protagonist Archives

AppWizard

April 12, 2025

‘Minecraft,’ an Auteurist Hit

Ray Mendoza co-wrote and co-directed the film Warfare alongside Alex Garland. The film features intense sound design, including sounds of grenades, IEDs, and overflights, which enhances the viewing experience. There is a discussion about the film's narrative, countering the notion that it serves as pro-war propaganda, and comparing it to other anti-war films like Come and See and Paths of Glory. A Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess, follows a young artist named Henry in the fictional town of Chuglass, Idaho. The film incorporates humor and absurdity, featuring moments like a Minecraft “villager” falling for Jennifer Coolidge and Jason Momoa's character charging a child for mentorship. The film currently holds a 47 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, there is an upcoming episode of Bulwark Goes to Hollywood featuring a discussion with Alissa Wilkinson about her new book on Joan Didion, titled We Tell Ourselves Stories.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Neverway is a ‘nightmarish life sim RPG’ with hand drawn cuties and horrors from Celeste’s artist

Coldblood Inc. revealed its upcoming horror life simulation game, Neverway, co-founded by pixel artist Pedro Medeiros. The game features a protagonist named Fiona, who is the "immortal herald of a dead god," and includes elements like farming, fishing, crafting, and exploring dungeons. The narrative is described as rich and unsettling, with a focus on darker fantasy themes. Medeiros previously left Extremely Ok Games due to creative challenges. A release date for Neverway has not been announced, but it can be added to wishlists on Steam.

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

Fury over rape and incest game that tells players to be ‘women’s worst nightmare’, as Tech Secretary slams PC giant

The computer game "No Mercy" features a male protagonist who is encouraged to adopt a predatory mindset, promoting themes of violence and non-consensual acts. The game has received criticism from various figures, including Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, who described it as "deeply worrying" and called for its removal from the gaming platform Steam. Despite its disturbing content, "No Mercy" has received 'very positive' user reviews on Steam. The game includes elements of violence, incest, and blackmail, and features "unavoidable non-consensual sex." Concerns have been raised about the lax age verification process on Steam, which allows children to easily access the game. Child mental health expert Nova Eden noted that many parents mistakenly view Steam as a safe environment. Although LBC reported the game's inappropriate content to Steam, it remains available for purchase. The situation raises questions about Ofcom's ability to moderate online content, as it cannot investigate individual complaints. The Games Rating Authority clarified that while physical games must carry a PEGI age rating, digital games are not subject to the same requirement, leaving gaps in consumer protection.

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

Horizon Forbidden West gets rare, hefty discount

The price of Horizon Forbidden West has dropped from £49.99 to £25.99 on CD Keys, marking the lowest price observed in some time. The game is set six months after Horizon Zero Dawn and follows the protagonist, Aloy, as she uncovers the origins of a mysterious plague in a post-apocalyptic landscape. The Complete Edition includes additional content such as the Burning Shores story expansion. This offer is available for players in the UK and is expected to sell out quickly.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

Over 10 years since launch, Far Cry 4 reportedly censors nudity in a new PC patch, and Ubisoft hasn’t explained why

Ubisoft has released a subtle update for Far Cry 4 on PC, introducing censorship of nudity more than a decade after the game's initial release. The update has sparked discussions among players on the Steam Community, as there are no official patch notes detailing the changes. According to SteamDB, a list of altered files suggests significant adjustments, with specific instances of censorship noted by users on Reddit, such as the protagonist Ajay now wearing a loincloth during the Shanath Arena mission. The game, which celebrates its 11th anniversary this year, has long been rated by the ESRB for nudity. Inquiries have been made to Ubisoft regarding the reasons for the patch and any additional modifications.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

South of Midnight review

A Southern Gothic action-adventure game titled "South of Midnight" is set to be released on April 8, 2025, with a price of £35. It is developed by Compulsion Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game is not multiplayer and was reviewed on Windows 11 Pro with an RTX 4080, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, and 64GB RAM. The protagonist, Hazel Flood, navigates a world filled with supernatural elements and emotional depth, reflecting the complexities of life in the Deep South. The gameplay features combat that unfolds at a leisurely pace, intertwined with themes of healing and resilience. Hazel's journey emphasizes understanding and acknowledging pain, with encounters with spirits that represent trauma. The narrative challenges players to confront historical wounds and fosters a sense of connection and compassion.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

Nintendo got a Bloodborne spiritual sequel before PC even got the first game

FromSoftware is developing a new game titled The Duskbloods, set for release in 2026, which is a spiritual successor to Bloodborne. The game features gothic architecture, beast transformation mechanics, and characters that can morph into monstrous forms, including a miniature T-Rex. It incorporates vampiric themes where vampires can siphon power from defeated foes. The gameplay will include elements like runes, firearms, and a focus on steampunk technology, with characters using jetpacks and a functioning train. The game is exclusive to Nintendo Switch.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Which Cinema Format Should You Choose For Minecraft: The Movie?

Minecraft's film adaptation is set for release on April 4, 2025, featuring a cast that includes Jack Black as "Steve," Jason Momoa, and Jennifer Coolidge. The film will be available in various formats, including IMAX 3D, 4DX 3D, RealD 3D, and Dolby Cinema. In the UK, IMAX 3D will only be shown at the BFI IMAX, while other venues will present it in 2D. The film maintains a consistent aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and was not specifically filmed for IMAX. HDR by Barco technology has been applied to the film, promising superior image quality, but it will only be available in six locations worldwide, primarily in North America and one in the UK. Moviegoers are advised to check local listings for availability.

AppWizard

March 30, 2025

Blades of Fire just showed off its first five minutes of gameplay, and I think it might be channelling God of War too heavily

MercurySteam announced its new action RPG, Blades of Fire, which is a spiritual successor to Severance: Blade of Darkness. The game features protagonist Aran de Lira, who navigates a woodland landscape and engages in combat with goblin-like creatures and undead foes. The gameplay showcase highlighted similarities to God of War in combat mechanics, aesthetic choices, and environmental design, raising concerns about the game's originality compared to its predecessor. The original Severance was known for its darker tone, while the new footage lacks this ambiance. MercurySteam's creative direction may aim to attract a broader audience familiar with modern titles. Blades of Fire is set to release on May 22.

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

The First Berserker: Khazan review

The First Berserker: Khazan is a cell-shaded soulslike game set in the Dungeon Fighter Online universe, where players control Khazan, a fallen general seeking revenge after being exiled and mutilated. The game features linear missions with checkpoints called Blade Nexuses and offers a diverse arsenal of three weapons, each with its own skill tree. Combat involves accumulating Spirit points through attacks and deflections, with a strict stamina system that allows for combo execution. Players earn Lacrima by engaging with bosses, rewarding them for learning and adapting during encounters. The game includes mechanics like timed deflections and unblockable attacks, with alternative skill paths for those who prefer dodging. However, the missions between bosses can feel repetitive, and the environments may lack diversity. The game showcases an anime-inspired art style and runs smoothly, but some areas may appear drab. A demo could help potential players understand the game's mechanics and narrative better.