player choice Archives

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Getting banned by Steam and Epic has made HORSES a best-seller — but this censorship bodes ill for creativity

Indie developer Santa Ragione's horror game HORSES has been banned from Steam without a clear explanation, leading to frustration from the developers and a lack of communication regarding the ban. Despite this setback, interest in the game has increased, resulting in strong sales on alternative platforms like GOG and itch.io, where it is currently a best-seller. The ban has made it difficult for Santa Ragione to secure external publishing deals, forcing them to seek private funding. Steam cited concerns over depictions of sexual conduct involving minors, while Epic referenced explicit sexual behavior and animal abuse, claims that Santa Ragione disputes. The game is available for purchase on GOG for .99 and on itch.io. GOG has expressed support for the game, emphasizing player choice in gaming experiences.

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

CD Projekt’s PC Game Storefront GOG Gets Behind Horses After Valve Steam Ban: ‘Players Should Be Able to Choose the Experiences That Speak to Them’

CD Projekt’s GOG is supporting the indie horror game Horses after it was banned from Steam. The game is set to launch on December 2 across multiple platforms, including Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch.io, and Humble Store, but not on Steam due to Valve's decision. Valve reviewed the game earlier in 2023 and cited concerns regarding its content as the reason for the ban. GOG has launched pre-orders for Horses and is actively promoting it, emphasizing player choice and creativity. Santa Ragione, the game's developer, has called for greater transparency from Steam and improved conditions for developers in the industry.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

There’s a difference between hard games and hardcore ones, and the distinction matters

The launch of Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection has renewed interest in classic fighting games on PC, but players face challenges with the AI, which often uses ruthless tactics that create an unfair experience. This can lead to frustration and the development of bad habits that do not apply to real player interactions. In contrast, Virtua Fighter 5 offers a remastered mode with over a thousand CPU challengers that encourages strategic play. Games like Elden Ring and Baldur's Gate 3 allow for creative freedom in gameplay, enabling players to craft unique builds and strategies. Terraria provides a randomly generated world for players to explore or build in, while Tetris The Grand Master 4 offers varying levels of engagement based on player choice. The term "SNK boss" refers to unfair CPU opponents that disrupt gameplay balance, similar to the AI in Mortal Kombat. True hardcore games invite players to explore challenges and skill in diverse ways, emphasizing personal expression in gaming.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

Mass Effect 3 redeemed to glory as modder puts its ME1-style elevator back in

The Mass Effect series, particularly its third installment released in 2012, sparked intense discussions about its endings and player choice impact. A mod called Glorious Elevators (LE3), developed by Linkenski, aims to restore the elevator experience from the original Mass Effect, which was cut from Mass Effect 3 due to technical limitations of the PS3 and Xbox 360. The mod allows players to experience the Normandy's lifts in real time, enhancing gameplay and rekindling nostalgia. Linkenski claims it improves upon the original elevators and adds to the seamlessness of Mass Effect 3.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

‘In a true RPG, you need to think about what is happening’: RPGs have been coddling us, says Outer Worlds 2 director, who’s glad to see games like Baldur’s Gate 3 let players make mistakes

Brandon Adler, game director, reflected on his early struggles with Dungeons & Dragons and the complexities of Baldur's Gate when it launched in 1998. He noted the evolution of RPGs towards more accessible experiences, particularly through the Mass Effect series. In an interview, he expressed appreciation for the resurgence of RPGs that require deeper player engagement, highlighting Baldur's Gate 3 for its intricate choices that significantly influence gameplay. Adler observed trends in The Outer Worlds 2, where players experiment with unconventional character builds, emphasizing that such experimentation is part of the learning curve. He noted a decline in reliance on objective markers, which has reduced engagement with NPCs and their narratives, and expressed a desire for players to reconnect with storytelling in RPGs. He also mentioned the rising popularity of tabletop RPGs and how mainstream understanding has evolved since the 1990s, as seen in the success of Baldur's Gate 3, which appeals to both long-time fans and new players.

