tabletop game Archives

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Vampire The Masquerade Bloodhunt is officially dead. I should be sad, but instead, I’m just thankful for the memories

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt is a battle royale game set in a rain-drenched Prague, allowing players to choose their clan and engage in survival gameplay. It launched in 2022 with a peak player count of 29,475 but saw a decline to around 1,000 players before ceasing content updates in 2023. The game was announced to close in October 2025 after four years. Bloodhunt featured atmospheric representation of the World of Darkness, parkour mechanics for navigation, and character customization options that reflected clan aesthetics. However, it faced balance issues, cheating problems, and struggled to compete in a saturated market. Despite these challenges, a vibrant community remained engaged with the game, sharing memories and experiences.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Fallout co-creator says non-linear design is all about never assuming how players will act, illustrates his point by fantasising about an NPC guard he seems to really hate

Tim Cain, co-creator of the Fallout series, shared insights on game design in a YouTube video titled Eight Level Design Guidelines, emphasizing the importance of understanding player behavior and intentions. He advocates for non-linear gameplay, warning against making assumptions about player choices and criticizing design documents that enforce linearity. Cain believes that understanding the purpose of game elements is crucial for designers. He also credits his experiences with Dungeons & Dragons, which began in 1979, as a significant influence on his design principles, particularly in storytelling and mechanics.

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

Bolt Action PC First Look: How Slitherine is Reimagining the World’s Biggest WWII Tabletop Game

Slitherine and Frag Games are developing a digital adaptation of Warlord Games’ WWII tabletop miniatures game, Bolt Action, with a planned release in 2026. The game will faithfully recreate the “Six Orders” activation system, a suppression-based pinning system, and tactical armor facing. Key features include a comprehensive Army Painter for customization and a dynamic single-player campaign set in the Normandy theater. The game will maintain the original ruleset, including the tactical pillars of unit activation, the emphasis on suppression over health, vehicle positioning for damage, distinctions between direct and indirect fire, experience levels for squads, and extensive customization options for forces.

AppWizard

December 12, 2025

Total War: Warhammer 40,000 is totally real, so we’ve created a wishlist to send to the Emperor

Creative Assembly is developing a game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe following the success of its Warhammer trilogy. The community is excited and has compiled a wishlist of features for the new title. Key features include: - A vast gameplay scale that reflects the enormity of the Warhammer 40k universe, introducing logistical challenges and strategic depth. - Inclusion of iconic locations to enhance gameplay while maintaining engagement. - A robust customization system for units, allowing players to personalize their armies extensively. - Diverse unit appearances to enhance immersion and individuality. - Engaging endgame scenarios, such as warp storms or invasions, to keep gameplay dynamic. - Terrain playing a pivotal role in strategy, with a focus on urban warfare and effective cover systems. - Inclusion of naval combat and space battles, integral to the lore, with potential campaign events adding excitement. - Exploration of the eccentricities of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, showcasing diverse non-human factions. - The presence of colossal units, like Titans, to enhance the epic nature of battles.

AppWizard

December 10, 2025

New WW2 strategy game is the latest case of a tabletop classic going digital, but it retains the joy of painting miniatures

The Bolt Action video game, set to release in 2026, aims to adapt the tabletop game into a digital format while staying true to its original mechanics. Players will command soldiers in 3D environments, reenacting World War II events with features like morale tests and line of sight challenges. The game will include a virtual painting desk for customizing armies. It will offer solo and multiplayer modes, a Normandy campaign, and forces from the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany. Slitherine, the publisher, hopes the established brand recognition will help its market entry.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

