuring creatures like Drogon and Ice Spiders. The game recreates Westeros with locations such as King’s Landing, Castle Black, Highgarden, and The Wall, and includes characters like Jaime Lannister and Cersei. Following early access on Steam, Chapter 3 introduces new regions, battles, and a boss Unicorn.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Games Inbox: Would you buy a PlayStation that was a PC?

The next-generation Xbox may resemble a standard PC, leading to speculation that Sony's PlayStation 6 or 7 could also adopt a 'PC in a box' design due to rising hardware development costs. This shift towards a PC-like architecture could allow Sony to focus more on game development rather than hardware. Players have expressed mixed feelings about recent titles, with some prioritizing gameplay over storytelling. The launch of the Sea Of Stars DLC has been positively received for its free availability, and there is interest in purchasing Hogwarts Legacy on the Switch 2 at a discount for existing owners. Anticipation is building for the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, with fans hoping for new cities to explore. The pre-order situation for the Switch 2 appears more favorable compared to previous console launches, indicating better management of supply and demand by Nintendo.

BetaBeacon

May 22, 2025

Netmarble Launches Game of Thrones: Kingsroad on iOS, Android and PC

Netmarble has launched Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, an action-adventure role-playing game available on multiple platforms. Players take on the role of a heir to House Tyre in the North during the fourth season of the HBO series, with three unique classes to choose from. The game features encounters inspired by battles in the show and includes legendary beasts and mythical creatures from George R. R. Martin's source material. Players can explore familiar locations in Westeros and encounter both well-known characters and new storylines. The full release includes all previously previewed chapters and new content like boss fights and quest lines.

Winsage

May 21, 2025

Active Directory DMSA Attack Detailed By Researchers

The delegated Managed Service Account (dMSA) feature in Windows Server 2025 has a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows attackers to compromise any user in an Active Directory (AD) environment. Research by Yuval Gordon revealed that in 91% of examined environments, users outside the domain admins group had the necessary permissions to exploit this vulnerability. The attack can be executed with benign permissions on any organizational unit (OU) and does not require actual migration of accounts. Gordon's technique, called “BadSuccessor,” enables an attacker controlling a dMSA object to inherit the permissions and keys of any user, including those with high privileges. Microsoft has acknowledged the vulnerability but categorized it as a Moderate severity issue. Akamai recommends limiting the creation of dMSAs and tightening permissions until a patch is released.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master review

Japanese Drift Master (JDM) is an open-world racing game set to be released on May 21, 2025, priced at in the U.S. and £29 in the U.K. Developed and published by Gaming Factory, it combines drifting mechanics with life simulation elements and explores Japanese drift culture through a narrative involving an outsider, a failing sushi delivery business, and an unsolved murder, presented in anime comic panels. The game features a variety of licensed vehicles, visual and performance upgrades, and event types such as drag races and delivery missions. While the drift physics are strong, the handling model may feel awkward for conventional driving. Players may face translation issues, optimization challenges, and performance hiccups, but the game offers inventive mission types and a rewarding progression system, encouraging exploration and vehicle customization.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

‘I’m a PC gamer and there are 10 video games I’ve been hooked on since 2020’

Video games have over three billion players globally and are evolving into a dominant force in the entertainment industry. The following ten standout games were released for PC since 2020: 1. Elden Ring (2022) - An action RPG known for its stunning visuals and intricate storytelling, requiring over 70 hours to complete. 2. Split Fiction (2025) - A cooperative narrative game where players battle against a machine stealing creativity, released in March 2025. 3. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (2021) - A remake of the 1997 classic, featuring updated combat mechanics and breathtaking graphics. 4. Valorant (2020) - A tactical hero shooter with a vibrant eSports scene, released in early 2021, with over 1,000 hours logged by the player. 5. Fields of Mistria (2024) - An early access farm life simulation game that allows players to cultivate crops, raise animals, and explore mystical mines. 6. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025) - A turn-based RPG with a blend of traditional and real-time combat mechanics, released last month. 7. Hades (2020) - A roguelike game with fast-paced combat and Greek mythology-inspired artwork, released in 2020. 8. Overwatch 2 (2023) - The sequel to Overwatch, introducing new heroes and a 5v5 format, released in 2023. 9. Visions of Mana (2024) - The fifth main installment in the Mana series, featuring familiar gameplay mechanics. 10. Marvel Rivals (2024) - A game featuring 38 Marvel characters, allowing casual play with friends, released in 2024.