remasters Archives

AppWizard

August 12, 2025

After all these years, Heretic plays better than it ever has—and thanks to Nightdive, even Hexen sucks far less

Last week, remastered versions of Heretic and Hexen were released, developed by Raven Software. Heretic, released in 1994, featured unique weaponry like the ethereal crossbow and allowed for strategic item use, but its gameplay was similar to Doom and its aesthetic less appealing than Hexen's darker tones. Hexen, released in 1995, attempted to blend RPG elements into the first-person shooter genre but often frustrated players with its complexity and hub-based level structure. Nightdive Studios made gameplay adjustments in both remasters, including tweaks to level design and weapon mechanics, such as reducing the ethereal crossbow's ammo capacity. Players can toggle these changes on or off. Heretic's level design has been appreciated for its sophistication, surpassing Doom 2, while Hexen's remaster includes a more user-friendly map and the ability to change character classes mid-game, enhancing accessibility.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

Save Up To 96% And Get Free Games In Fanatical’s Summer Sale

Fanatical has launched its Summer Sale 2025, offering discounts on PC games, including a Bonus Drop deal with random prizes. The sale features daily Flash Deals with steep discounts, such as Frostpunk 2 for .49, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered for .59, and Monster Hunter Wilds for .49 on August 5. Other notable discounts include Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Elden Ring Nightreign for .19, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered for .49, and Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition. Capcom's Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighters Edition is available for .39, and the Year 3 Fighters Pass can be purchased for .50 using the promo code FANATICAL15. The Year 3 Ultimate Pass is available for .80 with the same code. All purchases come with official game keys, primarily for Steam.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

August 2025 is the month of remakes and remasters

August is a subdued month for new video game releases, particularly original titles, but features several remakes and remasters. Key releases include: - Dawn of War: Definitive Edition launching on August 14, which consolidates all expansions and multiplayer modes, enhances textures, supports 4K resolution, and improves lighting, reflections, and modding capabilities. - Gears of War: Reloaded releasing on August 26, featuring significant graphical enhancements, modern features like cross-play and DLSS, and an optional streamlined control scheme. - Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, a remake of Harvest Moon DS, set to launch on August 27, promises gameplay efficiency improvements. - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, releasing on August 28, is a full remake with new features like the Fox Hunt multiplayer mode and real-time wear and tear mechanics, marking Konami's first major MGS project since Hideo Kojima's departure.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

August 2025 is the month of remakes and remasters

August features several notable video game remakes and remasters, including: - Dawn of War: Definitive Edition, releasing on August 14, includes all expansions and multiplayer modes, enhanced textures with 4K support, improved lighting and reflections, camera adjustments, and a shift to 64-bit architecture. - Gears of War: Reloaded, set for release on August 26, offers upgraded assets and lighting, cross-play, cross-progression, DLSS, HDR, and an optional streamlined control scheme, with all post-launch content included for free. - Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, a remake of the Harvest Moon DS classic, will be available on August 27, promising a refreshed take on farm life. - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, releasing on August 28, is a full remake that introduces new features such as the Fox Hunt multiplayer mode and real-time wear and tear on characters.

AppWizard

July 3, 2025

10 PC-only games that made me move from PlayStation to PC

In 2017, the author transitioned from a gaming PC to a PS4 Slim due to the failure of their PC and the demands of finals and a new job. They enjoyed the PS4 but felt drawn to PC-exclusive titles, leading them to build a new gaming rig. Notable PC games mentioned include Black Mesa, a fan-made remake of Half-Life, which features expanded levels and improved AI, and GTFO, which inspired the author to return to PC gaming after its reveal at the 2017 Game Awards. The author built their gaming rig in December 2020 to play GTFO and Cyberpunk 2077. They also noted a shift in gaming preferences after playing Valorant, which launched in June 2020, and highlighted Escape from Tarkov as a unique PC experience due to its high-stakes gameplay and design tailored for PC. The author appreciates the diverse experiences offered by PC gaming compared to consoles.

