narrative depth Archives

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Wizards of the Coast inks “exclusive” publishing agreement with Giant Skull

Wizards of the Coast has entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with Giant Skull to produce action titles that emphasize gameplay and narrative depth. Giant Skull, founded in 2024 by Stig Asmussen and other industry veterans, aims to create immersive storytelling experiences and engaging combat scenarios within the Dungeons & Dragons universe. John Hight, president of Wizards of the Coast, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the team's talent and the strategic evolution it represents for the company. Details about the upcoming titles are currently limited.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Former BioWare lead writer says the best level in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines gave him ‘ammunition’ to argue that story can be just as engaging as combat

David Gaider, former lead writer at BioWare, expressed concerns about the overuse of "trashmob fights" in gaming, advocating for a balance between combat and narrative. He was influenced by the combat-free level in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, which emphasized tension through storytelling rather than action. Gaider argued against the necessity of frequent combat encounters, believing that narrative depth and political intrigue could engage players just as effectively. Despite his vision for a combat-free masquerade ball in Dragon Age: Inquisition, the design team opted to include combat, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing player engagement with narrative flow. Gaider emphasized that storytelling can keep players interested without relying solely on fighting.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Again Tops Weekly Fandango at Home Chart Through May 25

Minecraft is set to make its cinematic debut with a film adaptation that aims to capture the essence of the game while introducing a narrative appealing to both fans and newcomers. The film will explore themes of adventure, friendship, and imagination, featuring iconic elements from the game such as crafting, building, and exploring unique landscapes. A talented cast has been assembled, and visionary directors known for their work in animation and live-action films are involved in the project. The film seeks to set a new standard for video game adaptations by prioritizing narrative depth and character development. The release date of the film has not been disclosed.

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

The Finals’ latest update adds a limited-time mode that’s mostly just hitting each other with hammers

A new limited-time mode called "Heavy Hitters" has been introduced in The Finals, featuring a 5v5 melee brawl in a floating arena reminiscent of a construction site. Players use fixed loadouts as Heavy builds with melee weapons, and the gameplay includes jump pads, anti-gravity cubes, and goo grenades. Rewards can be earned through contracts sponsored by the fictional energy drink Ospuze. Update 6.9 also brings tiger-themed cosmetics, balance adjustments to weapons, particularly improving the accuracy of the KS-23, and various bug fixes. Heavy Hitters is currently available, likely until the launch of Season 7 in June.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

Blades of Fire review

Blades of Fire is an action game featuring a hero named Aran, who possesses godlike powers and a tragic backstory. The game emphasizes exploration over combat and is set to be released on May 22, 2025. It is developed by MercurySteam and published by 505 Games, with a price point of £50. The game was reviewed on a system with an Intel i9-13900HX, RTX 4090, and 32GB RAM.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Labyrinth of the Demon King review

Labyrinth of the Demon King is a first-person dungeon crawler developed by J. R. Hudepohl and published by Top Hat Studios, set to release on May 13, 2025, priced at £16.75. The game combines horror and adventure, drawing inspiration from the King's Field series and early survival horror games, featuring a visual style that evokes mid-’90s graphics. Players can use various weapons, including a katana, otsuchi, and rifle, with talismans providing additional combat complexity. The game includes a stalking figure named Nuribotoke, reminiscent of Resident Evil's Mr. X, and features puzzles that require backtracking and engagement with narrative elements found in scrolls about Buddhist folklore.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

Top Explosive Upcoming PC Games You Can’t Miss in 2025

- Game of Thrones: Kingsroad (TBA) will blend strategic gameplay with narrative depth in the lore of Westeros. - The Last Voyage is set to launch in Q4 2023, featuring a mysterious journey across uncharted waters. - Echoes of the Past is scheduled for early 2024 and will include a gripping narrative with intricate puzzles. - Cybernetic Dawn (TBA) offers a mix of action and strategy in a technology-dominated future. - Whispering Shadows is set for mid-2024 and is a horror adventure with atmospheric graphics. - Legends of the Forgotten Realm (TBA) is a fantasy RPG featuring vast landscapes and mythical creatures. - Galactic Conquest will launch in late 2023, focusing on empire-building and diplomacy in an interstellar setting. - The Enigma Files is set for release in Q1 2024, where players will act as detectives unraveling mysteries. - Realm of Shadows (TBA) features a dark fantasy setting with unique art style and engaging combat mechanics. - Timekeeper’s Legacy is set to debut in late 2023, combining time manipulation with puzzle-solving.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Old Skies review

Wadjet Eye Games will release the adventure game Old Skies on April 23, 2024. The game is set in a futuristic New York City in the 2060s and follows Fia Quinn, a ChronoZen agent who guides wealthy tourists through time manipulation. Fia is chronolocked, remaining unchanged by the timeline's fluctuations, which contrasts with her clients' evolving lives. The gameplay features accessible puzzles that encourage logical thinking, including a scenario where Fia must create a life-saving drug from non-existent ingredients. The game departs from Wadjet Eye's traditional pixel art style, using bold colors and comic book-inspired designs. It features a jazzy score by Thomas Regin and explores themes of love, loss, and human emotion. Fia's character development highlights her struggle for agency in her role, with her experiences portrayed through Sally Beaumont's performance.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Neverway is a ‘nightmarish life sim RPG’ with hand drawn cuties and horrors from Celeste’s artist

Coldblood Inc. revealed its upcoming horror life simulation game, Neverway, co-founded by pixel artist Pedro Medeiros. The game features a protagonist named Fiona, who is the "immortal herald of a dead god," and includes elements like farming, fishing, crafting, and exploring dungeons. The narrative is described as rich and unsettling, with a focus on darker fantasy themes. Medeiros previously left Extremely Ok Games due to creative challenges. A release date for Neverway has not been announced, but it can be added to wishlists on Steam.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

Lost Ember studio reveals its next game, and dang, it’s got some really good snow

The trailer for Ikuma: The Frozen Compass showcases a realistic depiction of snow. The game is set in the Arctic in 1864 and follows a cabin boy named Sam and his sled dog, Ellie, as they navigate an uncharted island while surviving with limited resources. They will uncover remnants of a lost expedition and a dark secret. Developed by Mooneye Studios, known for the critically acclaimed Lost Ember, Ikuma is anticipated for its narrative depth and gameplay mechanics. The game's CEO, Tobias Graff, expressed excitement about sharing the project after five years of development. Ikuma: The Frozen Compass is scheduled for release in 2026, and players can add it to their wishlists on Steam.