story Archives

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

Atomfall is getting a spooky DLC set on an offshore island that also lets you blast pretend pirates with a blunderbuss

Atomfall, launched in March, has attracted players with its depiction of the Lake District and the mystery of the Windscale Power Plant, despite initial criticisms of its combat and mechanics. A new DLC, Wicked Isle, will be released on June 3 for £15, introducing Midsummer Island, featuring folk horror elements like druids and a wicker man, along with new locations such as a dilapidated abbey and the Jolly Angler pub. The DLC aims to enhance the narrative and integrate new story threads that intersect with the main plot, offering players more choices and potential endings.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

Misc. A Tiny Tale Confirmed For Release in Late July

Indie game developer Tinyware Games has announced that Misc. A Tiny Tale will be released on PC and Nintendo Switch on July 22. The game features two tiny robots, Buddy and Bag Boy, navigating a whimsical post-human world. Players will collect trash, coins, and golden cogs while solving puzzles and assisting robot inhabitants. The game emphasizes environmental stewardship by allowing players to recycle trash and repair machinery. The narrative involves restoring villages after a mysterious explosion and celebrates diversity and community. Misc. A Tiny Tale will also be compatible with the upcoming Switch 2.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ sucks, I love it

“A Minecraft Movie” is a 100-minute film that debuted on April 4, featuring a disjointed plot, lackluster script, and minimal character development. The film takes viewers into the “overworld” of Minecraft, where characters attempt to return to reality but face a rushed narrative that prioritizes action and comedy over coherent storytelling. Jack Black stars as Steve, with Jason Momoa as Garrett Garrison, showcasing strong chemistry. Supporting characters, including siblings Henry and Natalie, lack depth, and Jennifer Coolidge’s subplot feels inconsequential. Despite critical reception, the film has grossed over half a billion dollars, driven by the popularity of Minecraft and viral snippets of dialogue. Audience members engaged with the film during screenings, indicating a level of enjoyment despite its flaws.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Honoring its Pride Month tradition, Tell Me Why is free to keep until the end of June for the fifth year in a row

Tell Me Why, an adventure game developed by Dontnod, is currently available for free on Steam until July 1. This initiative coincides with Pride Month, a trend that has occurred for the past five years. The game focuses on narrative choices rather than complex puzzles, and players are encouraged to consider donating to trans-inclusive charities. All three episodes of the game can be added to players' libraries at no cost.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

New Minecraft Server “Marvelous Anarchy” Launches with No Rules

A new Minecraft server called "Marvelous Anarchy" launched in May 2025, accessible via the IP address marvelousanarchy.com. It operates on Minecraft Java Edition version 1.12.2 and allows the use of hacked clients and exploits like item duping. The server has an initial player capacity of 25 and offers a completely unregulated gameplay experience, lacking traditional elements such as land protection and anti-griefing measures. Players can engage in unrestricted exploration, conflict, and resource acquisition, with the environment characterized by volatility and emergent social dynamics. The use of hacked clients is expected, providing players with various advantages. Spawn points are dangerous, and survival requires escaping quickly and finding untouched land. The server offers a fresh start for players to explore and establish themselves before chaos ensues.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Deltarune: Everything we know about Toby Fox’s next adventure

Deltarune is a game created by Toby Fox, which has been in development for over a decade and is not a prequel or sequel to Undertale, but rather a "parallel story." The game features a new world and characters, with some familiar faces from Undertale appearing. The story follows Kris, a human teenager, and their classmate Susie as they navigate the Dark World alongside Ralsei, a dark prince. The game is presented in chapters, with the first two available on Steam as a demo, and players can tackle the chapters in any order, though a specific sequence is recommended for the best experience.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Former BioWare lead writer says the best level in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines gave him ‘ammunition’ to argue that story can be just as engaging as combat

David Gaider, former lead writer at BioWare, expressed concerns about the overuse of "trashmob fights" in gaming, advocating for a balance between combat and narrative. He was influenced by the combat-free level in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, which emphasized tension through storytelling rather than action. Gaider argued against the necessity of frequent combat encounters, believing that narrative depth and political intrigue could engage players just as effectively. Despite his vision for a combat-free masquerade ball in Dragon Age: Inquisition, the design team opted to include combat, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing player engagement with narrative flow. Gaider emphasized that storytelling can keep players interested without relying solely on fighting.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Trash Goblin (PC) Review

Trash Goblin is a game where players take on the role of a goblin managing a shop that resells items salvaged from refuse. The narrative is minimalist, focusing on acquiring, refurbishing, and selling items, with charming interactions with humans and fantastical beings. The gameplay includes a block puzzle mechanic for item discovery and a "clock" system that limits players to six actions per in-game day, which disrupts the cozy atmosphere. There are no penalties for not fulfilling customer requests, raising questions about the purpose of customer interactions. While players can upgrade tools and expand storage, the lack of meaningful management elements diminishes the incentive to continue playing. The developers have a clear vision for the game, but its mechanics do not fully support a satisfying cozy simulation experience. Suggestions for improvement include removing the clock system and reimagining customer interactions.

BetaBeacon

May 28, 2025

Android XR will be another DOA Google product

Google's success is driven by its hardware platforms Android and Chromebooks, which generate revenue through targeted ads. Samsung's strength lies in hardware, not software, making it unlikely to save Android XR from failure. The success of Android XR will depend on consumer interest in AR/VR products, which currently seems low.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

F1 25 review

Sebastian Vettel's reminder about cherishing current moments resonates within the context of the F1 gaming franchise, particularly with the release of F1 25 on May 30, 2025, developed by Codemasters and published by Electronic Arts. The game is priced at £50 and is the 17th annual edition of the official F1 game. F1 25 features a nine-hour story in Braking Point 3, concluding the saga with character development for Aiden Jackson and introducing California Mayer as a rival. The game includes an email system for team management, allowing players to connect with staff achievements. However, it has faced criticism for its handling model, particularly for pad control, and contains bugs like incorrect radio messages. The game showcases modern advancements such as path-traced lighting but may struggle with performance on lower-end graphics cards. Overall, while F1 25 offers a high-quality racing experience, it lacks significant innovation compared to its predecessors.