Remaster Archives

AppWizard

March 31, 2026

Nightdive’s Larry Kuperman retires after 25-year career in games: ‘We never looked at games as products’

Larry Kuperman, Vice President of Business Development at Nightdive Studios, has announced his retirement from full-time work after a 25-year career in the gaming industry. He has held various roles, including publisher at Stardock and retailer at GameStop, but is notably recognized for his contributions to game preservation at Nightdive. Kuperman discussed the complexities of reviving classic games, citing challenges such as intellectual property rights, with specific examples like the rights to "No One Lives Forever" and "System Shock." He joined Nightdive during a crucial period and highlighted the studio's commitment to its community by honoring promises made to Kickstarter backers for the remaster of "System Shock 2." Kuperman emphasized the importance of viewing games as art and has introduced innovative features in remastered games. He plans to remain active in the industry, particularly with the International Game Developers Association, to support newcomers.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Forgotten FPS sequel Heretic 2 gets a ‘reverse-engineered sourceport’ that fixes bugs, improves the framerate and adds ‘lots of cosmetic improvements’

Classic boomer shooters Heretic and Hexen have been made more accessible for PC gamers by Nightdive Studios. Hexen 2 is available for purchase on Steam, while accessing Heretic 2 requires obtaining a boxed copy. Heretic 2, released in 1998, is a third-person action-adventure game that received positive reviews for its level design and 3D action. MaxEd on GitHub has created a reverse-engineered sourceport called Heretic2R, which enhances the game with features like widescreen support, unlocked framerate, improved map loading times, and cosmetic improvements. To use Heretic2R, players need the original Heretic 2 game data updated to version 1.06. The potential for a future rerelease of Heretic 2 exists, as both it and Hexen 2 were published by different companies now under Microsoft.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

5 Games To Play This Weekend: PC Stealth Game, Train Sim & More

The gaming community is buzzing with excitement due to a free PC port announcement for Animal Crossing and a deadline for Nintendo gamers to access a new feature on the Switch 2 before it becomes paid. Kate is playing Pokémon Pokopia, investing nearly 50 hours into the game, which she finds meditative. Olly is revisiting Thief: The Dark Project, a classic stealth game from 1998, expressing a desire for a remaster. Sam is enjoying Thomas and Friends: Wonders of Sodor, a nostalgic train simulation game. Rich's weekend gaming includes WWE 2K26 and EA Sports FC 26, with spontaneous choices for other games. Sara is looking forward to Life is Strange: Reunion, which concludes Max and Chloe's story.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Call of Duty veteran’s new studio, which was just announced in 2025, is reportedly being closed by Sony

Sony has decided to close Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Jason Blundell, just over a month after announcing the closure of Bluepoint Games. Dark Outlaw was still in the early stages of development on an unannounced project. Reports indicate that Sony laid off an undisclosed number of employees, with estimates suggesting around 50 individuals were affected. Blundell had previously expressed enthusiasm for the studio's partnership with Sony, highlighting the privilege of being a new first-party studio. Before Dark Outlaw, Blundell was involved with Deviation Games, which closed in 2024 without releasing a game. The gaming industry has faced significant layoffs and studio closures in 2023, with Epic Games announcing layoffs of over 1,000 employees due to insufficient revenue.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Bloodborne players are celebrating its 11th anniversary by replaying it. Please FromSoft, just give us a remaster

Bloodborne fans are celebrating the game's 11th anniversary by revisiting its world, despite no news of a remake or remaster due to disagreements between Sony and FromSoftware. The game, released in 2015, has achieved cult status for its unique Victorian fantasy setting. Fans have organized a two-week event called Return to Yharnam, starting on March 24 and ending on April 7, encouraging players to create new characters and engage in multiplayer experiences. The community's enthusiasm highlights a potential market for a PC port, which could attract new players to the game.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

Oblivion turns 20 today, and I need Bethesda to return to its roots for Elder Scrolls 6

