narrative Archives

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Silent Hill f’s director believes ‘I am not qualified to tell you how women should feel’ and instead relied on female devs for insights to Hinako’s fears

Silent Hill f features a female protagonist, Shimizu Hinako, set in 1960s Japan, exploring her struggles between tradition and societal change. The game emphasizes women's rights and the pressures of autonomy, with Hinako facing fears related to marriage and motherhood. The development team, particularly female staff members, contributed to the authentic portrayal of these fears, ensuring the narrative resonates with real experiences. Monsters in the game symbolize Hinako's anxieties, including a creature representing her fear of pregnancy, designed with input from the team. The collaborative approach in the game's creation enhances its relatability and depth, inviting players to reflect on their own societal pressures.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Pragmata review – nostalgic aesthetics, S-tier combat

Pragmata is a linear third-person shooter that offers approximately 12 hours of gameplay focused on action rather than storytelling. The protagonist, Hugh, and his android companion, Diana, navigate challenges on the moon, utilizing Diana's hacking abilities to exploit enemy vulnerabilities. The game features a dual-control system that balances shooting and hacking, with players solving real-time puzzles while engaging in combat. Hugh's arsenal evolves from a basic pistol to more powerful weapons, and combat encounters reward players with upgrade materials for enhancing their abilities. Boss battles present unique tactical challenges. However, the narrative struggles with character development and emotional depth, resulting in a less impactful story. Despite these shortcomings, the innovative gameplay mechanics and nostalgic elements make Pragmata an engaging experience.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Kingdom Come 2 director welcomes LGBT award nomination, then spends around 175 words explaining that it doesn’t make him ‘Woke’

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been awarded Game of the Year for 2025 and is nominated for the "Gayming Fan Favorite Award" at the 2026 Gayming Awards, with character Hans nominated for "Best LGBTQ+ Character Award." The game's director, Daniel Vávra, emphasizes the importance of authenticity in representing the relationship between characters Henry and Hans, which explores gay romance in a nuanced way. Vávra believes the game's approach contrasts with other titles' heavy-handed methods and highlights player agency. The development team aimed for a realistic depiction of the Middle Ages while allowing for personal expression through gay romances. Despite positive reception, Vávra's past associations with certain gaming communities have led to backlash from some groups due to the inclusion of diverse characters. He expresses frustration with what he sees as "forced 'woke' nonsense" while advocating for authentic storytelling.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Legendary strategy franchise Heroes of Might and Magic is back in the first new entry in over a decade — ‘This is one of those generational games’ developer says

The upcoming title, Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, is a prequel developed by Unfrozen with support from Hooded Horse and Ubisoft. It has gained significant attention, ranking tenth on Steam's most wishlisted titles after a free demo was released in October 2025. The game is set in the continent of Jadame, previously featured in Might and Magic 8: Day of the Destroyer. The early access launch is scheduled for April 30, 2026.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Charlie Cox has finally played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—a bit

Actor Walton Goggins has not played the video game franchise Fallout and does not intend to. Charlie Cox, known for his role as Daredevil, initially had not played the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, where he voices the character Gustave, but later explored the game briefly, only experiencing the introductory segment. He reflected on the evolution of storytelling in games compared to titles from his youth, such as Goldeneye and Mario Kart. Cox noted that voicing Gustave felt different from his own identity and expressed disbelief at the dedication of players who have completed the game, which can take over 50 hours.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

PC Free Game Is A Gorgeous 2025 Release That’ll Save You $30

The Stone of Madness is a free PC game inspired by 18th-century artist Francisco De Goya, featuring hand-painted settings and characters dealing with mental health issues. Players assist these characters in escaping their traumas within a top-down adventure set in a Monastery. The game is currently available for free on the Epic Games Store until April 23, 2026.

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

April 17, 2026

My full guide to Pragmata after spending 18 hours shepherding my space daughter

Pragmata features a blend of nostalgia and innovation in gaming, with early levels that have a linear design and complex currencies. A notable gameplay mechanic is hacking, which increases damage to enemies and turns them into 'OPEN' targets, especially useful against bosses. The weapon system allows players to equip four types of firearms, with some functioning as consumables. Healing is managed through limited Repair Canisters, which can be replenished at the Cradle hub area. The Shelter serves as a central hub for upgrades and interactions, with players able to enhance it and unlock new facilities. Various activities and collectibles are available, including challenge arenas and hidden items. A New Game+ mode becomes available after completing the main storyline, allowing players to restart with all gear and upgrades, alongside a more challenging difficulty setting. The game has an approximate playtime of ten hours for the main story and up to 20 hours for full completion.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Death Stranding 2 is the top game to win in this $1 Fanatical Mystery Bundle

Death Stranding 2 is a sequel that continues the narrative of delivering packages in a post-apocalyptic Australia, focusing on themes of loss, grief, and human connection. Players control Sam Porter Bridges, voiced by Norman Reedus, as he works to unite communities and faces new threats, including red robots. The game features challenging gameplay with environmental hazards and tactical combat elements. It is available for purchase through Fanatical's Mystery Egg Bundle, where players have a chance to acquire it for a low price, though there is no guarantee of receiving the game. The bundle offers additional keys for a collection of games at a discounted rate.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War review

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War is a licensed first-person shooter developed by Auroch Digital and published by Dotemu and Game Source Entertainment, priced at £15. The game lacks multiplayer functionality and performs suboptimally on the Steam Deck. Combat mechanics involve players using powerful spray-and-pray weapons with limited ammunition against sparse enemy encounters, failing to create a sense of urgency. Airstrikes are included but often feel unnecessary due to insufficient enemy presence. The Klendathu Drop mission stands out for its chaotic gameplay, contrasting with the otherwise empty maps. The game attempts to replicate the film's aesthetic but often misses the mark, with repetitive outposts and an uninspired soundtrack. Players can assume the role of an "Assassin Bug," but this mode lacks depth and engaging objectives. The game features characters voiced by the original actors, but the delivery is stilted and the satire feels dated. Overall, Ultimate Bug War struggles to capture the essence of the original film and novel, with pacing and level design that leave much to be desired.