AppWizard

June 29, 2025

Xbox Game Pass Just Quietly Added The Most Influential Strategy Series Ever On PC

The divide between console and PC gaming has blurred, with genres crossing platforms. Classic computer games, like those in the Warcraft series, still benefit from mouse and keyboard precision. The Warcraft franchise has significantly influenced the real-time strategy (RTS) genre, with a remastered collection of the trilogy now available for PC players through Game Pass. Warcraft: Orcs & Humans set a new standard for RTS games, introducing intricate missions and online multiplayer. Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness solidified the series' status with enhanced AI and user-friendly controls, while also being ported to PlayStation and Sega Saturn. Warcraft III redefined the series by emphasizing hero units and intertwining narratives, leading to the events of World of Warcraft. The remastered versions, including Warcraft III: Reforged, have improved significantly and are accessible through Game Pass, providing a convenient way to experience these influential titles. The Warcraft trilogy is available on PC and included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remastered Review

The 25th Anniversary Remaster of System Shock 2, released by Nightdive Studios, features enhanced visuals with a new Dark engine upgrade, improved textures, and refined audio. The remaster includes a polished version of the original game, retains the classic PC gaming experience, and introduces a four-player co-op mode. Players navigate as a UNN space soldier aboard the Von Braun spaceship, encountering alien threats and exploring immersive environments. The remaster also includes extras like concept art and old trailers, and it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck at 60fps. Nightdive plans to support gameplay and balance mods from launch, enhancing the game's longevity.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

These 7 games need a remaster, and they need it now

Fallout: New Vegas, released in 2010 by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Bethesda Softworks, is a unique RPG praised for its player agency, writing, and world-building, making it a candidate for a remaster to fix technical bugs and improve visuals. Dragon Age: Origins, released in 2009 by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, is regarded as the best in its series, but a remaster seems unlikely due to a lack of familiar staff. Black & White, a 2001 game by Lionhead Studios and published by Electronic Arts, is not available on major platforms, and a remaster could enhance its AI and gameplay. Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, released in 2004 by Troika Games and published by Activision, is a classic RPG with bugs and unfinished elements that could benefit from a remaster to fix glitches and restore content. No One Lives Forever, a 2000 game by Monolith Productions and published by Fox Interactive, is unavailable due to rights disputes, but a remaster could modernize its visuals and controls. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, released in 2004 by Obsidian Entertainment and published by LucasArts, is an unfinished narrative that could be improved with a remaster to restore missing content. Freedom Force, a 2002 game by Irrational Games and published by Electronic Arts, could benefit from a remaster to improve compatibility and support user-generated content.

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

Three Warhammer games are free to keep as part of this year’s Warhammer Skulls event

The Warhammer Skulls event has announced remasters for Dawn of War and Space Marine, a new CRPG titled Dark Heresy, and the video game debut of the Leagues of Votann in Mechanicus 2. Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War is free on Steam until May 29, celebrating its latest DLC, the Onslaught Pack. Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War is available for free on GOG this week, allowing players to control the Eldar. Boltgun – Words of Vengeance is also free on Steam, combining typing skills with shooting mechanics. Mechanicus is free to play on Steam for three days. GOG is offering a Warhammer Skulls 2025 digital goodies bag, and players can claim a free coach for the Khorne team in Blood Bowl 3.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

‘They listened! They listened!’: Stalker restores Soviet monument after angry fans tanked its Steam reviews, and they couldn’t be happier

GSC Game World released patch 1.0.1 for the Stalker trilogy to address issues following a negative launch, including stability improvements, settings retention adjustments, and the restoration of missing geometry on several levels. Players expressed dissatisfaction with blurry graphics and the removal of the Russian audio setting and iconic Soviet landmarks. GSC acknowledged player feedback and committed to ongoing improvements, although the reintroduction of Russian audio seems unlikely.