tension Archives

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

XCOM spiritual successor Warhounds dumps its gen-AI portraits, and I’m breathing a sigh of relief

Everplay is developing a turn-based strategy game called Warhounds, inspired by classics like XCOM and Jagged Alliance. The game faced criticism during its Steam Next Fest demo for using generative AI for character portraits, which were described as "shiny, unrealistic, and completely at odds with the look of the game." In response to community feedback, Everplay clarified that the AI-generated portraits were temporary placeholders and announced plans to replace them with over 100 hand-crafted designs. The new portrait system will create images directly from each character's in-game 3D model, ensuring visual consistency and accommodating custom recruits. Warhounds features an accuracy system that calculates bullets individually, eliminating random misses, and introduces meaningful consequences based on player decisions. The game is set for release in 2026, with a wishlist option available on Steam and a free demo for players.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Kingdom Come 2 director welcomes LGBT award nomination, then spends around 175 words explaining that it doesn’t make him ‘Woke’

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been awarded Game of the Year for 2025 and is nominated for the "Gayming Fan Favorite Award" at the 2026 Gayming Awards, with character Hans nominated for "Best LGBTQ+ Character Award." The game's director, Daniel Vávra, emphasizes the importance of authenticity in representing the relationship between characters Henry and Hans, which explores gay romance in a nuanced way. Vávra believes the game's approach contrasts with other titles' heavy-handed methods and highlights player agency. The development team aimed for a realistic depiction of the Middle Ages while allowing for personal expression through gay romances. Despite positive reception, Vávra's past associations with certain gaming communities have led to backlash from some groups due to the inclusion of diverse characters. He expresses frustration with what he sees as "forced 'woke' nonsense" while advocating for authentic storytelling.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War review

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War is a licensed first-person shooter developed by Auroch Digital and published by Dotemu and Game Source Entertainment, priced at £15. The game lacks multiplayer functionality and performs suboptimally on the Steam Deck. Combat mechanics involve players using powerful spray-and-pray weapons with limited ammunition against sparse enemy encounters, failing to create a sense of urgency. Airstrikes are included but often feel unnecessary due to insufficient enemy presence. The Klendathu Drop mission stands out for its chaotic gameplay, contrasting with the otherwise empty maps. The game attempts to replicate the film's aesthetic but often misses the mark, with repetitive outposts and an uninspired soundtrack. Players can assume the role of an "Assassin Bug," but this mode lacks depth and engaging objectives. The game features characters voiced by the original actors, but the delivery is stilted and the satire feels dated. Overall, Ultimate Bug War struggles to capture the essence of the original film and novel, with pacing and level design that leave much to be desired.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Metro 2039 is “much darker” than its predecessors, but most importantly it’s a statement of intent

Anticipation is high for Metro 2039, the next installment in the Metro series, following the release of Exodus in 2019. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic Russia, specifically around a devastated Saint Basil's Cathedral, and will explore themes of death, tyranny, and political manipulation. Players will assume the role of The Stranger, who must dismantle the authoritarian regime of the Novoreich, led by Hunter. Metro 2039 will feature a fully voiced protagonist, enhancing immersion, and gameplay will include close-quarters shooting and survival horror elements. The game is expected to launch in winter 2026, likely between October and December, and aims to reflect the experiences of its Ukrainian developers amid ongoing conflict.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Silent Hill f’s director ‘didn’t have a good night’s sleep’ the whole way through the game’s production

Long-time fans of the Silent Hill franchise have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of Silent Hill f after over a decade of silence, but there are concerns about its setting in Shōwa-period Japan and its ability to capture the essence of the classic games. Al Yang, the game director at NeoBards Entertainment, expressed the pressure he felt throughout the development process, stating that he struggled to sleep from the project's inception to the reviews. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the series' signature atmosphere, which he deemed non-negotiable, while also introducing new gameplay mechanics like the absence of firearms and the inclusion of action elements. The successful development of Silent Hill f is attributed to open dialogue between the developer and publisher, focusing on what aspects of the game are negotiable and non-negotiable.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

