pacing Archives

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

The Marathon server slam consumed my weekend: 21 hours later, I’ve gone from ‘meh’ to believer

Last year, Embark and Bungie conducted playtests for their extraction shooters, with Bungie's Marathon being their first project outside the Destiny universe in over 15 years. Arc Raiders, developed by Embark, launched as the first mainstream title in the genre, while Marathon faced delays. The author initially felt indifferent towards Marathon but grew enthusiastic after playing for over four days. The game features a PvP experience with looting mechanics, weapon upgrades, and unique gun modifications. Critics compare Marathon to Call of Duty and Apex Legends, but the author finds its pacing more similar to Halo, emphasizing positioning and timing. The game includes movement shooter elements, allowing creative navigation techniques. Weapon designs are visually appealing and feature a variety of modifications. The game's progression system encourages experimentation with builds, and the vendor system aids in resource management. The upcoming full version will include a third map, Outpost, and additional content like the Cryo Archive.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

In a sea of needlessly long videogames, Resident Evil Requiem proves that 10 hours is all you need if you’re able to make every second count

Resident Evil Requiem features Leon S. Kennedy and offers a complete narrative experience lasting approximately 10 hours. The game includes puzzles, horror, and action, maintaining a quality experience without filler content. It has a dual-protagonist system, allowing players to alternate between Grace and Leon, enhancing gameplay variety. The game is praised for its storytelling, level design, and combat mechanics, with a smooth pacing that keeps players engaged. The initial playthrough can lead to immersive sessions lasting several hours, and players may be motivated to explore the game further or attempt speedruns.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

I didn’t expect to kidnap alligators, save Woodstock or give people dysentery in a game called Transport Fever 3—but here we are

Transport Fever 3 is a transport management simulation game that features a whimsical tutorial involving capturing alligators. Unlike its predecessor, it allows players to engage directly with logistics by determining the flow of goods and choosing vehicles for cargo transport. The game includes a sandbox mode set from 1900 to 2030, showcasing the evolution of transportation and civilization. Players can customize vehicles and experience changes in citizen behavior over time. The game has a slower top speed, which may affect gameplay pacing. Transport Fever 3 aims to appeal to both seasoned players and newcomers with its blend of strategy and creativity.

BetaBeacon

February 16, 2026

5 Android Game Features Players Didn’t Know They Needed

- Android's adaptive haptics provide layered, context-sensitive feedback in games. - Play Asset Delivery and progressive loading systems allow players to start interacting before the full file finishes installing. - Google Play Games cloud sync automatically backs up achievements, saved data, and progression levels. - Many Android games now have offline functionality and smart data optimization to reduce bandwidth usage. - Game Mode APIs allow developers to adjust performance based on system temperature and battery levels. - Android supports more granular notification channels for games to improve user engagement. - Usability-driven retention is crucial for the growth of mobile gaming revenue.

BetaBeacon

February 13, 2026

The Darkside Detective Free on Epic Games Store

The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark is a point-and-click adventure game that follows Detective Francis McQueen and Officer Patrick Dooley as they investigate paranormal incidents in Twin Lakes, America's 34th-most haunted city. The game consists of six standalone cases that gradually build a larger narrative, taking place in various locations such as a carnival, retirement home, and amateur wrestling circuit. The game is available for free on Android through the Epic Games Store mobile app from February 12 to February 19, 2026.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

High on Life 2’s horrible personality gets in the way of a truly great shooter

High on Life 2 is a first-person shooter from Squanch Games that features offbeat humor and unconventional gameplay. The game includes absurd moments, such as using a weapon to snort cocaine and a laser to circumcise a pixelated artifact. It targets a niche audience with jokes about drugs, drinking, and skateboarding, and features a character named Knifey, an Australian knife. The game offers a diverse arsenal of unique weapons, including a shotgun that draws enemies in and an assault rifle that launches foes into the air. Combat stages also serve as skateboarding arenas, providing dynamic and fast-paced action reminiscent of modern titles like Doom. The reviewer suggests that the game would benefit from focusing more on shooting mechanics and less on distractions.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

If your spider-sense is tingling, it’s because Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is now at its lowest price ever on PC

Many players find solace in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, which offers thrilling combat and a captivating narrative, alongside the joy of swinging through New York City. The game continues to be highly regarded years after its release, with the narrative following Peter Parker and Miles Morales as they face threats from Sandman, Kraven the Hunter, and Venom. It features Arkham-style combat and an open-world design that allows for dynamic movement throughout the city. Currently, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is available for .19 / £35.99 at Fanatical, marking its lowest price ever.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Reanimal review

Tarsier Studios is set to release a survival horror game titled Reanimal on February 13, 2026, published by THQ Nordic. The game features a brother-sister duo navigating a fog-laden ocean to rescue three friends from a war-torn island. Players can control either character in single-player or cooperative mode. Reanimal employs a fixed 3D camera perspective and includes stealth gameplay reminiscent of Little Nightmares, focusing on atmospheric tension and simple puzzles. The game explores themes of trauma and survival, with sparse dialogue emphasizing despair. It is designed to be compatible with Steam Deck, although confirmation is pending.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

BETT 2026: Microsoft reveals major Copilot, AI, and Minecraft Education updates | ETIH EdTech News

Microsoft showcased a comprehensive update to its education platform at BETT 2026, integrating AI tools like Copilot into Microsoft 365, Teams for Education, Learning Accelerators, and Minecraft Education. The new Teach module allows educators to create lesson plans aligned with standards from over 35 countries, generate rubrics, and modify reading levels. Minecraft Education lesson plan creation using Copilot is set to enter preview in February 2026. Microsoft introduced a Study and Learn agent for students, designed to support independent learning through tailored interactive activities, with a preview scheduled for January 2026. The program emphasizes AI literacy through Minecraft Education, helping students recognize AI in tools, understand algorithms, and develop critical evaluation skills. Learning Accelerators will expand with a new Microsoft 365 LTI for LMS integration, allowing full integration of Microsoft 365 apps and Copilot into learning management systems by Spring 2026. Microsoft also addressed AI misuse concerns, introducing assignment-level controls for educators to define acceptable AI usage, with previews scheduled for February 2026.

AppWizard

January 10, 2026

As Anthem breathes its last, I still find myself mourning just how close it came to being the BioWare game of my dreams

The BioWare Anthem servers will shut down on January 12. Anthem was launched nearly seven years ago but never fully realized its potential. Despite initial excitement and captivating gameplay mechanics, the game suffered from a lack of mission variety, limited equipment options, and slow narrative pacing. BioWare announced in February 2020 that it would halt seasonal updates to focus on a "substantial reinvention," but a year later confirmed that Anthem was effectively dead. The game is remembered for its promise and the nostalgic experiences it offered to players.