narrative elements Archives

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

This Half-Life mod reimagines the game as a boomer shooter—yes, even boomier than the original

Half-Life: Element 64 is a new mod that launched its demo on Steam, focusing on fast-paced gameplay similar to earlier classics like Quake. The mod features new levels and music while retaining some elements from the original game. Players can engage in combat against head crabs and vortigaunts in a level-select hub. The developer, Dark Vector, is working on hotfixes for the demo and has plans to unveil Half-Life Arena in two weeks, which is a deathmatch overhaul inspired by the PS2 version of Half-Life. A release date for the complete mod is not yet announced.

AppWizard

October 26, 2025

Here’s how Old School Runescape’s Sailing skill came to be, as Jagex’s 18-year odyssey finally arrives in port

Old School Runescape has fully illuminated its world map, marking the end of an era with the introduction of the Sailing skill set to launch on November 19, 2023. This skill allows players to navigate uncharted waters and commandeer their own vessels, a concept that has been discussed in the community since 2007. The game has expanded its landmass over the years, notably with the continent of Zeah in 2016, and the Sailing update will introduce diverse biomes and activities at sea. The new mechanics will allow for faster movement across the ocean, fundamentally altering gameplay. Sailing will integrate with over ten other skills, ensuring continuity within the game while maintaining balance so it does not overshadow existing skills. The narrative integration has been facilitated by prior groundwork, allowing for a smooth transition into the new content. Community feedback has been positive, with growing excitement for the upcoming update.

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

Buckle Up, Xbox – Pacific Drive Launches Today with Game Pass

Pacific Drive is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass from day one. The Whispers in the Woods expansion also launches today, adding new narrative elements, Anomalies, artifacts, and a new explorable forest map. The game features a first-person driving survival adventure where players must keep their vehicle operational while navigating the dangers of the Olympic Exclusion Zone.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

Telltale-esque superhero management sim Dispatch was originally going to be a live-action TV show before it became a videogame, but then ‘a thing called Covid hit’

Dispatch is an upcoming game from AdHoc Studios featuring a washed-up superhero managing a telephone dispatch service for reformed crooks. It combines narrative depth with management simulation, offering a twist on traditional gameplay. Initially conceived as a live-action series filmed on Zoom with Cate Blanchett, the project evolved into a video game while retaining influences from high-quality television shows like Barry and The Bear. Dispatch is set to launch on October 22, with a preview in PC Gamer issue 415 on October 9.

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

Over a decade on, the fantasy 4X rival that pulled me away from Civ 5 is back, and I’m already hungry for more

Civilization 7 features bold changes to the series, while Endless Legend 2, developed by Amplitude Studios, offers a return to classic 4X gameplay with five distinct factions at launch. Each faction has unique mechanics, although the total number of factions may lead to repetitive gameplay. The game introduces a map-altering feature called Tidefall, which changes water levels and reveals new paths over time. Hero characters can grow and participate in narrative elements, and the game is visually appealing with a clean menu design. Endless Legend 2 is currently in early access on Steam, priced at .99 / £44.99, and available on PC Game Pass. Future updates are planned, including online multiplayer and additional factions.

AppWizard

September 11, 2025

The Most Relentless First-Person Action Game Is Free This Week On PC

Ghostrunner 2 is a fast-paced action game released in 2023, available for free on the Epic Games Store from September 11 until September 18. It features intense gameplay that demands players' full attention, with a focus on parkour and swordplay in a neon-lit urban environment filled with traps and adversaries. Players must master acrobatics and aggressive tactics, utilizing a grappling hook to navigate obstacles. The game emphasizes precision, as nearly every encounter results in a one-hit knockout. While it includes narrative elements that can interrupt gameplay, it remains an exhilarating title available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

AppWizard

September 8, 2025

After a messy legal battle, these devs are back with a brutal roguelike I’m so glad survived

Immortal: And the Death that Follows is the first release from the independent studio Mishura Games, formed by former employees of Limestone Games. The developers left due to allegations of unfulfilled financial promises and intellectual property disputes. The game is described as a "Kung-Fu Noir prison escape" inspired by Buddhist mythology, featuring high-octane combat, dating sim mechanics, and platforming elements. Players will face 16 mob bosses and make choices that affect relationships. The game is set to launch on Kickstarter with a free demo on September 16, and a full release is anticipated in 2027.

