NPCs Archives

AppWizard

August 10, 2025

Semi-open World Puzzler ‘Rhell: Warped Worlds & Troubled Times’ Hits PC & Consoles Early 2026

Developer SlugGlove and publisher Yogscast Games announced their upcoming semi-open world puzzle adventure game, Rhell: Warped Worlds & Troubled Times, set to launch on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation in early 2026. Players will craft spells by combining magical runes to solve environmental puzzles across 14 main areas, with over 102 million possible spell combinations. The game features a narrative-driven experience where players guide Rhell, a mage, and her companion Beesle, as they uncover clues and interact with various characters. Rhell will be showcased at the Tiny Teams festival from August 7-14, and a demo is available on Steam.

AppWizard

August 9, 2025

‘Let’s just kill everyone on the station:’ The videogame audio log was apparently invented to avoid ‘awkward’ RPG dialogue trees

Marc LeBlanc, a programmer from Looking Glass Studios, discussed the innovative design of audio logs in the game System Shock during a Nightdive podcast episode. The team aimed to move away from traditional RPG mechanics, avoiding the limitations of D&D-style stats and skills that could frustrate players. They rejected the idea of conversation trees with NPCs, seeking a more immersive narrative delivery. Designer Austin Grossman suggested using audio logs by having all characters dead, allowing players to access their diaries. This approach streamlined storytelling and enhanced player engagement. LeBlanc acknowledged that while audio logs can be overused today, they remain effective for narrative delivery, offering players choices in how they engage with the story.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

We deserve better than the boring carry capacity systems 90% of RPGs give us, but games like Death Stranding 2 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 show the way forward

RPG enthusiasts often experience a thrill from loot collection, leading to the accumulation of vast amounts of treasure to exchange for coin. In "Kingdom Come: Deliverance," the author scavenged a battlefield to acquire powerful weapons and armor. The traditional carry capacity in RPGs is seen as lacking creativity, while "Death Stranding 2" offers a more engaging item transport system that encourages creative thinking and interaction with the game world. This game allows players to customize how they carry items, enhancing the gameplay experience. "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2" features an armor system with social implications, making the preparation for adventures immersive. "Red Dead Redemption 2" balances practicality and aesthetics in gear management, allowing for realistic storage options. The tabletop RPG "Blades in the Dark" introduces a system where players choose their load before a heist, impacting gameplay strategy. The author suggests that RPGs could benefit from more detailed carry mechanics, enhancing the loot experience and creating a more meaningful interaction with gear collection. Many games currently use a simple numerical representation of carry capacity, which lacks depth compared to more tangible systems that could evoke a greater sense of value in loot collection.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

The Witcher 3 mod adds enhanced physics, new animations, and improved precision when dismembering enemies

The modder Kradiarumas has released a new mod for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt that enhances the game's dismemberment system. This mod introduces a more dynamic physics engine for dismemberment, allowing for improved precision and a 100% chance of dismemberment with every strike. It also revives the spinning sword attack from the E3 2014 gameplay reveal. The mod is available in five versions and is compatible with both Next-Gen and Old-Gen editions of the game. Other mods in the community include a first-person mod, the HD Reworked Project, and various combat and quest enhancements. Recent mods have restored boat races, added new quests, and reinstated a cut reputation system. Additionally, mods utilizing Ray Tracing technology have been introduced, such as the RTX Mirrors Mod and one that enhances fire effects.