Microsoft April Update Forces BitLocker Recovery on Servers

A recent Microsoft security update, April 2026 KB5082063, has caused issues for administrators of Windows Server 2025 and Windows 11 systems, with many devices entering BitLocker recovery mode after reboot, requiring a 48-digit recovery key. This issue primarily affects enterprise-managed systems with specific TPM Group Policy settings involving PCR7 validation. Similar problems have been reported with updates KB5083769 and KB5082052 on Windows 11. The issue arises from five conditions: BitLocker must be enabled on the OS drive, the Group Policy must include PCR7, the msinfo32.exe tool must show Secure Boot State PCR7 Binding as “Not Possible,” the Windows UEFI CA 2023 certificate must be in the Secure Boot Signature Database, and the device must not be using the 2023-signed Windows Boot Manager. Microsoft suggests two workarounds: removing the TPM validation Group Policy before the update and re-enabling BitLocker, or applying a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) before installation. Skipping the April updates is not advisable due to the addressing of 167 vulnerabilities, including two zero-days. BitLocker recovery issues following updates have been recurring since 2022, with similar incidents reported in August 2022, August 2024, and May 2025, indicating ongoing challenges with Secure Boot certificates and TPM validation bindings in enterprise environments.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Subnautica 2 multiplayer explained – crossplay and four-player co-op

Subnautica 2 introduces multiplayer functionality, allowing players to explore underwater landscapes with up to three friends. The game maintains a design that ensures all single-player features are available in multiplayer without exclusive elements. Players can switch between single-player and multiplayer modes, converting existing saves or creating new ones. Friends can join a player's world but may be able to take resources. The game is fundamentally designed as a single-player experience, preserving moments of solitude. Subnautica 2 supports cross-play between Xbox and PC users, with a friends list system for connecting across platforms. Future expansions to other platforms are expected to maintain this cross-play capability. Players should check system requirements for compatibility.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

After 4 hours of pirate survival in Windrose, I’m reinstalling Sea of Thieves

After four hours of gameplay in Windrose, the player has engaged in activities such as felling trees, collecting seashells, and constructing grass huts, while also facing challenges from various creatures. The player is currently stranded on an archipelago and must rescue their crew from different islands. Windrose has seen nearly 70,000 concurrent players and received around 1,500 positive reviews on its first day on Steam, despite being in early access. The game lacks a wind system for sailing, and the player feels it resembles a survival game with pirate aesthetics rather than an authentic pirate experience. In contrast, Sea of Thieves is noted for capturing the essence of piracy through its multiplayer experience and physical gameplay mechanics. Sea of Thieves has evolved over time with new content and features, while Windrose has faced technical issues that hinder the experience. The player expresses skepticism about investing time into Windrose, despite the potential for building a pirate fortress.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Capcom’s new game has reminded me how good ray-tracing can look on PC

Pragmata is a new game by Capcom that features a protagonist named Hugh and a robotic companion named Diana, enhancing gameplay through traditional third-person shooting mechanics and on-the-fly hacking. The combat system involves navigating a grid maze to exploit enemy weaknesses, creating a strategic challenge. The game also emphasizes exploration with intricately designed levels filled with collectibles and resources. Visually, Pragmata is impressive, utilizing ray-traced lighting and running on an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, achieving around 90fps at maximum settings and potentially up to 150fps with frame generation. Capcom has successfully created a visually stunning game that may become a cult favorite.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Todd Howard says Starfield’s NG+ was misunderstood and defends Bethesda’s new U-turn on how it works: ‘You can tell us if we’re done our job right’

Starfield's Free Lanes update enhances the New Game Plus (NG+) mode by allowing players to retain up to 50 items when entering The Unity, a multiverse nexus that resets the game while keeping character skills and abilities. This change addresses player concerns about losing hard-earned possessions, which was previously seen as a daunting sacrifice. The update also introduces X-Tech for further upgrades to existing gear, aiming to reward players without frustrating them by losing progress. Bethesda's director, Todd Howard, and creative producer, Tim Lamb, emphasize the importance of evolving the gameplay experience and encouraging players to engage with the game's NG+ features.