smooth gameplay Archives

Winsage

June 9, 2025

I tested Xbox’s powerful — and heavy

The ROG Xbox Ally X is a handheld console with a 7-inch display, set to launch during the holiday season. It weighs 715 g (1.58 lbs), making it the heaviest handheld on the market. The console operates on Windows and comes pre-loaded with Steam, Battle.net, and Discord. Despite its impressive features and graphics, concerns about its ergonomics and comfort during prolonged use were raised after a short gameplay session. Feedback from other attendees indicated that some found the device comfortable, likening it to an Xbox controller.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

A long-lost Duke Nukem prototype resurfaces after 24 years

The Duke Nukem franchise has seen a resurgence with the release of a prototype for the unreleased PlayStation 2 game, Duke Nukem: D-Day, developed by n-Space. This prototype, dating back to 2001, features twelve playable levels and has been made available on the Internet Archive. The game is described as "90% complete," though it lacks cutscenes and voicework. Players start in a strip club and engage in a time-traveling mission against the Third Reich and aliens. The controls are reminiscent of older gaming systems, and while the game framework is present, it lacks polish. To play the prototype, users need a PlayStation 2 with third-party software or an emulator like PCSX2. The game was in development until 2003, indicating that a more refined version may still exist.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

XWVM, the X-Wing mod that lets you play the Star Wars classic remade in Unity, is finally available to download

X-Wing is a classic space combat game that allows players to pilot an X-Wing, appealing to fans of the Star Wars saga. The game faces challenges on modern systems, as the Special Edition requires a joystick, while the Classic and Collector's CD-ROM editions can be played with a mouse and keyboard but suffer from performance issues, including inconsistent framerates and outdated graphics. The X-Wing Virtual Machine (XWVM) is a mod that revitalizes the game by enabling it to run within the Unity engine, providing smooth gameplay at modern resolutions and adjustable settings, and eliminating the need for a joystick. When paired with the HD asset pack, it enhances 3D models for spaceships, cockpits, and planets. Players can acquire X-Wing through platforms like Steam or GOG and install XWVM by downloading the core mod and unpacking the HD assets into the appropriate directory.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

Painkiller RTX is a path-traced upgrade to a classic but almost forgotten shooter

Nvidia's RTX Remix is a tool that allows game modders to enhance classic PC games with path-traced visuals. One notable project is the transformation of the 2004 game Painkiller into Painkiller RTX, currently at version 0.1.6. This project utilizes a custom rendering technology called PainEngine, replacing the original Direct X 8.1 rendering with a path tracer, resulting in improved visuals such as real-time shadows and moving lights. The gameplay retains its fast-paced action focus, with enhanced mechanics through Havok physics, allowing for dynamic interactions with the environment. Painkiller RTX features significant upgrades in lighting, including dynamic lighting that interacts with moving objects and improved texture quality using Quixel megascan assets. However, the path-tracing technology requires robust hardware for optimal performance, and even mid-range GPUs like the RTX 4060 may struggle with frame rates during intense gameplay.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

I can’t believe Elden Ring Nightreign is missing this feature on PC

FromSoftware has released Elden Ring Nightreign, a co-op roguelike spin-off of the Elden Ring universe, now available on Windows PC and Steam, with console versions coming soon. The game features a 60 FPS cap and has received positive feedback for its performance, despite some framerate drops. However, it lacks ultrawide support, which has disappointed some fans. The game is priced at .99, currently available for .99 at Newegg with the promo code XVSAVE.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

RedMagic 10S Pro plays full PC games natively with built-in Windows emulator

The RedMagic 10S Pro features a built-in Windows emulator, allowing users to play full-fledged Steam or Epic Games titles on a smartphone. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Leading Version chip, achieving over 3 million benchmark points. The device has a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 144 Hz refresh rate and 2,000 nits peak brightness. It includes an active cooling system, LPDDR5T RAM, and UFS 4.0 storage for optimal performance. The shoulder buttons operate at 520 Hz for responsive controls, and the battery capacity is 7,050 mAh for the Pro variant and 7,500 mAh for the Pro+ with 120 W fast charging. The RedMagic 10S Pro is priced at approximately 4,000 CNY in China, while the Pro+ variant is around 3,000 CNY.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

