narrative game Archives

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

The designer of cult classic King of Dragon Pass says his upcoming hellish heist game is pushing the boundaries of a concept he invented in 1999: ‘There’s really nothing else quite like it’

In 1999, designer David Dunham and his studio A Sharp released King of Dragon Pass, which combines mythic fantasy RPG and cattle management simulation. Although it initially faced commercial disappointment, it gained a dedicated following for its narrative experience. Later in 2023, Dunham and A Sharp will launch Thousand Hells: The Underworld Heists, described as a "systemic storybook experience" by its publisher, Kitfox Games. Dunham calls it a "tactical narrative game," emphasizing its unconventional classification. The game features gameplay elements where players use traits of party members in conflict resolution, set in a fantastical representation of Byzantium. It introduces conditional, rearrangeable storytelling elements, which Dunham claims to have pioneered in the '90s, although he acknowledges that King of Chicago may have predated him. Thousand Hells offers a unique experience in each playthrough and can be completed in one to two hours, contrasting with the longer narratives of its predecessors.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

8 New Free Games Now Available On Steam For You To Play

Steam has released a selection of new free games available for download, including: - Another Zombie Shooter: A real-time accuracy tracker rewards precision in this shooter game. - Mulligan Keep: A cooperative deck-building dungeon crawler for up to four players. - The Pinkman Files: A fast-paced, turn-based combat game with detective elements. - Crown Chaos: A multiplayer party game focused on gaining points by controlling zones. - Knockout Carnival: An online multiplayer party game with chaotic physics-based challenges. - Laser Harp VR: A game where players organize a live show using a laser harp instrument. - Divine Diner: A narrative game about a demigod seeking to find their godly father. - ICR - Multiplayer Car Racing: An online multiplayer racing game with high-speed competition.

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

I bought a PS5 on launch day but I won’t be buying a PS6, even though its exclusives aren’t coming to PC anymore

Jess Kinghorn, a hardware writer, has been exploring indie games like Sato Killing Time Chat.exe and D14L-ogue. She pre-ordered her PlayStation 5 in 2020 for £450, which has since increased to £570/€650 due to a memory supply crisis. Sony may delay the PS6's release until 2028 or 2029. Jess is reevaluating the costs of console gaming, noting that major game releases add to the financial burden. She feels disconnected from PlayStation-exclusive titles due to limited availability on PC and is fatigued by big-budget games. Jess prefers smaller games like Home Safety Hotline, Perfect Tides, and Ambrosia Sky: Act One, which are more affordable. While she enjoys some PS5 titles, she is cautious about future console investments. In contrast, she finds the anticipated Switch 2 appealing at £396, despite hardware issues like Joy-Con stick drift.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

Resident Evil Requiem is this week’s headline PC game but don’t forget the Witchers, pirates and pinballs

Steam Next Fest is currently taking place, showcasing a variety of game demos. This year, the focus is on highlighting exciting demos rather than creating a wishlist. Some notable games featured include: - A game inspired by hiding spiders under cups at holiday parties, which includes power-up cards that are not microtransactions. - Rise Of Piracy, an early access RTS by MicroProse, where players command a fleet of corsairs and can engage in diplomacy and trading. - Emberbane, a 2D metroidvania with elemental martial arts elements. - Reigns: The Witcher, a deck-building narrative game set in the Witcher universe, where players control Dandelion. - Utawarerumono: ZAN 2, an anime-style hack-and-slash game with base management and humorous elements. - Spellcasters Chronicles, a 3v3 wizard MOBA from Quantic Dream. - Tales of Berseria Remastered, a revamped action-RPG from Bamco. - Snägäri Pinball, a pinball game themed around Finland’s late-night snack kiosks. - Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom's latest horror installment featuring both third-person and first-person gameplay. - Arrow World, a sokoban-style game with conveyor belt mechanics. The RPS team is actively playing Resident Evil Requiem and sharing their experiences.

BetaBeacon

February 12, 2026

Arc System Works’ Dear me, I was… Narrative Game Now Out on Steam, Switch, iOS, and Android

Arc System Works has released a narrative game called "Dear me, I was..." with watercolor-style visuals and rotoscoping. The game is available on multiple platforms including Steam, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.