strategic depth Archives

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review

Clair Obscur is a JRPG set in a dark version of Belle Époque France, featuring a countdown marked by a figure called the Paintress that signals doom for certain individuals. The gameplay combines traditional turn-based mechanics with real-time challenges, requiring players to develop characters into powerful allies to prevent an apocalypse. The battle system includes quick-time events and real-time shooting, which can lead to frustration due to its demand for precision. Character diversity is a highlight, with each member of Expedition 33 offering unique abilities, but the game often lacks meaningful feedback on strategies. Exploration is streamlined, allowing players to avoid excessive grinding, with a total playtime of around 20 hours. Inventory management is simplified, focusing on combat and storytelling. The game features strong voice acting and vibrant visuals, though its combat mechanics can overshadow the narrative.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

The Best PC Games to Play Right Now (Spring 2025)

PC gaming in 2025 features advanced GPUs enabling ray tracing and AI-enhanced upscaling, with tools like Unreal Engine 5 facilitating diverse game development. Platforms such as Steam and Epic Games Store host tens of thousands of titles, with over 13,000 new games launched on Steam in 2024. Notable games include Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, Cyberpunk 2077, Valorant, Overwatch 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Warframe, and Apex Legends. Key trends include cross-platform compatibility, free-to-play models, and game subscription services. Optimal gaming setups typically require a mid-range processor, a GTX 1070 or better graphics card, and at least 16GB of RAM. Popular multiplayer games include Valorant and Apex Legends, while highly rated titles include Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, and Disco Elysium. Classics worth playing today include The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Portal 2.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

It’s better than Slay The Spire, it was our best card game of 2020, and now the sequel has a proper release date

Monster Train 2 is set to release on May 21 and will introduce five new clans, along with innovative room and equipment cards that enhance gameplay. The original Monster Train was recognized as the best card game of 2020 by PC Gamer, although it received a mixed review from Jody Macgregor, who rated it 77% and noted both its powerful combos and frustrating randomness in deck and upgrade paths.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

Best free-to-play action games on PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S | Esports News – The Times of India

Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone 2, Warframe, Apex Legends, and Destiny 2 are five free-to-play games available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. 1. Fortnite: - Publisher: Epic Games - Features: Fast-paced gunfights, building mechanics, collaborations with pop culture icons, no-build mode, accessible battle royale and creative modes. 2. Call of Duty: Warzone 2: - Publisher: Activision - Features: Immersive battle royale experience, expansive open-world environments, tactical squad play, vehicle combat, extensive maps, diverse weapons, Gulag 2.0, crossplay capabilities. 3. Warframe: - Publisher: Digital Extremes - Features: Sci-fi gameplay, parkour mechanics, melee combat, over 50 unique Warframes, engaging PvE gameplay, abundant loot. 4. Apex Legends: - Publisher: Electronic Arts (EA) - Features: Battle royale and hero shooter elements, unique Legends with special abilities, fast-paced matches, fluid movement mechanics. 5. Destiny 2: - Publisher: Bungie - Features: Shooter and MMORPG elements, role of a Guardian, stunning visuals, solo quests, team raids, competitive PvP battles, deep storyline, variety of gameplay modes.

AppWizard

March 23, 2025

The best games to play in 2025, so far

In 2025, the gaming landscape features a mix of innovative titles and new iterations of beloved franchises. The standout games, each rated four stars or higher, include: - WWE 2K25: Offers an immersive wrestling experience with a talented roster and innovative modes, though it has monetization strategies that may frustrate fans. - Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii: Revitalizes the Yakuza series with engaging mechanics and a captivating pirate adventure narrative. - Sniper Elite: Resistance: Set in World War II France, it enhances the sniping experience with multiplayer modes and a strategic narrative. - Dynasty Warriors Origins: Features epic battles and refined combat mechanics, creating a thrilling atmosphere. - Wanderstop: A simulation game about a former champion fighter running a tea shop, blending whimsical gameplay with a narrative about personal growth. - Civilization 7: Enhances the 4X formula with stunning visuals and new mechanics, making it accessible for newcomers and rewarding for veterans. - Avowed: Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, it emphasizes rich storytelling and exploration. - Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector: Enhances narrative depth and introduces new gameplay mechanics, creating a thrilling experience. - Assassin's Creed Shadows: Combines stealth and RPG elements in a beautifully crafted Sengoku-era Japan setting. - Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: Features a detailed open world and engaging quests, rewarding players for overcoming challenges. - Two Point Museum: A humorous simulation game where players build and manage a quirky museum, adding layers of strategy. - Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape One: Introduces a dual timeline for enriched storytelling and innovative mechanics. - Split Fiction: A cooperative game with a blend of genres and gameplay styles, promoting teamwork in a visually stunning world. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Refines the series' core loop with thrilling hunts and gear crafting, emphasizing dynamic combat and immersive environments.