AppWizard

October 7, 2025

The best MMOs and MMORPGs 2025

Gaming serves as a refuge, a means to connect with others, and a way to forge friendships, particularly through MMOs and MMORPGs. These genres offer expansive realms filled with adventure and the opportunity to interact with fellow gamers. 1. Old School Runescape: Features a skill cap of 99 for all abilities, has a vibrant community, and the recent Varlamore expansion has attracted record player counts. 2. World of Warcraft: Known for its continuous evolution and the latest expansion, "The War Within," which makes the game more accessible for players with limited time. 3. Final Fantasy 14: Transformed from a lackluster launch to a beloved MMORPG, praised for its epic tales and the recent "Dawntrail" expansion. 4. Destiny 2: Offers immersive gameplay and narrative, with the recent "Edge of Fate" expansion improving the onboarding experience for newcomers. 5. Guild Wars 2: Features a horizontal gear progression system and episodic updates, with the upcoming "Visions of Eternity" expansion promising new content. 6. Elder Scrolls Online: Allows players to explore Tamriel's landscapes and engage in combat, with ongoing expansions and content updates. 7. Albion Online: Combines crafting, farming, and PvP action, with the recent "Abyssal Depths" update enhancing PvP elements. 8. Dune Awakening: An MMO-survival hybrid set in an alternate timeline of Arrakis, with the recent "Lost Harvest" DLC adding new cosmetic options. 9. Black Desert Online: Known for stunning visuals and fluid combat, offering a diverse array of classes but can be daunting for newcomers. 10. Lost Ark: Players recover relics in a beautifully crafted world, with recent updates streamlining the onboarding process. 11. Star Wars The Old Republic: Set in the Star Wars universe, featuring various classes and regular updates to keep content fresh. 12. Lord of the Rings Online: Immerses players in Middle-earth with quests and expansions, despite aging graphics. 13. Eve Online: Renowned for its player-driven economy and intricate narratives, featuring massive space battles. 14. New World Aeternum: Blends sandbox survival with RPG mechanics, encouraging character development and exploration. 15. Palia: Focuses on gardening, decorating, and community-building, with recent updates expanding features. Upcoming titles include Chrono Odyssey, promising time-based combat, and Ashes of Creation, currently in playtesting.

AppWizard

July 6, 2025

Warren Spector was so desperate to make Deus Ex that it almost became a Command & Conquer RPG: ‘I was going to find a way to make it one way or another, even if it meant making another damn sci-fi game!’

Deus Ex recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. In an alternate reality, PC gamers are celebrating a different 25th anniversary for a first-person Command & Conquer game that could have been created by Warren Spector, who initially conceived a game called "Troubleshooter" in 1994. Spector aimed to create an open-ended near-future simulation featuring a supercop named Jake Shooter. He managed to persuade Westwood Studios to invest in a version of his game set in the Command & Conquer universe, intending to combine genre elements and player choice. However, he later joined Ion Storm after receiving an invitation from John Romero, leading to the development of Deus Ex, with Jake Shooter evolving into JC Denton.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Shuffle Tactics (PC) Review

Shuffle Tactics is a deckbuilding roguelike game that revitalizes established mechanics within the genre. Players navigate grid-based maps filled with enemies and objectives, using action points to deploy cards for attacking and defending. The game features three distinct characters with unique specialties: the Doberknight, an archer with ricocheting arrows, and a turret specialist, along with a magic user. Players can customize their combat decks by adding or removing cards after encounters and can acquire relics for passive effects and items to enhance specific cards. The game allows players to recruit sidekicks with their own decks. Each playthrough offers a unique experience, although some mechanics lack adequate explanation. The narrative involves a king who has gone mad, but it serves more as a minor distraction than a central focus.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

This game has 100 endings, and it’s pushing the creators to the brink of bankruptcy

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is a visual novel and turn-based tactics hybrid developed by Too Kyo Games, a studio formed by the creators of Danganronpa and Zero Escape. Despite positive reviews and notable sales, studio CEO Kazutaka Kodaka has expressed concerns about the studio's financial future, stating that the chances of further console releases for the game are "very slim." The game features a complex narrative with an estimated 80% narrative to 20% action ratio, requiring over 130 hours for 100% completion. The production process took over five years, including a complete reboot, and Kodaka described it as a gamble where he invested his skills and money. The game is currently available on Steam for £50.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Hideo Kojima confirms an easy mode for Death Stranding 2, which’ll allow players to skip boss battles and let them read about it instead

Hideo Kojima announced that Death Stranding 2 will feature an easy mode aimed at players less familiar with action games. This mode includes a boss battle skip option, allowing players who prioritize narrative over combat to bypass challenging confrontations. Reactions in the gaming community are mixed, with some expressing concern that skipping boss battles diminishes the gaming experience, while others advocate for player choice in how to engage with the game.