single-player Archives

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

How multiplayer works in Slay the Spire 2

In Slay the Spire 2, co-op gameplay allows one player to host a multiplayer save, with up to three additional players joining as long as they are Steam friends. There are no password-protected lobbies or matchmaking queues. Players must select a save profile with an unlocked character and choose 'Multiplayer' from the main menu. Each player has three profiles, can only host one campaign at a time, and must be present from the beginning of the game. Multiplayer campaigns feature individual inventories, and enemy stats scale with party size. Energy is not shared among players, and loot is distributed individually. Ascension progression in multiplayer is separate from single-player achievements, and players must complete all three acts as a team to earn Ascension levels, which apply to all characters in multiplayer.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Screamer’s racing action and storytelling are impressively unique, but the game needs balancing fast

Screamer is a racing game that integrates a comprehensive narrative into its gameplay, distinguishing itself from traditional racing titles. The game features a vibrant anime aesthetic and a cast of eccentric characters involved in dramatic rivalries and corporate intrigue. Players engage with the story primarily in the main Tournament single-player mode, which focuses on character motivations and relationships. The driving mechanics in Screamer differ from conventional controls, utilizing the right stick for drifts and the left stick for steering. As players progress, they can accumulate boost abilities that can be transformed into attack capabilities, adding a strategic layer to the racing experience. However, the gameplay often revolves around maximizing boosts, which can overshadow classic racing strategies. The game presents challenges such as erratic difficulty spikes in Tournament mode, leading to inconsistent experiences where some races are disproportionately easy or difficult. The boost system is essential for most races, and developers may need to refine the mechanics to achieve better balance and enhance the overall experience.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

This overlooked Battlefield game is shutting down after 11 years, but only on Xbox and PlayStation consoles — the Steam PC version will live on, to my surprise

Battlefield Hardline, launched in 2015 by Visceral Games with support from DICE and EA, will have its digital availability end on May 22 for Xbox and PlayStation platforms, with online multiplayer support concluding on June 22. Players on Steam and the EA app will retain access to the game and its offline single-player campaign. The game is known for its focus on law enforcement versus criminals, differing from traditional military themes in the Battlefield franchise. EA noted that dwindling player numbers make it unfeasible to maintain online services for older games, with current statistics showing only 10 concurrent players on Steam and a peak of 34 in the last 24 hours.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach PC impressions

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach features themes of connection, grief, and the transient nature of existence, set in Australia and linked to the Chiral Network. The game is noted for its engaging gameplay and visual capabilities, with performance tests showing around 60 fps in demanding environments on high settings with an RTX 4070 Ti and Intel Core i9-12900K. Lowering settings can yield up to 94 fps, while enabling frame generation can surpass 126 fps. PICO upscaling combined with DLSS frame generation provides optimal visuals. The Steam Deck struggles with performance, achieving only 24 fps on the Portable preset. The game supports various controllers, including the Nintendo Switch 2 and DualSense, with a new difficulty mode called "to the wilder" that increases challenge through tougher enemies and resource management.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Steam Users Have 48 Hours to Grab Shooter Game for Free and Keep It

PC gamers on Steam can claim the shooter game "Police Stories" for free for a limited time of 48 hours. Once claimed, the game will remain in their library permanently. It is categorized as “Playable” on Steam Deck, though not verified. The offer is provided by Fanatical, requiring players to create a free account and link it to their Steam account. "Police Stories" is a top-down shooter with single-player and co-op modes, featuring tactical gameplay based on law enforcement missions. The game has a “Very Positive” rating on Steam, with 82% of 2,366 reviews recommending it. Players can expect around five to seven hours of gameplay, with completionists spending up to ten or eleven hours. The reason for the free offer is speculated to be related to generating excitement for an upcoming sequel.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

The best extraction shooters on PC or: how I learned there are other games like Arc Raiders