AppWizard

March 11, 2025

Should Age of Empires and Quake be in the ‘World Video Game Hall of Fame’? You can vote for them to be inducted this year

The Strong National Museum of Play has announced its nominees for the World Video Game Hall of Fame. The nominees are: - Age of Empires - Angry Birds - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) - Defender - Frogger - Goldeneye 007 - Golden Tee - Harvest Moon - Mattel Football - NBA 2K - Quake - Tamagotchi

AppWizard

March 7, 2025

25 Best Free PC Games To Play In 2025

Hearthstone is a digital card game developed by Blizzard, released on March 11, 2014. Players select a hero class from the World of Warcraft universe and build decks with unique cards, engaging in turn-based duels to reduce opponents' health to zero. The game features an automatic mana system, making it accessible while maintaining strategic depth. Various game modes include Battlegrounds, Tavern Brawl, and single-player matches. Blizzard regularly updates the Core Set of cards and offers pre-constructed decks and "catch-up packs" to help new and returning players.

AppWizard

March 3, 2025

Card Games Are Getting Even More Inventive On PC, And I Couldn’t Be More Excited

Traditional deckbuilding card games are evolving with innovative titles that blend elements of tactical RPGs and tabletop gaming. The Steam Next Fest showcased new games hinting at the future of card games. Shuffle Tactics combines deckbuilding with tactical RPG elements, featuring multiple units on a grid and characters with unique hands of cards for buffing allies and attacking enemies. It includes inventive abilities and emphasizes positioning for strategic gameplay. As We Descend incorporates adventure game elements, allowing character card enhancement and dividing the battlefield into guard and support zones. Players protect an artifact while engaging in narrative and light city-building elements, utilizing cards for interactions within a hub. Into the Restless Ruins redefines deckbuilding by focusing on dungeon creation, where players use cards to build a dungeon and then explore it, engaging in automatic battles. The game emphasizes creative problem-solving and combat, drawing inspiration from tabletop RPGs.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Survival MMO Dune: Awakening launches in May and I am way more excited about it than I thought I’d be

Funcom has announced that Dune: Awakening will be released on May 20 for PC. The game is a survival MMO set in an alternate timeline of Arrakis, where players take on the role of a minion sent by the Bene Gesserit to find the Fremen and awaken the sleeper. Players will establish a base, fend off scavengers, and explore dungeons for resources. The gameplay includes exploration and combat, as well as building and customizing homes. As players progress, they will engage in the political dynamics of the Dune universe, navigating the Landsraad and aligning with various factions.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

Relic Entertainment announces turn-based strategy game Earth vs Mars for PC

Relic Entertainment has announced a new turn-based strategy game titled Earth vs Mars, set for release in summer 2025 on PC via Steam. The game features a narrative where Martians abduct Earth's inhabitants and aim to conquer the planet. Players will lead a group of commanders in battles against Martian forces using unique mechanics like the "Splice-O-Tron," which allows the creation of hybrid supersoldiers. Key features include a single-player campaign with over 30 missions, online multiplayer, a VS mode against AI, a map editor, unique unit abilities, and multiple commanders with distinct abilities. The game will initially launch on Steam, with potential future platform expansions. Pricing and language support details are yet to be finalized, and compatibility with Steam Deck is not planned at launch. Regular updates will be provided leading up to the release.