playable character Archives

AppWizard

February 26, 2025

Deadlock gets a massive map overhaul that shrinks its map from four lanes to three: ‘This has a large range of accompanying map-wide changes’

Valve has announced a comprehensive update for its third-person MOBA, Deadlock, which includes a complete overhaul of the game’s map, redesigning it from 4 lanes to 3 lanes. The update features visual upgrades, revamped building layouts, new pathways, neutral camps, air vents, breakable objects, power-up buffs, juke spots, and a mid-boss area. An 'Explore map' feature has been introduced for players to familiarize themselves with movement and navigation mechanics. Additional features include new skybridges, a relocated mid-boss, new jungle camps, and aesthetic enhancements. The update also adds support for DLSS, reworks soul orbs, enhances damage reporting, and introduces “curved ziplines.” Nearly every playable character has received updates, including new animations and voiceover remasters. Access to Deadlock requires an invitation from an existing player.

AppWizard

December 7, 2024

Where Winds Meet is coming to PC on December 27th but there is a catch

Everstone Games announced that Where Winds Meet will be released on PC on December 27th, initially exclusive to the Chinese market. The game features a hero molded by chaos, emphasizing skill development with paths as a doctor, merchant, or NPC explorer. Combat includes Wuxia-inspired skills and Tai Chi techniques. It has a construction system with 600 antique components and an interactive environmental system. The game is open-world with detailed landscapes. There is no confirmed timeline for a Western release, but speculation suggests it could be in 2025. The game is not currently available on Steam or the Epic Games Store.

AppWizard

November 22, 2024

The RPS 101rd best game on PC

There are over 100 noteworthy PC gaming titles that deserve recognition. Contributors have championed personal favorites for inclusion in a curated list. 1. Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness - Released in 1993, this point-and-click adventure game features a narrative set in the valley of Mordavia, where players thwart vampires. It includes a combat system similar to Street Fighter II and is available on Steam. 2. Return of the Obra Dinn - Players assume the role of an insurance investigator in 1807, exploring a ship to uncover the fates of 60 individuals using a magical stopwatch. 3. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth - A roguelike game where players control Isaac through randomly generated rooms, battling enemies with tears as weapons. It offers high replayability and online co-op. 4. Into The Breach - A turn-based tactics game where players command mechs to defend cities from aliens, focusing on anticipating enemy moves on an 8x8 battlefield. 5. Neon White - A speedrunning game that emphasizes rapid traversal through levels, teaching players the art of speedrunning while allowing for creative experimentation. 6. Deep Rock Galactic - A co-op FPS featuring dwarves in deep space, known for its blend of combat and teamwork, with procedurally generated alien caves. 7. Transistor - A game with a narrative of love and survival, featuring a mix of real-time and turn-based combat, and an innovative skill combination system. 8. Ghost of Tsushima - Set in feudal Japan, players control Jin Sakai, navigating themes of honor and pragmatism against a Mongol invasion, with a cinematic quality and dynamic combat system. 9. Sunless Skies - An alt-Victorian space exploration game where players pilot a locomotive, exploring narratives that reflect on existence and the British Empire.

AppWizard

November 16, 2024

LEGO Horizon Adventures Review

Lego Horizon Adventures is a child-friendly adaptation of Horizon: Zero Dawn, developed by Guerrilla and Studio Gobo, and published by PlayStation Publishing LLC, priced at £59.99. The game follows the journey of the hunter Aloy as she confronts the cult leader Helis, but lacks the depth of the original story, reducing significant themes to mere jokes. Each character has unique abilities, with Aloy using a bow and Erend a hammer, but the levels are repetitive and uninspired, leading to a monotonous gameplay experience. The combat mechanics are simplistic, primarily involving spamming the attack button. The game can be completed in a single day, raising concerns about its value, especially for its price. While visually appealing with smooth animations and vibrant effects, the game may not engage its target audience for long and risks leaving players unsatisfied due to its shallow gameplay.

AppWizard

October 31, 2024

How Jack Black’s ‘I Am Steve’ Minecraft line became a meme

The "I Am Steve" meme originated from Jack Black's line in the teaser trailer for the upcoming A Minecraft Movie, set to release on April 4, 2025. The meme features Black's character, Steve, confidently declaring, “I Am Steve,” which has resonated with fans and sparked online engagement. The meme first appeared in September 2024 and gained popularity quickly after the trailer's release. Steve is a central character in Minecraft, recognized as the first default player character skin, with Alex as his female counterpart. The meme has led to various interpretations and adaptations within the Minecraft community. Additionally, a fan theory questions the existence of Steve, suggesting he and Alex are placeholders for players rather than central narrative figures.

AppWizard

October 7, 2024

GTA IV footage generated with AI shows the power of AI for future PC game remasters | Tom’s Hardware

A user named Indiegameplus showcased an AI-generated remaster of Grand Theft Auto IV on the aivideo subreddit, featuring realistic graphics created from text prompts. The video demonstrates a character in a hyper-realistic urban environment, utilizing Runway's Gen-3 Alpha model for production. This technology highlights the potential for AI in gaming, suggesting that future game development may increasingly integrate AI-driven graphics processes. Nvidia has indicated that future versions of their Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology will include neural rendering capabilities, potentially transforming the gaming landscape.

AppWizard

September 20, 2024

Judero review

Judero, developed by Talha Kaya and Jack King-Spooner, is set to release on September 16, 2024. The game features a warrior-Druid named Judero navigating the Scottish Borders, encountering quirky townsfolk and engaging in a narrative rich with character and humor. Non-playable characters (NPCs) share their stories, often touching on themes of environmentalism and existentialism, presented in a light-hearted manner. The artistic style shifts to vibrant watercolors in homes, enhancing the dreamlike quality. Gameplay includes hack-and-slash combat, bullet-hell mechanics, and a possession feature that allows players to control enemies. The game runs smoothly on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, though load times may vary with external storage.

BetaBeacon

September 20, 2024

The Star Wars Jedi series will end with the third and final game

EA has confirmed that a third Star Wars Jedi game is in development, but no specifics about the game have been shared yet. The only detail mentioned is that the main character, Cal Kestis, will likely return. The platforms on which the game will be released have not been confirmed, but it is possible that it will come to PS4 and Xbox One.

AppWizard

September 18, 2024

EA says giving videogame characters ‘life and persistence’ outside of games with AI is a ‘profound opportunity,’ which is the kind of talk that leads to dangerous Holodeck malfunctions

Electronic Arts (EA) recently presented its plans to utilize generative AI at an investor conference, highlighting the development of innovative non-playable characters (NPCs). A notable example was a large language model-driven NPC modeled after footballer Jude Bellingham, who shared his experiences of playing at the Bernabéu Stadium. EA aims to create lifelike characters that could interact with users beyond gaming, potentially influencing areas like social media and online shopping. However, there are concerns about the practicality and emotional implications of integrating AI into daily life. Chief Strategy Officer Mihir Vaidya expressed optimism about the potential for characters to have a lasting presence beyond games.

AppWizard

August 12, 2024

Shadows of Doubt, the procgen private-eye immersive sim, is leaving early access next month

Shadows of Doubt entered early access in April and will have its full 1.0 release on September 26, 2024. The game features procedurally generated cities and a crime-solving simulation sandbox, with NPCs that have their own homes, jobs, relationships, and routines. Players investigate murders by tracing connections and uncovering motives among the NPCs. Developer ColePowered Games plans to introduce new content and features as the game transitions out of early access.