multiplayer experience Archives

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons II Is Rebuilding The Structure While Adding So Much More

At the Summer Game Fest, Xbox announced Minecraft Dungeons II, a sequel to the 2021 game. The sequel features a vast interconnected world for exploration, new biomes, and a feature called Guiding Light to assist players in navigating. It supports up to four players in cooperative play with options for couch co-op and online multiplayer, including matchmaking and crossplay. Quality-of-life improvements allow inventory access without pausing and teleportation between players. Combat has evolved with new movement abilities and mechanics, and loot distribution ensures fairness, with each player receiving unique drops. The game will launch on multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, and will be available on day one through Xbox Game Pass.

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 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

June 3, 2026

Now that we’re living in a KPop Demon Hunters and Jujutsu Kaisen world, yokai-smiting action game Kemuri should be a slam dunk

Kemuri is a co-op action game focused on hunting mythical demons in urban environments, developed by Ikumi Nakamura's studio. The first gameplay trailer was revealed during Sony's State of Play event, showcasing vibrant animation and dynamic action. The game aims to provide a multiplayer experience similar to the Dark Souls series, featuring unique hunters and yokai. Questions remain about its structural design, including whether it will be open-world or mission-based and if it will prioritize campaign or loot systems. Kemuri's launch is timed with a cultural interest in demon hunting, and it is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 in 2027, with hopes for a PC version.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

Thick as Thieves is making changes, but not the one I think matters most

OtherSide Entertainment, the developers of Thick as Thieves, expressed satisfaction with player engagement but acknowledged room for improvement. A second update is scheduled for release mid-next week, which will include features like key rebinding. However, the option to adjust or remove mission timers is still absent, causing concern among players. The game features solo or cooperative missions with time constraints of 30 to 45 minutes, and an eight-minute countdown begins after completing any objective. Failing to reach the exit before time runs out results in mission failure. The developers have made the mission timer visible to enhance transparency, but concerns remain about the rigidity of the game's design regarding the timer and item retrieval.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

The remarkable story of Unreal 2, the sequel rescued from development hell by dooming it to failure: ‘There was just no way we could succeed’

Weird Weekend is a feature celebrating PC gaming oddities. Unreal 2 was highly anticipated following the success of the original Unreal, which revolutionized first-person shooters. The sequel promised a cinematic campaign, dynamic factions, and advanced multiplayer, developed by Legend Entertainment under Glen Dahlgren and Mike Verdu. Verdu faced personal challenges that complicated project management, leading to strained team dynamics and internal conflicts. After taking control, Dahlgren inherited a troubled project that was behind schedule and faced technical challenges. The game launched on February 4, 2003, receiving mixed reviews due to the lack of multiplayer and a short campaign, ultimately leading to Legend Entertainment's closure in January 2004. Both Dahlgren and Verdu acknowledge the project's shortcomings, but Unreal 2 has gained a more favorable reputation over time.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

Take-Two forces shutdown of Grand Theft Auto multiplayer modding platform Rage:MP

Rage:MP, a multiplayer platform for Grand Theft Auto 5, will undergo a structured shutdown following a cease-and-desist order from Take-Two Interactive. Rockstar Games and Take-Two have designated FiveM as the only authorized platform for GTA 5 multiplayer modding. As part of the shutdown process, server owners are advised to transition to FiveM. Key dates include the discontinuation of public access to the Rage:MP server toolkit, no acceptance of new community servers, the shutdown of the public server listing on June 1, and the cessation of all remaining services, including the game client and server toolkit, on August 31.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Dawn of War 2 review (2009)

Dawn of War 2 was released on February 19, 2009, developed by Relic Entertainment and published by THQ, with an initial price of £35. The game features a hybrid of role-playing and strategy elements, allowing players to command larger armies and choose from four races. It includes multiplayer functionality through Windows Live, where players share squads and must rely on the host to level up characters. The game introduces three hero units for each faction and a tech tree, but its fast-paced multiplayer can hinder attachment to individual units. The expansion Retribution was praised for enhancing the core experience.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Another live service game is dead just a few months after launch

Quantic Dream has announced the discontinuation of its multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), Spellcasters Chronicles, just three months after its launch due to insufficient audience engagement for long-term sustainability. The game peaked at 888 concurrent players at launch, which quickly declined to very few active users. The studio will halt development, likely leading to layoffs, but will continue work on Star Wars Eclipse. Players can access Spellcasters Chronicles until June 19, after which the servers will shut down, and all expenditures during early access will be eligible for refunds upon request.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Warren Spector’s Thick As Thieves encapsulates the joys of the heist, but I’m not convinced it’ll steal my attention long-term

In Elway Manor, a master thief uses the Vistara Diamond to detect guards and navigates security measures while executing a heist. The game, Thick As Thieves, is set in an alternate early 1900s Scottish city, Kilcairn, where players aim to join the Thieves' Guild. It features two launch maps with dynamic security layouts and three difficulty levels. Stealth mechanics are crucial, with players utilizing various gadgets from the Black Market. The game has shifted to a cooperative format, allowing players to team up. After about ten hours of gameplay, some repetition may occur, but the experience remains polished with quick load times and smooth performance. The game is priced modestly, promising future content from OtherSide Entertainment.