role-playing games Archives

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

The great RPG debate: Defined playable characters or blank slates?

In role-playing games (RPGs), there is a debate between using pre-defined characters with backstories versus creating unique characters. Many players appreciate the freedom of crafting their own characters, as seen in games like Baldur's Gate and Skyrim, which offer extensive customization and replayability. Conversely, games like Mass Effect and The Witcher, featuring defined protagonists, provide memorable experiences through strong narratives and emotional depth, despite offering less character customization. Players face significant choices that shape their journeys, even with established characters. The release of Baldur's Gate 3 blends both approaches, allowing for rich character development while starting from a blank slate. This ongoing discussion encourages players to reflect on their preferences in character creation versus narrative depth.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Esoteric Ebb Review

Esoteric Ebb is a role-playing game inspired by Disco Elysium, focusing on exploration rather than combat, and features a narrative rich in literary and political themes. The game blends narrative depth with mechanics similar to Dungeons & Dragons. - Price: £21 - Release Date: March 3, 2026 - Developer: Christoffer Bodegård - Publisher: Raw Fury - Reviewed on: Steam Deck, Windows 11 (Core i5 12600K, RX 9070 XT, 32GB RAM) - Steam Deck: Verified - Official site link available Gameplay includes strategic challenges, such as an early ambush by an assassin where players can use spells creatively. Some minor complaints include a cluttered user interface on the Steam Deck, cumbersome inventory management, typographic errors, and occasional UI glitches. There are also reports of bugged feats affecting gameplay. Despite these issues, the game is considered compelling for RPG enthusiasts and offers good value for its price.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Obsidian was ‘surprised’ that Avowed players bounced off one of the RPG’s most important systems: ‘That frustration came through loud and clear’

Avowed's crafting system initially faced criticism for making upgrades mandatory, requiring players to gather materials for weapons and armor, which hindered exploration. In response to player feedback, Obsidian Entertainment implemented changes in an anniversary update, refining the progression system to allow for a more gradual experience. Custom difficulty modifiers were introduced, enabling players to adjust game elements like merchant prices and upgrade material costs. Additionally, workbenches were added throughout the game world, allowing players to enhance equipment without returning to camp, making gear acquisition and upgrades more accessible.

AppWizard

February 15, 2026

Diablo 2 with Minecraft logic: Blizzard veterans talk about what the new role-playing action game Darkhaven will surprise with

Veterans from Blizzard North, now part of MoonBeast Productions, are developing an action role-playing game called Darkhaven, which combines elements from Diablo II and Minecraft. The game is not a sequel to Diablo II but is inspired by concepts from the original game and its Lord of Destruction expansion. Darkhaven features a procedurally generated world that evolves as players progress, including a global event called the "Necropolis" that transforms the landscape into an undead-dominated realm. Players can escape to new worlds with unique challenges. The game includes a dynamic event system that will regularly introduce new events, similar to how Minecraft adds new biomes. Players can manipulate the environment, such as destroying walls and reshaping the terrain for tactical advantages. Darkhaven is available on Steam for players to add to their wishlist, but its release date has not been announced.

AppWizard

February 13, 2026

KONAMI Unveils Rev. NOiR, a New RPG, on Sony Interactive’s State of Play Broadcast

Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. has announced the development of a new role-playing game titled Rev. NOiR for PlayStation®5, revealed during Sony Interactive’s State of Play broadcast. A teaser trailer and a dedicated website have been launched to provide insights into the game. The story is set in a world affected by a phenomenon called light fall and follows a boy with amnesia and a girl on a quest to stop this destructive force. The narrative explores themes of destiny and the human spirit. Further announcements regarding the game's features and storyline are expected.

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

If you love hundreds of games for $10 and hate ICE, then boy does Itch.io have just the bundle for you

Indie developers on Itch.io have created the "No ICE in Minnesota" bundle to raise funds for the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM), which provides legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees. The bundle includes over 1,400 items, such as video games, tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), books, and soundtracks, with more than 1,000 TTRPGs included. The fundraising goal is 0,000, and it has already reached 80% of that target with a month remaining for contributions. Additional donations are welcomed to support the initiative.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

I couldn’t survive the Mörk Borg PC game for more than five minutes

Mörk Borg Heresy Supreme released a demo on January 23, featuring a dark Gothic aesthetic and punishing gameplay. The game retains the essence of the original tabletop RPG while transforming it into an arcade-style hack-and-slash adventure. Character creation includes randomly generated heroes, with an option to re-roll for a better build. The tutorial introduces mechanics gradually, but can feel incomplete. The map is accessed via the M key, which is crucial for navigation, and the control layout is considered unintuitive. Quick reflexes are essential due to the game's high difficulty, with players facing immediate character deaths. The game displays a "FAILURE" message upon death, indicating survival time. The full release is expected in Q1 2026, and the visuals and soundtrack pay homage to the RPG's heavy metal roots.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

What’s the next step in these adventure game puzzles?

A variety of gaming trivia quizzes are available, covering topics such as health bars, currencies, and patch notes. In the 1980s and early 1990s, adventure games were the primary genre for players seeking well-crafted narratives, as RPGs focused on dungeon crawling and had limited dialogue. Point-and-click adventures evolved from text-based games and adapted literary works, with companies like Infocom, LucasArts, and Sierra emphasizing character development and thematic depth. Players often faced challenging puzzles that could lead to frustration, requiring collaboration or help. Today, classic puzzles can be revisited through accessible multiple-choice quizzes, allowing fans to engage with gaming history in an interactive manner.

AppWizard

January 20, 2026

I can’t put down this dark fantasy roguelike that’s basically Elden Ring Nightreign, and it just got a magical new character

Ravenswatch is a dark fantasy roguelike ARPG that blends elements from top-down action games and power-leveling titles. The game features a roster of fairytale characters and has introduced its first DLC character, Merlin, along with a significant update that includes an overhaul of magical objects and balance adjustments. Merlin has a unique skill set with two-button combinations that allow him to cast nine distinct spells across three categories: nature, arcane, and defense. His passive trait enables him to build runes of potency through basic attacks, enhancing his spells. The game also includes a complimentary update with five new magical objects, improvements to the enemy aggro system, and guaranteed rare or epic items from certain chests. Merlin will be available on January 19 for .99 / £6.49, and the game has an 86% approval rating on Steam.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Over 1 million players expected: New Minecraft-style sandbox MMO enters Early Access

Hytale is a highly anticipated game that combines sandbox creativity with immersive storytelling. Key features include a procedurally generated world with diverse environments, robust customization options for crafting adventures and structures, an engaging narrative with quests and lore, and community-centric tools for modding and sharing creations.