The best PC games of all time in 2025

Since 1873, Rock Paper Shotgun has annually curated a selection of the finest PC games, beginning to document this list in 2021. The definition of the best PC games evolves each year, reflecting the current team's tastes. They aim to highlight personal favorites, intentionally leaving out other important titles. The team will unveil their selections for the RPS 100: 2025 Edition throughout the week. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth features dual protagonists Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu, blending serious themes with surreal humor in a turn-based RPG format. Inscryption challenges players in a card game against a gremlin in a haunted forest, known for its creativity and unexpected twists. House Of The Dying Sun is a space combat game inspired by classics, offering exhilarating battles and intuitive controls. Dragon's Dogma II introduces the Unmaking Arrow, adding unpredictability to its gameplay. Devotion is recognized as a top horror game, exploring despair through a masterfully crafted narrative. DayZ is a survival mod for ArmA II that retains its core essence despite updates, emphasizing player interactions. Wreckfest is a driving game focused on chaos and enjoyment rather than just winning. Dyson Sphere Program immerses players in factory building across planets with smooth gameplay. BattleTech incorporates mercenary economics into tactical gameplay. Full Throttle is a classic adventure game with high production values and a gripping narrative. Deep Rock Galactic features procedurally generated environments and cooperative gameplay. Stray portrays a cat navigating a dystopian city, creating an immersive experience. Return Of The Obra Dinn involves investigating a maritime mystery through unique gameplay mechanics. Plants Vs Zombies is a charming tower defense game appealing to all ages. Pentiment explores 16th-century life through a monk's perspective, enhancing storytelling with its art style. Gorogoa offers a unique puzzle experience with hand-drawn art. Conquests of the Longbow blends historical authenticity with engaging gameplay in the Robin Hood saga. Into The Breach presents a tactical challenge with innovative mechanics prioritizing civilian safety. The Stanley Parable encourages exploration and choice, thriving on humor and inventive design. Peggle encapsulates randomness and joy through its simple premise. The next reveal of the 80th to 61st best PC games will occur tomorrow, with previous selections available from 2021 to 2024.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

New D&D game Battlemarked feels like my greatest tabletop adventures brought to life, without all the fuss

Baldur's Gate 3 features animated dice as a homage to Dungeons and Dragons, while Demeo x Dungeons and Dragons: Battlemarked is a D&D-themed adaptation of the 2021 turn-based RPG Demeo. Set in the Forgotten Realms, it offers quick, pick-up-and-play action for solo players or groups of up to four. The game includes narrative-driven encounters, engaging combat, and a skirmish mode that emphasizes teamwork. It uses a card-based battle system, with visuals resembling a tabletop experience, and optional VR support for deeper immersion. The launch edition features two campaigns set in locations like Neverwinter Wood and Cragmaw Castle, with additional content promised in the future. Battlemarked is available on Steam for .99 / £24.99.

AppWizard

November 8, 2025

This retro-inspired JRPG just became the biggest Kickstarter game of the year, and puts a Greek spin on one of my favorite genres

Elestrals Awakened is a creature-collecting game that has raised over 0,000 on Kickstarter from more than 10,000 backers, making it the most-funded video game of the year. The game is a 16-bit retro homage to classic JRPGs and will feature a 2.5D turn-based RPG experience with dynamic over-the-shoulder battles. It is set to introduce creatures like Arcalith, Helialith, and Verdalith, with a full release planned for late 2027. The game includes features such as extra save files, permadeath options, a randomizer mode, and a Clash Tower mode. Alpha and beta testing will continue until summer 2027, and the 'Late Pledges' period is still open for additional support.

AppWizard

November 2, 2025

Iconic Lovecraftian Board Game Eldritch Horror Is Coming to PC

Eldritch Horror, a Lovecraftian tabletop horror game, will debut digitally on PC in 2026, available on Steam in the first quarter of the year. The game is being developed by Cornerstone Software, its first project. It will feature eight fully voiced characters, four Ancient Ones, numerous monsters, and hundreds of encounters based on the original game's lore. The digital version will include an original soundtrack and new artwork, while streamlining gameplay to reduce bookkeeping. The price is set at .99 or equivalent in local currency.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

Europa Universalis V (PC) Review

In 1993, French game designer Philippe Thibaut released the tabletop game Europa Universalis, which focused on the geopolitical dynamics of European powers from the late 15th century to 1792. The game was complex, featuring nearly 1500 counters and extensive manuals, with some sessions lasting over 60 hours. Thibaut collaborated with Paradox Development Studio to adapt the game for PC, launching the video game version in late 2000, which introduced real-time gameplay with a pause feature and an open-ended structure. As of 2025, the franchise has evolved to include four mainline titles and a spin-off, culminating in Europa Universalis V, which introduces a new starting date of April 1, 1337, and ends on December 31, 1836. The game features a detailed world map with 28,570 locations and 1,523 playable nations. New features include a revamped military system, balancing estates, and scripted situations that reflect real-world events. Despite advancements, Europa Universalis V has a high barrier to entry, particularly for newcomers, and may require additional content to reach its full potential. The game has shown stability on mid-range systems, though performance on handheld devices may be lacking.