noir Archives

AppWizard

December 27, 2025

“The physical world gave us possibilities we didn’t have before”: How Grim Fandango’s 3D environments revolutionized PC gaming in 1998

Grim Fandango is influenced by film noir, art deco, and the Mexican Day of the Dead. Director Tim Schafer gained creative freedom for the game due to the success of his previous title, Full Throttle. Schafer was inspired by the 3D graphics of contemporary games like BioForge to innovate within the adventure game genre. The game was remastered in 2015, making it available on modern platforms and allowing players to switch to the original graphics. Schafer has a strong personal attachment to Grim Fandango and considers it a product of a talented collaborative team.

AppWizard

December 6, 2025

Upcoming retro-inspired RPG channels Elder Scrolls and Dark Souls predecessor King’s Field with a demo you can try today

Queen's Domain is a modern-retro action RPG inspired by FromSoftware's King's Field, developed by the creators of Armored Core. The game features brutal combat and exploration in a PS1-inspired universe, where players seek a missing father on an isle with a stirring sleeping Queen. Players primarily use a wooden club against various foes, including insects and skeletons, while upgrading a Holy Sword for limited aerial maneuvering. A demo is available, offering an hour of gameplay that includes area exploration and a boss fight. The full game is expected to release in the first half of 2026.

AppWizard

November 2, 2025

Iconic Lovecraftian Board Game Eldritch Horror Is Coming to PC

Eldritch Horror, a Lovecraftian tabletop horror game, will debut digitally on PC in 2026, available on Steam in the first quarter of the year. The game is being developed by Cornerstone Software, its first project. It will feature eight fully voiced characters, four Ancient Ones, numerous monsters, and hundreds of encounters based on the original game's lore. The digital version will include an original soundtrack and new artwork, while streamlining gameplay to reduce bookkeeping. The price is set at .99 or equivalent in local currency.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

Get 13 PC Games For $13 With the Indie Fears Humble Bundle

Humble Bundle has launched its Indie Fears Bundle, featuring 13 games for a base price of , with a portion of proceeds benefiting the charity SpecialEffect. The bundle is available until November 21. Notable titles include: - Mouthwashing: A narrative exploration game set on a space freighter with a PS1-era graphical style. - Arctic Eggs: A cooking game in a dystopian Antarctica where players fry eggs and prepare unconventional breakfast items. - Terror at Oakheart: A 2D sidescrolling adventure that pays homage to 80s and 90s slasher films, allowing players to switch perspectives between the killer and victims. Additionally, Humble Bundle offers other deals, including the Bandai Namco Dark Pictures & Little Nightmares bundle and the Horror Icons Showcase, featuring multiple horror-themed games.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

AU Deals: Some Spooky Good Halloween Discounts on PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Games Today

The text discusses various gaming titles and sales across different platforms. It celebrates the 27th anniversary of "Tenchu: Stealth Assassins," released in 1998, which is noted for redefining stealth gameplay. The text lists several games by their release year, including "Hexen" (1995), "Wild Guns" (1996), "Donkey Kong Land III" (1997), "Call of Juarez" (2006), "Pure" (2008), and "Sunset Overdrive" (2014). It highlights current titles for Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, recommending games like "Hades II," "Disco Elysium - The Final Cut," "Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden," "Immortals of Aveum," "Rise of the Ronin," and "Resident Evil Village." The text also mentions various gaming hardware options and their prices, including different models of the Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, PS5, and Steam Deck, along with LEGO sets.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

Bloodlines 2 is a sequel in name alone, and it isn’t a good enough RPG to combat that disappointment

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 has faced a troubled development process with multiple teams and a lengthy production timeline. It is described as a "spiritual successor" to the original game, but the connection feels weak. The game is set in Seattle, which lacks the vibrancy and depth of the original's Santa Monica. While there are well-designed environments, many areas feel generic and repetitive. Character design is praised, with a diverse cast, but supporting characters lack development and side quests are often mundane. The protagonist, Phyre, is seen as unremarkable, and the narrative becomes convoluted over time. The combat system is criticized for being problematic, with chaotic abilities and a lack of enjoyment. Each clan offers distinct playstyles, and the progression system resembles tabletop mechanics. Overall, Bloodlines 2 is viewed as a diminished version of its predecessor, failing to capture the essence and complexity that made the original memorable.

AppWizard

October 12, 2025

Weekend PC Download Deals for Oct. 10: Battle.net Spooktacular Savings

Blizzard's Battle.net is hosting a Spooktacular Savings sale featuring discounts on titles like Diablo and StarCraft, as well as Xbox games including DOOM: The Dark Ages and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4. Borderlands 4 is available at discounted prices through retailers like Humble Store, Green Man Gaming, and Fanatical, which also offers early discounts on Silent Hill f and a launch deal on Absolum. Gamebillet has deals on LEGO Voyagers and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Valve's platform has first-time discounts on Gears of War Reloaded and Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, along with a free weekend for PowerWash Simulator. Xbox Game Pass users can access extra discounts on select titles. Green Man Gaming offers a 15% discount on PC games with the coupon code OCT15, and titles like RoboCop: Rogue City and Old World are available for purchase. Humble Choice subscription for .99 per month provides access to titles like Atomic Heart and V Rising, with tiered offers for additional games.

AppWizard

September 21, 2025

Shadows of Doubt’s hilarious new modifiers let you play as a wall-crawling rat detective and evade a killer snail

ColePowered Games has released updates for the detective simulator Shadows of Doubt, introducing new gameplay features and modifiers. Players can now take on the role of a detective who is a rat, and there is an "immortal snail" mode where the detective is invulnerable except for interactions with a snail. Other modifiers include Ironman Mode, House Arrest Scenario, Gambling Debt Option, and Film Noir Toggle, which can be combined for varied gameplay. The update also addresses bugs and mechanical issues, such as implementing a cooldown timer for muggers and ensuring loan sharks confront players over debts. Previous quality-of-life improvements were made in April and June.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Minecraft Education teaches kids the dangers of AI through a noir detective lens — encouraging artificial intelligence literacy

On September 16, 2025, Minecraft launched a program called Reed Smart: AI Detective aimed at players aged 8 to 18, focusing on enhancing information literacy in the context of artificial intelligence. The game consists of three acts: 1. The Deepest Fake - Players learn to discern authenticity in AI-generated videos. 2. An Ode to Deception - Players explore tools for detecting AI-generated content and the importance of human judgment. 3. Dine & Deceive - Players identify falsehoods created by AI and learn verification techniques. The game encourages players to engage in interviews, contextualize statements, and recognize AI misuse, fostering skills such as lateral reading and fact-checking. As players progress, the game's visual representation changes from monochrome to vibrant colors, symbolizing their growth in information literacy. Reed Smart: AI Detective is available for download on the Minecraft: Education Library and the Minecraft Marketplace, with additional resources provided by Microsoft for further learning about AI literacy.

AppWizard

September 16, 2025

Most of you haven’t played my favorite game of 2024, but now there’s no excuse

Blue Prince and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are notable PC games of 2023. Hades 2 is anticipated for release later this month. 1000xResist, a sci-fi thriller available at a 30% discount on Steam, is highlighted as a must-play RPG that focuses on narrative and features open-world exploration and third-person flight sequences. The game is currently priced at .99 / £11.72 and will be on sale until September 29. Other recommended titles include Paradise Killer, Genesis Noir, Citizen Sleeper, Slay the Princess, Pine: A Story of Loss, and Hacknet. An anime-inspired turn-based RPG, Wander Stars, is set to release later this week.