AppWizard

September 8, 2025

If Silksong’s corpse runs and double damage hits are too demanding, here’s a pair of mods to tone down the difficulty just a notch

Silksong, the sequel to Hollow Knight, has a high difficulty level that many players find challenging. For PC players, mods can customize the gaming experience. Two notable mods are: 1. Stakes of Marika - Rebirth Anywhere: This mod allows players to respawn at the entrance of their current area upon death, with the option to set a manual respawn point. It can save time but may disrupt narrative elements tied to the traditional respawn mechanic. 2. No More 2 Damage Plus: This mod limits damage from enemies to one mask per hit and adjusts invulnerability frames, making early encounters less punishing. Some players may prefer a more nuanced approach to damage reduction. These mods reflect players' creativity in enhancing their gaming experience in Silksong.

AppWizard

August 31, 2025

I owe Bloober Team an apology, Cronos: The New Dawn is 🔥🔥🔥

Cronos: The New Dawn, developed by Bloober Team, is set to launch on Xbox PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC on September 5, 2025. The game features a protagonist known as "The Traveller," who navigates a world altered by an event called "The Change," which has created grotesque entities. The gameplay includes melee combat and gunplay, with mechanics inspired by horror titles like Dead Space and The Evil Within. Players must manage resources and engage strategically with their environment to survive. The game is noted for its atmospheric horror and a unique Eastern European setting.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

18 Best Horror Games for PC, Ranked

In the realm of PC gaming, horror titles have a distinct presence, offering a wide variety of games that often surpass those on consoles. The text highlights several notable horror games exclusive to the PC platform, avoiding mainstream franchises. 1. DEAD LETTER DEPT. - A typing game where data entry leads to a chilling narrative involving junk mail and madness. 2. Mad Father - An RPG-maker horror game featuring complex puzzles and a narrative about a girl's dark family secrets. 3. The Midnight Scenes: The Nanny - A side-scrolling adventure inspired by The Twilight Zone, focusing on the mystery of a missing nanny. 4. Home Safety Hotline - Players act as a hotline operator, solving bizarre home infestation queries with a mix of mystery and humor. 5. Yume Nikki - A dreamlike exploration game with abstract imagery and no clear objectives, allowing for personal interpretation. 6. The Cat Lady - A high-contrast side-scroller exploring themes of vulnerability and darkness with a striking visual style. 7. IT STEALS - A horror game where players navigate a labyrinth while avoiding a relentless pursuer. 8. Fear & Hunger - A turn-based horror game known for its difficulty and grotesque imagery, where every choice matters. 9. Lost in Vivo - Players search for a lost dog in a terrifying sewer system filled with Lovecraftian creatures. 10. Cry of Fear - A survival horror game set in a disturbing world following a car accident, featuring immersive sound design. 11. Sanitarium - A point-and-click horror game where an amnesiac explores a surreal landscape to uncover their dark past. 12. I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream - Based on a short story, players confront their fears in an existential nightmare controlled by a supercomputer. 13. Look Outside - An RPG where players survive cosmic horrors in an apartment building over 15 days, combining narrative and turn-based combat. 14. FAITH: The Unholy Trinity - A minimalist 8-bit horror game that creates despair through atmospheric sound and art design. 15. Imscared - Players solve puzzles while avoiding a lurking threat, utilizing the PC environment for immersion. 16. SCP: Containment Breach - A free horror game where players navigate a facility filled with monstrous entities, featuring multiple endings. 17. Penumbra: Black Plague - Players explore an abandoned research facility, combining puzzles with a gripping narrative. 18. Amnesia: The Bunker - A survival horror game where players manage limited resources while facing a relentless threat.