Extraction shooters are experiencing a renaissance with a growing selection of titles catering to various playstyles. These games revolve around the concept of "extraction," requiring players to safely leave a mission area with collected loot, risking loss upon death. Arc Raiders is a third-person extraction shooter available on Steam and Epic, where players combat massive flying robots and navigate potential teammate betrayal while scavenging for gear. It features aggressive matchmaking and offers both PvE and PvP experiences, with optional seasonal gear wipes. Marathon, a first-person extraction shooter from Bungie, includes unique character classes with distinct abilities and fast-paced rounds. Players can quickly accumulate gear and have unlimited free loadouts, with a narrative enriched by colorful quest-givers. Escape from Duckov is a top-down extraction shooter where players control ducks on quests, offering easy mechanics, exploration, base building, and gear upgrades, making it suitable for newcomers. Hunt: Showdown is set in the Louisiana bayou, emphasizing stealth and strategic gameplay as players hunt bosses and contend with rival hunters, featuring a long-term progression system. Witchfire blends single-player gameplay with fast-paced action and inventive weapons, maintaining an engaging loop of resource gathering and upgrading, currently in Early Access. The Forever Winter is a third-person shooter set in an apocalyptic world, focusing on survival amidst towering mechs and tanks, still in Early Access with some performance challenges. The extraction shooter genre is diversifying, offering experiences for both casual gamers and seasoned veterans.

AppWizard

March 15, 2026

It’s hard to equal Resident Evil 4’s quality, but Capcom did that for me with Resident Evil Requiem — it just needs one more thing for perfection

Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem has sold over five million copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling title in the Resident Evil series. The game has been praised by critics and players, being compared to Resident Evil 4 as a pinnacle of the franchise. It balances fear and exhilaration effectively, unlike its action-heavy predecessors. There is speculation about a new mini-game mode, potentially including a co-op mercenaries mode, which could enhance gameplay and replay value. Game director Koshi Nakanishi has stated that details about the mini-game mode are expected by May 2026.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Console and PC players trade hope and despair while they await Crimson Desert, as first PS5 Pro footage looks promising but Steam suddenly warns of Denuvo DRM

Crimson Desert is generating mixed reactions in the gaming community, particularly among PS5 and Xbox players who are cautious following the Cyberpunk 2077 launch. Recent console footage has showcased impressive visuals, and Digital Foundry has released a favorable analysis of the PS5 Pro version, highlighting three visual modes: Performance (upscaled 1080p at 60fps), Balanced (upscaled 1440p at 40fps), and Quality (native 4K at 30fps). However, PC gamers are concerned about the inclusion of Denuvo Anti-tamper technology, which has led to discontent on Steam and within the PC gaming subreddit due to its potential impact on performance. Despite these concerns, some industry experts have praised the game, with Richard Linneman calling it "one of the most impressive open-world experiences" and another reviewer describing it as an "overstuffed toybox" with entertainment value but lacking cohesion.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Dev at axed PlayStation game studio says Steam Machine could be why Sony is going back to console exclusives

Sony is shifting away from releasing PC ports and is reaffirming its commitment to console exclusives for single-player titles, including upcoming games like Ghost of Yōtei and Marvel’s Wolverine. This decision comes despite the success of Ghost of Tsushima on PC. Discussions suggest that the Steam Machine may influence this strategy, with Mike Ybarra and Peter Dalton highlighting Valve as a significant competitor rather than Xbox. Bluepoint Games, acquired by Sony in 2021, faced closure on March 2nd, following Sony's cancellation of a live-service God of War game. Sony's focus on exclusives is seen as a strategic advantage in competition with both Valve and Xbox, similar to Nintendo's success with its exclusive titles.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Roblox and Minecraft players are less likely to play traditional AAA video games

Newzoo's insights indicate a shift in gaming preferences, with Roblox and Minecraft players showing distinct engagement patterns compared to traditional AAA titles. Roblox's playtime has increased by about 50% year over year, driven by viral experiences. There is significant overlap between Roblox and Minecraft players with popular live service games like Fortnite (55% overlap with Roblox, 46% with Minecraft) and Grand Theft Auto V (28% with Roblox, 25% with Minecraft). However, Roblox players are less likely to engage with traditionally popular games, such as Monster Hunter Wilds, where they are only 0.4 times as likely to play compared to average gamers. Similarly, Minecraft players show disinterest in titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Assassin's Creed: Shadows. The demographic of these players is often younger, leading to a reluctance to invest in pricier AAA games. Newzoo's research suggests that these players may continue favoring free-to-play live-service titles and sandbox games as they mature, which could impact the market dynamics significantly. Additionally, it is projected that by 2028, PC gaming revenue will exceed that of consoles, marking a notable growth in the industry.