The author purchased The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion the day after its release, exchanging all their pocket money at Gamestation. The game came with a disc and a glossy map of Cyrodiil. Oblivion allowed players to take on various roles, showcasing the flexibility characteristic of RPGs. The author experienced the game on PC, while it also became a flagship title for the Xbox 360, broadening the appeal of RPGs to console gamers. Oblivion has influenced many contemporary games, including Elden Ring and Kingdom Come Deliverance. It is associated with the controversial horse armor DLC, which sparked discussions about microtransactions in gaming. The author reflects on the game's graphical limitations and the unnecessary nature of the Oblivion Remastered version. As Oblivion celebrates its 20th anniversary, the author considers the future of RPGs and the potential impact of The Elder Scrolls 6.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD REMASTER AVAILABLE NOW ON PC AND XBOX

SQUARE ENIX has released the digital version of BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster on PC via Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox on PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere support. The game, originally launched for Nintendo Switch 2, features character designs by Akihiko Yoshida and retains the "Brave & Default" turn-based battle system while adding quality-of-life updates and minigames. It is currently available at a 20% discount on Steam and Xbox, and purchasers receive a digital art book. The game is set in Luxendarc and includes over 20 unique jobs for players to create diverse party compositions. It is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB and has sold over 3 million units worldwide since its original release in 2012 for the Nintendo 3DS.

AppWizard

March 12, 2026

To celebrate Resident Evil Requiem, Fanatical’s latest sale drops the series to its lowest prices yet – including the newest horror game

The Resident Evil franchise has experienced a resurgence over the past nine years, starting with the successful Resident Evil 7 and the critically acclaimed Village. The latest installment, Resident Evil Requiem, has been well-received, blending terror and action effectively. Fanatical is currently offering discounts on a variety of Resident Evil titles, including Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil 2 Remake, Resident Evil 3 Remake, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Resident Evil 5, and Resident Evil 6, along with RE7 and Village. Discounts can reach up to 79%, making it an ideal time for both new and returning players to explore the series. Each game contributes to the franchise's rich lore, and while not every title is included in the sale, many are available at significant discounts.

AppWizard

March 7, 2026

The Legacy of Kain: Defiance remaster does the best thing possible—it gets out of the way

Legacy of Kain: Defiance, a 2003 video game, has been successfully remastered by Crystal Dynamics. The remaster maintains the original's gothic charm and narrative while enhancing graphics for modern displays. It introduces a new third-person camera option, allowing players to switch between this and the original fixed-camera angles. The remaster balances new features with the classic experience, refining gameplay and addressing bugs without overshadowing the original game.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

This week in PC games: Marathon, Slay The Spire 2, a promising Disco-like RPG and a monastic garden mystery

This week features a variety of new PC game releases, including: - The Abbess' Garden: A life simulation game set in the 17th century where players restore a botanical sanctuary. - Sad God: A game where players navigate a shaft filled with threats to reach the surface before lava engulfs them. - The Legend of Khiimori: An open-world courier game set in 13th-century Mongolia, now in early access. - Esoteric Ebb: A single-player CRPG where players investigate an explosion at a teashop during an election. - Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered: A remaster of the classic title focusing on narrative and choice. - Humanica: A city-building game where players can edit the landscape of their prehistoric city. - Luxman Moonlit Market: A night market simulation game with a unique art style. - Scott Pilgrim EX: A side-scrolling brawler based on the Canadian comic book series. - Slay the Spire 2: The sequel to the roguelite deckbuilder, now in early access. - Card Cultivation: A game combining elements of Cultist Simulator with Chinese mythology. - Planet of Lana II: A puzzle-platformer where players save a cyborg world alongside a kid and their pet. - Age of Barbarians Chronicles: An action game with a sword-and-sorcery theme. - Here Comes The Swarm: An early access survival RTS where players fend off gigabeetles. - Marathon: Bungie's reboot of the classic FPS set in a rich lore universe. - Ratcheter DX: An adventure game challenging players to escape a sunken ice base. - Mr. Peregrino: A game set in the 19th century where players manage food supplies while escorting pilgrims. - Over The Top: WW1: A game where players experience the frontlines of World War I. - Aethus: A game where players investigate a lost science expedition on a desert world. - Post-Apocalyptic Technician: Players repair Stroggs as an underground technician. - Frog Abundance: An exploration game centered around frogs in various time periods. Team members at RPS express interest in different titles, with Ollie favoring Marathon, James interested in Planet of Lana, Mark leaning towards automotive adventures, and Julian considering writing about Slay the Spire 2.