narrative adventure Archives

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

The best Steam Deck games: 35 essential titles for Valve’s handheld PC wonder

The Steam Deck is a handheld device that enhances PC gaming convenience, allowing players to engage with various games in different settings. Diablo IV has adapted well to the Steam Deck, offering a portable experience that aligns with its dungeon-clearing and loot-collecting gameplay. Post-launch enhancements have improved itemization and the endgame experience, while the expansion, Vessel of Hatred, adds new narrative and gameplay elements. The Steam Deck's ability to suspend and resume games instantly supports quick gaming sessions. Notable games for the Steam Deck include: 1. Animal Well - A Metroidvania-style indie game with puzzles. 2. Aperture Desk Job - A comedic adventure in the Portal universe. 3. Balatro - A roguelike poker game ideal for short sessions. 4. Batman: Arkham Asylum - A classic superhero game with engaging mechanics. 5. Blue Prince - A puzzle-roguelike set in a shifting mansion. 6. Cuphead - A run-and-gun game with hand-animated visuals. 7. Dave the Diver - Combines exploration and restaurant management. 8. Death’s Door - An action-adventure featuring atmospheric storytelling. 9. Disco Elysium - A detective RPG known for its exceptional writing. 10. Dispatch - A narrative adventure with superhero themes. The Steam Deck's game library reflects a variety of genres, appealing to gamers seeking convenience and depth.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Forza Horizon 6, Mixtape, Subnautica 2, and More

Final Fantasy V is available on May 5 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Forza Horizon 6 will be available on May 19 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC, with early access starting on May 15. Ben 10 Power Trip is set for May 6 on Cloud, Console, and PC. Descenders Next (Game Preview) will also be available on May 6 for Cloud, Console, and PC. Wheel World, Wildgate, and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers will be released on May 6 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Mixtape will be available on May 7 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC. Outbound is scheduled for May 11 on Cloud, Console, and PC. Black Jacket and Call of the Elder Gods will be available on May 12 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC. Elite Dangerous will be available on May 12 for Cloud and Console. DOOM: The Dark Ages will be released on May 14 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC. Subnautica 2 (Game Preview) will also be available on May 14 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC. InKonbini: One Store. Many Stories was released on April 30 for Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC. Dead by Daylight’s Bloodbound Release Update is available now for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Sea of Thieves: Last Ship Standing Act 3 is part of Season 19. World of Warships: Legends is available now for Cloud, Console, and PC. Titles leaving Game Pass on May 15 include Galacticare, Go Mecha Ball, Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship, and Planet of Lana.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Game Pass Additions For May Include Subnautica 2 And Forza Horizon 6

Microsoft reduced the price of its media subscription service while planning to attract former subscribers with new Game Pass additions for May. Forza Horizon 6, set in Japan with over 550 cars, will be released on May 19 for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, with a PS5 version to come later. Other upcoming titles include Mixtape on May 7, and Subnautica 2 on May 14. A detailed schedule of Game Pass additions includes various titles being released on specific dates, and some titles will be leaving the service on May 15.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Kiln, Aphelion, Final Fantasy V, and More

Chocobos, space, vampires, and sentient pottery are themes of upcoming games showcased at the ID@Xbox and IGN event. Several games will be available on day one through Game Pass, including: - Little Rocket Lab (April 21) - A cozy machine-building RPG where players help build a rocket. - Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato (April 21) - A narrative adventure about a quest for a potato in a magical realm. - Vampire Crawlers (April 21) - A turn-based, rogue-lite card-driven game based on Vampire Survivors. - Kiln (April 23) - A pottery-themed game that combines crafting and online battles. - Aphelion (April 28) - A third-person sci-fi adventure involving a crash landing and rescuing a partner. - Trepang2 (April 29) - A visceral FPS set in a dystopian future. - Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era (April 30) - A prequel to the series featuring army raising and spell casting. - Sledding Game (April 30) - A multiplayer snow-sports experience with voice chat. - TerraTech Legion (April 30) - A game focused on constructing battle vehicles. - Final Fantasy V (May 5) - A classic RPG involving a rescue mission and adventure with a Chocobo. Several titles will leave the Game Pass library on April 30, including: - Citizen Sleeper - Creatures of Ava - Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 - Endless Legend 2 - Goat Simulator - Goat Simulator Remastered - Hunt Showdown 1896 - NHL 24 (EA Play) - Revenge of the Savage Planet Games with a 'Handheld' designation are optimized for handheld play.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Death By Scrolling Out Now on Consoles and PC

April 16, 2026 marks the launch of Death By Scrolling, an action roguelite game set in Purgatory™, available on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Steam. The release includes a significant update featuring a new playable character, a new biome, and various gameplay improvements. Players navigate a vertically scrolling world filled with monsters and hazards, avoiding the Reaper while collecting gold and unlocking upgrades. Key features include a varied cast of characters, relentless pursuit by the Reaper, loot and progression mechanics, optional challenges, diverse monsters, quirky lore, and leaderboards for competition.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

Cara Ellison, senior narrative designer on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 before Paradox switched developers, discusses her love of Troika’s original RPG: ‘Everyone on the team helped really make that maximum goth’