NVIDIA DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation and Other RTX Updates Shown Off for Upcoming and Existing PC Games

NVIDIA's DLSS 4 technology is integrated into over 125 games and applications. Portal with RTX has upgraded from DLSS 3.5 to DLSS 4, improving performance with the GeForce RTX 5090 achieving an average of 277 frames per second. Roadcraft will launch with DLSS Frame Generation, DLSS Super Resolution, and DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, running at over 250 frames per second on the RTX 5090. SplitGate 2 will fully integrate DLSS 4 technologies in its Open Beta, while NARAKA: Bladepoint will receive a path tracing update, showcasing approximately 350 frames per second. F1 25 will launch on May 24 with DLSS 4 technologies, and Dune: Awakening will feature these technologies in early June. MindsEye will launch on June 10 with full DLSS 4 support, followed by Remedy's FBC: Firebreak on June 17. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers will launch on July 24 with complete DLSS technologies but without ray tracing. inZOI will receive a DLSS 4 update in August. Horizon 'clone' Light of Motiram runs at over 400 frames per second with DLSS 4 technologies. Crimson Desert will incorporate DLSS 4 technologies and ray-traced effects, aiming for high-quality graphics and smooth gameplay.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

The RTX 5060 is cheap, but can it game? We played 5 titles to find out

Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5060 is set to release on May 19 with a starting price of 9. It features 8GB of video memory, which may be insufficient for demanding games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle that require at least 12GB of VRAM. Preliminary testing at 1080p showed the RTX 5060 Ti performing well in five titles, often meeting or exceeding Nvidia's performance claims, particularly within optimized conditions for Nvidia GPUs. The card benefits from DLSS 4, enabling impressive frame rates even at 1440p, with frame rates exceeding 200 FPS in demanding scenarios. Texture pool sizes during tests were around 1.5GB, indicating effective use of neural rendering techniques. However, Cyberpunk 2077's benchmarking tool did not accurately reflect performance due to pre-release drivers. Users may face challenges with DLSS override settings in the Nvidia app, requiring manual adjustments for optimal performance. Despite these hurdles, the RTX 5060 shows promise for a smooth gaming experience, though concerns about the adequacy of its 8GB VRAM remain.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Dead Island 2 is free to own this week on Epic Games Store

Dead Island 2 is available for free on the Epic Games Store until May 22nd. The game is praised for its pre-baked lighting and performance on PC, and it has been recognized for its graphics in 2023. Players report a smooth gameplay experience with minimal issues, and the game has made the Top 10 Best PC Graphics list. Initially, it did not support NVIDIA's DLSS but a free mod allows players to use DLSS instead of AMD's FSR. The game sold over one million copies in its first three days and surpassed two million by May 2023. There is speculation about a potential Dead Island 3, but no official announcements have been made.

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

6 PC gaming myths that sound right (but aren’t)

- Maxing out graphics settings to "Ultra" can lead to performance drops without significant visual improvements; "Very High" or "High" settings often provide a better balance of visuals and performance. - The effectiveness of ray tracing in games varies based on implementation; some games showcase its benefits while others do not. - Photorealism in graphics does not necessarily equate to immersion; true immersion relies on art style, narrative, gameplay, and performance. - Modern upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR have improved to the point where the difference between upscaled and native resolution is often imperceptible to most gamers. - Frame generation can create visual artifacts and latency issues, particularly for budget GPUs, making it less effective at low framerates. - Recent advancements in GPUs have made high-quality gaming more accessible, challenging the belief that only high-end GPUs are needed for top-tier gaming experiences.