AppWizard

July 27, 2025

Lost Soul Aside’s PS5, PC Price Could Be Its Biggest Bottle Neck

Yang Bing has classified the game Lost Soul Aside as a “AA game.” Sony has set its price at £59.99. Content creator Lunatic Ignus experienced a two-hour demo, expressing concerns about the game's execution and its ability to justify the price point. He noted issues with animations and combat, suggesting it may not achieve general success despite interest from Chinese gamers. The demo revealed a town with shops and NPCs, indicating more depth than expected. The release date for Lost Soul Aside is set for August 29th.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’ surprise PC performance problems call for emergency settings treatment

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has received 'Mostly Negative' reviews on Steam due to performance issues on PC, despite its modest system requirements. Players report stuttering and slow frame rates, particularly with DLSS 4 frame generation. Testing shows that a 6GB GTX 1060 averages 44fps at 1080p on Low settings, while Intel’s Arc A750 achieves 51fps on High. Performance improves significantly on lower presets, with the RTX 4060 averaging 64fps on High and 124fps on Low. Key demanding settings include Shadow quality, Vegetation quality, and Global Illumination, which can be adjusted for better performance. Switching from TSR to DLSS is recommended for compatible GPUs, improving visual quality despite a slight performance hit. Frame generation issues occur during ambient dialogue, causing frame rate drops. Players are advised to adjust settings thoughtfully to enhance their experience.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers review

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is an action-heavy soulslike game set in 14th century China during a plague, with a release date of July 24, 2025, priced at .99. It is developed by Leenzee and published by 505 Games. The game features a combat system that allows players to engage in battles while dodging attacks and using spells without a mana bar, supported by a skill tree for upgrades. However, the combat experience can become repetitive, with a lack of variety in enemy design and encounter mechanics. The environments are visually appealing but can feel disjointed, and the game struggles to establish a unique identity, often echoing elements from FromSoftware's titles. It does not include multiplayer and is verified for Steam Deck. The game was reviewed on an RTX 5090, Intel Core i9 12900K, and 32GB RAM.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Abiotic Factor review

Abiotic Factor is a survival crafting game developed by Deep Field Games and published by Playstack, scheduled for release on July 22, 2025, priced at £25. The game features a narrative about scientists trapped in a secret underground facility, combining humor and survival elements. Players use office supplies and academic skills to fend off interdimensional threats while exploring the GATE facility and establishing a home base that evolves over time. The game includes interactive mechanics for sleeping and eating, character creation with trait selection, and diverse combat options. Players can craft unique weapons and engage in cooperative gameplay, exploring new sectors and alternate dimensions for resources and lore.

AppWizard

July 22, 2025

Minecraft teases Smurfs crossover with new in-game content

Mojang and Microsoft are collaborating with The Smurfs for a crossover in Minecraft, teased through a social media post featuring a pixelated Smurf and a mushroom emoji. The announcement is linked to the upcoming Smurfs film set for release in 2025. Expected additions to Minecraft include skins and costumes based on Smurfs characters, new mobs or NPCs like Papa Smurf and Smurfette, a themed world or map featuring a Smurf village, and size-shifting mechanics for gameplay. Players hope the update will be available on both Minecraft Java and Bedrock editions and accessible on the Minecraft Marketplace. Previous collaborations with films have included themed content, suggesting a similar approach for this crossover. The Minecraft content is anticipated to release shortly after the Smurfs movie in mid-July 2025.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

Alabaster Dawn Public PC Demo Set For September 2025 From CrossCode Developer Radical Fish Games

Radical Fish Games announced a public PC demo for their upcoming action RPG, Alabaster Dawn, set to release in September 2025. Players will control Juno, the Outcast Chosen, in a world where gods and humanity have disappeared, with a mission to defeat Nyx and restore the world. The game features an estimated playtime of 30 to 60 hours and includes seven distinct areas. Players can rebuild settlements, establish trade routes, and advance scientific knowledge, leading to visual transformations and new pathways. The combat system allows players to control four elemental forces and choose from eight weapons, each with its own skill tree for unlocking Combat Arts and equipping Divine Arts. Exploration involves solving puzzles and discovering hidden paths, treasures, and resources, with rewards including cooking recipes and upgrade materials. The map system enables fast-travel and objective marking, while gems can be slotted into weapons for enhancements. Cooking will enhance healing options and elevate players' Palate Level for stronger dish effects.