noir Archives

BetaBeacon

April 17, 2026

Epic Games Store Mobile Free Game This Week: Broken Sword

The original Broken Sword game was launched in 1996 and the Reforged version in 2024 brought enhanced visuals and audio while keeping the core story intact. Players take on the role of American tourist George Stobbart in a murder mystery tied to the Knights Templar. Epic rotates its mobile free games every Thursday, with iOS availability restricted to the EU and Android users having a broader library selection. Endling: Extinction is Forever is available on the Android library. Epic's mobile push is gaining momentum with a growing selection of games.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Moves of the Diamond Hand will be one of 2027’s best RPGs, and it just launched in early access

Moves of the Diamond Hand entered early access on April 13. It is set in Off-Peak City, a noir-inspired metropolis with blue-skinned DJs, cloned jazz musicians, and animal-human hybrids. The game features a narrative that combines personal quests with societal issues, including a mayoral race. Players can engage in whimsical scenarios and utilize various non-combat skills. The gameplay is based on dice rolls and freeform mechanics, allowing exploration and interaction with characters. Players can level up skills and acquire augment dice that influence their rolls. The early access model provides feedback and funding but may be challenging for players seeking polished gameplay. The game is available on Steam, with a full release expected in spring of next year.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

These are my 20 RPG freak pick must-plays for $10 or less in the Steam Spring Sale

- Fallout: New Vegas is priced at 99 cents. - Disco Elysium is available for an undisclosed price. - Deus Ex: Invisible War is priced at £1.49. - Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura is priced at £3.89. - Pillars of Eternity is available for 99 cents. - Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is priced at 99 cents. - Alpha Protocol is available for 99 cents. - Bloodlines 2 is priced at 99 cents.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

The new $25 action game from the creator of Just Cause arrives on April 8

Liquid Swords has announced that Samson: A Tyndalston Story, the debut title from a new studio led by Christofer Sundberg, will launch on April 8. The game features a narrative-driven journey where players control Samson McRay in the city of Tyndalston, dealing with debt and consequential decision-making. Each job consumes Action Points, and players must progress without the option for do-overs. Samson aims to provide a streamlined experience reminiscent of gritty ‘90s action films and is priced modestly. It will be available exclusively for PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store at launch, with no console versions announced. A developer diary has been released detailing the combat and driving mechanics.

AppWizard

February 13, 2026

Epic Games Store is giving away my favorite cyberpunk game for free – a dark, dystopian LA Noire

L.A. Noire is a groundbreaking detective game known for its narrative depth and immersive gameplay. A new game, Nobody Wants to Die by Critical Hit Games, is set in a dystopian cyberpunk future in the year 2329, where players control detective James Harra investigating the mysterious death of Edward Green. The game features tools like the Reconstructor and an X-Ray tool to aid in the investigation. Harra's partner, Sara, adds depth to the narrative, which blurs the line between reality and hallucination. The game prioritizes storytelling over action and is described as a walking simulator with a runtime of four to five hours. It received an 8/10 review and is currently available for free on the Epic Games Store until February 19.

AppWizard

February 13, 2026

KONAMI Unveils Rev. NOiR, a New RPG, on Sony Interactive’s State of Play Broadcast

Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. has announced the development of a new role-playing game titled Rev. NOiR for PlayStation®5, revealed during Sony Interactive’s State of Play broadcast. A teaser trailer and a dedicated website have been launched to provide insights into the game. The story is set in a world affected by a phenomenon called light fall and follows a boy with amnesia and a girl on a quest to stop this destructive force. The narrative explores themes of destiny and the human spirit. Further announcements regarding the game's features and storyline are expected.

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.