narrative structure

AppWizard
December 1, 2025
Publisher Brickworks Games and developer Phantomery Interactive are releasing a psychological adventure game titled Sublustrum, set to launch in fall 2026 for consoles and PC via Steam. The game is a reimagining of the 2008 cult classic Outcry, known as Sublustrum in Russia and Poland. The narrative follows a writer investigating the disappearance of his brother, a scientist, while exploring a liminal space that blends reality and dreams. Players will navigate a 3D environment featuring Victorian melancholy, industrial aesthetics, and early-20th-century retrofuturism. Sound plays a crucial role in the game, with audio-driven puzzles and a dark ambient score shaping the narrative. The game includes a mix of new and reimagined puzzles that require associative and lateral thinking.
AppWizard
November 30, 2025
Hinterland Studio is in the final stages of production for Episode 5 of The Long Dark's story mode, Wintermute, but has announced a delay, pushing the release to next year. The studio cited challenges in completing the remaining cinematic work, soundtrack, and mission polish as reasons for the delay. Episode 5 is expected to have two to three times as much cinematic and story content as Episode 4, and will feature a more linear narrative structure while exploring new territories. Additionally, the sequel, Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2, was announced and is set for early access in 2026, causing mixed feelings among fans regarding the original story's conclusion.
AppWizard
October 19, 2025
In 2025, the turn-based combat game Quartet, developed by Something Classic, continues to gain popularity with its latest update. The game features a refined turn-based RPG system, inspired by classics like Final Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger, and incorporates a freeform narrative structure similar to Octopath Traveler. Players can explore four distinct stories in any order, assemble a party of eight characters, and engage in dynamic combat with a turn queue system reminiscent of Final Fantasy X. The game offers a playtime of 20-30 hours, with rich exploration and a nostalgic '90s aesthetic. Update 1.2 introduces a new sheep-stacking minigame, an optional dungeon called the Cave of the Mighty Javelin, an auto-save feature, 'battle cursor memory', 'battle party memory', improved AI for card game opponents, and the ability to retrieve a previously missable item. Quartet is available on Steam for .99 / £15.99, with a demo and Steam Deck verification for handheld play.
AppWizard
September 14, 2025
Cronos: The New Dawn is a AAA survival-horror game developed by Bloober Team, set in an eerie '80s Polish town named New Dawn. The game features straightforward exploration with a linear progression, environmental puzzles, and a focus on inventory management. Combat involves facing grotesque enemies called Orphans, with a risk-reward system for resource management. The narrative follows The Traveler as they navigate time rifts and uncover secrets about a mysterious organization called The Collective. The game is available on multiple platforms, including PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Linux, and macOS, in Standard and Deluxe editions.
AppWizard
September 9, 2025
Baldur's Gate 3 is recognized for its authentic representation of the Dungeons and Dragons universe, with well-developed characters and diverse gameplay mechanics. In contrast, Bloodlines 2, developed by Ian Thomas, is designed as a focused narrative experience rather than an open-world game, with distinct boundaries and limited NPC interactions. Thomas emphasizes that Bloodlines 2 operates more like a roleplaying module rather than a complete setting, which may lead to misconceptions among players expecting an expansive experience similar to Baldur's Gate 3. The original Bloodlines was a mission-driven game, and Bloodlines 2 aims to maintain that linearity. A comprehensive overview of the game's clans will be available for players ahead of its release.
AppWizard
August 15, 2025
Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone and Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonshard are now available on Steam for a modest price. Both games were previously available on GOG for over a decade. SNEG has made enhancements for modern gaming, including smoother startup times and improved graphics for Demon Stone, while Dragonshard features support for higher resolutions and other optimizations. Demon Stone offers hack ‘n’ slash gameplay with a unique narrative structure, while Dragonshard combines real-time strategy with RPG elements. SNEG plans to re-release The Temple of Elemental Evil in September and offers a D&D Classics bundle featuring various old-school titles.
AppWizard
August 14, 2025
In 2005, a young gamer discovered Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War through a demo disc from PC Gamer, which sparked a lifelong passion for the Warhammer universe. The remastered Dawn of War: Definitive Edition was showcased at the Warhammer Skulls event, featuring enhanced visuals and modern updates, including a refined user interface and improved pathfinding for vehicles. Players who own the Anniversary Edition can upgrade to the Definitive Edition at a 30% discount. The game is recommended for newcomers and those returning after years, with a new mod manager supporting existing mods. The campaigns are noted for their engaging narratives and strong storytelling, contributing to the game's lasting appeal and fostering a vibrant modding community.
AppWizard
April 20, 2025
A Minecraft Movie has been released, blending gaming and cinema, and appeals to both nostalgic fans of the game and new audiences. The film features a classic narrative with a villainous duo, Malgosha and Chungus, and includes humor and clever dialogue. Jennifer Coolidge plays Vice Principal Marlene, while Jack Black and Jason Momoa portray Steve and Garrett, respectively. The film includes comedic scenes, such as a product placement moment with Coolidge's character hitting a villager with her Jeep Cherokee. The audience, including fans and families, reacted positively, and the film is seen as a potential cultural touchstone for Gen Alpha.
AppWizard
April 17, 2025
Jared Hess, director of “A Minecraft Movie,” admires Robert Eggers’ reinterpretation of “Nosferatu” for its distinct personality and unexpected storytelling elements. Hess gained recognition with “Napoleon Dynamite” at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, which became successful through word-of-mouth. “A Minecraft Movie” has earned over million at the box office after three weekends, significantly surpassing “Napoleon Dynamite's” total earnings. Hess's children served as unofficial consultants during the film's development, contributing to its personal touch. Adapting “Minecraft” posed challenges due to its lack of a traditional narrative, but it also allowed for creative freedom, particularly with the character of Steve. The film was primarily shot in Auckland, New Zealand, and Hess emphasized collaboration with game developers to balance fidelity to the source material with innovative storytelling. Despite mixed critical reception, Hess maintains his comedic style focused on character and story, and he hopes for broader opportunities in Hollywood.
Search