tactical depth Archives

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Hytale and Minecraft: 5 key differences you should know about

Hytale, developed by Hypixel Studios, shares similarities with Minecraft, including expansive, procedurally generated worlds and block-based environments. The game features a more nuanced combat system with special movesets and ultimate attacks, distinguishing it from Minecraft's melee system. Hytale's crafting is streamlined, allowing players to select items from a menu rather than arranging resources in a grid, and includes a progression mechanic for crafting stations. Additionally, Hytale introduces mantling, enabling players to jump and grab onto edges of blocks, enhancing mobility and exploration.

AppWizard

December 14, 2025

The only CRPG using D&D’s original setting is finally on Steam, with fan patches and quality-of-life fixes pre-installed

The US edition of PC Gamer magazine awarded The Temple of Elemental Evil a score of 79% in 2003. The game faced criticisms for issues such as NPC companions hoarding loot, poor pathfinding mechanics, and various bugs. The re-release of the game on Steam serves as a bridge between classic RPGs and modern user-friendly experiences, offering a faithful representation of D&D's 3.5 ruleset. The gameplay features deep tactical options, strategic movement considerations, and unique skills that enhance encounters. The new release is described as a thoughtful repair rather than a mere remake or remaster, with curated improvements that maintain the charm of the original.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

A ‘small update’ just shook up Deadlock’s basic mechanics and tweaked nearly every hero

Deadlock's invite-only beta has introduced significant gameplay changes, particularly in lane creep mechanics, now called Troopers. Players must manually secure the first half of the souls from defeated Troopers, promoting a more aggressive playstyle. Additionally, players can collect souls from Troopers that have perished even if they arrive late to the lane, ensuring a consistent income. Nearly every hero has undergone balancing, with some receiving substantial updates, such as Mirage's ultimate ability allowing him to teleport to friendly objectives.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

New Viking RPG fusing Baldur’s Gate 3’s combat with KCD2’s bawdy charm sets a launch date, and you can try a demo now

Norse: Oath of Blood is a turn-based RPG featuring twins Gunnar Gripsson and Sigrid Gripdottir on a quest for vengeance after their father is betrayed and murdered. The game combines tactical battle systems with a rich narrative and character interactions. It utilizes advanced motion capture technology and aims to capture the human aspects of Viking culture. The release date is set for February 3, 2026, on PC via Steam, with a free demo currently available.

BetaBeacon

November 18, 2025

Resident Evil Survival Unit Available Now on iOS and Android

- Resident Evil Survival Unit is a mobile game based on Capcom's Resident Evil series. - The game offers a strategic experience with real-time strategy elements set in a parallel world inspired by the Resident Evil universe. - Players can build bases, secure resources, battle creatures, and form alliances with others. - Iconic characters from the Resident Evil franchise are featured in the game. - Renowned artist Yoshitaka Amano contributed the original creature "Mortem" to the game. - The game is free-to-play with in-app purchases and was launched on November 18, 2025. - The game is available on iOS and Android in 151 countries and regions worldwide.

AppWizard

November 3, 2025

Pillars of Eternity’s 10-year anniversary turn-based mode will sidestep the biggest issues I was worried it would have, and you can try it this week

Obsidian Entertainment announced that the open beta for the turn-based mode of Pillars of Eternity will begin on Wednesday, November 5. Director Josh Sawyer discussed the evolution of gameplay mechanics, noting the initial use of real-time with pause (RTWP) in the original game and the challenges posed by introducing a turn-based mode in Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire. The gaming landscape has shifted, with modern players expecting faster-paced action and greater tactical depth, prompting Obsidian to adapt its approach to meet these expectations.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Football Manager 26 review

Football Manager 26 is set to release on November 4, 2025, at a retail price of £50. The game features a new match engine developed in Unity, enhancing visual fidelity and player animations, allowing for more informed tactical decisions. The match experience has improved, fostering emotional connections between players and their teams, but the user interface redesign has led to confusion for some players due to the overwhelming amount of information. There are concerns about the pacing of gameplay, which feels slow, particularly in the early stages of a save. Despite these issues, the game maintains its appeal through a vast database of players and a richly simulated footballing world.

AppWizard

September 26, 2025

Tiny Metal 2 is the third game in the turn-based strategy series, and it just so happens to be taking after my favorite Advance Wars

In 2001, Advance Wars was released, known for its balance of compactness and tactical depth, featuring a variety of units and a unique mechanic involving commanding officers' slow-charging heroic powers. Advance Wars: Dual Strike for the Nintendo DS expanded on this concept with a larger roster of units and powers, leading to unpredictable gameplay. An upcoming game in the Tiny Metal series, inspired by Dual Strike, is set to be released on Steam next year.