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A stylish new action RPG is making big waves on Steam, but its 'AI chatbot' NPCs have players howling in the wrong ways
AppWizard
November 15, 2025

A stylish new action RPG is making big waves on Steam, but its ‘AI chatbot’ NPCs have players howling in the wrong ways

Where Winds Meet, a martial arts RPG, received ten million pre-registrations and launched on Steam, attracting hundreds of thousands of players. Initially released in China at the end of 2024, it features a 10th-century China setting with 20 square kilometers of terrain. The game has faced mixed reviews due to AI chatbot NPCs that some players feel disrupt immersion. Its Steam rating fell to 'mixed' at launch but improved to 'mostly positive' as players appreciated the visuals and combat. Discussions on social media highlight both enjoyment and disappointment regarding the AI interactions, with players sharing humorous experiences. The game's use of AI reflects a broader trend in the industry, raising concerns about the impact on human creativity in game design.
My favorite horror game of the year went on sale on Steam just in time for an NG+ update that adds new weapons, enemies, mechanics, and story revelations
AppWizard
October 31, 2025

My favorite horror game of the year went on sale on Steam just in time for an NG+ update that adds new weapons, enemies, mechanics, and story revelations

The first-person horror game, Labyrinth of the Demon King, received an update that introduced a new game plus (NG+) mode and is currently available at a 25% discount until November 3. The update includes new weapons, new enemies, upgraded enemies, a novel NG+ mechanic, new NPC interactions that explore the game's lore, and a new boss encounter. The game has an 81% review rating from PCG Australian editor Shaun Prescott and offers a free demo of the first act for potential players.
My evil playthrough of Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader just got decimated by its new update, but it's probably for the best
AppWizard
October 22, 2025

My evil playthrough of Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader just got decimated by its new update, but it’s probably for the best

The latest patch for Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader has introduced significant game balance adjustments, particularly reworking the Bladedancer archetype to align it better with overall game balance. Changes have also been made to the Death From Above and Executioner archetypes to create a more engaging combat experience. The update includes new NPC portraits, reworks to four origins (Astra Militarum Commander, Ministorum Priest, Commissar, and Navy Officer), new talents and convictions for Familiars, polishing of Lex Imperialis content, stability fixes for softlocks and bug fixes for epilogues, and resolution of the Yrliet bug affecting romantic storylines. Improvements have been made to dialogue tones, NPC interactions, narrative consistency, colony management, localization, audio, user interface, and art. Players are encouraged to explore these changes in update 1.5 and engage in discussions on the dedicated Discord server.
The solo dev behind RPG Sword Hero is promising a 'seamless open world' with amazing combat, intricate simulation, and systemic dismemberment—the demo on Steam makes me think they can pull it off
AppWizard
October 5, 2025

The solo dev behind RPG Sword Hero is promising a ‘seamless open world’ with amazing combat, intricate simulation, and systemic dismemberment—the demo on Steam makes me think they can pull it off

Sword Hero is an open-world RPG developed by indie studio ForestWare, featuring a combat arena demo that highlights high-stakes battles and innovative injury mechanics. Players can engage in challenging arena battles, spending an average of 3.2 hours revisiting six battles. The gameplay trailer showcases various elements, including a warrior battling a giant moth, fluid melee combat, dramatic arm severing, a prosthetic arm system, and parkour mechanics. The game promises a seamless open world without invisible barriers, populated by formidable creatures like Greyskin, Giants, and Dragons. ForestWare has introduced a "Tragedy Events" system that influences NPC behavior based on player actions. A prototype for a robot prosthetic has been revealed, indicating a broader system of limb damage and augmentation. The combat system features taunting enemies, the importance of light sources, hostile reactions from shopkeepers, and interactive items, with losing a dominant hand significantly impacting gameplay. The city of Wesport is guarded by a three-headed dragon, enhancing the narrative's intrigue. Players can wishlist the game and experience the demo on Steam, with a Kickstarter campaign launching in January.
One of the few games I've scored 9/10 is currently free, but it's not for the faint of heart
AppWizard
September 12, 2025

One of the few games I’ve scored 9/10 is currently free, but it’s not for the faint of heart

Night City is a virtual world showcasing the contrast between advanced technology and poverty. Ghostrunner 2, a sequel to the original game, allows players to explore the streets of Dharma, where they take on the role of Jack, a combat android tasked with dismantling an AI cult. The game features an expansive world, a central hub, NPC interactions, and vehicular combat. Players use an upgradable katana, a shuriken system, and a grapple gun for movement. The soundtrack includes a variety of electronic music that enhances the gaming experience. Ghostrunner 2 received a review score of 9/10 and is currently available for free on the Epic Games Store, alongside Monument Valley 2 and The Battle of Polytopia, until September 18. The developers are also working on a new game titled Valor Mortis.
If Baldur's Gate 3 is "an entire roleplay setting," then Bloodlines 2 is a "scenario," says dev
AppWizard
September 9, 2025

If Baldur’s Gate 3 is “an entire roleplay setting,” then Bloodlines 2 is a “scenario,” says dev

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.
The Outer Worlds 2 feels like a much more ambitious RPG than its predecessor: I played its prologue three times with different builds, and each run felt unique
AppWizard
August 27, 2025

The Outer Worlds 2 feels like a much more ambitious RPG than its predecessor: I played its prologue three times with different builds, and each run felt unique

Anticipation for The Outer Worlds 2 has increased following a 45-minute hands-on demo of the game's prologue, showcasing a richly crafted universe. The character creation process includes extensive customization options, such as hair, eye choices, and robot prosthetics. The gameplay mechanics have been streamlined, replacing attributes with a system of backgrounds, positive traits, and tagged skills, enhancing depth and dialogue opportunities. The demo features immersive design elements reminiscent of previous Obsidian titles, allowing for stealth or aggressive gameplay, and includes a bullet time mechanic. Players can engage in various skill checks, interact with environmental elements, and experience dynamic NPC interactions with consequences based on dialogue choices. The design encourages exploration and experimentation, raising expectations for the full game.
Minecraft Movie Streaming Soon on Max With Sources Pointing To June Date
AppWizard
June 3, 2025

Minecraft Movie Streaming Soon on Max With Sources Pointing To June Date

The Minecraft Movie is set to stream on Max, with a potential release date of June 20, 2025, although this has not been officially confirmed by Warner Bros. Discovery. The film, directed by Jared Hess and featuring Jason Momoa, premiered in theaters on May 30, 2025. It will be available for digital purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Physical editions (4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD) are scheduled for release on June 24, 2025. In 2025, Minecraft modpacks are evolving, with a focus on technical modpacks and new gameplay experiences. Notable modpacks include "Biohazard: Project Genesis" and "Multiversal Archeology," which emphasize automation and resource gathering. Popular modpacks are introducing intricate quest systems, performance optimizations, and visual enhancements, including high-definition textures and dynamic lighting. Tools like CurseForge and packwiz are streamlining modpack creation and sharing. The Bedrock Edition has seen new modpacks like "Elemental Horizons" and "Survival Evolution." "Technological Frontiers 4" is currently the top-rated modpack on CurseForge. The 1.21 update has influenced modpack developments, leading to new dungeon exploration themes.
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