Cara Ellison is a narrative designer whose journey in gaming began with a BBC Micro and the 1987 game Acheton. She has worked as a games journalist for publications like PC Gamer and transitioned into game design, contributing narratives to titles such as Dishonored 2, Void Bastards, God of War: Ragnarok, and Ghost Town. Her latest project is Sleight of Hand, a deckbuilding stealth game inspired by Metal Gear Solid and Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines. She has a fondness for the original Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines, despite its technical challenges, and has logged 103 hours in Kentucky Route Zero. Ellison keeps Sunless Sea installed on both her work and personal computers, appreciating its narrative depth. For her writing, she uses Scrivener, which she utilized for Void Bastards. Her desktop is relatively tidy, featuring a mix of business and leisure icons, with a wallpaper from Vertigo.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

AU Deals: Today’s Best Value Game Deals on Console and PC Hunted Down for You

Assassin's Creed Chronicles India celebrates its tenth anniversary, while Lost Planet turns 18. Discounts for Nintendo Switch include: - Crisis Core: FF7 Reunion (-45%) - Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (-35%) - Diablo III Eternal Collection (-27%) - Hot Wheels Unleashed (-85%) - This War of Mine Complete Edition (-90%) Discounts for Xbox include: - Assassin's Creed Mirage (-69%) - Persona 5 Royal (-51%) - Star Wars Jedi Survivor (-63%) - Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate (-32%) - Star Wars Squadrons (-38%) - For Xbox One: Dishonored 2 (-77%), Spyro Reignited Trilogy (-37%), Diablo III Eternal Collection (-59%) Discounts for PlayStation include: - Ghost of Yotei (-13%) - Spider-Man: Miles Morales (-48%) - Elden Ring (-53%) - Returnal (-43%) - Tekken 8 (-45%) - For PS4: BioShock Collection (-57%), Persona 5 Strikers (-58%), Batman: Arkham Collection (-90%) Discounts for PC include: - Pacific Drive (-60%) - South Park: The Fractured but Whole (-70%) - SteamWorld Dig 2 (-94%) - A Plague Tale: Innocence (-80%) - Little Nightmares Complete Edition (-75%) LEGO deals include: - Minecraft: The Creeper (-29%) - 3in1 Wild Animals Panda (-35%) - V-19 Torrent Starfighter (-30%) - Balrog Book Nook (-25%)

AppWizard

December 20, 2025

The 10 best PC games of 2025

PC gaming is experiencing a surge in popularity due to higher frame rates, ultra-wide monitor compatibility, modding capabilities, and robust backward compatibility. Players can upgrade individual components over time, enhancing long-term value. 1. Hades II - Metacritic score: 94; praised for its fast-paced action, character-driven storytelling, and expressive art. 2. Sektori - Metacritic score: 93; a minimalist PC shooter emphasizing precision and featuring twin-stick mechanics. 3. Blue Prince - Metacritic score: 92; combines puzzles and roguelike exploration with a unique structure. 4. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Metacritic score: 91; an RPG with surreal fantasy elements and turn-based combat. 5. Hollow Knight: Silksong - Metacritic score: 90; focuses on agile gameplay and features a vertically expansive world. 6. Split Fiction - Metacritic score: 90; an experimental narrative adventure exploring parallel storylines. 7. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth - Metacritic score: 90; expands the world and character arcs with enhanced PC features. 8. Despelote - Metacritic score: 89; a narrative about soccer and childhood through a reflective lens. 9. The Talos Principle: Reawakened - Metacritic score: 89; refines puzzles and philosophical themes for modern audiences. 10. The Seance of Blake Manor - Metacritic score: 89; a detective horror game focused on atmosphere and environmental storytelling.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

The Best Games of 2025 — The Windows Central team ranks our favorite titles across Xbox and Windows PC

2025 has seen a diverse range of high-quality gaming titles across multiple platforms, including Xbox, Windows PC, Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation. Notable releases include: - Silent Hill F: A return of the franchise set in 1960s Japan, featuring intense combat and an immersive atmosphere. - Elden Ring: Nightreign: Introduces a co-op roguelike format with fast-paced gameplay and randomized upgrades. - Hollow Knight: Silksong: A highly acclaimed metroidvania known for its difficulty, visuals, and tight combat mechanics. - Arc Raiders: Emphasizes player choice and community-driven gameplay, reminiscent of early multiplayer games. - Battlefield 6: A grounded approach to warfare, positively received after previous setbacks in the franchise. - Ball x Pit: Blends classic gameplay with modern auto-battler mechanics, becoming a standout title. - Hades 2: A sequel that expands on the original's success with stunning artwork and engaging gameplay. - Blue Prince: Features intricate puzzles and co-op gameplay that encourages collaboration. - Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: An open-world RPG praised for its dynamic systems and immersive storytelling. - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Combines homage to classic JRPGs with modern storytelling in a unique French setting. Honorable mentions include Atomfall, Dying Light: The Beast, DUSK, The Alters, Keeper, Silent Hill 2 (remake), Dispatch, Cronos: The New Dawn, WH40K: Rogue Trader — Lex Imperialis DLC, and remastered versions of Monster Hunter Stories 1 and 2.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

Day 4 Night announces genre-bending action adventure game Bradley the Badger for PC

Day 4 Night, co-founded by Christian Cantamessa and Davide Soliani, has announced their new project, "Bradley the Badger," an action-adventure game set to launch on PC via Steam, with potential future releases on additional platforms. The game is a tribute to video games, blending exploration, traversal, and puzzles within a satirical narrative. Players will follow Bradley, a platforming icon, as he navigates various uniquely crafted worlds to rescue friends and restore order. Central to the gameplay is the Kit, a tool that allows Bradley to modify unfinished assets, enhancing exploration and combat. Players can adjust the size of objects, control unfinished assets, create climbable walls, transform objects into explosives, and manipulate surfaces to create pathways. Additional powers will be unlocked as players progress.